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Itinerary
for Russian Waterways Tour - September 2010 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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| 01.09.10 |
Sydney - Hong Kong
Depart Sydney at 2.15pm on CX 100, arriving in Hong Kong at 9.45pm.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Kimberly Hotel for
a 2 night stay. Centrally located in the bustling shopping and
entertainment district of Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. The hotel has 546 rooms
all equipped with amenities and features a wide range of restaurants
and bar, Coffee House, Lobby Lounge, Chinese/Japanese restaurants.
Other facilities include business centre, health spa, gymnasium and
golf driving range.
Accommodation: Kimberly Hotel.
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02.09.10
(B) |
Hong Kong
Today there will be a half day Hong Kong Island Tour.
First stop Victoria Peak, overlooking the west of Hong Kong Island and
is the highest peak on this island. It is the most enduring tourist
attraction in hong Kong, with the city's oldest transport, the 112 year
old Peak Tram and Hong Kong's icon and most unusual building the Peak
Tower. The peak rises 1,805 ft above see level. In the early colonial
rule, Victoria Peak was accessible only to Hong Kong's high society
while the common cold visit the peak by permit from the colony's
governor. Today Victoria Peak is a world renowned scenic spot. By
ascending the peak you come to experience the dazzling panorama of Hong
Kong Island, the harbour, Kowloon Peninsula and the hills beyond.
Moreover, the peak offers visitors fantastic entertainment, dining and
shopping options. You find a wide selection of restaurants and
boutiques selling souvenirs, clothes and gifts in the Peak Galleria and
the Peak Tower.
Next stop is Stanley Market. Stanley is a coastal village on the
southern side of Hong Kong Island, is a must go place for most visitors
to Hong Kong. Stanley used to be a small fishing village but in recent
years, a series of restaurants and pubs have been established here, now
this village is bustling with throngs of people. Stanley Market is
located up the road from the harbour and the highlight of Stanley. Over
the years its become known for its bargains, which includes silk
garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costumes, souvenir, ornaments and a
host of fantastic crafts. It is one of the famous open-air markets in
Hong Kong. Strolling in this street and bargaining with the shrewd
vendors is something most travellers find amusing to try.
Next stop is Aberdeen, located on the southern tip of Hong Kong Island.
It is the largest satellite town with a population of about 60,000. It
was a pirates den two centuries ago and later turned into a simple
fishing village. In recent years, with local high rise building
developments, Aberdeen has modernised and now it becomes a vibrant
waterfront resort for people from metropolitan Hong Kong. Despite
modernization, traditional fishing life still prevails. Hundreds of
junks and sampans, old fashioned boats serve as floating homes for
thousands of people. They crowd in the narrow harbour, dramatically
juxtaposed against a modern high rise building that spreads up the
nearby hillsides.
Afterwards a short visit to a prestigious jewellery factory, where
meticulous craftsmen fashion works of art from gold and gems.
Accommodation: Kimberly Hotel. |
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03.09.10
(B) |
Hong Kong
The Cultural Heritage Tour gives you a perfect opportunity to explore
the treasures of territories unique past and traditions which
distinguish between the religions that shaped the local people's
culture and customs across ancient archaeological sites, traditional
Chinese structures, temples to different clans ancestral hall around
the cultural side of New Territories, which occupies 980 sq km of 91%
of Hong Kong's land area.
The tour begins from an impressive Buddhist Monastery (Chuk Lam Shim
Yuen), housing the three largest "Precious Buddha" Statues in Hong
Kong. The complex includes many features of traditional Chinese
architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful plantation of bamboo
trees. You will also visit the new five hundred Lohans Hall which took
12 years to build and cost eighty million dollars.
Heading up to the highest mountain in Hong Kong. Tai Mo Shan (Big Hat
Mountain) country park and a stop at Route Twisk Look Out, you will
have a panoramic view of Lam Chuen Valley, Shek Kong Airport and Camps
and to see the nearby cities in China.
Our next stop will take you to Failing, Lumen Wu market, one of the
biggest indoor food market in the territories, you can experience the
life of local people having their meal food court, buying their fresh
meat, vegetables, fruits, salted fish, dry food, herbs and joss stick,
ingots, Chinese wedding party's accessories in paper offering store.
Then visit to the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail - Tang Chun Ling
Ancestral Hall. The Hall is one of the largest ancestral halls in Hong
Kong and was built in 1525 in honour of the founding ancestor, Tan
Chung Ling (1302-1387). The building is exquisitely decorated with fine
wood carvings, polychrome plaster mouldings and murals of auspicious
motifs fully reflecting the superb craftsmanship of the old days.
After that go to the Tin Hau Temple (Goddess of the Sea) which is
situated between Ancestral Hall and Lo Wai. The date of construction is
not known, however according to village elders, the temple was
constructed earlier than Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall. Next to the
ancestral hall is Lo Wai (Old Wall Village), which is the first and one
of the five renowned walled villages in Lung Yeuk Tau, Fanling was
established by the Tang clan whose ancestors branched out from in Kam
Tin in the 13th century. It was declared as a monument in 1997. You
will have a home visited where you are invited to one of the oldest
brick house inside the old wall village, which was built in 17th
century.
Late 6.00pm check-out from the hotel. You will be transferred to Hong
Kong Airport . |
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04.09.10
(D) |
Hong Kong - St Petersburg
Depart Hong Kong at 12.25am on AY 068, arriving in Helsinki at 6.05am.
Depart Helsinki at 9.50am on AY 165, arriving in St Petersburg at
11.50am. You will be met and transferred to your ship, the MS Novgorod.
The Nizhny Novgorod is a comfortable four deck vessel, built in Germany
in 1971 and refurbished in 2004. The motor ship is equipped with modern
navigational facilities and exceeds the speed of 26km p/hr. The vessel
feature: Restaurants, bars, conference hall, souvenir store, solarium,
sauna, medical room, cocktail buffet and fitness centre. All cabins are
outside and with large scenic windows, equipped with private
facilities, air conditioning, refrigerators and 220 volt sockets.
This afternoon there will be an information briefing followed by dinner
on board the ship.
Accommodation: On board. |
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05.09.10
(B/L/D) |
St Petersburg
Today there is a bus city tour to St Basil's Island, The Building of
Exchange, Palace Square, Rostrum Columns, Nevsky Prospect, St Isaac
Cathedral, Church of the Spilled Blood. Lunch is in the city.
Passengers not doing the optional excursion will be returned to the
ship.
Optional Excursion - Peterhof: Grand Palace and lower park. After
the excursion you will be returned to the ship for your dinner.
After dinner there will be an Optional Excursion - Rivers and Canals.
Accommodation: On board. |
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06.09.10
(B/L/D) |
St Petersburg
Today there will be a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress and Hermitage
Museum. You will be returned to the ship for your lunch. Afternoon is
at leisure or you can take one of the optional excursions available.
Board the ship by 6.30 for sailing.
At 7.30pm there will be a presentation of the crew and the staff,
followed by dinner and a getting to know you show.
Accommodation: On board. |
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07.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Cruising
Activities on board include:
Cruising information briefing, Russian language and songs lesson,
presentation of Russian national crafts, Russian cuisine lesson, Loto
Bingo, Russian Tea Ceremony, Non fictional film about the history of
Russia, Matreshka painting lesson and folk concert.
Accommodation: On board. |
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08.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Kizhi
Today you will visit Kizhi Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture,
visit of Insurrection Cathedral.
Activities on board include: Lesson of playing Russian national
instruments, Captain's bridge tour, Russian songs, Russian language
lesson, dance class, nonfictional film about the history of Russia,
musical lounge and concerts of romances.
Accommodation: On board. |
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09.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Goritzy
Today there will be a walking excursion "Acquaintance with Russian
people's everyday life", with a visit to a house of local people,
school and local club. You will also visit Resurrection Nunnery with
tea drinking in the refectory.
Accommodation: On board. |
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10.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Myshkine - Uglich
Today there is a walking excursion with a visit to the
Museum of Russian Valenki, exposition "Russian Linen", exposition
"Granary Mice" and local history Museum, "Miller's House" with folklore.
Upon arrival into Uglich there will be a walking city tour with a visit
to the territory of the Kremlin, Church of St Dmitry on the Blood
Transfiguration Cathedral.
Accommodation: On board. |
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11.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Moscow
Activities on board include: Film about the cruise, Russian cuisine
lesson, classical concert, Russian games, concert of Romances.
Tonight there will be a farewell dinner, talent show/gala concert of on
board musicians, dancers and passengers. Arrive into Moscow around
10.00pm.
Accommodation: On board. |
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12.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Moscow
This morning there is a bus city tour to Leningradskaya Street,
Tverskaya Street, Novodevichy Convent (exterior), KGB (exterior), Red
Square where you will have some free time, GUM (interior) and then
visit Cathedral of the Christ the Savior. Passengers who are not doing
the optional tours will be returned to the ship.
Afternoon is at leisure or you can do the optional excursion on offer:
Tretyakov Gallery or Novodevichy Convent (interior visit) or
National folk show "Kostroma" or Circus.
Accommodation: On board. |
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13.09.10
(B/L/D) |
Moscow
Today you have a morning visit to Kremlin and one cathedral. Afternoon
is at leisure or you can do the optional excursions on offer: Ballet or
Circus
Accommodation: On board. |
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14.09.10
(B) |
Moscow - Helsinki
You will transfer to Moscow Airport departing at 1.25pm on AY 154,
arriving in Helsinki at 1.30pm. Upon arrival you will be met and
transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at
leisure.
Accommodation: Sokos President Helsinki |
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15.09.10
(B/L) |
Helsinki
Today you have a full day tour of Helsinki and Old Porvoo. You start
with a Helsinki city sightseeing tour including the Senate Square,
University and Lutheran Cathedral, all displaying neo-classical
architecture of the 1840's, the colourful Market Square by the sea in
the South harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and Diplomatic Residence, the
imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building,
Finlandia Hall and Sibelius Monument. A visit is made to Temppeliaukio
Church - called the "Rock Church" as it is carved into solid rock.
Afterwards you travel out of Helsinki and less than a hour later arrive
at the picturesque town of Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland.
Lunch is at a local restaurant. After lunch you visit the Porvoo
Museum, Old Town Hall located in the Old Town. The Old Town Hall was
completed in 1764 and is one of Finland's oldest town halls and it now
houses the Porvoo Museum and has exhibitions on the history of Porvoo,
including artifacts, art and industrial art. In 2010 a special
exhibition on prehistoric times and the Middle Ages will be opened. The
walking tour around the Old Town will also include the Cathedral
(outside visit). The Old Town plan is from the Middle Ages, the low
small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets forms this
historically unique wooden town. The story of seafaring and trade
community is clearly recognizable from the red warehouses on the
riverbanks. You will have some free time for a walk in the Old Town,
with quaint shops and artisan's workshops.
Accommodation: Sokos President Helsinki |
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16.09.10
(B) |
Helsinki - Hong Kong
Today is a day at leisure with late check-out at 6.00pm. You will be
transferred to Helsinki Airport for your flight. Depart Helsinki at
11.05pm on AY 067, arriving in Hong Kong at 2.30pm the next day. |
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17.09.10
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Hong Kong
On arrival into Hong Kong Airport you will be met and transferred to
the Kimberly Hotel for your 3 night stay. The rest of the day is at
leisure.
Accommodation: Kimberly Hotel. |
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18.09.10
(B) |
Hong Kong
Today we have an optional full day tour to Macau.
The oldest European settlement in the Orient. The city sightseeing
begins with a drive along Guia Circuit where Macau Grand Prix is held
annually. You will visit 400 year old Ama Temple, built in 1488,
dedicated to the Goddess of seafarers and fishermen Matsu. This temple
is being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005. You visit
Penha Church, Porta do Cerco, St Paul's Ruins - a grand imposing facade
which is the ruins of an early 16th century church designed by Italians
and built by Japanese Christian exiles. This is followed by visit to a
Casino.
Lunch and port taxes are included. Cost: $135
Accommodation: Kimberly Hotel. |
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19.09.10
(B/D) |
Hong Kong
Today is a day at leisure. Tonight there will be a Harbour Lights and
Lei Yun Mun Seafood Dinner Cruise. Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village,
situated at Hong Kong's Eastern Harbour and still carrying on many
Chinese traditions, is widely known to the gourmets as a seafood
paradise. Here visitors are attracted to many traditional scenes, like
people making a choice from a variety of seafood fresh from
fishmonger's stalls and tanks, and have it cooked to their own
specifications in one of Lei Yue Mun's many restaurants.
This evening cruise which promises you not only a wonderful experience,
but great value for money, begins with a harbour cruise on a
traditional Chinese sightseeing tour boat to let you enjoy the exciting
night views of Hong Kong Harbour. Then the boat takes you to Lei Yue
Mun Seafood Village for a brief walk ashore, and for a sumptuous
Chinese Dinner at a restaurant famous with local residents and for its
terraced architecture. On the return journey enjoy more of the
glittering harbour views by night. Includes Chinese set dinner and
unlimited free drinks on boat.
Accommodation: Kimberly Hotel. |
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20.09.10
(B) |
Hong Kong -Sydney
After breakfast you will be transferred to Hong Kong Airport. Departing
at 9.00am on CX 139, arriving in Sydney at 8.10pm. |
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