Hidden Treasures of the Baltic
Explore St Petersburg & hidden Baltic towns aboard the MS Hebridean Sky with Guest Speakers Major JGH Corrigan & Imogen Corrigan
- 7 August 2020
Here is the perfect summer break for those looking for a week of cultural discovery in a fascinating region accompanied by just 100 fellow like-minded travellers, excellent Guest Speakers and informative local guides combined with accommodation aboard a superbly comfortable small ship.
The Baltic offers a real cornucopia of delights especially in the summer when after a long winter the region responds to the sun unlike anywhere else and there is a calm and order which makes exploration so enjoyable. Join us aboard the MS Hebridean Sky and witness the spectacle of colour that the sun brings to the northern world. Whether your interest lies in the region’s Viking and Medieval history or the more recent events of the breakaway Baltic States, it is an endlessly intriguing region.
Within a relatively accessible area and over the course of just eight nights we will discover a diverse collection of ports in Sweden, Estonia, Russia and Finland. With the exception of the magnificent city of St Petersburg, which no voyage in the Baltic could omit, we will avoid the major ports in the region and instead head for some charming towns such as Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland, and Mariehamn, the capital of the Aland Islands in the very heart of the Baltic Sea. We also visit the beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa with its Medieval Episcopal Castle and timeless countryside and picturesque Kotka in southern Finland. In each port of call there will be included guided excursions and in addition we have ensured there are also opportunities to explore independently.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Stockholm, Sweden.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive in Stockholm and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail in the early evening through the many islands of the Swedish archipelago.
Day 2 Visby.
Spend the day visiting this once important Hanseatic port. Best explored on foot, the beautifully preserved Medieval town snuggles inside 13th century walls, housing 44 watchtowers. In Viking times and several centuries after, the Swedish island of Gotland and especially the city of Visby, became a centre of trade in the Baltic Sea and is a World Heritage Site. Walk its streets from the Middle Ages and see its gardens ablaze with flowers, earning the city its nickname ‘the city of ruins and roses’. Later, visit the Viking exhibits at the Fornsal Museum and wander the paths of the botanical gardens. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore further and maybe enjoy an after dinner stroll as we sail late this evening.
Day 3 Saaremaa, Estonia.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea before arriving at lunchtime at Estonia’s largest island of Saaremaa which offers a glimpse of a bygone age. Untouched by industry it is a green and very pleasant land dotted with attractive villages in a rolling forested landscape. During an afternoon drive we will visit the lovely capital Kuressaare with its magnificent Medieval castle and stroll through the streets of the enchanting old town. Continue inland on a journey that will take you back in time through a countryside of stone walls, thatched roofs, traditional villages and windmills.
Day 4 Tallinn.
During breakfast we arrive in the historic maritime city of Tallinn with her awe-inspiring city walls and fortifications, narrow Medieval streets and the gateways which remain remarkably well preserved. In the Upper Town we will enjoy the views from Dome Hill with the extraordinary vista of domes, spires and gables and see Toompea Castle, once a fortress, and now the seat of the Estonian parliament. Walking to the Lower Old Town we will visit the main square where we will find the oldest pharmacy in Europe, the Gothic Cathedral and the 15th century Town Hall. After lunch on board the afternoon will be at leisure for you to explore further before sailing at tea time.
Days 5 & 6 St Petersburg, Russia.
We have two days to explore this most endlessly captivating of Russian cities. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St Petersburg is a fascinating mix of classic and Baroque architecture on a network of canals. We will be offering a number of tours during our time here including visits to the Peter and Paul Fortress, Catherine Palace, the wonderful Peterhof Palace and Gardens and a canal cruise through the city. On our first evening we will enjoy an exclusive private tour and concert at the Hermitage Museum.
Day 7 Kotka, Finland.
Built on the site where the River Kymijoki meets the Baltic Sea, picturesque Kotka has a long seafaring tradition. This morning we will explore the history of the region and visit the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge which was built in 1889 for Alexander III, the future Emperor of Russia who used it as a summer home. It is now a living museum situated in a stunning nature reserve on the river. Continue to the Maritime Centre Vellamo where local guides will enlighten us about the maritime and cultural heritage of the region. The afternoon is free to explore the old city from our central berth or maybe enjoy some of the many green spaces nearby such as the Sibelius Park or Sapokko Water Garden.
Day 8 Mariehamn.
After a morning at sea we arrive over lunch into the attractive town of Mariehamn on the island of Aland in the Finnish archipelago. It is a charming little town, founded in 1861 by Tsar Alexander II and named after his wife Maria. On an afternoon drive we will head into the beautiful countryside along scenic roads, stopping at Badhausberget with panoramic views over the archipelago. Return to the ship for dinner as we sail to Stockholm.
Day 9 Stockholm to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy7 to 15 August 2020 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £4195 | |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £4595 | |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £5095 | |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £5495 | |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £5995 | |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £6495 | |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £7495 | |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £5995 | |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £6195 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS070820
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Eight nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team • Gratuities • Transfers • Russian Group Visa • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, optional excursions in St Petersburg.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Video Library
Travelling with You
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Imogen Corrigan
Imogen served for nearly twenty years in the British army, retiring in the rank of Major at the end of 1994. She then went to the University of Kent to study Anglo-Saxon and medieval history and art, graduating with 1st Class Honours. She became a freelance lecturer, running study tours for several travel companies and lecturing for the Arts Society and Noble Caledonia.
She has a wide range of lecture subjects encompassing most of Europe from the west of Ireland to Istanbul, and from North Cape to Morocco, covering 1,000 years of history. Imogen is always interested in ideas, artistic techniques and motifs travelling and especially in trying to understand the mind-set of the people who lived at that time.
Her first book: Stone on Stone: the Men who built the Cathedrals is due to be published in 2019.
Imogen Corrigan will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 15 August 2020 -
Major Gordon Corrigan MBE
Gordon Corrigan spent most of his adult life as an officer of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, serving mainly in the Far East but also in Cyprus, Berlin, Northern Ireland and Belize. He is now a military historian and the author of a number of books on subjects ranging from the Hundred Years War to the Peninsula War to the First and Second World Wars. To date he has been the presenter of five TV series dealing with various aspects of military history, in addition to regular appearances in documentaries. He conducts military history study tours in Europe, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Turkey and North Africa. He has lectured in Russia and Central Asia and is a regular speaker on Noble Caledonia cruises. He has lectured in the United States and Canada and is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Universities of Birmingham and Kent, a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, a Member of the British Commission for Military History, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. During our cruise he will be lecturing on the history of the nations and the areas that we will be visiting or travelling through.
Major Gordon Corrigan MBE will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 15 August 2020
Tour Extensions
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5th to 7th August 2020
If you would like to spend some time in Stockholm we are offering a two night hotel extension. This will be an independent stay allowing the opportunity to explore at leisure before embarking MS Hebridean Sky
Prices per person based on double occupancy
5 to 7 August 2020 Category Price Twin £625 Single £975 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation in Stockholm with breakfast, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers from the airport to hotel and hotel to MS Hebridean Sky.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000