Northern Europe is especially beautiful in springtime and a Baltic Cruise is the way to enjoy it.
Northern Europe Escapades’, a new exclusive offer from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au) combines a leisurely Baltic cruise aboard ms Zuiderdam with four-star hotel stays in Copenhagen for four nights. It represents fantastic value. Prices for the whole 28-night fly-cruise-and-stay holiday have been significantly reduced and the offer has been extended right through till 31 March 2016 (or until sold out/withdrawn from sale) with no price increase.
The holiday visits Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland, Germany, England and the Shetland Islands. A two-day stay in St Petersburg, one of the world’s greatest repositories of art, is a highlight. The ship stays in port overnight.
‘Northern Europe Escapades’ includes round-trip airfares and starts with a flight to Copenhagen from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth on 2 May 2016.
The holiday costs from A$6699 twin share per person provided you book by 31 March 2016 (unless sold out beforehand). That’s A$1500 per person less than the former price. A bonus US$100 per twin cabin in onboard credit applies on ms Zuiderdam and there’s a bonus lunch for two at the ship’s specialty restaurant ‘Pinnacle Grill’ as well.
Two nights in a four-star hotel in Copenhagen (with Scandinavian breakfasts each morning), give plenty of time to explore the city and get into Scandinavian mode before boarding the ship. Stroll the harbour and visit the Little Mermaid, see the baroque Church of Our Saviour in Christianshavn, with its corkscrew spire.
Boarding ms Zuiderdam in the Danish capital, you’ll sail away on a grand, 24-night cruise itinerary that will take you to Berlin (Warnemunde), then to Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, ports in Scotland, the Shetland Isles and the English city of Newcastle before returning to Copenhagen, where you’ll spend another couple of nights.
ms Zuiderdam is an ideal home away from home. The ship features artworks throughout, including a painting of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands by pop culture artist and icon, Andy Warhol. All main meals (excluding specialty restaurants) are included. In the evening, the Vista Show Lounge features talented vocalists, dancers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts. Explorations Café powered by The New York Times provides a comfortable, coffee-house environment where you can browse an extensive library, surf the internet and check email or simply read the morning paper.
First port of call is Warnemunde in Germany. You can head to Berlin or arrange your own shorter trip to somewhere like Lübeck, a hidden gem.
The cruise visits the Estonian capital of Tallinn, with preserved medieval walls, cobbled squares and towers. Then two days in St Petersburg, Russia’s imperial city and repository of art, with overnight aboard ship. The State Hermitage in this city, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, houses a phenomenal collection of artwork.
Onward to Finland’s Helsinki for a day, with the next day in Stockholm, Sweden, an elegant capital spread over 14 islands.
Other ports of call include Gothenburg, a Swedish town with the charm of a small village; Helsingborg, with its medieval fortress, and the Norwegian capital, Oslo, located at the head of a fjord. Perhaps visit the Munch Museum to see artist Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’, one of the world’s most famous paintings.
To beautiful Kristiansund, Norway, and on to Stavanger, wtih trendy cafés on ancient cobblestone walkways and rows of 18th-century whitewashed wooden houses.
Next port of call is Lerwick in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, with its grand Victorian houses and the region’s namesake little ponies. Take in the pure air and prepare for a day in one of Europe’s finest cities: the great Scottish metropolis of Glasgow. Then ms Zuiderdam visits the Isle of Skye, associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie, Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, and Queensferry (maritime gateway to Edinburgh) .
A day in Newcastle, England’s great Viking-founded city in the heart of Northumbria, brings a chance to visit UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.
ms Zuiderdam sails back to Copenhagen now, where you’ve another two nights in a four-star hotel to relax, enjoy, and catch up on anything you missed on your pre-cruise stay in the city.
After that, time to fly back home to Australia.
To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to: www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
SOURCE: Worldwide Cruise Centres