Departs June 14, 2009
10-night Baltic cruise, including the White Nights of St. Petersburg, aboard the Emerald Princess and 2-nights Copenhagen for single and solo travelers.
From late May through July nights are bright in St Petersburg, but the White Nights are celebrated from mid-June to early July. The nature of the White Nights (Beliye Nochi) is explained by the geographical location of St. Petersburg – located roughly on the same latitude as Oslo, Norway, the southern tip of Greenland and Seward, Alaska. Due to such high latitude, the sun does not go under the horizon deep enough for the sky to get dark. The dusk meets the dawn and it is so bright that in summer they do not turn street lighting on.
We’ll start in Copenhagen and cruise to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland, Estonia, and Russia. Two full days in St. Petersburg with private touring are the pinnacle of this spectacular journey to the Baltic States.
This extraordinary journey is for solo travelers – including single, attached with a “travel phobic” spouse or partner, or friends who want to explore together. Meet like-minded travelers and make new friends. Avoid single supplement charges with our roommate match program, or if you prefer, single rooms are available.
Itinerary:
Sunday, June 14
Arrive Copenhagen, transfer to Grand Hotel. Meet your fellow Seven Wonders Solos this evening at a private welcome reception.
Monday, June 15 B,D
This morning we’ll do the ‘Royal’ tour Copenhagen and see the highlights and castles of this charming city. Admission to Rosenborg Castle, King Christian IV’s favorite, is included; then to the pier to board the Emerald Princess.
Tuesday, June 16 B,L,D
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea.
Wednesday, June 17 B,L,D
Stockholm is a city of 14 islands linked by boats and graceful bridges. Its history stretches seven centuries, and it is Sweden's center of art and culture. It is also famous for being the home of the Nobel Prize.
Thursday, June 18 B,L,D
Helsinki is the center of Finnish commerce and culture, as well as the nation's capital. The skyline features a dramatic blend of classical architecture and clean modernism, with Russian and Swedish influences throughout. Much more than, simply, the nation where saunas originated, Finland -- Helsinki in particular -- delight visitors with a vital sense of heritage as well as enthusiasm.
Fri-Sat, June 19-20 B,L,D
We’ll overnight in St. Petersburg and have two full days to see this amazing city. Situated at the confluence of the Gulf of Finland and the mighty Neva River, this former imperial capital fascinates visitors with its strong European influences, grand residences, world-renown museums and extraordinary monuments to a glittering past gone by. With its elegant palace-lined waterways, gilded and domed skyline, and grand boulevards where Czars once traveled in golden carriages, the majestic city of St. Petersburg well-deserves its nickname as the "Empress of the Baltic."
An English-speaking guide will escort us throughout the city on a private tour for Seven Wonders Solos. Two full days of sightseeing are included, as well as a folklore show on Friday night. We’ll see Nevsky Prospekt, the main street full of cathedrals and boutiques, the National Library, the imposing Kazan Cathedral and the Square of Arts. The Hermitage's Winter Palace, the Admiralty and its golden spire, Theatre Square with the famous Mariinsky Theatre, and St. Nicholas Cathedral will be part of this introduction.
We will take a hydrofoil along the Neva to Peterhof for a visit of Fountain Park, often called the Russian Versailles. We will also see the Summer Gardens and the log cabin of Peter the Great. The lavish imperial palaces of Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village, and Catherine's Palace, which houses the famous Amber Room, are included.
We will have a special, early entry to the Hermitage and the Gold Room and will go to one of the most stirring monuments called the Church of the Spilled Blood, also called Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Lunch will be provided both days.
Sunday, June 21 B,L,D
The beautiful capital city of Tallinn is one of the Baltic's great surprises, a fairyland jewel of medieval architecture perched dramatically above the sea. In 1991, Estonia won its independence from the Soviet Union without bloodshed, and since then, Tallinn has succeeded in restoring its beauty and charm. A member of the famed Hanseatic League that dominated trade in the Baltic during the Middle Ages, Tallinn has preserved its medieval Old City with its high church spires and red-tiled roofs.
Monday, June 22 B,L,D
Enter Gdansk and discover one of the oldest, most important and beautiful cities in the Baltic. Gdansk was once Poland’s chief trading hub as well as its cultural center. 90% of the city was destroyed during World War II, but its architectural gems have been restored in great detail, reserving its place in history.
Tuesday, June 23 B,L,D
At Sea. Relax!
Wednesday, June 24 B,L,D
Oslo is the oldest capital in Scandinavia. The city offers excellent theater, great cafés and quality shopping, as well as a rich history, with some of the most fabled maritime legends in the world as homeland to the seafaring Vikings.
Thursday, June 25 B
Disembark in Copenhagen and transfer to the Grand Hotel and then we’ll head for Tivoli Gardens. Private farewell reception this evening.
Friday, June 26 B
Transfer to airport for flight home.
Price:
Our single travel packages include many extras, including transfers, exclusive events, private admissions and tours. We also include the taxes, port fees (when applicable) and those other pesky little fees that suddenly appear when booking a vacation package. No surprises in our prices or last minute “gotchas”. Each registration form has a summary of what is and is not included.
The price of the White Nights of St. Petersburg package is: $3,501 per person for inside stateroom; $4,152 per person for outside stateroom; $4,892 per person for balcony stateroom. Fares are based on double occupancy. Single supplement is available. Single supplement cost is based on stateroom category. Seven Wonders Club roommate match is available. Please submit roommate match form with registration.
