Travel-Learn Program
The Baltic Sea - Changing Tides of History WAITLIST ONLY
When: June 09, 2011 - June 20, 2011 (iCal)
Description
With a private meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union and Nobel Peace Prize winner; and the leader of the Solidarity movement, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Lech Walesa.
"It was the best trip and the best time of my life"
Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States and the imperial riches of St. Petersburg aboard the M.S. Le Boreal. By special arrangement, we will have the opportunity to hear former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and former President of Poland Lech Walesa. We will sail across the Baltic Sea from the Swedish capital of Stockholm to the historic Hanseatic port of Bergen, Norway. Along the way we’ll discover the stunning architecture of Helsinki, Finland, and Copenhagen, Denmark; take in the medieval charms of Tallinn, Estonia, and Riga, Latvia; immerse ourselves in the cultural renaissance of Gda´nsk, Poland; and cruise through the fjords of Norway. This cruise features one night in St. Petersburg including an early-opening tour of the Hermitage Museum and a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. A two-night Pre-Cruise Option in Stockholm and a two-night Post-Cruise Option in Bergen are also offered.
Featuring Faculty Host
Professor Jeffrey Berry
Cost
From $8,295 per person based on double occupancy. Ask for the details of an Early Booking Savings of $1,000.
Contact
For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.
Itinerary
U.S./ STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – DAY 1 & 2
Today we depart from the U.S. for Stockholm, Sweden. Upon arrival, transfer to the deluxe M.S. LE BOREAL and set sail for Helsinki this afternoon. Later in the evening, we will join the Captain for a welcome reception and dinner.
HELSINKI, FINLAND – DAY 3
On today’s afternoon tour of Finland’s dynamic capital we will see Helsinki’s stately Senate Square, Market Square, diplomatic quarter of Kaivopuisto and the old fortifications of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, we will visit Sibelius Park to view Eila Hiltunen’s remarkable sculpture in honor of Finland’s beloved composer, Jean Sibelius. Following this, we will attend a special private concert at the prestigious Sibelius Academy before returning to the ship.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – DAY 4
The majestic city of St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 as his “Window on the West” is our port of call for the day. We will get the chance to explore this city’s legendary landmarks, scattered across more than 100 islands linked by six times as many bridges.
The specially arranged, early-opening tour of the incomparable State Hermitage Museum - the former czarist palace of Catherine the Great- leads us through one of the world’s greatest art collections.
Along the main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospect, we will view exquisite examples of Russian Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, including the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ) and the 19th-century St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Later, we will tour the city’s first building, the Peter and Paul Fortress and its impressive Baroque Cathedral, which contains the tombs of Russia’s 32 czars, from Peter the Great to Nicholas II, the last of the Romanovs.
This evening, we have the choice of attending an optional ballet performance in the Hermitage or Palace Theater or an optional Russian folklore show in the Nikolaevsky Art Center.
ST. PETERSBURG – DAY 5
Today, we take part in an exclusive meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Following a meet and greet and lunch with passengers onboard the ship, President Gorbachev will speak on the evolution of the Soviet Union into modern Russia and answer questions.
The ship departs St. Petersburg early this evening.
TALLINN, ESTONIA- DAY 6
Having largely escaped the ravages of World War II, Tallinn’s Old Town has remained virtually unchanged for the past 600 years and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the walking tour, we will visit the medieval Town Hall, the only surviving Gothic-style hall in Europe, and see Toompea Castle, the landmark Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the 13th-century Church of St. Nicholas.
RIGA, LATVIA – DAY 7
Once a member of the Hanseatic League, Riga has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its eclectic combination of national romantic, art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Baroque and ultramodern architecture. Part of our stay in Riga includes a specially arranged organ recital in St. John’s Church, one of Riga’s oldest buildings, consecrated in the 13th century. We will then tour Old Riga and see the Great Guild Hall Square, the Swedish Gate and the artfully designed Blackhead’s House. Destroyed in World War II, it was completely rebuilt in 2001 using bricks donated by Riga’s citizens to commemorate the city’s 800th anniversary. We depart Riga this afternoon for Gdansk.
GDAŃSK, POLAND – DAY 8
Today we arrive in Gdańsk, a historic city that features some of Poland’s finest medieval and Renaissance architecture. In 1980, shipyard workers, led by Lech Walesa, founded the Solidarity movement—the first independent trade union in Eastern Europe and the key factor in the Polish struggle against Communism. Today we will tour the historic yards and see the Monument to the Shipyard Worker, raised in memory of a violent strike in 1970.
This evening, by exclusive arrangement, we will meet privately with the leader of the Solidarity movement, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Lech Walesa. He will share his insights into the Solidarity movement, which played a seminal role in the pursuit of Polish democracy and the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – DAY 9
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, we board a canal boat for an afternoon cruise through the heart of the city. We will see Christiansborg Palace, the Naval Church, the Stock Exchange and the famous “Little Mermaid” statue, which honors the work of Denmark’s favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen. Disembark and pass by Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace and the King’s Garden en route to the famous Strøget pedestrian street.
CRUISING THE BALTIC AND NORTH SEAS – DAY 10
Today is at leisure, as we cruise from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.
CRUISING THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS – DAY 11
Norway’s fjords offer some of the most stunning coastal scenery in Europe. We will cruise along the placid Talgje Fjord and Riska Fjord, and by soaring mountains that plunge into the cobalt blue waters at their base.
This evening, join the Captain for a special farewell reception.
BERGEN, NORWAY/U.S. – DAY 12
We disembark the ship this morning and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Price and Itinerary remain tentative and subject to change617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu
