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| Baltic delights | CRUISE REVIEW |
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As a treat ashore I would Peterhof and Alexander, or pass up on glassware and visit. Founded in 1843 it is
recommend lunch at tour St Petersburg on foot ceramics and beautiful a beautiful, romantic park
Balthasar – this the first with a guide. textiles by such Finnish with lanterns in the trees
Estonian garlic restaurant Onward to Helsinki, a designers as Marimekko that create a unique atmos-
was opened in 1999, in a diverse and unique city only and Vuokko, or Lapp phere. It has a wealth of
medieval building of the independent since 1917, its handicrafts. high-class restaurants and
Town-Hall Apothecary and distinctive history having Our last night on board stages for music and theatre.
is situated in the very heart been tied closely to that of was spent in wonderful, Amalienborg Palace,
of the Old Town. Russia and Sweden. With wonderful Copenhagen, the royal couple's winter
A magnificent view opens its four strongly contrasting voted Europe’s Leading residence, is a major
from the restaurant’s seasons - hot and sunny Cruise Port at the 2008 architectural work and
windows on the Town- probably the most
Hall Square. outstanding piece of Rococo
Did you know Tallinn is architecture in Denmark.
one of the most advanced A cruise in the Baltic Sea
internet countries in the region can only be described
world where software Skype as truly an adventure –the
– the telephone call service destinations and cruise
over the internet – was ports surrounding the Baltic
founded? sea offer a wealth of
As we set sail for St diversity, spectacular
Petersburg – also known as scenery, historical
the ‘Venice of the North’, attractions and exciting
with its network of cultural experiences and
waterways and canals – these countries are all
the excitement of my fellow English-speaking.
Crystal passengers was The Baltic ports will
palpable. Russia’s appeal to both families and
architectural capital is an individual travellers, with
extraordinary combination good flight accessibility from
of Classical and Baroque. the UK. There is wide
Founded in 1703 on the choice of cruise lines sailing
whim of Peter the Great, in this part of the world –
St Petersburg on the Neva summers, crisp and World Travel Awards. many offering fly-cruise
River has changed its name colourful autumns, white The early days of author programmes.
three times since – and wonderful winters to Hans Christian Andersen
Petrograd (1914), Lenin- dramatic and dynamic were spent in the Nyhaven Visit www.cruisebaltic.com
grad (1924) and then back springs, Helsinki’s cultural area, now the famous canal which provides a wealth of
to St Petersburg (1991). life is extremely active, with quarter, living in poverty as knowledge and information
An overnight stay in St over 3,000 events arranged a failing actor. His poetry in advance.
Petersburg allowed us time each year. eventually attracted the
to explore the many and In 2008, 275 cruise ships attention of King Frederick
varied attractions. The best arrived in Helsinki, carrying and through his patronage
views can be seen by with them almost 300,000 Andersen’s talents were
climbing the 262 steps to passengers, which was able to grow, writing around
the top of the impressive 40,000 more than in 2007; 167 fairy tales, one of the
St Isaac’s Cathedral, the and a new cruise ship most famous of course
third largest domed church terminal at Hernesaari being The Little Mermaid.
in the world. Quay has been opened. Her statue now overlooks
A visit to the world- Crystal operate organised the shores in Copenhagen, Crystal Symphony
famous Hermitage shore excursions, however undoubtedly the capital The 51,000gt, 940 guest ultra
Museum was enhanced it is possible to discover city’s most famous resident. luxury Crystal Symphony ends
further for Crystal cruisers Helsinki by foot. Highlights Other ‘Must sees’ when her 2009 Baltic season with the
by an excursion with not to miss are: the visiting Copenhagen are the final departure on 12 August,
special access to The Gold Kauppatori Market Square; Tivoli Gardens, The Viking followed by a no-fly round UK
Room with its awesome an impressive neo-classical Museum, The National cruise out of Dover departing 23
collection of royal jewellery, Town Hall, more than 150 Gallery and the Amalien- August, then an Atlantic crossing
gifts and treasures. Some of years old and Senate borg Palace. Tivoli Gardens, for a short season of Canadian
the other Crystal guests Square with its interest- the highly popular amuse- eastern seaboard cruises, before
chose to tour the Palaces of ing Lutheran Cathedral. ment park, is usually top of her 22 November 62 night Grand
the Czars – Catherine, For shopping it is hard to everyone's list of places to Cruise round South America.
| ITINERARY PLANNING | SHORE PROGRAMMES | PASSENGER HANDLING | SUMMER 2009 |
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