Changing Tides of History: Cruising the Baltic Sea

Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States and the imperial riches of St. Petersburg, with the rare opportunity to hear enriching speeches by two historic world leaders—former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and former President of Poland Lech Walesa.

The Baltic is steeped in history and sumptuous to the senses. In the tradition of ancient mariners and medieval merchants, set sail from the historic port of Copenhagen, Denmark. Delight in the medieval charm of Riga, Latvia, and Tallinn, Estonia; then spend three days exploring regal St. Petersburg, including tours of the State Hermitage Museum and the Peter and Paul Fortress. From Russia cross the Baltic to Helsinki, Finland and find a modern, bustling metropolis; then to our last port of call, one of the region’s most cosmopolitan cities, Stockholm, Sweden.

As befits a region so central to European history, we shall hear a series of lectures as we glide across the Baltic aboard the splendid M.S. LE BORÉAL. By special arrangement, two of most the influential men in recent history – former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and former President of Poland Lech Walesa – will read us rousing speeches. Brown University Professor Sergei N. Khrushchev, a noted scholar of the Cold War and son of the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev will also join us to share his unique historical perspective on the era. Join alumni and friends, along with like-minded travelers from our co-sponsors as we learn about this crucially important political and economic region. Our program will be enhanced by lectures from Presidents Gorbachev and Walesa, a series of enlightening onboard lectures from accompanying faculty and included shore excursions led by expert, English-speaking guides.

Our 2012 trip is fully subscribed. Please call to be added to our waitlist for this trip, or to be added to our early reservation list for 2013.

Dates & Prices

Trip Dates:     May 28 - June 8, 2012
Prices:  starting at $7735 (per person based on double occupancy)

Trip Summary:

DAY 1  Depart USA home
DAY 2  Arrive Copenhagen, Denmark
DAY 3  Copenhagen / Embark M.S. Le Boréal
DAY 4  Cruising the Baltic Sea
DAY 5  Riga, Latvia
DAY 6  Tallinn, Estonia
DAY 7  St. Petersburg, Russia
DAY 8  St. Petersburg
DAY 9  St. Petersburg
DAY 10  Helsinki, Finland
DAY 11  Stockholm, Sweden/ Disembark M.S. Le Boréal
DAY 12  Stockholm - return home

Included Features:

In Copenhagen -

• One night in the deluxe Copenhagen Marriott Hotel including breakfast
• Copenhagen city tour and canal cruise

On board the MS Le Boreal-

• 8-night cruise from Copenhagen, Denmark to Stockholm, Sweden with port calls in Riga, Latvia; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Helsinki, Finland.
• Captain's welcome & farewell receptions
• All meals--continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner--throughout the cruise.
• Complimentary wine and beer served with lunch & dinner
• Architectural tour of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a private concert in St. John's Church
• Walking tour of Tallinn's historic and medieval quarters, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Tour of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg
• City tour of St. Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring a visit to the Peter & Paul fortress
• Excursion in Helsinki, highlighted by a private concert in the Sibelius Academy and a city tour featuring a visit to Temppeliaukio church and a drive along the old fortifications of the UNESCO World Heritage site Suomenlinna

In Stockholm-

• One night in the deluxe Grand Hotel including breakfast
• City tour including visits to City hall and the Varsa Ship Museum

Please note that all shore excursions and features above are included. There are two optional excursions planned to the Ballet and a Russian Folklore performance in St. Petersburg available for purchase at an additional fee for those interested.

Not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air/airport tax(es); airfare and associated local taxes, airport facility and security taxes and federal inspection fees not listed in the “Included Features” section of the brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you have not purchased your international air arrangements through our tour operator or if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section.

Please call us toll-free at (866) 325-8664 or email us at travelstudy@columbia.edu for more details.