a burden is lifted & a trip to many countries!
so i finally told my parents (well, my mom first, since my dad is out of town) that i have a boyfriend. lol. two years later! my mom was like, “i knew it!” because she has met lenny before and said she could “tell from the way i talked to him.” OH WHATEVER. but anyway, they don’t seem to mind, so that’s good, and i told her it’s cause she was mean initially so it’s all good!!!
***
anyway, going on a really expensive cruise tour next year in september. here is what it’ll be coming down to if i have my way:
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN:
Vasa Museum - The museum?s centerpiece is the 17th-century warship Vasa, the oldest fully preserved ship in the world. Built as the flagship of the Swedish navy, the Vasa foundered on her maiden voyage. The wreck was discovered and raised between 1956 and 1961. After your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the museum?s other exhibits and displays of historic items recovered from the harbor floor.
Royal Armory - The award-winning museum is situated in vaults beneath the Royal Palace. On display are magnificent gold-embroidered costumes from coronations and royal weddings, weapons and armor along with elk-hide jerkens from the battle of L?tzen in 1632 as well as Charles XII?s muddy uniform from Fredriksten fortress in 1718.
Old Town - Join your guide for a narrated walking tour of Gamla Stan, where Stockholm began over eight centuries ago. Stroll the narrow, cobbled streets and see buildings ranging from the 16th to 19th centuries. The district is home to art studios, chic boutiques, restaurants and shops.
Coronation Church - This late Gothic church is the site of coronations, royal weddings and christenings. The plain fa?ade belies the ornate interior, with its ebony and silver altar and a sculpture depicting St. George and the Dragon.
HELSINKI, FINLAND
Suomenlinna Fortress - Your knowledgeable guide leads a walking tour through the grounds of this mighty fortress, the largest fortification in Finland. Built by the Swedes in 1748, the complex spans six islands in Helsinki Harbor. Then enjoy free time to explore the surrounding parks, graceful buildings and beaches. Suomenlinna is more than a fortress; the island is really a city within the city of Helsinki, boasting its own library, health center, fire brigade and elementary school.
ST. PETERSBURG (2 DAYS):
Medieval Novgorod - One of the greatest art centers in Europe The town has preserved a unique complex of architectural monuments with frescoes of the 11th to 17th centuries. The school of icon painting, jeweler?s and decorative applied art became famous all over the world.
Kremlin - The citizens of Novgorod call their walled fortress ?Detinets.? Russia?s oldest Kremlin dates from 1044 though the current walls and towers date from the 15th century.
St. Sophia Cathedral - Located within Novgorod?s Kremlin, the cathedral dates to 1045 and is home to a priceless collection of murals, iconostases and icons, including the revered 12th-century icon ?The Virgin of the Sign.?
Yaroslav?s Court - This open-air museum features a collection of 14th, 15 th and 16th century buildings including the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and the Church of John the Baptist.
Yuriev Monastery - Founded in the 12th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, the monastery is also home to the Cathedral of St. George. The buildings are quite plain yet beautiful with their whitewashed walls and gold, silver and turquoise onion-shaped domes.
Hermitage - The Tsar?s former Winter Palace and four other buildings house one of the world?s premier art collections. Your guided tour visits the display rooms, which contain over three million artworks, including paintings by Da Vinci, Rafael, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir - to name a few. Designed by Rastrelli, the Baroque Winter Palace boasts patterned parquet floors, ornate staircases, molded and decorated ceilings and gilded appointments.
Peter and Paul Fortress - Originally built to protect the city from Swedish attack, the fortress soon became Russia?s Tower of London, a place for imprisoning political prisoners - including Peter the Great?s own son. Visit the Peter and Paul Cathedral ? the city?s tallest structure in the days of Peter the Great and even today only the television tower exceeds it in the height. The ornate interior boasts gilded iconostasis, 18th century paintings and icons - and the tombs of many Tsars and Tsarinas, including Peter the Great and Catherine the Great.
TALLINN, ESTONIA
Toompea Hill - Your guided walk of old Tallinn will begin at Toompea Hill, known as the Upper Town. The focal point will be Palace Square, named after the pink baroque Toompea Castle, home to the Estonian Parliament. On the southwest side of the castle stands the Pikk Hermann Tower, topped by the national flag of blue, black and white.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Dominating Palace Square, this Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a strong testament to the influence of years under the rule of Russian Tsars. Its cupolas and golden crosses rise high above the rooftops of the Upper Town, contrasting with the needlelike copper spires of the Lower Town. You will have a chance to step inside this working cathedral to view the numerous golden icons and mosaics which line the walls.
Dome Church - Gothic St. Mary?s Cathedral - simply called the “Dome Church” by the locals - is the city?s oldest church and an architectural landmark that has played a prominent role in Tallinn?s history. It has served as a burial site for the nobility since the 15th-century, and inside you will see elaborate sarcophagi and more than 60 medieval coats of arms.
Town Hall Square - Having retained its charming time-worn appearance, Town Hall Square is still a hub of activity with its many caf?s, restaurants and shops. Dominated by the monumental Gothic Town Hall, this square has been the center of life in Tallinn?s Lower Town since the 12th-century. Be sure to raise your eyes upward to the Hall?s minaret-like tower, where “Old Thomas the Watchman,” an ancient weather vane, has served as the city?s sentinel since 1530. Across the square stands the Town Council Pharmacy which has occupied the site since 1422.
Holy Ghost Church - The sky blue clock on the outer wall of this 14th-century church is the oldest in Tallinn. Inside the church are 15th-century woodcarvings and an ancient wooden altar.
GDANSK, POLAND
Malbork Castle - Located on the Nogat River, construction on this, one of Poland?s oldest surviving castles, began in 1274. Built by the Order of Teutonic Knights, the fortress boasts massive brick walls, towers, dungeons and a host of architectural details. Your guided tour includes the castle complex and its exhibition halls with their collections of ceramics, sculptures and Baltic amber.
Gdansk Main Town - Your guided walk begins near Golden Gate, an ornamental arch that allowed access through the medieval city?s walls. Walk along Long Street, passing Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings to the Town Hall, Long Market and Artus Court, a 15th-century merchant?s palace. Pause at Neptune?s Fountain, a symbol of Gdansk?s Hanseatic Past. Walk to a waterfront canal before turning up St. Mary?s Street with its terraced buildings and quaint shops.
St. Mary?s Church - The pride of Gdansk, this Gothic church is the largest brick church in the world and can accommodate some 25,000 worshippers. The interior boasts 30 chapels, an elaborate altarpiece, a stone floor with ancient tombstones, and a 15th-century astronomical clock in the north transept complete with zodiac, and a calendar of saints.
OSLO, NORWAY
Viking Ship Museum - The museum is home to three Viking long boats uncovered during 19th-century, and early 20th-century excavations near Oslofjord. In addition to the superbly crafted ships, the museum exhibits sleds, jewelry and other artifacts found aboard the vessels.
Vigeland Sculpture Park - Once considered controversial, the park is now one of Oslo?s favorite attractions. Your guided walk visits the stone, iron and bronze sculptures of Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures depict a complete human life from birth to death. After your walk, a brief period of free time is allowed to explore the park on your own.
Holmenkollen - Perched high above Oslo, Holmenkollen is the cradle of ski jumping and the site of the 1952 Olympic ski jumping competition.