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White Nights of Finland & Sweden
An Exploration of Lapland and the Arctic Circle
Plus Stockholm, Tallinn and St. Petersburg aboard M.S. Andrea |
| 13 Days/12 Nights - July 14-26, 2008 |
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Come aboard the 106-passenger Andrea for a journey into this unique region of Northern Europe—the Gulf of Bothnia—“Land of the Midnight Sun.”
With warm sunny days stretching long into evening, explore secluded archipelagos and fishing villages along the Swedish and Finnish coasts. Learn about the natural history and the Sami people—more commonly known as Laplanders.
Contrast the stark beauty of this region with the vibrant cultural centers of Helsinki, Stockholm, Tallinn and St. Petersburg.
Embark in Helsinki, near the city’s bustling harbor-side market.
July’s midnight sun allows for a scenic evening cruise as we pass the many islands along Finland’s southern coast for Jurmo Island, part of Finland’s Southwestern Archipelago National Park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Go ashore via Zodiac landing craft for a walking tour along rocky shores and trails, with our naturalist pointing out the unusual plant life and geological formations.
This afternoon, the Andrea heads for the historic lighthouse on Utö, the southernmost inhabited island of Finland. There will be time to wander around the small village and to visit the lighthouse chapel and museum.
Rauma is the third oldest town in Finland, founded in the 1400s. Its uniqueness as a Scandinavian “wooden town” of still-inhabited 17th- and 18th-century frame houses has secured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An excursion after lunch takes us to Sammallahdenmäki, a Bronze Age burial ground featuring more than 30 granite cairns, providing insight into religious and social practices in northern Europe 3,000 years ago.
The Andrea crosses the Gulf of Bothnia overnight to the Swedish side and our charming landing site of Norrfällsviken along the High Coast. Zodiacs take us ashore to meet motor coaches for a fascinating drive through this region, which rose in elevation as ancient glaciers melted.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is also known for its beautiful ceramics, and for the picture-perfect waterside village of Bonhamn.
Sample the sotare, grilled fresh Baltic herring served with boiled potatoes, and explore the local chapel and colorful fishing harbor before tendering back to Andrea aboard our Zodiacs.
There is time for another stop this afternoon in Ulvön, a popular summer spot for Swedes set among old fishing villages.
The scenery is breathtaking, as is the Surströmming, or fermented herring that is considered a delicacy in these parts.
From our dock in Umeå, “The City of Birches,” travel by motor coach along the beautiful Umeleden route, pausing at the Norrfors salmon ladder on the Umeälven River.
In the Gammlia district of Umeå, visit an open-air museum that re-enacts life on a typical 19th-century Västerbotten coastal farm, and the Västerbotten Museum, featuring exhibits on the area’s history and lives of the indigenous Sami
people and early Swedish settlers.
From Luleå, the capital of Swedish Lapland, a full-day excursion takes us above the Arctic Circle to the Jokkmokk region, a UNESCO nature and cultural World Heritage Site.
Visit a Sami camp to meet and learn about these nomadic people native to this harsh terrain, subsisting on their reindeer herds. Following a local lunch, there will be time to visit the Ajjte Museum before stopping at Gammelstad, another World Heritage Site.
Tour the beautiful medieval church and see the hundreds of surrounding 16th-century “church” cottages, used only on Sundays to house distant worshippers.
The Swedish port city of Sundsvall is a wonderful example of richly ornamented, Neo-Renaissance architecture, built in the 19th-century by timber barons following a devastating fire. Our city tour takes us to the Kulturmagasinet, a handsome harbor complex that has hosted cultural exhibits and events for more than 100 years.
Outside of the town center, see the Norra Berget Park and the island of Alnö, with its nature reserve and 12th-century church.
Another day is set aside for rustic and natural settings as the Andrea heads for the islands of Åland and the small town of Mariehamn. Åland is a Swedish-speaking province of Finland and an archipelago of more than 6,500 skerries and islands.
Spectacular nature is in abundance in this friendly town with a resort atmosphere.
The urbane, beautiful city of Stockholm provides a vivid contrast to the first week. Explore the Wasa Museum, famous for its 17th-century warship Vasa.
This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Stockholm’s Old Town, situated on a small island in the heart of the city, full of historic attractions, including the cathedral, royal palace, shops and cafes.
The Andrea heads due east across the Baltic into the Gulf of Finland and Tallinn. The capital of Estonia is a well-preserved Hanseatic League city, with wonderful architecture and narrow lanes filled with friendly people. On a guided tour, explore Toompea, or Castle Hill, Tallinn’s gothic-style Town Hall, and the Russian church.
Before returning to Helsinki for disembarkation, two full days are devoted to St. Petersburg, Russia, built by Czar Peter the Great as his “window on Europe.” The city is a wonderful, civilized finale to a most unique cruise adventure.
Visit the Hermitage, one of the world’s great art museums, and beautiful St. Catherine’s Palace. On the second day, explore the city’s Euro-Russian culture and architecture, visiting Petrodvorets,
Peter the Great’s magnificent summer home, and Peter and Paul Fortress, where many Russian czars rest in peace in its stunning cathedral.
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| MORE
INFO |
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| SHIP
STATISTICS |
| Flag:
Liberian
Nationality of Officers: European
Nationality of Crew: European
Number of Crew: 48
Official Language:
English
Passenger Capacity: 120
Ship Speed: 18 knots
Tonnage: 2,620 GRT
Length: 287 Feet
Beam: 43,5 Feet |
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| DAY |
PORT
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ARRIVAL |
DEPARTURE |
| 1 |
Helsinki, Finland
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EMBARK, 4:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
| 2 |
Jurmo Island, Finland
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7:00 AM |
12:00 PM |
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Uto Island, Finland
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2:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
| 3 |
Rauma, Finland
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7:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 4 |
Norrfallsviken, Sweden
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7:00 AM |
10:00 AM |
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Bonhamn, Sweden
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12:00 PM |
1:00 PM |
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Ulvon, Sweden
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2:00 PM |
7:00 PM |
| 5 |
Umea, Sweden
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7:00 AM |
4:00 PM |
| 6 |
Lulea, Sweden
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8:00 AM |
7:00 PM |
| 7 |
Sundsvall, Sweden
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2:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
| 8 |
Mariehamn, Aland Island
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8:00 AM |
12:00 PM |
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Kokar Island, Finland
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4:00 PM |
7:00 PM |
| 9 |
Stockholm, Sweden
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8:00 AM |
9:00 PM |
| 10 |
Tallinn, Estonia
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10:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
| 11 |
St. Petersburg, Russia
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7:00 AM |
overnight |
| 12 |
St. Petersburg, Russia
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6:00 PM |
| 13 |
Helsinki, Finland
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7:00 AM |
DISEMBARK |
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| sCruise Rates (per person) |
Category
4 Inside
3 Outside
2 Deluxe
1 Master
Suite
Sup. Single
Std. Single
Port charges: |
Rate
$ 4,420
$ 5,445
$ 7,185
$ 8,675
$ 10,225
$ 7,125
$ 5,890
$ 110 |
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