MS Europa Departures by Date

MS Europa Departures

Baltic Sea:The Gold of the Tsars - Hamburg to Kiel
MS Europa -  June 21 - July 5, 2012

The trickling fountains of the Grand Cascade adorn the steps leading up to Peterhof Palace, the art treasures of the Hermitage exceed all expectations and St. Petersburg shows what the vision of a single human being can bring forth. In Helsinki, you will be enchanted by the cathedral, and in Riga, the masters of Art Nouveau created playful architectural history. On board, Russian musicians take you with them on a journey through the traditional tunes of their home country. The Baltic Sea augurs moving moments.

Highlights of this Cruise
• UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites: the historic centre of
  St. Petersburg*, the old town of Tallinn*, the historic city centre of
  Riga* and Malbork Castle*
• UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: the Curonian Spit*
• Stockholm - the city of 57 bridges
• Festival ship: Musikfest Bremen with director Prof Thomas Albert
  on board
• Russian folklore on board
• Golf & Cruise voyage with comprehensive golf package*

* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price.
   Subject to changes.

Hamburg
A cup of coffee on the Süllberg or a drink on the banks of the Alster - begin your holiday by enjoying Hamburg individually*.

Copenhagen/Denmark
Following the passage through the Kiel Canal, the EUROPA reaches Denmark's charming capital city. Its landmark is the Little Mermaid, but Amalienborg Palace or the futuristic opera house* are also characteristic of Copenhagen's colourful cityscape. The complete beauty of the cultural metropolis will be revealed to you during a helicopter flight* over the city.

Gudhjem/Bornholm/Denmark
Picturesque half-timbered houses adorn the small fishing town on the east coast. Set out from here to the south* of Bornholm and visit one of the island's typical round churches in Nylars. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the north*. One of the main attractions here is Hammershus - Northern Europe's largest preserved fortification ruins.

Stockholm/Sweden
The EUROPA is docked in the harbour of Sweden's capital city for the night. Stockholm was built on 14 islands, and on its numerous waterways*, sights such as the royal palace or the opera can be discovered from an exciting perspective. Ashore, you will be thrilled by the "Vasa". The impressive warship sank in the 17th century during its maiden voyage and later attained fame at the Vasa Museum*.

Helsinki/Finland
Only a few metres behind the harbour basin of the endearing metropolis, a masterpiece of classicism will captivate your attention - Helsinki's Senate Square* with the impressively tall cathedral. The modern rock-hewn church was built into the granite in the 1960s, and the national museum or the Finlandia congress hall also enhance the architectural cityscape. The elegant promenade Esplanade invites you for a leisurely stroll and some shopping.

St. Petersburg/Russia
Sailing up the Neva River, the EUROPA arrives in the city of the tsars. You now have two days to explore the heritage of Peter the Great such as the Hermitage* with its incredible wealth of masterpieces by artists like Rubens, Cézanne or Picasso. The treasury of the museum will also open up for you, as will the doors of magnificent Saint Isaac's Cathedral*. A canal tour* provides you with the opportunity to explore the numerous waterways of the city. And in nearby Pushkin, you will be charmed by the Baroque Catherine Palace*, the favourite residence of Catherine II. On the coast of the Baltic Sea, Peterhof, the summer residence of the tsars*, awaits you with the fantastic fountains of the Golden Cascade. The last resting place of personalities like Tchaikovsky and Dostoyevsky is Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery*. Stroll past beautifully elaborated tombs and listen to a little choral concert in the church of the monastery.

Tallinn/Estonia
The historic district of Tallinn* is a mediaeval gem. Under the vigilance of the "Fat Margaret", the days when the city still belonged to the Hanseatic League come alive again in the alleys of the lower town. Up on the castle hill, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is reminiscent of the Russian reign. On the cross-country excursion to the Pakri* Peninsula, the beautiful Estonian landscape will be revealed to you.

Riga/Latvia
The architectural heritage of Riga* is to be found to the left and to the right of the River Daugava. Stroll through the historic district, visit the cathedral and admire playful Art Nouveau architecture along Albert and Elizabeth Street.

Klaipeda (Memel)/Lithuania
On Klaipeda's* Theatre Square, the statue of Annie of Tharaw pays tribute to an old folk song. In Palanga*, the long beach promenade invites you for a leisurely walk. Or perhaps you would like to explore the Curonian Spit by bike*? A little ferry takes you to the picturesque peninsula which, with its huge shifting sand dunes, is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Gdynia (Gdansk)/Poland
The old Hanseatic city of Gdansk* looks back on more than 1,000 years of history. Patrician houses adorn cobblestone alleys, and in the lovingly restored historic centre, Neptune's Fountain splashes away at the Long Market just like it has been for more than 350 years. St. Catherine's Church dating back to the 13th century with magnificent paintings by Anton Müller, the "painter of Gdansk", is the oldest church in the city. The hub from which the Teutonic Order ruled over East Prussia in bygone days towers on the banks of the Nogat - impressive Malbork Castle*, Europe's largest mediaeval fortress.

Kiel
Leave the ship in Kiel and round off your holiday by visiting the beautiful Hanseatic city of Hamburg individually*.