2018 - APT Small Ships

78 | GRAND EXPEDITIONS and traditional lunch. Alternatively visit the town of Kuressaare, or take nature tour to discover the island's rich bird-life. BLD Day 23. Tallinn. In Tallinn, you can visit Dome Hill, the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, the Rotermann Quarter and Freedom Square. Otherwise, embark on hike with your Expedition Team, or take a bicycle tour. BLD Day 24. St Petersburg. Visit Catherine Palace before a journey down the Neva River to Peterhof Park and Palace. Stroll the Lower Park and see the Grand Cascade and the Grand Palace. BLD Day 25. St Petersburg. On a tour, see Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Isaac's Cathedral and the Baroque-style State Hermitage Museum. Tonight, be treated to an elegant evening of Russian ballet at the prestigious Hermitage Theatre. BLD Day 26. Helsinki. Perhaps enjoy a tour of sophisticated Helsinki, a well-known hotspot for art nouveau architecture and chic design studios. Alternatively, explore Suomenlinna, a World Heritage-listed fortress. BLD Day 27. Mariehamn. In the Finnish town of Mariehamn, embark on a tour, seeing the 18th-century wooden houses, the open-air Jan Karlsgården Museum and the fortress ruins of Bomarsund. Alternatively, take a coastal hike. BLD Day 28. Stockholm. Tour Stockholm's Old Town, Royal Palace and the Vasa Museum. Enjoy an afternoon tea at the historic town of Sigtuna. BLD Day 29. Stockholm, Disembark Ship, Reykjavik, Embark Ship. Disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for a flight to Reykjavik. On arrival in Iceland transfer to your small ship. Nine Night Stay: MS Hebridean Sky. BD Day 30. Grundarfjordur. Explore lava fields and Helgafell Mountain, then continue to Stykkishólmur to see the region's folk museum. Alternatively tour Snæfellsnes peninsula to see the glacier made famous by Jules Verne's novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. BLD Day 31. Westfjords, Dynjandi Waterfall. Explore Isafjordur and Jokulfjordur by Zodiac and make landfall on Vigur. Explore Hrafnseyri and see the Dynjandi, the highest waterfall in the Westfjords. BLD Day 32. Siglufjordur, Akureyri. Stroll through the picturesque town of Siglufjordur and visit the Herring Era Museum. Dock in Akureyri tonight. BLD Day 33. Akureyri. Start today with a private visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths, this popular hot spring will be opened early exclusively for APT guests. Later explore the volcanic lava fields, boiling mud pools and steam vents of Lake Mývatn. Visit the thunderous and spectacular 'Falls of the Gods', Godafoss. BLD Day 34. Grimsey Island. Today visit Grimsey Island, which is bisected by the Arctic Circle. Here enjoy free time to take a nature walk exploring the islands basalt cliffs, home to countless nesting birds. BLD Day 35. Mjoifjordur, Nekaupstadur. Explore the lesser known fjords in the north east of Iceland, only accessible by small ship. Visit a local art gallery, Museum of Natural History and Maritime Museum in the small town of Nekaupstadur. Alternatively you can hike to a vantage point offering great views of the surrounding area. BLD Day 36. Hofn. Today we see Europe's largest glacier, the enormous Vatnajokull Glacier, so large it is often called an icecap. On a guided tour venture out on the glacier to view the spectacular crater in the ice. On return enjoy lunch featuring local seafood and watch as icebergs fall into Jokulsarlon lagoon. BLD and the Skagerak seas, known as Grenen. Alternatively, take part in a walking tour along the waterfront and through the city's cobblestone streets. Both tours visit the Skagen Museum, which tells the history of the town's artist colony. BLD Day 15. Copenhagen. Your ship will be docked in Copenhagen today giving you the chance to enjoy a city tour taking in the wonderful bridge- spanned canals, copper-roofed buildings and manicured parks. Continue to Amalienborg Palace, the prime residence of Princess Mary's Danish Royal Family. Perhaps you may like to take the opportunity to further explore this vibrant city tonight and maybe visit a local restaurant. BLD Day 16. Helsingor. Stopping in the Danish city of Helsingor, head for Kronborg Castle, immortalised by Shakespeare in his play, Hamlet. Admire views over Oresund, and visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. BLD Day 17. Christianso Island, Bornholm Island. Arrive on Christianso Island and choose between learning about everyday life on the island; discovering the history of the island's fortress; or embarking on a nature walk. Later visit Bornholm Island and traverse the lush countryside for an afternoon of gourmet delights. BLD Day 18. Gdansk. Arrive in the old Hanseatic port of Gdansk. See the old quarter including the Gothic St Mary's Church and the Artus Court. Visit Solidarity Square and the Angel of Freedom monument, before strolling the narrow cobbled streets of the Main Town. BLD Day 19. Klaipeda. Founded in 1252, Klaipeda was almost destroyed during World War II. Here, perhaps set off on a sightseeing tour to the Martynas Mazvydas Sculpture Park. Alternatively, discover the underground Soviet base and visit the Cold War Museum. BLD Day 20. Gotland Island, Visby. Arrive on Gotland Island today and perhaps enjoy a walking tour taking in the 12th-century Kruttornet, and Botanical Gardens. Or head to Graute Farm to learn about local rural life. Then sample saffron pancakes and visit the Old Town. BLD Day 21. Riga. Select from two sightseeing options in Riga. Perhaps wander the cobbled streets of the historic centre, visiting the beautiful Gothic-style St Peter's Church and perhaps admire the stunning views from the observation platform. Alternatively, embark on a kayaking journey through the city's stunning network of canals. BLD Day 22. Saaremaa Island. Today on Saaremaa Island, visit an Estonian farmhouse for a cooking lesson

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