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Tuesday, July 10
NEW YORK / HELSINKI
Depart New York on an overnight flight to
St. Petersburg via Helsinki.
Wednesday, July 11
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Arrive this afternoon in St. Petersburg and transfer to the center of this most beautiful of Russian cities.
St. Petersburg was founded by decree of Peter the Great in 1703, transforming inhospitable marshland into a vibrant city of islands, canals, bridges and pastel-colored palaces in neo-classical and Russian Baroque styles. The Grand Hotel Europel, located on Arts Square, will be our home for two nights. Gather this evening for welcome cocktails and remarks by Patrick Bowe and Jay Gates, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Thursday, July 12
ST. PETERSBURG
By special arrangement we will visit the Hermitage before it opens to the public and devote the morning to this incomparable museum housed in five adjacent palaces, where 400 rooms contain nearly all schools of Western art, including one of the largest collections of French Impressionist works in existence. Following lunch, view St. Petersburg's handsome architecture and great cathedrals, including Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood. Alternatively, you may wish to see the art treasures of the State Russian Museum in the palace of Grand Duke Michael, steps away from our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and dinner are at leisure. This evening we plann to attend a White Nights Festival performance.
Friday, July 13
ST. PETERSBURG / SEA CLOUD II
Drive to the Tsar's Village, to enter Catherine's Palace, another Rastrelli masterpiece, before it opens to the public. See the exquisitely restored Amber Room and stroll the formal gardens. Continue to Peter the Great's estate of Peterhof for lunch and to stroll its spectacular lower gardens, where gilded statues ornament the Grand Cascade and fanciful fountains delight the eye. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil to visit the opulent golden-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral, then embark the awaiting Sea Cloud II. Cruise along the Neva River en route to the Baltic Sea this evening.
Saturday, July 14
TALLINN, ESTONIA
Patrick Bowe presents a morning lecture on the palaces and gardens of Tsar's Village and Peterhof. Arrive in Tallinn, whose spires and turreted medieval walls have survived since the days of the Hanseatic League, and drive to Castle Hill for a tour of 13th-century Toom Church. Then continue to the picturesque Old Town, where the narrow cobbled streets are lined with galleries and shops. Following a reception and a concert in the Gothic Town Hall, there will be time to explore this historic area. Sea Cloud II departs late tonight in the summer's evening light.
 Sunday, July 15
HELSINKI, FINLAND
Early this morning we sail into Helsinki, Finland's vibrant capital on the sea. Discover the bustling market, Eliel Saarinen's striking train station, the unique Rock Church and the great cathedral on neo-classical Senate Square. View the Ateneum's collections of Finnish and European art on a curatorial tour. Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise amidst the coastal islands in the Gulf of Finland. Tonight celebrate our voyage with a dinner hosted by the captain.
Monday, July 16
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Be on deck this morning as we navigate Stockholm's vast archipelago, passing myriad islands, summer homes and sailboats. Jay Gates will present a lecture on Stockholm's Nationalmuseum. Disembark this afternoon for a walking tour of Gamla Stan, or Old Town, including a visit to Storkyrkan, Stockholm's cathedral and oldest church, with its dramatic wooden statue of
St. George and the Dragon. Enjoy the spectacular setting at a casual dinner on deck, or choose to experience one of Stockholm's many fine restaurants. Sea Cloud II remains docked in Stockholm overnight.
 Tuesday, July 17
STOCKHOLM
In the Royal Palace see the Royal Armory's
collection of coaches, costumes and armor, before public viewing hours. After lunch discover the Nationalmuseum, a collection that includes major European paintings from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Alternatively, visit the Vasa museum, home to the recovered 17th-century warship that was lost for 333 years after sinking in Stockholm harbor. Sail this evening.
Wednesday, July 18
AT SEA
Today is devoted to sailing aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud II as she crosses the Baltic. Attend a lecture by Patrick Bowe on the historic houses and gardens of the Baltic states. In the late afternoon we approach the remote Estonian island of Saaremaa and enter the Gulf of Riga. Jay Gates presents a teatime lecture.
Thursday, July 19
RIGA, LATVIA / VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
Riga is renowned for its handsome medieval spires and ancient churches, including St. John's, St. Peter's, and the impressive Dom, where we will attend a private performance on one of Europe's finest organs. Also discover the city's superb Art Nouveau architecture and stroll the Old Town's cobbled streets lined with historic buildings. After lunch, depart by private motor coach for Lithuania. Arrive in Vilnius where dinner and overnight accommodations are at the Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel. Alternatively, you may wish to remain aboard Sea Cloud II today, as she cruises to Klaipeda.
Friday, July 20
VILNIUS / KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of Europe's largest medieval centers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Gates of Dawn, Gediminas Castle, St. Anne's Church, the synagogue and the former ghetto. Visit the cathedral, Vilnius University, and the Peter and Paul Church. Following lunch, drive to the port city of Klaipeda, where remnants of medieval fortifications recall 700 years of German rule. Reboard Sea Cloud II for dinner.
Saturday, July 21
AT SEA
As Sea Cloud II travels under billowing sails to Copenhagen, Jay Gates presents a morning lecture. Enjoy the amenities of our fine ship during a day at sea. This evening gather for the captain's farewell reception and dinner.
Sunday, July 22
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK / NEW YORK
Disembark this morning in Copenhagen and transfer to the airport for homebound flights.
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