Northern Europe
  Departing 28 June, 2009
   *Fully escorted from Australia 

Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout

Kuala Lumpur 1 night, Stockholm 3 nights, St Petersburg 3 days,
Helsinki, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo 2 nights, Flam Railway, Bergen 2 nights

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Cruise aboard magnificent Crystal Symphony for 11 days from Stockholm to Copenhagen and unpack only once as you experience this enchanting journey encompassing nature, breathtaking scenery, bustling city life as well as different cultures.

  With 3 full days in the undisputed cultural capital of Russia, the grand, imperial 'City of Czars' St Petersburg, there is ample time to visit the 'must see' attractions such as the Hermitage and Peter & Paul Fortress.  There's also time to visit Moscow the  political capital of Russia, with  the mysterious Kremlin and famous Red Square which provides an excellent view of the world famous St. Basil's Cathedral with its multi-colored, onion-shaped domes.

 

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And then after our cruise we take a journey on the Flåm railway through idylic landscapes and tunnels. See the Sognefjord, snow-topped mountains, glaciers and waterfalls and explore the beautiful cities of Bergen and Voss.   A unique journey through idyllic landscapes as we  discover the Flåm Railway – a masterpiece of railway engineering – descending 865m along 20km of track that passes through twisting tunnels and over breathtaking thundering waterfalls. From the mountain station at Myrdal down to Flåm nestled on the Aurlandsfjord, this is one of the world’s great rail journeys – not to be missed!
 

Day 1    28 June, 2009    Australia - Kuala Lumpur  Depart Australia for Kuala Lumpur.  Accommoation:  Pan Pacific (or similar)  overnight

Day 2    29 June, 2009    Kuala Lumpur - Stockholm  (B)  Depart Kuala Lumpur at 8.05am and arrive Stockholm at 3.05pm today.   Transfer to hotel.  Remainder of day at leisure.  Sweden's capital, Stockholm, which sprawls over 14 islands, is often called the "Beauty on Water." Resting amid wooded hills, it is a city surrounded by water, firmly linked by over 50 bridges. Originally founded as a fortress in the 12th century, the earliest mention of Stockholm as a city was in the year 1252.   By 1850, the city had less than 100,000 inhabitants. Today it is one of Europe's most prosperous cities with a population of over a million.    Accommodation:  Rica Hotel Stockholm (or similar) overnight

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Day 3   30 June, 2009  Stockholm, Sweden (BLD)  Our morning city tour shows some of the beauty of this city built on 14 islands. A walk around the charming Old Town with its narrow cobble stoned streets, passing the Royal Palace as well as the Great Church, where the present King and Queen were married in 1976. This afternoon we'll board Crystal Symphony and have the afternoon free. 

Day 4   01 July, 2009  Stockholm, Sweden (BLD)  Day at leisure.  Perhaps visit the City Hall, Vasa Museum or take a trip to Uppsala and Sigtuna. Ship sails at 5pm today.

Day 5   02 July, 2009 Cruising the Baltic Sea (BLD)
 Like people, all brands have distinct personalities. Guests who know them well would say that Crystal Cruises is authentic, warm and refined. That they are like a good friend or a gracious family member, who genuinely enjoys seeing guests smile.   It's hard to put into words just how welcome you feel when you first board their ships and that feeling continues throughout the cruise.  It’s hard to put into words how special you feel every moment of every day.  The luxury is evident everywhere without being pretentious.   The service is sometimes described as "classic" and often called "award-winning,"  Whatever the adjective…Crystal Cruises' service is always first-rate, and is genuine, and unremitting, without being intrusive.   Crystal certainly achieve their  goal which is to make every guest feel special and at ease.

Day 6   03 July, 2009  St. Petersburg, Russia  (BLD) Ship arrives at 8am this morning and remains in St. Petersburg for 3 days/2 nights (BLD)
Formerly known as Leningrad, St. Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city. It lies on a series of islands on the broad reaches of the mighty Neva River. The network of decorated bridges arching above the numerous waterways and canals are a visual delight.   Over 300 years ago, this area was merely marsh and forest land. Peter the Great's vision was to build a window to the west, a city that would be a reflection of the great capitals of Europe. With the energy and drive so characteristic of this great man, he began the task. Magnificent Russian Versailles and Fontainbleau, with names like Pavlovsk and Peterhof, now encircle St. Petersburg; hence this comparatively young city has become ageless.
 
Day 7   04 July, 2009  St. Petersburg, Russia  (overnight)  (BLD)

Day 8   05 July, 2009  St. Petersburg, Russia  (BLD)  Ship sails at 6pm tonight 

Day 9   06 July, 2009 Helsinki, Finland (BLD)   8 am to 6 pm 
A heritage spanning over 450 years awaits you as you step ashore in Helsinki, "City of the Sea." Spurred on by the inspiration of Carl Ludvig Engel, a native of Berlin who had worked earlier in Tallinn and St. Petersburg, Helsinki has produced some of the world's finest architects. Today, the legacy of their splendid work is seen everywhere. Nonetheless, nature has not been subdued, as leafy parks and picturesque bays continue to exert their timeless influence.   A political and economic hub, this city is also a cultural center boasting 20 theatres, the National Opera, numerous museums and art galleries

Day 10   07 July, 2009 Cruising the Baltic Sea  (BLD)
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.

Day 11  08 July, 2009  Berlin/Warnemünde, Germany (BLD)  8 am to 10 pm 
Warnemünde boasts one of the most charming ports on the Baltic coast, with her quaint harbor opening into a delightful beach resort area. The old town, within walking distance from the pier, warmly welcomes you to window-shop, stroll along the twisting streets or pause for a lingering cup of coffee in a local café. 
Warnemünde is also a gateway to the old Hanseatic town of Rostock, as well as one of Europe's most historic and bustling cities, Berlin.

Day 12   09 July, 2009 Hamburg/Kiel, Germany (BLD)  8 am  to 6pm 
Hamburg is often called the Green City. In fact, as much as 22% of the cityscape is graced with historic gardens and inviting parks. If such land-bound beauty and its associated recreation is not enough, Hamburg is also a water city, boasting a location on the Alster and Elbe, with a network of waterways and bridges that rivals Venice. Indeed, 8% of the city is water, and Hamburg has more bridges than the famed Italian city. Few places in the world offer sailing and boating in the middle of town. Add first-rate shopping, world-class theatrical and musical events, and historic architecture, and you have a truly extraordinary city with innumerable ways to pass the time.

Day 13   10 July, 2009 Copenhagen, Denmark(overnight)  (BLD) Ship arrives at 8 am this morning and remains in Copenhagen overnight    Denmark, the world's oldest kingdom, awaits your discovery on this visit to its lively capital, Copenhagen. Immerse yourself in the vitality of this delightful city as you explore its expansive parks and plazas, as well as its treasure trove of historic galleries and buildings. Discover its exquisite combination of Scandinavian elegance and European joie de vivre. 

Day 14   11 July, 2009  Copenhagen, Denmark -Oslo, Norway (B)  This morning coach transfer from cruise terminal to Copenhagen Kastrup airport for your flight to Oslo.  Depart Copenhagen on Scandinavian Airlines Flight SK 1456 at 12.15 p.m. Arrive Oslo at 1.25 p.m.   On arrival at Oslo Gardermoen airport you will be transferred by coach to your hotel. Check-in available from approx 3.00 pm.   After leaving the luggage at the hotel you will have time to independently explore the city.    Oslo, the Viking Capital! With a varied and colourful past, lively Oslo offers the tourist a host of attractions: the Viking Ships Museum with its 1,000-year-old Viking ships, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Kon-Tiki Raft and Polar Vessel ‘Fram’. On a pleasant summer’s evening the harbour area at Aker Brygge has a relaxed atmosphere similar to southern Europe’s.  Accommodation:  Thon Hotel Opera (or similar) 2 nights

Day 15   12 July, 2009  Oslo, Norway  (B)
This morning commence a 4 hour privately guided Oslo Grand Highlights tour.   During the tour you will travel through the city centre and visit Vigeland Sculpture Park where the artist Gustav Vigeland has created 200 sculptures dealing with every aspect of human relations and emotions, Holmenkollen Ski Arena and the Viking Ship Museum, tour continues to Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki Museum and the Amundsen and Nansen’s Polarship Fram Museum. Tour ends back at your hotel.

Day 16   13 July, 2009  Oslo-Myrdal-Flam-Gudvangen-Voss, Norway  (BD)
Depart Oslo by rail on the Bergen railway, one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys! Early this morning your luggage will be collected by Porterservice from your hotel in Oslo and will be transported by train (special luggage compartment) to your hotel in Voss.   At 8.11 a.m. depart Oslo by rail on the Bergen railway, one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys! You pass through expansive forests, secluded lakes and dizzy waterfalls. Continue on through fertile valleys and across a desolate windswept mountain plateau with a background of shimmering glaciers and eternal snows. Arrive Myrdal where you change for the train that will take you on the Flåm railway. The descent through the wild Flåm valley is often described as a most breathtaking experience. The view through the carriage window is a constantly changing panorama of sky high snow covered mountains, thundering waterfalls and green pastures below. Frequent halts are made for passengers to enjoy the scenery, while apertures cut in the tunnels provide grandstand views en route. The longest tunnel, three quarters of a mile in length, enables the track to complete a circle inside the mountain. Flåm station shelters between steep mountainsides at the head of the Aurland fjord, an arm of the Sognefjord, cutting more than 112 miles inland. The orchards of Flåm bear witness to the warm fjord climate, and in the Flåm river, which reaches the fjord close to the station, the sea trout play and salmon leap in the summer. From Flåm a ferry carries you through the narrow Naerøyfjord, thrusting its way between steep mountains, where tiny farmsteads cling precariously to green ledges high above the water. Calls are made at a number of fjordside villages before arrival in Gudvangen where passengers disembark the fjord steamer to join a local bus for a drive through the Stalheim Gorge, with its two superb waterfalls, one on either side of a road that zigzags dizzily up the valley.  Then travel along the main road by bus to Voss arriving at 7.05 p.m.  for overnight stay at Fleischer’s hotel.

Day 17   14 July, Voss-Bergen, Norway (B)
Voss, a large community set in the heart of Norwegian fjords, has preserved its many traditions dating back 3000 years when it became a thriving farming community in stunning scenery.   At 1.44 p.m. depart Voss by train through verdant orchards and down to the sea with a spectacular backdrop of deep blue fjords and snow-covered mountains to Bergen arriving at 2.52 p.m.   On arrival coach transfer from the Railway station to your hotel.   Accommodation: Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret (or similar) 2 nights

Day 18    15 July, 2009  Bergen, Norway (B)
This morning commence a 3 hour privately guided City Tour of Bergen.  During the tour you will visit Fantoft Stave Church, which was originally built 1150, but reconstructed after a fire 1992. Afterwards the tour continues to Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg’s home for 22 years. On the way back to the city centre we stop on top of Nattlandsfjellet, one of Bergen’s best panoramic viewpoints. Tour ends back at your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 19    16 July, 2009  Bergen - Australia   (B)   Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Amsterdam and connecting flights to Australia.

Day 20    17 July, 2009  En-route to Australia

Day 21    18 July, 2009  Arrive Australia
 

Tour cost  $AU13,990 includes:

Tour cost does not include:

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

Lic. TTA 156054