July 29 – August 9, 2008

The eclipse journey to Siberia and Baltic cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas VOYAGER is filled with grand monuments and opulent palaces.  There are multiple days and nights in St. Petersburg, with optional touring of Peter & Paul Fortress and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.  Our 12days/11nights tour/cruise takes you to storybook villages and towns.  Novosibirsk, Siberia, reveals a rich culture of art and science and the 2008 eclipse center line.  Astronomical lectures and events will highlight this legendary cruise/tour to Scandinavia and Russia.

Distinguished Lecturer

Dr. Frank Drake, Senior Scientist, SETI

Your Cruise Tour Includes:

Opera House, Novosibirsk

Akademgodorok, Siberia

Stockholm Skyline

Visby

Church of the Resurrection

Voyager

Dining Room

Cabin

Cabin

Photos Courtesy Viking River Cruises

Itinerary

Tuesday, July 29, 2008     Arrive Novosibirsk, Siberia

Upon arrival in Novosibirsk, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Wednesday, July 30, 2008        Novosibirsk

A day to relax and unpack before getting to know the city of Novosibirsk. The village was founded along the banks of the Ob River in 1893 during the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Today it boasts a population of 1.6 million with five theatre companies, an orchestra, and the largest opera house in Russia. B

Thursday, July 31, 2008        Novosibirsk, Siberia

This morning join fellow travelers for our astronomical enrichment program in preparation for tomorrow's eclipse. The afternoon takes us on a cultural journey beginning with the Chapel of St. Nicholas, said to be the geographical center of Russia. Tonight it's a cultural evening at the State Opera & Ballet Theatre tonight for SWAN LAKE . B/L 

Friday, August 1, 2008        Total Solar Eclipse

Preparations for Eclipse Day begin early with setting up cameras and telescopes. B/L/D

Saturday, August 2      Fly to  Copenhagen Sail 5pm

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Copenhagen. You will be transferred to the Regent Voyager. B/D

Sunday, August 3      Visby  Noon - 5pm

Gotland and Oland are part of the Baltic islands that lie off the south-east coast of Sweden. Today Gotland is a blend of old and new with its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visby can be appreciated for its fascinating history and charm of a clean, pretty, small-city in which parks, gardens, and flowers abound. The ancient part of the city is surrounded by an intact, well preserved 13 th century City Wall and 44 guard towers. Since the end of the 19th century, the ruins of this medieval stone city have been protected as historical monuments. B/L/D

Monday, August 4         Tallinn  

Tallinn fronts a bay on the Gulf of Finland dominated by Toompea, the hill over which it has tumbled since the Middle Ages. The aura of the 14th and 15th centuries survives in central Tallinn's jumble of medieval walls and turrets, spires and winding cobbled hills. Tallinn is also a national capital with government buildings, a university, entertainment and modern styles on its streets. B/L/D

Tuesday, August 5        St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg lies on the river Neva, and is built on 42 islands, crisscrossed by rivers and canals and connected by 350 bridges. St. Petersburg experiences the 'white nights' of summer when the sun barely sets. B/L/D

Wednesday, August 6        St. Petersburg

During your cruise you spend multiple days and nights in St. Petersburg, with opportunity to tour such landmarks as Pushkin and Catherine's Palace, named for Peter the Great's widow, Catherine I. See Nevsky Prospect and St. Isaac's Cathedral. BL/D

Thursday, August 7         St. Petersburg

Another day for optional tours to the piece de resistance , the Winter Palace, opulent home of the last six czars and the Hermitage Museum. B/L/D

Friday, August 8         Stockholm 

The city of Stockholm, built on 14 small islands among open bays and narrow channels. It is a very civilized city of parks, squares, and airy boulevards. In the center you are never more than a few minutes walk from twisting medieval streets and waterside walks. It was this strategic position, where the calm fresh waters of Lake Malaren meet the salty Baltic Sea that prompted King Gustav Vasa to take over the city in 1523. B/L/D

Saturday, August 9      Stockholm Disembark

Transfer to the airport or extend your stay in Scandinavia.    B 

How to Prepare for this Trip

Click on the following link for a detailed list of preparations: Preparing for this Trip

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