TRANS-ATLANTIC CROSSING

Europe to America via Norway, Iceland & Greenland

Tour Departs: 17 August 2013

Tour Length: 31 Days

Overview: We are repeating the tour which was so successful in 2012. As well as encompassing some of the great cities of the world, we visit some of the most remote locations on the planet - little known and rarely visited but some of the most beautiful places on Earth. The tour commences with a stopover in Hong Kong, before heading to London for a 4 night stay. Travel via the “Chunnel” and Eurostar to Paris, the “City of Light “ and romance for a further 3 night stay. We continue the leisurely pace of the tour by taking the train north to Amsterdam for an overnight stay before joining our cruise which will take us via Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland across the North Atlantic to New York. To compliment the wonderful scenery on this tour our cruise ship home for 16 days is Holland America’s “MS Eurodam”. Launched in 2008, the Eurodam furthers the evolution of mid-sized passenger ships with its 11 passenger decks, wonderful public rooms and a range of restaurant options

Highlights:

Hong Kong • London • Paris • Amsterdam • Bergen & Stavanger • Reykjavik (Iceland) • Grundarfjordur • Prince Christian Sound • Nanortalik (Greenland) • St Johns, Newfoundland • Halifax, Nova Scotia • New York • Los Angeles.

Our Floating Hotel for 16 nights – “MS Eurodam”

Launching her maiden voyage in July of 2008, the ms Eurodam marked Holland America Line's new Signature-class ships. The ms Eurodam furthers the evolution of sophisticated mid-sized ships, a new topside Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge surrounded by panoramic views, an Explorer's Lounge bar, a new Italian restaurant adjacent to the Lido, elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, an enhanced and reconfigured show lounge.

Following in the Holland America Line tradition, the ms Eurodam features an exquisite art collection based on the theme, "The Dutch Golden Age — An Inexhaustible Tradition". Highlighting works by Dutch masters and contemporary artists, some of the pieces featured will include 17th-century watercolour maps by famed cartographer Johannes Vingboons, photo-realistic oil paintings by artist Jan van 't Hoff and The Nightwatch, Two Minutes Later, a contemporary reinterpretation of Rembrandt's famous painting.

Our accommodation aboard is in Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms with Verandah. Sit back, relax and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere as you sail across the planet in absolute comfort.

Kerry Maher says ….

I was privileged along with my wonderful fellow travellers to enjoy this very special cruise in 2012. In our group, we had a number who had extensive travel and cruising experience. They were just amazed at some of the most spectacular scenery they encountered in places they had never visited before. It is a simply wonderfully interesting yet totally relaxing holiday.

Costs Include:

• Economy Class airfares from Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney. Cost to upgrade to Business Class available on request
• Prepaid government and airport taxes, security and fuel surcharges as at 01.09.12
• First Class/Superior grade hotel accommodation
• Deluxe Ocean View staterooms with Verandah on “MS Eurodam”.
• First Class air-conditioned coach transportation
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
• Baggage handling of 1 suitcase per person
• All tips and gratuities to coach drivers, guides and cruise staff
• Fully escorted by a Mahers’ tour escort

Costs Exclude:

• Any meals and sightseeing not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance – advice and assistance offered
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, room service, laundry, telephone calls etc

To register for the tour, complete the Tour Booking Form and return it to our office with the deposit payment of $750.00 per person. We draw your attention to the booking conditions detailed on the reverse of the booking form. Don’t forget our toll-free line for any further queries:  NZ 0800 500 518     AU 1800 358 741

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Saturday 17 August

Home – Hong Kong

Late this evening we join the overnight flight to Hong Kong.

Sunday 18 August

Hong Kong (D)

Arrival into Hong Kong is early morning.  We are met and transferred to our hotel with rooms available for immediate check-in.  Time to rest and relax before we join an afternoon sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island. We take the tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic views over Hong Kong and then visit Repulse Bay and the fishing village of Aberdeen for a short cruise around the harbour by sampan.  We conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant en route back to the Hotel.

Monday 19 August

Hong Kong – London (B)

After breakfast we return to Hong Kong airport in time to join our daylight flight to London.  Arrival time is late afternoon and we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 4 night stay.

Tuesday 20 August

London (B.L.)

You may have been to London before, but let’s refresh your memory with a full day sightseeing around the ‘grand old lady’.  We view many of the sights for which London is famous – Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square to name but a few. And to break the day we enjoy a luncheon cruise on the River Thames where we see a different view of the city from the water.

Wednesday 21 August

London (B)

We have left this day totally free to allow you to visit the places that are of particular interest to you.  There are so many museums, monuments and attractions deserving of a visit. What about booking for a West End show this evening.

Thursday 22 August

London (B,D)

Another free day in London. A chance to fit in what you couldn’t do yesterday. This evening, let’s enjoy dinner together at a Covent Garden restaurant.

Friday 23 August

London – Paris (B.D)

Now for something different today, we transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station.  Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride in Standard Premier Class comfort on board Eurostar for the 2 hours 30 minutes train journey under the English Channel to Paris Gare du Nord Station.  On arrival transfer to our hotel for a 3 night stay.  This evening we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Saturday 24 August

Paris (B)

The famous sights of Paris are a living history.  Our full day city sightseeing tour shows us magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Opera Madeleine, Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age.  We follow this up with a cruise on the River Seine were you can appreciate the beauty of Paris from the water.  Later in the day we visit the Montmartre area and the wonderful Sacré Coeur Basilica which offers panoramic views over Paris.

Sunday 25 August

Paris (B.D)

A full day free to explore the things in Paris that interest you. Maybe spend time at the Louvre in the company of the Mona Lisa or one of the many other museums and galleries, stroll the banks of the River Seine or enjoy the shops of Galleries Lafayette. This evening, we enjoy dinner together at a Parisienne café,

Monday 26 August

Paris – Amsterdam (B.D)

This morning, we join the fast train for the 3 ½  hour journey from Paris through to Amsterdam. Sit back in First Class comfort and enjoy the scenery as we travel through northern France and Belgium to Amsterdam for our overnight stay. We enjoy dinner together this evening at the hotel

Tuesday 27 August

Amsterdam (B.D)

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam with a first-up visit to the Aalsmeer Flower Market. Thereafter, enjoy the sights of this city of canals and merchant houses and parks.

Early this afternoon, we embark on board the Holland America ship “MS Eurodam” as we commence our Viking Passage across the northern Atlantic to New York. Accommodation is in Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms with Verandah. Our luxury home-away-from-home for the next 16 nights sets sail at 5.00pm.

Wednesday 28 August

At Sea (B.L.D)

A chance to settle into the cruising regime with a full day at sea. Maybe take part in some of the activities available on sea-days - there are a range of activities offered in the course of the cruise which may include cooking demonstrations, destination lectures, dancing lessons, health spa treatments, quiz shows, movies, photography sessions and much more. Or maybe you just want to take time to relax with a good book in the library or in the privacy of your outdoor balcony watching the world go by.

Thursday 29 August 

Stavanger – Norway (B.L.D)

Stavanger is often referred to as Norway’s largest small town.  Visitors tend to fall in love with Stavanger, delighting visitors from all over the world.  This part of fjord Norway has many beautiful sights, mountains, picturesque islands, waterfalls, giving the true meaning of the world “spellbinding”. Arrive 8.00am Depart 5.00pm

Friday 30 August

Bergen – Norway (B.L.D)

The city is the second largest in Norway and is the most popular gateway to the fjords of West Norway. Bergen is surrounded by steep, forested mountains and, being a university town, has a vibrant cultural and social life. Arrive 8.00am Depart 5.00pm

Saturday 31 August 

Sunday 01 September

At Sea (B.L.D)

2 days at sea as we sail across the North Sea and North Atlantic to Iceland. Lots of activities aboard to participate in.

Monday 02 September

Reykjavik, Iceland (B.L.D)

Almost every visitor to Iceland spends some time in the vibrant capital Reykjavik. The world’s northern most city is just as much a part of Icelandic experience as the ‘Midnight Sun’ or the magical moonlike landscapes. Reykjavik, meaning “smoky bay”, gets its name from the misty geothermal steam rising from the ground. It heats homes throughout the city and provides a pollution-free energy source that leaves the air outstandingly free, clean and clear. We have two days to enjoy Reykjavik and Iceland with lots of different shore excursions available. Arrive 8.00am

Tuesday 03 September

Reykjavik (B.L.D)

The full day is available to make the most of your time in Iceland. Depart 5.00pm

Wednesday 04 September

At Sea (B.L.D)

Thursday 05 September

Cruising Prince Christian Sound, Greenland  (B.L.D)

Prince Christian Sound is located on the south eastern tip of Greenland, a 55 mile long glacial cut channel that spans up to a mile across with mountains rising out of the water to a staggering 6000 feet above sea level. The ship spends much of the day cruising the sound. The views are spectacular with large glaciers and wonderful mountain peaks and maybe large icebergs.

Friday 06 September

Nanortalik, Greenland (B.L.D)

Nanortalik is Greenland’s most southerly town and lies in a scenic area consisting of picturesque fjords and steep mountains.  The towns name means ‘place of polar bears’ and on occasions they pass near the town in conjunction with fields of ice from the Arctic Ocean.  The old town around the colonial harbour is home to the museum with exhibits of rare Norse clothing and the harbour is thought to be the departure point for Norse voyagers when they sailed to and from Greenland. Arrive 8.00am Depart 1.00pm.

At the conclusion of this wonderful day we cruise the Julianehabs Fjord and spend time soaking up the breathtaking scenery of spectacular mountains whose distinctive peaks carve a jagged path to the skyline. Lying at its feet is the pretty harbour with its colourful wooden houses.

Saturday 07 September

At Sea (B.L.D)

Sunday 08 September

St. Johns, Newfoundland (B.L.D)

North America’s oldest city located in the northeast of the Canadian Maritime Province of Newfoundland, St John’s is a mixture of colourful wooden houses, stately brick churches and colonial buildings. A visit to St Johns is said to “experience a love affair with the past, a happy marriage with the present and a flirtation with the future”.  Arrive 10.00am Depart 8.00pm

Monday 09 September 

At Sea (B.L.D)

Tuesday 10 September

Halifax, Nova Scotia (B.L.D)

For ocean scenery at its best, nothing rivals Nova Scotia’s south shore and Atlantic Canada’s largest city, Halifax offers the vivacity of city living but with the charms of a small town life and the pristine beauty of nature.  The Halifax Citadel National Historic site is the most visited historic site in Canada. Out of the city, the fishing village of Peggys Cove and Canada’s prettiest town, Lunenburg, are both worthy of visits. Arrive 8.00am Depart 6.00pm

Wednesday 11 September

At Sea (B.L.D)

Our final sea day as our Trans-Atlantic cruise nears its conclusion.

Thursday 12 September

New York (B)

Ponder the thoughts of the immigrants of last century as we sail under the Verrazano Bridge and enter New York Harbour sailing past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island up the Hudson River. Sadly our cruise is complete but there are still more

highlights in store as we join our coach for a full day tour of “The Big Apple”. There is plenty to see – Times Square, Central Park, Harlem, lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Empire State building, United Nations, Central Park …. At the end of our tour, we check-in to our hotel for a 2 night stay in the heart of Manhattan. Courtyard New York Midtown East.

Friday 13 September

New York (B)

The day is left totally free to allow you to pursue your own interests.  There are museums and galleries galore, Fifth Avenue for shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park etc …   For the night owls, what about a Broadway show this evening..

Saturday 14 September

New York – Los Angeles (B.D)

This morning, its time to farewell New York as we transfer to the airport for our cross country flight to Los Angeles. We enjoy an overnight stay in Los Angeles and a farewell dinner together. DoubleTree Suites Hotel, Santa Monica..

Sunday 15 September

Los Angeles -Home

The day is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing before we are transferred back to their airport in time to join our overnight homeward flight. Cross International Dateline en route.

Tuesday 17 September

Home

Arrival time is early morning.