Canadian World traveller Winter 2017-18 Issue

Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is one of those cities that may be
overlooked on a first or second itinerary
through Europe for most Western travelers,
which is exactly what makes it so special.
The Seabourn Quest ports in the modern
city, which offers passengers the opportunity
to experience the dichotomy of old and
the new. The 15-minute walk into town
from port to the Old Town Center is a
unique journey and seamless synthesis.
Tallinn is often regarded by experts as the
best preserved medieval city in Northern
Europe, largely unaffected by the travesties
and bombing of World War II and is listed
as a UNSECO World Heritage Site. The city
was founded in 1248 (even though evidence
of ancient human settlements date
back to 3000 BC) and sits on the Bay of
Finland, a strategic Baltic location that
made it a major trade and transportation
hub.
WT Library Image
Gothic spire reins over the city landscape
and two story building dating back to the
middle ages. While I spent my day getting
lost in the maze of cobblestone streets and
people watching, other guests enjoyed
restaurants, bars, galleries, museums and
the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the
last obvious remnant of The Soviet Era.
St. Petersburg, Russia
The three days that the Quest ports in St.
Petersburg are a trip highlight. Russia has
always fascinated me—its history impacting
such a volume of world events, and
Seabourn’s excursions brought this history
to life.
My first guided tour was of the cathedrals
of St. Petersburg, overarching architecture
of Baroque and Neoclassical styles, as well
as history of the city. I stood in awe under
The Church of the Spilled Blood, with its
traditional Russian onion domes and
23,000 square feet of intricate mosaics
inside. Our guide explained the intricacies
and mystery of this edifice.
Our second evening, I got dolled up in my
finest pearls for an experience like no other.
Seabourn guests were granted exclusive
private access to St. Catherine’s Palace at
Pushkin. We were given a guided tour of
the Palace, including the Amber Room—
famous for its Czar and World War II history—and
thought to be an 8th Wonder of
the World. Afterwards, we were treated to a
champagne reception in the Throne Room,
a string orchestra setting the ambiance.
Another highlight was Seabourn’s “Peterhof
Palace, Fountains & Park” tour—Peterhof
was the summer home of Peter the Great,
built to rival the Palace of Versailles. Sitting
on the Bay of Finland, the Palace captures
the extreme gluttony of the Czar period and
was under Nazi Occupation during World
War II.
I had never seen Swan Lake. That is why
when my first production of Tchaikovsky’s
wonder was in the second row of the The
Alexandrinsky Theatre—the Mecca of ballet—was
a life highlight. The grace in
movement of each dancer onstage, the
harps and violins in harmony—all of the
senses were mesmerized.
Helsinki, Finland
The final stop aboard our cruise was
Helsinki, the capital and largest city in
Finland. This stop particularly ties the trip
together nicely, as Helsinki has close historical
connections with Stockholm, Estonia
and St. Petersburg. Helsinki is the northernmost
capital of the European Union and
Finland’s major political, educational,
financial, cultural and research center.
So what do Seabourn guests do when arriving
in this eclectic metropolis? Getting into
town is particularly easy—from even the
towns center the masts of the ship are visible!
It’s not a city I would recommend you
have your list of things to see and “check
off.” It is all about the quirky vibes, chatting
with a local in the coffee shops on the main
square and enjoying the sea breezes while
savoring a herring sandwich on the pier.
One of my favorite finds while wandering
the streets of the town was the “Kamppi
Chapel,” also known as “The Chapel of
Silence.” Open 24/7 in the center of the
city stands a two story cylindrical wooden
temple, where you are graced by this overwhelming
sense of tranquility and peace.
With all my travels, often trips will all blend
together just weeks after returning home.
My seven-day trip through the Baltics on
The Seabourn Quest proved different. Yes,
it encompassed all the luxurious components
I would expect of a top-of-the-line
vessel. Yes, the meals were decedent, the
spa services were refreshing and the caliber
of service was phenomenal. But what
truly put the Seabourn Quest in another
league was the programming and remote
destinations we accessed allowing us have
momentary insight into the intriguing world
of the Baltic states.
www.seabourn.com
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Photo: Seabourn Photo: Seabourn
Canadian World Traveller Winter 2017-18