Baltic Odyssey Incl. Danube Viking Cruise

We commence the tour with an overnight flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we visit the Palm Jumeirah – one of the world’s most daring developments. Jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, this man-made archipelago was built in the shape of a palm tree, with a 3-mile-long trunk and a fan of fronds lined with luxury villas and five-star hotels. From water parks and wildlife encounters to beach clubs and restaurants, there is an array of different activities on offer. One of the first things that strike you when visiting the Palm Jumeirah is its size. This giant archipelago is visible from space and the outer crescent is more than 10 miles long. Afterward, we visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 160 stories high. We travel to the observation deck which will provide you with a breath-taking unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, desert and ocean. We return to the hotel where we have dinner this evening.

This morning we take a sightseeing tour of the city – a fascinating historical excursion which takes you to the magnificent Jumeirah mosque and past modern palaces sprawled along the coast. In Bastakiya, see the old wind-towered houses built by wealthy merchants and the 150-year old Al Fahidi Fort. We continue our journey coach to the gold and spice souks, where we see bustling alleys with the aromas of the numerous spices and dazzling jewellery. Next up, we visit the area of La Mer – a new area nestled between Pearl Jumeira and the upcoming Jumeira Bay. There is time to explore this artsy community and to get some lunch at one of the trendy cafes before we  return to the hotel to relax. The remainder of the day is at leisure, until we meet up again for dinner this evening.

An early start this morning as we transfer back to Dubai Airport in time to report for morning flight to Tallin. Note the flight travels via Warsaw. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay.

A small city with a big heart. This morning, a local guide shows us the most interesting parts of the city including the medieval Old Town with one of the best-preserved Hanseatic town centres in Europe. We also see, Toompea Hill and Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Dome Church. The afternoon is at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.

Our journey south takes us through the Estonian countryside. Enjoy a morning break at Parnu on the shores of the Gulf of Riga before crossing the border into Latvia and continuing to the capital of Riga. Riga is the largest of the Baltic capitals dating back to the 13^th century and is often referred to as the “Paris of the Baltics”. On arrival, we enjoy lunch together before taking a walking tour of the old town which has a wonderful display of large and small guild houses. We also see the Freedom monument, the National Latvian Opera House and the Dome Cathedral which dates back to 1211. The evening is at leisure

Leaving Riga, we travel first to Rundale Palace, built in the 17^th Century for the Duke of Courtland by the baroque master, Rastrelli. After a tour of its staterooms, we cross into the last of the Baltic countries that once formed part of the Soviet Union, Lithuania. We stop at the “Votive Hill of Crosses” near Siauliai. Over the centuries, not only crosses but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and numerous effigies have been brought here by pilgrims, notwithstanding the efforts of Soviet authorities to remove them. We continue on to the capital, Vilnius, for a 2-night stay.

This stylish little city seduces visitors with its Old Town charm. Our sightseeing tour includes both coach and a walking tour of the Old Town. We see the baroque church of Sts Peter and Paul, the Jesuit University, the 16^th century “Gates of Dawn”, the former Soviet KGB Headquarters, now the Museum of Genocide Victims, and the neo-classical St Stanislav’s Cathedral with its distinctive bell tower. After the city tour, enjoy a visit to the splendid Trakai Castle, built on a fortified island in Lake Galve and dating back to the 14^th century. The evening is at leisure.

Leaving Vilnius, we continue our journey southwest and cross the border into Poland. Our destination is the picturesque Mazury Lake District for an overnight stay, but first we stop at Wigry National Park for a cruise on the lake to see Cameldolite Monastery with its 17th century church and hermitages. After lunch, we continue to Gierloz or Wolf’s Lair which was Hitler’s main headquarters on the eastern front during WWII. Whilst much of the structure was destroyed as the Nazis retreated, the imposing ruins of the thick walls of the bunkers make for a fascinating visit.  After that, we continue on to Olsztyn.

After breakfast we have a short orientation walk of Olsztyn to see St. Jacob’s Co-cathedral Basilica(was erected in the 14th century in the Gothic style, and in the 16th century its tower was added to the height of 70 m.) and The Gothic castle dates back to the 14th century, After we visit The Folk Architecture Museum and EthnographicPark in Olsztynek (one of Poland’s oldest open-air museums. Its beginnings date back to 1909), we will have lunch at Mazury before continuing to the Polish capital. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Warsaw for a 2 night stay, with tonight’s dinner served at the hotel

The city was almost totally destroyed during WWII and today’s city is testament to its post-war restoration. Our morning tour will take us past the Palace of Culture, affectionately known as the “wedding cake”. A stroll through Lazienki Park brings us to the Chopin Memorial. Then there is time to reflect at the Memorial of the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto. The tour concludes with a walk through the Old Town to the Market Square. The afternoon is at leisure and this evening, lets enjoy a private piano recital featuring the music of one of the cities favourite sons, Frederic Chopin before dining at a local restaurant.

Leaving Warsaw, we travel south through Poland with our first visit being at Czestochowa and Jasna Gora Monastery, home to the iconic Black Madonna, Poland’s most famous shrine to the Virgin Mary. After a tour of the monastery, we continue south to Krakow for a 3-night stay. This evening, we enjoy dinner in the old town.

On our morning tour of Krakow see the once thriving Jewish district of Kazimierz including entry to its Remuh synagogue. Continue to the former Schindler factory, made famous in the movie “Schindler’s List” and now a museum recalling wartime Krakow under Nazi occupation. After lunch, we visit the former concentration camp at Auschwitz, now a permanent reminder of the horrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime against the Jewish people and others during WWII.

Krakow is one of Poland’s oldest cities and its second largest. It was the capital for over 500 years during the late Middle Ages and today is regarded as a major academic and artistic centre. On our morning tour, we see the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill and enjoy a walk through the Old Town visiting the Renaissance “Cloth Hall” in the Market Square and the Mariacki Church. The afternoon is left free to relax or maybe wonder the streets of the old town. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the unique UNESCO “World Heritage” Wieliczka Salt Mines.

Leaving Krakow this morning, our scenic drive takes us first to Zakopane, Poland’s major ski resort and gateway to the Polish Tatra Mountains. We enjoy a tour of the town and take the chair lift to the lookout. After a light lunch, we cross over into Slovakia and visit Spis Castle, once one of the largest castles in Europe which dates back to the 12^th century and proudly dominates the surrounding landscape Then, it’s into Hungary and an overnight stay in Eger, a town known for its beautiful baroque architecture including a Turkish minaret. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and taste some of the local wines for which the region is renowned.

We start the day with a walking tour of the Eger’s historic old town before continuing through to the Hungarian capital Budapest. There is time to explore the central markets and take a lunch break before we visit the magnificent parliament buildings on the banks of the Danube and modelled on the Westminster parliament. Later this afternoon, we board our floating home for the next 7 nights, the river ship “VIKING EMBLA”. Enjoy a welcome dinner aboard. We overnight in Budapest.

On our included excursion today, take in one of Europe’s great cultural capitals and see its iconic sights. Over the last few decades, Budapest has reemerged as one of the continent’s iconic cities, divided by the Danube River and connected by the graceful Chain Bridge. Meet your guide for a panoramic tour, beginning in modern Pest. Along the elegant Andrássy Avenue, admire the National Opera House. Pass Heroes’ Square, a spacious plaza of monuments and statues commemorating the Magyar state. Across the river, explore the more traditional Buda side of the city. Here, visit the Castle District with its massive hilltop castle complex, the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. From the heights of Buda Hill, take in views of the famous Chain Bridge. Afterward, enjoy free time at Budapest’s colourful Market Hall to browse an array of speciality food and handicrafts.

Bratislava was built on a smaller scale than other European capitals, so you will explore with ease on our included excursion today. Join your guide and set off along the Amber Road, tracing the ancient trade route that once linked Northern and Southern Europe. Stop to view the Gothic-style Universitas Istropolitana, the first university to have been founded in present-day Slovakia. Though it operated for only 25 years, it proved highly influential in the fields of mathematics and astrology. In the main square, admire the Roland Fountain, built in 1572 to provide water to the public. Around the square, you will see the rococo, late-baroque Grassalkovich Palace, residence of the president, and the rose-hued Archbishop’s Palace, home to today’s mayor. You will also see the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, home of Hungarian coronations for more than 250 years. If the church schedule allows, you may step inside to take in its splendour.

Today, we see the magnificent architectural highlights of one of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cultural capitals. Vienna was centre of arts and intellect during the reign of the Hapsburgs and beyond. Meet your guide and drive into the city for a motor coach and walking tour, focusing on the splendid buildings on the Ringstrasse, the gracious boulevard laid out on the site of the old city walls during the mid-19th century. Imposing palaces, elegant public buildings and grand residences line this world-famous avenue. See the magnificent Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner horses. Admire the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, crowned with a gleaming spire and colourful roof tiles. And view the beautiful Vienna State Opera concert hall, its facade adorned with elaborate frescoes depicting Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.

A small university town at the eastern end of the Danube’s Wachau Valley, Krems is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its heyday, during the 12th century, Krems held even more importance than Vienna for its iron, grain, salt and wine trade. As to the latter, the city has played a long and celebrated part in the popularity of the Wachau’s wine culture; the valley’s south slopes in Krems are bathed in sunlight all day and create some of the best Riesling and Veltliner wines in the world. The city’s cobblestone streets, taverns, wine bars and coffeehouses have a timeless appeal. There is the opportunity to join some optional excursions today.

Experience all the charms of this capital of Upper Austria during an included walking tour. Founded by the Romans, Linz rose to prominence under the Hapsburg Empire. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural centre. Set off on foot to explore the Danube’s south bank, passing the massive Brucknerhaus concert hall, named for the famed Austrian composer, and view the modern New Town Hall across the Danube. Continue to Linz Castle, considered the most beautiful museum in the province. In the Old Quarter, see the Market Hall, the Mozarthaus, where the composer wrote the Linz Symphony, the magnificent Renaissance Landhaus tower and the elegant facade of the Landestheater. At Hauptplatz, the city’s main square in the Old Quarter, you may step inside the New Cathedral if the church’s schedule allows and admire its ornate interior.

Explore the Italianate-style streets of Passau, where three European rivers converge. Meet your local guide and begin your included walking tour through delightful old-world streets, taking in a pastel rainbow of building facades as you stroll. You will see the impressive Bishops’ Residenz from which powerful prince-bishops ruled secular and religious life for hundreds of years. Continue past the 14th-century Rathaus, or Town Hall, built on the site of a former fish market on the Danube. Conclude your walk at the magnificent 17th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This baroque wonder houses Europe’s largest pipe organ, with more than 17,000 pipes, and inspired Franz Liszt to write his Hungarian Coronation Mass. Enjoy free time to explore more of the city on your own before returning to your awaiting ship.

Sadly, this morning it’s time to disembark as we join our coach and travel to the Czech border and  journey through to magical Prague for a 2 night stay.

Prague is a city with a 1000-year-old history preserved in time. During our tour this morning, we see some of its best-known treasures including the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe, the Charles Bridge with its many statues, St Vitus Cathedral and of course Hradcany Castle which has a history dating back as long as the city itself. The remainder of the day is free and this evening, our last in Europe together, we enjoy one final dinner together.

Time to say our farewells to Prague and Europe as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Dubai. We arrive in Dubai late evening and overnight accommodation is reserved at the airport.

This morning, we join our aircraft for the homeward flight.

Our flight touches down mid-morning