MSC MAGNIFICA with SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CAPITALS & 6 COUNTRIES
NORWAY – DENMARK – GERMANY – POLAND – LATVIA – SWEDEN
*** HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN STOCKHOLM***
*** OSLI CITY TOUR INCLUDED***
DAY 1 ISTANBUL AIRPORT - OSLO
Meet at Istanbul Airport at 05:30 in front of the Turkish Airlines check-in desk. Then, complete check-in and passport procedures. Afterwards, depart to Oslo on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1751 at 08:10. Arrive in Oslo at 11:00 local time. Transfer with our private vehicle to the “Oslo Panoramic City Tour”. The tour includes the Royal Palace, Parliament Building, City Hall, National Theater, Oslo Cathedral, Karl Johans Street, Vigeland Park, Opera House, and Akershus Fortress. After the tour, transfer to the cruise ship in Oslo port. Check-in to the ship and luggage procedures, then settle into cabins. Free time until sailing. The ship departs at 16:00 in the evening. Dinner on board and overnight stay.
DAY 2 COPENHAGEN
Our ship anchors at Copenhagen port at 09:00 in the morning. Breakfast then free time for personal activities. Those interested can join an optional “Copenhagen City Tour” arranged by the guide. Copenhagen, the Danish capital, is located on Zealand, the largest island in the country. The Amalienborg Palace in the city center, still home to the royal family, is renowned. Known as one of the cities with the highest living standards in Europe, Copenhagen also boasts a vibrant nightlife. During our city tour, we will see the iconic Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, Gefion Fountain, Tivoli Gardens, Hipster Neighborhood, and Christiania. Afterwards, free time at Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square) in the city center to shop on Stroget or explore Nyhavn. Return to the ship. The ship departs at 18:00. Dinner on board and overnight stay.
DAY 3 WARNEMÜNDE
Our ship docks at Warnemünde at 07:00 in the morning. After breakfast, free time for shopping and personal activities. Those interested can join an optional “Rostock & Lübeck Tour”. Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was founded in 1143 as the first “Hanseatic City” located on the Baltic Sea coast and was the queen of Hanseatic cities, setting an example for the Baltic region. It features Gothic architecture such as the Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) completed in the 14th century, the Romanesque Cathedral from 1173 during the reign of III. Heinrich, and the magnificent Town Hall (Rathaus) built in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The city walls and gates, such as the Kuhlortower and Holstentor, are remnants of medieval fortifications. After the Lübeck tour, we will proceed to Rostock, Germany’s second important port on the Baltic Sea, established in the 11th century. During the Rostock panoramic tour, see Rostock University, Hanseatic architecture, Nikolaikirche, Rathaus, Alexandrinenstrasse, and the 13th-century famous “Kuh Tor”. Free time in Rostock’s shopping streets. Return to the ship. The ship departs at 17:00. Dinner on board and overnight.
DAY 4 GDYNIA (GDANSK)
Our ship docks at Gdynia at 10:00 in the morning. Breakfast then free time for shopping and personal activities. Those interested may join an optional “Gdynia (Gdansk) City Tour”. Gdynia, a Polish port on the Gulf of Gdansk facing the Baltic Sea, has a colorful maritime history and is home to a notable statue of Joseph Conrad, one of the world’s greatest novelists in English. This vibrant city is known for its modernist buildings and impressive landmarks such as Kosciuszki Square. Nearby, visit Malbork Castle and the lively Gdansk town. Return to the ship. The ship departs at 19:00. Dinner on board and overnight stay.
DAY 5 RONNE
The ship docks at Ronne at 07:00 in the morning. Breakfast will be served on board. Free time for shopping and personal activities. Those interested can join an optional “Ronne City Tour”. After disembarking, our tour begins with exploring the fairy-tale island of Bornholm, focusing on Ronne, the largest settlement, where we walk through colorful, historic streets lined with semi-timbered houses and observe traditional museums like Erichsens Gård from the outside. We then visit Østerlars Round Church, one of the iconic medieval structures. Next, we visit Helligdomsklipperne, a scenic area with natural rock formations, where we take a short walk to enjoy the Baltic views. After the tour, return to Ronne city center for some free time, then reboard the ship. The ship departs at 16:00. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 RIGA
Our ship docks at Riga at 07:00 in the morning. After breakfast, free time for shopping and personal activities. Those interested can join an optional “Riga City Tour”. We'll explore Latvia’s capital, beginning with visits to the Orthodox Cathedral, Freedom Monument, and the Art Museum. Walking through the Old Town, we’ll see Town Hall Square, and continue to St. Peter’s Church, St. George’s Chapel, and St. John’s Church. There will be a short recital inside a church featuring an organ performance. From outside, we’ll view the Swedish Gate and Riga Castle. Don't forget your camera because Riga, with its Art Nouveau architecture listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers countless picturesque spots. Return to the ship. The ship departs at 14:30. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 7 STOCKHOLM
Our ship docks at Stockholm at 09:00 in the morning. After breakfast, check out procedures are completed, and we transfer to our hotel with the waiting vehicle. After hotel check-in, free time to rest. Those interested can join an optional “Vasa Museum & Stockholm City Tour”. We will start at Södermalm, one of the highest areas in Stockholm, offering a great city and harbor view from Fjällgatan street with a brief photo stop. Then, we will explore the historic Gamla Stan, the old town, built on three islands, with the Royal Palace and Cathedral. We will walk through narrow, cobbled streets guided by our guide. After free time, we will visit the Royal Palace, Opera House, National Museum, Royal Theatre, the Nobel Banquet location at the Royal Palace, and the Stockholm City Hall from outside. Finally, we will visit the Vasa Museum, housing the 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. After the museum, return to the hotel for overnight.
DAY 8 STOCKHOLM – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
After breakfast at the hotel, check out procedures are completed, and we transfer to Stockholm Airport with the designated vehicle. As our flight is in the late afternoon, those interested can join an optional “Drottningholm Palace Gardens & Uppsala & Sigtuna Tour”. We will visit the royal residence, Drottningholm Palace, located on Lovön Island, built in the late 16th century. The surrounding grounds and gardens, including the English park and sculptures from the 17th century, are popular among visitors. Then, we will head north to Uppsala, 80 km away. Uppsala was a pagan center and a medieval city with a giant Gothic cathedral over 118 meters tall, where Viking kings are buried. We will visit Uppsala Castle and the university established in 1477, the oldest in Sweden. Then, we will travel to Sigtuna, an ancient medieval town with a rich history dating back 1,000 years, known for its lace work, with a population of around 7,000 near the lake. After this, we transfer to the airport. After completing passport and luggage procedures, we depart from Stockholm to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flight TK1796 at 18:30, arriving in Istanbul at 23:15 local time. End of our tour.