Sweden/Finland/Estonia/Latvia/Denmark
A Baltic History Voyage: From the Vikings to the Russian Tsars
Program No. 24913RJ
Bon Voyage! Embark on a voyage around the Baltic Sea and discover the cities and cultural landmarks of a region rich with hundreds of years of history and heritage.
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13 days
12 nights
32 meals
11B 10L 11D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Stockholm, Vasa Museum
Stockholm
5
Helsinki, Finland
At Sea
8
Riga, Old Town
At Sea
10
Copenhagen, Christiansborg Palace
Copenhagen
13
Copenhagen, Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Set sail across the Baltic Sea for an educational voyage through Northern Europe! From Stockholm to Helsinki to Copenhagen and beyond, experience the cultural gems and history of the Baltics through famed museums, walking explorations and visits to the Old Towns of fascinating cities. Wander the gardens and halls of historic palaces such as the Kadriog Palace in Estonia and the Christianborg Palace in Denmark and admire their architecture and ornate interiors. Onboard your ship, your learning continues with discussions and activities that will help you connect with your fellow Road Scholars and expand on what you discover at each port.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 miles per day, standing for up to 2 hours on field trips. Many cobbled streets in city centers, some hilly and uneven terrain in rural areas. Getting on/off motorcoach and climbing in/out of tender.
What You'll Learn
- Visit the Djurgården Museums in Stockholm, home to the Vasa Museum and the preserved 1628 warship Vasa.
- Come into port at Visby, a town with fascinating Viking history that doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Swedish island of Gotland.
- Enjoy full days in Stockholm and Copenhagen prior to and after your voyage to allow for extended learning and independent exploration.
Suggested Reading List
(17 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
A Baltic History Voyage: From the Vikings to the Russian Tsars
Program Number: 24913
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Stockholm
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions.
Stockholm, City of My Dreams
Young Henning Nilsson arrives in Stockholm on the eve of the Industrial Revolution, eager for success, love and a fully experienced life in this Swedish classic of historical realist fiction, happily now available in an English translation.
Winter's Tales
A collection of 11 haunting short stories by the Danish writer most famous as Karen Blixen. With their Nordic settings, the Gothic tales draw upon the folk tradition and myths of Denmark. Originally published in 1942.
The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
Guardian journalist Booth writes with laugh-out-loud humor and brutal candor about the Scandinavians, mixing history and his own experiences in Nordic regions in this searing cultural portrait.
The Northmen, The Viking Saga
Viking historian John Haywood delves into the Vikings’ age of expansion (793 CE -1241 CE). His magisterial chronicle answers myriad questions about the Vikings, their technology, their society and why it went into decline.
The Baltic, A History
In his erudite history of the "Nordic Mediterranean," North covers over 1,000 years of trade, politics, architecture, cultural exchange and conflict in the Baltic. His main point: the Baltic's coastal nations have always been an interconnected economic unit.
Baltic Lenin: A Journey Into Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania's Soviet Past
Travel journalist Ruffles recounts his first hand experiences traversing the little known countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The non-fiction work is meant to convey what life is like in the Baltic states today and how Soviet rule has had a profound impact on the region. Furthermore, a broader viewpoint is taken on the future of the region as prior tensions between Russia and the West resurface.
How to Be Danish, A Journey to the Cultural Heart of Denmark
Patrick Kingsley interviews Danes, from Copenhagen to a variety of places, including the so-called "happiest town in the world," introducing a homogenized yet highly intricate Danish culture.
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Copenhagen
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions in Copenhagen and a pull-out map.
Stockholm, A Cultural History
A literary, cultural guide to the art, architecture, traditions and history of Stockholm.
Helsinki, A Cultural and Literary History
A literary guide to Helsinki, its history and culture, organized into three sections: city of architects and engineers; city of music and arts; and city of hospitality. With maps and black-and-white illustrations.
The Messiah of Stockholm, A Novel
Set in the dark of Stockholm's winter, this atmospheric short novel follows the peregrinations of Lars Andemeing -- and his search for his father Bruno Schulz.
A History of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland
Scandinavia from prehistory to the present with chapters on the Viking and Lutheran kingdoms, medieval times, monarchies, the World Wars and modern period, emphasizing the common cultural, political and social backgrounds.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
Why are the Danes so happy? Some contribute it to the emphasis on the sense of comfort and community known as Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). Wiking teaches readers about this national philosophy with practical, attainable suggestions of how to incorporate hygge into everyday life.
The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life
In The Nordic Theory of Everything, Partanen compares and contrasts life in the United States with life in the Nordic region, focusing on four key relationships—parents and children, men and women, employees and employers, and government and citizens.
Missing
Set in contemporary Stockholm, this tautly constructed tale marks the U.S. debut of Karin Alvtegen -- Sweden's Queen of Crime. Intricately plotted and emotionally complex.
The Vikings
This well-written look at Norse civilization goes beyond the limited view of the ruthless Viking invaders, creating a full picture of the vibrant, artistic, agricultural and exploratory culture
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