For over 20 years Peter the Great shaped “his” ST. PETERSBURG, leaving behind numerous buildings and artistic treasures that are well worth a visit. It is a good reason for the EUROPA to spend three full days here. Start your exploration at the Peter and Paul Fortress* where the cornerstone of the city of the tsars was laid in 1703. The tsar found his final resting place in the cathedral behind the fortified walls. The pastel-green Winter Palace was the impressive main residence of the family of tsars, yet it quickly became too small for the growing art collection of Catherine the Great. Following the completion of the Small Hermitage*, construction began on annexes which today house more than 60,000 exhibits in 350 state rooms – take an exclusive tour* of the most famous works and enjoy a concert* in the evening afterwards. St. Petersburg remained the Russian capital until 1918; the heart of “Mother Russia” now beats in Moscow*. An overland excursion will give you the opportunity to find out more about this economic and political centre.

To complete your mental image of the Baltic States, take a walk through the Lithuanian city of KLAIPEDA, which was the most northern city in Germany when it belonged to Prussia. It even captivated Thomas Mann with its unique natural beauty: with high dunes, endless beaches and calm bays, the Curonian Spit* National Park has sights to inspire anyone. A few pages of German history were also written in GDANSK. Prussian and Polish kings followed the King’s Road from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate, where you can now stop into a nearby restaurant and enjoy the historical setting with all five senses. Reflect on what you have seen during the evening passage through the KIEL CANAL and return home via Hamburg with once-in-a-lifetime memories.

* The shore activities are not included in the cruise price and are in the planning stage. Subject to change.