St Petersburg and Baltic Explorer - 14 nights, August 2013

Travel to Lohja, a small city outside of Helsinki, where you will have the chance to venture deep underground into the Tytyri Mine.

Make your way into Tytyri Hall and enjoy a glass of locally produced apple cider while you watch a short video on the history of the mine and its workers. Now it’s time to put on your hard hats and venture into the cool, damp tunnels of the mine. Along the way your guide will enlighten you with stories of the miner's lives which will bring to life the pictures and drawings and the old machines located inside the tunnels. As you reach the end of your walk you will see a stunning light show at the edge of a 300 foot wide and deep underground pit which showcases the impressive size of this limestone mine. Before you leave you will be given a piece of limestone as a souvenir.

Enjoy a photo stop at the 15th century Church of St Lawrence, before you rejoin your coach and drive through the Finnish landscape to Koivula Manor. You’ll have some free time to sit on the terrace and enjoy refreshments with the beautiful Finnish landscape as your backdrop before driving back to Helsinki.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion is not suitable for guests that suffer from claustrophobia. There is approximately one hours’ walking on this tour over uneven ground, flat comfortable shoes are recommended. Warm clothing should be worn as it may be cold inside the mine.

Start with the island of Djurgården, regarded as Stockholm’s amusement and recreation centre. It is also the home of the Vasa Museum which is home to the 17th Century Warship Vasa. Discover the island on your own, visit some of the many museums located here or just take a stroll in the beautiful gardens.

Your next stop is Gamla Stan (Old Town), Stockholm’s oldest and coziest quarter. Witness the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace and enjoy a stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobblestone streets with buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th Centuries with baroque doorways and coats of arms. At Stortorget, the Great Square, stands the Old Stock Exchange, now home of the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Museum. Enjoy some free time in the Old Town before continuing by coach to the Södermalm.

Södermalm is probably Stockholm’s most colourful and diverse district with rocky highpoints which deliver stunning views over the city. The bookworm’s among you may even recognise some of the trendy cafés and buildings from the film ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. Spend some time in ‘SoFo’ where you can mingle with locals and explore the many restaurants, cafés, boutiques and record stores.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. A tour assistant will be on hand to provide practical information about where and when to meet for the onward transportation. Please note that the assistant is not a tour guide. A map of Stockholm will be provided. No entrance fees are included in the tour price.

Sit back and relax on a scenic drive through Copenhagen, en route, enjoy a brief photo stop at Copenhagen’s most famous resident, the Little Mermaid. During your panoramic drive you’ll pass by the Church of our Saviour, with its spectacular winding staircase on the spire, the lively waterfront of Nyhavn, the Old Stock Exchange and Christiansborg Castle, where Danish Parliament sits. Enjoy a brief photo stop at Amalienborg Palace, the Royal residence.

Upon arrival at the Carlsberg Brewery, discover the history of Carlsberg, its brewing techniques and sample some of “probably the best lager in the world”. During your visit indulge in a traditional Danish lunch plate.

Then it’s time to head out of town, across the bridge to the island of Amager. At the very end of the island is the picturesque village of Dragør. With your guide, stroll along the charming harbour front and through the narrow streets to admire the traditional yellow painted houses with red roofs.

Returning to the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll change your mode of transport and hop aboard a canal boat for a leisurely cruise along Christianshavn, before returning to your ship.


This excursion will operate by coach, canal boat and on foot. The order of highlights may vary. There is approximately two hours of walking included throughout the day, over flat terrain.

Your introduction to Stockholm begins with a panoramic tour of the modern city centre and the business areas.

Cross the enchanting medieval old town, pass the Royal Palace and the Royal Dramatic Theatre, travel along Strandvägen en route to the island of Djurgården, regarded as Stockholm’s amusement and recreation centre. Not only does the island have great parks, but also museums, including the Skansen Open-Air Museum and the Vasa Museum.

The Vasa Museum is built around the incredible 17th-century warship, which sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. Salvaged in 1961 and today restored to much or her former glory, the Vasa represents an authentic piece of living history. This remarkable ship is a sight to behold as you imagine a time when it was once the worlds largest and most prestigious warship.

This excursion will operate by coach. To derive full enjoyment, some walking is required. Approximately 1¼ hours is given to view the Vasa Museum.

Due to Tallinn’s rich architectural heritage, large vehicles are not permitted to enter the Old Town, so sit back and relax in the comfort of your minibus as you discover the highlights of both the Upper and Lower Old Town.

During this exclusive guided tour, have your camera poised, as you travel along Toompea Hill in the Upper Town to Palace Square. View the baroque Toompea Castle, home to the Estonian Parliament, and see the Russian Orthodox Church of St Alexander. The Lower Old Town is full of ancient walls and tower gates and as you drive along the cobbled street, look out for the medieval merchant houses.

Continuing your panoramic drive, you’ll head to the outskirts of the city to see one of Estonia’s most important landmarks. Enjoy at brief photo stop at the impressive Song Festival Ground, a natural amphitheatre which seats up to 30,000 spectators. Finally, you’ll pass through Pirita to admire the stunning sea front views of the Old Town.



This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour has very little walking included, however guests must be able to negotiate the steps in to the minibus.The minibuses cannot accommodate wheelchairs.

An air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Minivans will take up to five guests.

From 1721 the Peter and Paul Fortress housed part of the city's garrison and served as a high security political jail. Among the inmates was Peter's own rebellious son, Alexei, plus Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin's older brother, Alexander.

Since 1900, the Trubetskoj bastion of the Peter and Paul Fortress was used as a military jail. 13 ministers of the defeated "Vremennoe Pravitelstvo" (Provisional Government) were some of the last prisoners there from October 1917 to March 1918.

Visit the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. On top of the Cathedral’s gilded spire stands a magnificent golden angel holding a cross. This weathervane is one of the most prominent symbols of St Petersburg.

St Isaac’s Cathedral is the third largest domed Cathedral in the world after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London. The Cathedral can accommodate a 10,000 strong audience and features 112 solid granite columns weighing up to 114 tons each.

Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and the number of guests in your party. Only ticket per party should be booked and the full cost will be charged to that person’s credit card. Once on board, you’ll receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to Palaces in all weather.

Peter and Paul Fortress – Flash photography restrictions
St Isaac’s Cathedral – Flash photography restrictions apply. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, umbrellas, large bags or bottles inside. Modest dress should be worn.

Sit back, relax and watch the hustle and bustle of busy St Petersburg pass you by, as you head out of the city to the town of Tsarskoye Selo.

Upon arrival, admire the elaborately decorated Baroque façade of Catherine Palace, which stretches out for nearly 1000 feet, and is flanked by ornate white and gold ornaments. Your guide will host you on a walking tour through the various rooms of the Palace’s sumptuous interior. One of the many highlights will be a visit to the Amber Room with its walls decorated with real amber of different hues.

Next, you’ll visit the Amber Workshop, which is housed in one of the outbuildings of the Palace. The workshop was created especially for the reconstruction of the Amber Room. Watch the skilled craftsmen at work as they create pieces of fine jewellery using the same traditional techniques that were used when resurrecting the Amber Room to its former glory. As a reminder of your unique visit you’ll be given a piece of natural amber, which was meant to be part of the Amber Room decoration, but did not fit in.

This small group tour is a truly unique experience and needs to be booked early to avoid disappointment.


The Palace can become crowded and you may be expected to queue outside in all weather. There is up to 2½ hours’ total walking on this tour including stairs and gravel pathways. Protective overshoes are provided inside Catherine Palace, which can make the floor slippery and care should be taken. Camera and video fees are included in the tour cost. Flash photos are not permitted inside and photography is prohibited in the Amber Room. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside. There may be occasions that the craftsmen are not working and a full explanation will be given by a local guide.

This panoramic tour of St Petersburg will show you many of the interesting and historical sites of the city. The beautifully decorated St Isaac's Cathedral is well known for its magnificent, central golden dome, which dominates the city skyline. History surrounds the Hermitage and Palace Square, once the centre of Russian power with the Czar's residence, state offices and Alexander Column.

The blank shot that signalled the start of the Russian Revolution was fired from the Cruiser Aurora, which is now berthed as a museum on the north bank of the Neva.

The uniquely named Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood sits on an equally unique site, the place where Alexander II was assassinated. The striking multi-coloured onion domes, representative of the intricate pseudo-Russian style of architecture, create a memorable picture.

There will be a chance to browse for a variety of Russian craft items and enjoy some refreshments during a shopping stop.


This excursion operates by coach. There is minimal walking on this tour. Local currency is the Rouble, however the gift shop accepts credit cards and, unofficially, US dollars and Euros. Photograph stops are programmed, time and traffic permitting.

No visit is complete without seeing the city’s most famous symbol, The Little Mermaid. Completed in 1913, this statue was erected to express gratitude to Hans Christian Andersen and his well-known fairy tales. Close by is Copenhagen's famous Gefion Fountain, set amidst the parkland of the Kastellet and depicting the Nordic legend of the Goddess Gefion.

Travel to the royal residence of Amalienborg Palace for a short photo stop, before driving through the lively Nyhavn area. Nearby you’ll see King’s Square where the Royal Theatre, embassies and many fashionable shops are located. View the old fish market warehouses which date back to medieval times and Glyptotek, founded by the Danish Brewer, Carl Jacobsen, the creator of Carlsberg beer. Next to Glyptotek lies Tivoli Gardens (exterior view), one the world’s oldest theme parks. Before returning to the pier, you will catch a glimpse of the City Hall and Rosenborg Castle.



This excursion will operate by coach. This tour does not include any visits. There will be various photograph-stops, depending on traffic and time permitting. There is approximately 30 minutes’ total walking involved in this tour.

Experience the charm of the old town, before heading to the world’s first Ice Bar. Stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobbled streets of the old town and soak up the historic elegance of the exterior of the Royal Palace. At the Great Square stands the Old Stock Exchange, now home to the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Museum. There will be some free time to search for that all-important souvenir in the wonderful old town area, before rejoining your coach for the short drive to the heart of the city, where a ‘cool’ experience awaits.

Time to wrap up warm for your visit to the Absolut Icebar. The Bar is kept at a permanent -5°C all year round, so everyone will be provided with warm fur ponchos and mittens before entering. Drinks are served in fist-sized hollow ice cubes, placed on a bar made of clear ice blocks. The walls and tables are also built with ice harvested from the Torne River on the border between Sweden and Finland. A vodka drink will be served.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The visit to the Icebar is not suitable for guests with medical problems that could be affected by the extreme cold. The visit to the Icebar is not exclusive to Cunard. There are steep, cobbled inclines to negotiate during the walk in the Old Town

Travel to the land of the kings and queens of Denmark and their former residences. Hamlet’s Castle, also known as Kronborg Castle, is beautifully situated on a point overlooking the Sound to Sweden and the northern coastline. Enjoy a walk around the courtyard and along the ramparts. A buffet luncheon with typical hot and cold Danish dishes and will be provided during your time in Helsingor.

Attractively located in the middle of a park surrounded by the Esrum Lake, you will see the Queen's summer residence of Fredensborg Castle.

Considered by many to be the most beautiful castle in Denmark, Frederiksborg Castle is situated on three islands in the middle of a tiny lake. From the main courtyard, the spectacular Neptune Fountain and the numerous copper spires, make a lasting impression. Enjoy a guided tour through several of the interior rooms of the King’s Wing, including the Knight’s Hall with its intricate woodcarvings, as well as the church where Danish monarchs were crowned from 1671 to 1840.

Back in Copenhagen, a short city drive will highlight the oldest and most charming parts, including Rosenborg, Christiansborg and Amalienborg Palaces, and Nyhavn the colourful and lively waterfront district.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour includes a visit to Frederiksborg Castle and exterior views of Hamlet’s Castle and Fredensborg. This tour involves approximately two hours of walking including several steps.

Once onboard your four stop transfer, you will be given a map of Copenhagen, so you can plan your free time.

The first stop is by the Cathedral of Copenhagen, you’ll have time here to look inside or maybe take a stroll in the Bohemian Quarter. You might like to wander to Nytorv (New Square) and Gammeltorv (Old Square) where you will find the City Court of Copenhagen and the oldest fountain in Copenhagen - The Well of Caritas that dates back to 1608.

At Gammel Strand you may choose to wander down the famous shopping street, Stroeget or admire the fabulous architecture including Christiansborg Castle, home of the Danish Parliament, the Old Stock Exchange, the Naval Church and Thorvaldsens Museum.

The third stop is at Amalienborg Royal Palace, the home of Queen Margrethe II. Enjoy an hour of free time to view the palace from the beautiful square; visit the nearby Marble Church which boasts the fourth largest dome in Europe or head off on a short walk to Nyhavn, famous for its charming old houses and lively waterfront. No visit to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to the Little Mermaid, for photographs.


This excursion will operate by coach. A tour assistant will be on hand to provide practical information about where and when to meet for the onward transportation. Please note that the assistant is not a tour guide. A map of Copenhagen will be provided. No entrance fees are included in the tour price.

The village of Fiskars has a long and flourishing history which has been well preserved. Today, the village is a beautiful blend of historic buildings mixed with modern arts, crafts and design shops.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a scenic drive through the lush and beautiful countryside as you travel to the ironworks village of Fiskars. In 1649, Peter Thorwöste was granted permission by Queen Christina of Sweden to manufacture cast iron and forged products, with the exception of cannons. In the 1980's operations began to move away from Fiskars to streamline production and make use of more modern facilities. Looking to keep the traditions of the village and buildings alive, a search for new inhabitants began, so that craftsmen, designers and artists could fill the old, vacant buildings. This 'Living Ironworks Village' is now a huge success which showcases high quality Finnish art and design.

With your guide, explore and meet the local residents, including the blacksmith, a pottery maker and admire the skilful art of glassblowing. Enjoy some free time for shopping or simply stroll along the tree-lined streets browsing the various boutiques and galleries.

Before leaving, relax beside the river and sample a slice of seasonal fruit pie served with tea or coffee.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour includes approximately 2½ hours of walking over flat ground.

Step aboard a canal boat for a leisurely 50-minute cruise. As you glide gently along, you’ll pass some of the city’s main sights such as The Little Mermaid and the old naval area of Holmen.

Following your relaxing boat cruise, spend some time absorbing the atmosphere at Copenhagen’s famous amusement park - Tivoli. Situated in the heart of the city, Tivoli has been visited by millions of people since its opening in 1843. There are beautiful merry-go-rounds, as well as more adventurous rollercoaster rides and plenty of attractions to amuse. Alternatively you may prefer to simply watch the world waltz by at one of the many cafés or restaurants. Your guide will advise you of a meeting point and time for your return journey to the ship.


This excursion will operate by coach and canal boat. From the ship, there is a short distance to walk to reach the boat and approximately ten steps to negotiate when embarking. Entrance to Tivoli is included within the price of the tour. Tivoli has many visual attractions as well as an amusement park including funfair rides, slot machines and souvenir shops, all of which are payable directly and not included in the fare. You may encounter crowds and delays at the attractions during peak season. The advertised itinerary may operate in reverse.

The impressive blue Catherine Palace’s façade is nearly 1,000 feet-long with decorative white and gold ornaments, and the grounds comprise acres of manicured gardens. Visit various rooms of the sumptuous Palace, including the Amber Room, and stroll alongside the gallery of Roman and Greek busts designed as a covered walkway for Catherine the Great.

Peterhof Palace attests to the pomp, pageantry and extravagance of Russia’s ruling class with its lovely yellow and white exterior and gilded trimmings. Peter the Great personally drafted the layout of the 300-acre park and its spectacular system of fountains. Most famous is the Grand Cascade, with its gold statue of Samson prying open the jaws of a lion. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Throne Room, Portrait Room and the White Dining Room.

Luncheon will be served in a leading restaurant and includes a glass of ‘champagne’ tea or coffee.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is up to six hours’ walking. Time allocated inside the Palaces is up to one hour, plus time in the gardens. Crowds are likely and you may be expected to queue outside in all weathers. Protective overshoes are provided, which can make the floor slippery. Camera and video fees are included in the tour cost. Flash photos are not permitted inside Catherine Palace and photography is prohibited in the Amber Room. Photography is prohibited in the Grand Palace of Peterhof. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Palaces. Peterhof fountains are subject to maintenance work without notification.