SIGMA XI Expeditions THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY

BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc.

SIGMA XI Expeditions THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY

BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc.

White Nights SS (agent) 7/13/07 8:54 AM Page 1

& SIGMA XI Expeditions THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY

White Nights of& FinlandSIGMA XI&E Swedenxpeditions A Midsummer Exploration of LaplandTHE SCIENTIFIC &RESEARCH The SOCIETY Arctic Circle Plus , and St. Petersburg

13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

2008: July 14-26

Come aboard the 106-pas- frame houses has secured its SIGMA XI Expeditions Luleå in the north of . senger Andrea for a journey status as a SIGMAUNESCO World XI Expeditions into thisB uniqueETCHART regionEXPEDITIONS of Inc. Heritage Site. An excursion Northern Europe—the after lunch takes us to 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Betchart Expeditions Inc. Gulf of Bothnia—“Land of Sammallahdenmäki,17050 Montebello a Road,Bronze Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 the Midnight Sun.” With Age burial ground featuring DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY warm sunny days stretch- more than 30 granite cairns, ing long into evening, providing insight into religious Day Port Arrive Depart explore secluded archipela- AAAS Travelsand social practices in north- 1 , Finland Embark 6PM gos and fishing villages ern Europe 3,000 years ago. Sigma Xi Expeditions 2 Jurmo Island, Finland 7AM 12PM along the Swedish and The Andrea crosses the Uto Island, Finland 2PM 6PM Finnish coasts. Learn about Betchart ExpeditionsGulf Inc. of Bothnia overnight to 3 Rauma, Finland 7AM 6PM the natural history and the 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 4 Norrfallsviken, Sweden 7AM 10AM Sami people—more com- Bonhamn, Sweden 12PM 1PM monly known as Laplanders. Contrast the Ulvon, Sweden 2PM 7PM stark beauty of this region with the vibrant 5 Umea, Sweden 7AM 4PM cultural centers of Helsinki, Stockholm, 6 Lulea, Sweden 8AM 7PM Tallinn and St. Petersburg. 7 Sundsvall, Sweden 2PM 6PM Embark in Helsinki, near the city’s 8 , Aland Island 8AM 12PM bustling harbor-side market. July’s midnight Kokar Island, Finland 4PM 7PM sun allows for a scenic evening cruise as we 9 Stockholm, Sweden 8AM Overnight pass the many islands along Finland’s south- 10 Stockholm 7AM ern coast for Jurmo Island, part of Finland’s Birka, Sweden 9AM 1PM Southwestern Archipelago National Park and 11 Tallinn, Estonia 10AM 5PM a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Go ashore via Three generations of Laplanders. 11 St. Petersburg, Russia 8AM Overnight Zodiac landing craft for a walking tour along 12 St. Petersburg, Russia 6PM rocky shores and trails, with our naturalist pointing the Swedish side and our charming landing site of 13 Helsinki, Finland 7AM Disembark out the unusual plant life and geological forma- Norrfällsviken along the High Coast. Zodiacs take tions. This afternoon, the Andrea heads for the his- us ashore to meet motor coaches for a fascinating toric lighthouse on Utö, the southernmost inhabit- drive through this region, which rose in elevation as ed island of Finland. There will be time to wander ancient glaciers melted. Now a UNESCO World Västerbotten Museum, featuring exhibits on the around the small village and to visit the lighthouse Heritage Site, the area is also known for its beautiful area’s history and lives of the indigenous Sami peo- chapel and museum. ceramics, and for the picture-perfect waterside vil- ple and early Swedish settlers. Rauma is the third oldest town in Finland, founded lage of Bonhamn. From Luleå, the capital of Swedish Lapland, a in the 1400s. Its uniqueness as a Scandinavian “wood- Sample the sotare, grilled fresh Baltic herring full-day excursion takes us above the Arctic Circle to en town” of still-inhabited 17th- and 18th-century served with boiled potatoes, and explore the local the Jokkmokk region, a UNESCO nature and cultur- chapel and colorful fishing harbor before ten- al World Heritage Site. Visit a Sami camp to meet Jokkmokk SCANDINAVIA • dering back to Andrea aboard our Zodiacs. and learn about these nomadic people native to this • Lulea There is time for another stop this afternoon in harsh terrain, subsisting on their reindeer herds. Y Ulvön, a popular summer spot for Swedes set Following a local lunch, there will be time to visit A

W among old fishing villages. The scenery is the Ajjte Museum before stopping at Gammelstad, Ulmea breathtaking, as is the surströmming, or fer- another World Heritage Site. Tour the beautiful SWEDEN • NOR a Bonhamn i RUSSIA mented herring that is considered a delicacy in medieval church and see the hundreds of surround- n FINLAND h t o these parts. ing 16th-century “church” cottages, used only on Sundsvall • B

f

o From our dock in Umeå, “The City of Sundays to house distant worshippers.

• f l Rauma u Helsinki Birches,” travel by motor coach along the beau- The Swedish port city of Sundsvall is a wonder- G • tiful Umeleden route, pausing at the Norrfors ful example of richly ornamented, Neo-Renaissance Mariehamn • St. Petersburg• Tallinn salmon ladder on the Umeälven River. In the architecture, built in the 19th-century by timber Stockholm Kokar Jurmo Uto • Gammlia district of Umeå, visit an open-air barons following a devastating fire. Our city tour • ESTONIA museum that re-enacts life on a typical 19th- takes us to the Kulturmagasinet, a handsome harbor century Västerbotten coastal farm, and the complex that has hosted cultural exhibits and

White Nights SS (agent) 7/13/07 8:54 AM Page 2

For Information or Reservations, contact Betchart Expeditions Inc., (800) 252-4910 or email: [email protected]

m.s. andrea deck plan / ship information / rates /features Shearwater Restaurant

President Suite Twin Cabin events for more than 100 years. Outside of the town center, see the Norra Berget Park and the island of Alnö, with its nature reserve and 12th-century church. Another day is set aside for rustic and natural settings as the Andrea Kitiwake Lounge & Bar heads for the islands of Åland and the small town of Mariehamn. Åland is a Swedish-speaking province of Finland and an archipelago of more than 6,500 skerries and islands. Spectacular nature is in abundance in this friendly town with a resort

atmosphere. Bridge Deck Abundant wildlife attracted fur sealers to Kökar in the Åland Archipelago as long ago as 100 BC. SHIP STATISTICS Today, it is the island’s wind-swept Baltic Deck Class: Bureau Veritas beauty that attracts visitors. A motor- Ship’s staff: 48 European officers and crew coach and walking tour gives insight Ship speed: 14 knots

into the early Bronze Age inhabitants, Mediterranean Deck Length: 286 feet 15th-century Franciscan monastic life Beam: 43.6 feet and other historic and cultural aspects Draft: 15.5 feet of the island. Engines: 1B & WDM 550 VTRF 110/40 The urbane, beautiful city of Caribbean Deck Electrical: 220V. Passengers must bring Stockholm provides a vivid contrast 110V converter kit for small appliances to the first week. Explore the Wasa Ship’s registry: Monrovia Museum, famous for its 17th-century Atlantic Deck warship Vasa. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Stockholm’s Old YOUR CRUISE ABOARD CABIN CATEGORY INFORMATION Town, situated on a small island in the M.S. ANDREA INCLUDES: heart of the city, full of historic attrac- • Accommodations in state- All cabins have lower beds (either separated or connected), private facilities tions, including the cathedral, royal with shower or bath, hairdryer, storage wardrobe, vanity with chair or stool, palace, shops and cafés. room as reserved, with lower beds and private bathroom television, telephone and safe. The Andrea heads due east across facilities. Cat. Features Deck 2008 Rate the Baltic into the Gulf of Finland and • All meals aboard M.S. Andrea, 4 Two lower beds, shower, Atlantic, $3,995 Tallinn. The capital of Estonia is a served at single leisurely sit- porthole or window. 100-130 sq. ft. Caribbean well-preserved Hanseatic League city, tings, freshly prepared by with wonderful architecture and nar- professionally trained chefs. 3 Two lower beds, shower, Caribbean $5,290 row lanes filled with friendly people. Wine and beer are included window or porthole. 125-140 sq. ft. On a guided tour, explore Toompea, with lunch and dinner. Also 2 Two lower beds, shower, Atlantic, $7,030 or Castle Hill, Tallinn’s gothic-style included are afternoon tea porthole. 150-180 sq. ft. Caribbean service and late-night snack. Town Hall, and the Russian church. 1 Two lower beds, bath or Caribbean, $8,520 Coffee, tea and pastries are shower, window, sitting area. Mediterranean, Before returning to Helsinki for dis- available 24 hours a day. 175-245 sq. ft. Baltic, Bridge embarkation, two full days are devot- • A full program of optional Suite Two lower beds (connected), Baltic $10,070 ed to St. Petersburg, Russia, built by shore excursions (at addition- bath, window, sitting area. 250 sq. ft. Czar Peter the Great as his “window al cost). Nature hikes and Std. Standard single, lower bed, Atlantic, Zodiac cruises are included. $5,735 on Europe.” The city is a wonderful, Single shower, porthole. 70-75 sq. ft. Caribbean civilized finale to a most unique cruise • On-board musical entertain- ment, and cultural lectures Sup. Superior single, lower bed, Atlantic, $6,970 adventure. Visit the Hermitage, one of Single shower, porthole. 95-120 sq. ft. Caribbean, by our onboard guest histori- the world’s great art museums, and Mediterranean an and naturalist. beautiful St. Catherine’s Palace. On • Services of the ship’s hospi- the second day, explore the city’s tality staff, including cruise Port Charges: 2008: $110 per person, 2009: $110 per person. Limited triple accommodations Euro-Russian culture and architec- director, hotel manager and (sofabed) are available in categories 1 and 2. Triple cruise fare is available at 15% discount from ture, visiting Petrodvorets, Peter the receptionists. double occupancy rates for all three cabin occupants (no other discounts apply). Single occupan- Great’s magnificent summer home, cy: in addition to single cabins, single occupancy of a double cabin is available, space permitting, • Captain’s Welcome Aboard at 50% surcharge for categories 4-2 and 100% in suites and category 1 staterooms. Handicapped and Peter and Paul Fortress, where and Farewell receptions and access: Stateroom #407 is handicapped equipped. Elevator: Passenger elevator, located in recep- many Russian czars rest in peace in its dinners. tion area between Shearwater Restaurant and Cormorant Lounge, serves all passenger decks stunning cathedral. except the Bridge Deck.