Best of the Baltic

Cruise itinerary - Best of the Baltic

What's included...

  • Gratuities - no need to tip!
  • Top class onboard activities/entertainment
  • 24 hour dining
  • Port taxes

Sailing Dates

29 Jun 13

Cities, sights and sensational scenery...

1

Saturday, Newcastle - UK 

Car: Close proximity to the A1 makes the Port of Tyne easily accessible. Head for Northumbrian Quay, Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal, Cobledene, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6EE. Upon arrival at the port, have your Thomson Cruises documentation to hand and follow the instructions of the port staff who will direct you to the luggage drop area before parking your car.
Train: Newcastle Central Station is 9 miles or 20 minutes from the Cruise Terminal, with intercity services serving Edinburgh, York and London. London can be reached in under three hours.
Air: The airport lies 15 miles to the north of the Cruise Terminal. Taxi journeys normally take less than 30 minutes. Newcastle International airport is served by flights from many UK airports.

2

Sunday, At Sea 

3

Monday, Oslo - NORWAY  08:00 - 17:00

  • It may be small but Oslo crams in more to see and do than other cities twice its size. It’s one of those rare places that’s got the balance just right. On the one hand, it’s all world class museums, neon-lit shops and buzzing bars and restaurants. On the other, it’s leafy parks, pristine gardens and tree-lined boulevards. Then of course there’s the setting to think about. Encased in fjords, peaks and forests, it’s fair to say Oslo’s got beauty well and truly on its side. No wonder a serene vibe runs through this oh-so-sophisticated Norwegian gem.

  • Meander along Karl Johans Gate, which cuts through the heart of Oslo. It’s packed with shops, cafés and restaurants, not to mention sights like the Royal Palace and the old university.
  • Of course, Norway’s known for its rich Viking heritage and nowhere is it more proudly displayed than at the Viking Ships Museum. Inside you’ll find the world’s best collection of Viking boats, with three spectacular examples on display.
  • Talking of museums, art-lovers among you will relish a wander round the Edvard Munch Museum. It’s packed with thousands of paintings by Norway’s most renowned artist.
  • Spend some time in Vigeland Park, where you’ll find around 200 sculptures by world famous artist Gustav Vigeland. Don’t miss the monolith, a 46 foot column carved with 121 human figures. It’s incredible.
See shore excursions

4

Tuesday, Gothenburg - SWEDEN  12:00 - 17:00

  • All canals, grand buildings and wide boulevards, Gothenburg gives Stockholm a run for its money in the Swedish beauty stakes. But there’s more to this place than just good looks. It strikes the perfect balance of restaurants, shops, galleries and attractions. And if you like café culture, you’ll be in your element. Gothenburg is believed to have the highest concentration of cafés anywhere in Sweden.

  • Stroll down the Avenyn, the city’s main thoroughfare. Lined with elegant buildings and shops, it runs all the way from the old moat, at the edge of the city, down to the main square.
  • Head to the Konstmuseet art gallery and feast your eyes on masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Gogh.
  • Take a peek inside the Feskekorka or ‘Fish Church’. This eye-popping indoor fish market looks just like a Gothic church, hence the name.
  • Don’t miss the Goteborg Botanical Gardens where you’ll find all sorts of plants and flowers or maybe take a walk through the leafy Slottskogen park.
See shore excursions

5

Wednesday, At Sea 

6

Thursday, Stockholm - SWEDEN  08:00 - 17:00

  • Spread out across 14 islands, spotless Stockholm is an enchanting slice of Scandinavia. Bursting with museums, galleries, bars and restaurants, there’s never a dull moment in this spellbinding city.

  • Explore the quaint cobbled streets of the old town and stumble upon the splendid Royal Palace, surrounded by grand houses and elegant boutiques.
  • Discover some of the city’s museums. There are 70 in total, the two favourites being the National Museum of Art and the Vasa Museum.
  • Flex your credit card in the city’s legendary shopping districts. Then spoil yourself rotten with a traditional Swedish massage in a gorgeous Art Nouveau spa.
  • Hop on a canal boat and explore Stockholm from the water. At least 50 bridges criss-cross their way around the city, linking 14 islands.
See shore excursions

7

Friday, Helsinki - FINLAND  12:00 - 17:00

  • Cruise into one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, right into the heart of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. With more shops, sights, bars and restaurants than you can shake a stick at, this chic metropolis will linger in the mind long after you’ve set sail for your next adventure.

  • Make a beeline for the historical centre and prepare to be wowed. It’s an architectural feast, with treasures like Senate Square, the City Hall, the Presidential Palace and the Opera House all jostling for your attention - and your camera lens.
  • When you’ve had your fill of sights, take a wander through Gardenia, Helsinki’s lush tropical gardens.
  • Don’t forget the Ateneum, the National Gallery of Finland, home to Finnish and European art from the 1700s right through to the 1960s.
See shore excursions

8

Saturday, St Petersburg - RUSSIA  08:00 - 23:59

  • Beautiful bridges. Shimmering canals. Ornate palaces. St Petersburg really is special. It’s one architectural delight after another. Even its metro stations resemble underground palaces. In short, it’s everything you want out of Russia - right down to those Mr Whippy-esque cathedral spires.

  • Tick off a rich list of sights, including the gilded cupola of St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Palace Square with its beautiful Baroque Winter Palace.
  • Discover the Hermitage, home to an astounding collection of three million pieces of art. Feast your eyes on works by grand masters like Leonardo Da Vinci, Titian, El Greco and Rembrandt.
  • Enjoy a magical night at the ballet at the Conservatoire Theatre, which belongs to the oldest musical school in Russia.
  • Looking for something a little more contemporary? Then hit the shops along Nevsky Prospect and give the vodka bars a whirl.
See shore excursions

9

Sunday, St Petersburg - RUSSIA  00:01 - 18:00

  • Beautiful bridges. Shimmering canals. Ornate palaces. St Petersburg really is special. It’s one architectural delight after another. Even its metro stations resemble underground palaces. In short, it’s everything you want out of Russia - right down to those Mr Whippy-esque cathedral spires.

  • Tick off a rich list of sights, including the gilded cupola of St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Palace Square with its beautiful Baroque Winter Palace.
  • Discover the Hermitage, home to an astounding collection of three million pieces of art. Feast your eyes on works by grand masters like Leonardo Da Vinci, Titian, El Greco and Rembrandt.
  • Enjoy a magical night at the ballet at the Conservatoire Theatre, which belongs to the oldest musical school in Russia.
  • Looking for something a little more contemporary? Then hit the shops along Nevsky Prospect and give the vodka bars a whirl.
See shore excursions

10

Monday, Tallinn - ESTONIA  08:00 - 17:00

  • Across the water from Finland lies this captivating World Heritage Site, the capital city of Estonia. Without doubt, Tallinn is one of Europe’s most remarkable architectural havens. The old town is a magnificent jumble of Medieval walls and turrets, spires and winding cobbled hills. Don’t forget your cameras for this one.

  • Start off with a trip to Toompea. Here you’ll find the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Toompea Castle, where Estonia’s parliament sits.
  • Follow the twisting cobbled streets that open out on to Town Hall Square, whose pièce de résistance is Europe’s oldest surviving Gothic town hall. Look out for the building’s 16th-century weathervane. It depicts Old Thomas, the Medieval warrior and guardian of the city.
  • When you’re ready for a rest, pull up a chair in one of the city’s open-air cafés and taste Saku, the local beer.
See shore excursions

11

Tuesday, At Sea 

12

Wednesday, Warnemunde - GERMANY  07:00 - 20:00

  • Gilded with gorgeous beaches, Medieval Warnemunde is a popular holiday spot. Spend the day lounging on the sands or climb to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy the views over the Baltic Sea. If your ship is in port for more than a few hours, you can also visit the German capital, Berlin.

  • Take a relaxing stroll through Warnemunde’s Medieval streets and call in at St Mary’s Church to hear its amazing Baroque organ and see the world’s oldest astronomical clock.
  • Hop aboard the narrow-gauge steam train, Molli, for a truly old-fashioned ride. Then pop into one of the many homely cafés for hearty German fare washed down with a stein of beer.
  • Spend the day exploring Germany’s capital. See the famous Brandenburg Gate. Eat Wiener Schnitzel in a backstreet bolthole. Or click your heels on the polished floors of the famous KaDeWe department store.
See shore excursions

13

Thursday, Kalundborg (for Copenhagen) - DENMARK  08:00 - 17:00

  • This bustling market town in the west of Denmark has got an interesting past that’s well worth unravelling. Its narrow streets are made for strolling so grab a map, pack your camera and get ready to explore. If that sounds too much like hard work, you’ll be glad to hear the town’s surrounded by beaches. Or perhaps you’ll prefer a trip to Copenhagen, where shops, sights, museums and galleries conspire to steal your heart.

  • Lace up your walking boots and get to know Kalundborg. Lose yourself in the old part of town, whose slender streets are crammed with houses up to 500 years old. And don’t miss Kalundborg Church, whose 5 towers spear the skyline.
  • Take a trip to the fairytale Renaissance castle of Frederiksborg, home to the kings and queens of yesteryear. Built in the 17th-century, it’s considered to be the most beautiful castle in Denmark.
  • Visit Roskilde and discover 1,000 years of Viking history. The Viking Ship Museum is unmissable, with five 11th-century vessels giving you a taste of a bygone age.
  • Head for Denmark’s exquisite capital, Copenhagen, and tick off some of its most famous landmarks. The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace and Tivoli Gardens – wow.
See shore excursions

14

Friday, At Sea 

15

Saturday, Newcastle - UK 

Car: Close proximity to the A1 makes the Port of Tyne easily accessible. Head for Northumbrian Quay, Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal, Cobledene, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6EE. Upon arrival at the port, have your Thomson Cruises documentation to hand and follow the instructions of the port staff who will direct you to the luggage drop area before parking your car.
Train: Newcastle Central Station is 9 miles or 20 minutes from the Cruise Terminal, with intercity services serving Edinburgh, York and London. London can be reached in under three hours.
Air: The airport lies 15 miles to the north of the Cruise Terminal. Taxi journeys normally take less than 30 minutes. Newcastle International airport is served by flights from many UK airports.

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