A Baltic History Voyage: From the Vikings to the Russian Tsars

Activity note: Check-in available from 3:00 PM

Afternoon: After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and go on a walking discovery of Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan) with our group leader. Stockholm’s origins lie on the atmospheric island of Gamla Stan, where merchants and monarchs occupied the medieval streets around the Royal Palace. Stroll through the meandering alleyways, past landmarks like the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral and the Nobel Museum, celebrating the achievements of Nobel Prize winners.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we will discover Stockholm City hall, a celebrated example of Swedish National Romanticism. It now houses the city council and municipal council offices, as well as the Blue Hall, venue of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet. Next, we will visit The Royal Palace, the King's official residence. The palace has more than 600 rooms divided between eleven floors with a state apartment facing the city and smaller living rooms facing the inner courtyard. We will then ride to port to embark the ship. We will have some time to unpack and begin to familiarize ourselves with the ship. We will participate with everyone on board in the ship’s muster drill when announced and proceed to our assigned muster stations. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops are subject to change as weather and ocean conditions could affect the progress of the vessel. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time in each port is set by the cruise line. The cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice.

Dinner: Aboard ship. Beverages including select fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, and all nonalcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty coffees are included on the ship.

Evening: At leisure The ship will remain in port overnight.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to the island of Djurgarden to visit the Vasa Museum. The museum houses the Vasa warship, one of the best preserved 17th century warships in the world. It consists of 98% original parts and is adorned with hundreds of sculptures. The ship sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later before being painstakingly restored over many years back almost to its original condition.

Lunch: On your own at the Vasa Museum.

Afternoon: We will continue our discovery of the Vasa Museum. Later in the afternoon we will return to port.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure The ship is will leave Stockholm on our journey to Helsinki, Finland.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Free time onboard to enjoy the activities and amenities as the ship makes its way to Helsinki.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: The ship is scheduled to arrive in Helsinki at 12:00 p.m. Upon arrival We will board our motorcoach and head out to discover Helsinki. This “City of the Sea” with over 450 years of creative heritage has produced some of the world`s finest architects, and legacy of their splendid work is seen everywhere. Mother Nature has also made her mark here, as leafy parks and picturesque bays punctuate the promenades.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. The ship is will leave Helsinki on our journey to Tallinn, Estonia.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles on cobblestone streets & uneven sidewalks; standing up to 2 hours. There is one big hill to the upper town. Most of Tallinn Old Town is Car Free, the afternoon will be a walking Field Trip.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to Kadriorg Palace, founded by Russian Tsar Peter I in 1718. Designed by Italian architect Nicola Michetti with its magnificent main hall is one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Estonia and in Northern Europe. The palace is surrounded by a garden of fountains, hedges, and flowerbeds, modeled on Versailles.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will enjoy a walking excursion of Tallinn's Old Town with our group leader, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we'll find original cobblestone streets dotted with medieval churches and grandiose merchant houses, barns and warehouses many of which date back to the Middle Ages. We will return to port. The ship is will leave Tallinn on our journey to Visby (Gotland), Sweden.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning, we will discover Visby, an enchanting medieval town on the island of Gotland. The well-preserved medieval Hanseatic town dates back to the 12th century.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will continue our Field Trip at the Gotland Museum. The museum's Hall of Antiquities contains a number of archaeological finds dating back to Viking times. We will learn about the town's long and fascinating history. We will return to port. The ship will leave Visby on our journey to Riga, Latvia.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles on cobblestone streets; standing up to 2 hours. The Morning Field Trip will be a walking excursion, the Old Town is not accessible by coach.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Founded in 1201, Riga has been shaped by its time as a member of the Hanseatic League, and its strategic position at the crossroads of trade routes from the early middle ages. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing a blend of Art Nouveau, Gothic, and medieval architecture, and a thriving contemporary art scene. This morning, we will head off with our Group Leader on a walking excursion of Old Town, the narrow, crooked cobblestone streets are filled with a mixture of architectural styles including Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and Jugendstil.

Lunch: Aboard ship or independently in Riga.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Riga on your own.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. The ship is will leave Riga on our journey to Copenhagen.

Activity note: Full day at sea

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning we will head out to discover Copenhagen. Capital of the “World’s Happiest Country,” Copenhagen is known for its colorful buildings, busy canals and cozy ambience.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will visit Christiansborg Palace and experience 800 years of royal history. Once home to kings and queens, Christiansborg Palace now houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. Walk though gilded rooms and decorated salons, some of which are still used by the Royal Family for various functions and events.

Dinner: Aboard ship

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation tomorrow.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning we will experience Copenhagen and its iconic landmarks from the water on a canal cruise.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will ride to the hotel and check in. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: The morning Field Trip is a walking excursion. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we enjoy a walking discovery of Copenhagen's Christiania neighborhood. Founded in 1971, this collectively controlled village has a clear 70's feel to it. A lot of the people living in Christiania built their homes themselves, giving the area an extremely interesting architectural feel. And you will find a variety of eco-restaurants, workshops, galleries and music venues offering all sorts of cultural experiences.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Copenhagen on your own.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check out by 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!