2017

2017

St. Petersburg • Kirkenes • Murmansk • Petrozavodsk • Suzdal • Vladimir • Moscow

ARCTIC EXPLORER: NORTHERN LIGHTS, NORTHERN CULTURE ABOARD THE GOLDEN EAGLE PRIVATE TRAIN WITH JULIE BUCKLER, PROFESSOR OF SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES December 28, 2017-January 9, 2018

Arctic Explorer: Northern Lights, Northern Culture Aboard the Golden Eagle Private Train

With Julie Buckler, Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures

December 28, 2017-January 9, 2018

An equestrian statue of Marshall Zhukov guards the Historical Museum on Red Square, Moscow

JOIN AN UNCONVENTIONAL WINTER JOURNEY to the Arctic Circle aboard the luxury Golden Eagle private train. Begin in lovely St. Petersburg, where the northern capital takes on a warm patina in the slanted winter sunlight. Rolling through the taiga until the trees thin and lose their stature, the train crosses the Arctic Circle. Across the

border, in the Norwegian town of Kirkenes, you are squarely within the Aurora Zone. Chase the Northern Lights through the tundra, meet reindeer, and embark on a dogsled ride behind a team of huskies. Continue your search for the celestial lights in skies above Mumansk and Petrozavodsk. Admire the graceful UNESCO-listed churches in Suzdal and Vladimir, some of

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the oldest in Russia. End in Moscow, visiting the Kremlin to see Russia’s national treasures, such as religious icons, Fabergé eggs, and Catherine the Great’s ball gowns. Please note this trip is co-sponsored with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni Association.

JUL IE BUCK L ER, p rofesso r of S l av i c l anguages a n d l i te ra t u res at H ar vard Uni vers i t y Julie Buckler is a specialist on the literature, performing arts, and cultural heritage of imperial Russia. She received her BA from Yale University (Russian and East European Studies), and her PhD from Harvard where she has spent her academic career since 1996. Buckler is now senior Humanities adviser to the Radcliffe Institute and is a principal investigator for a 4-year Mellon Foundation grant on “Recontextualizing Urban Studies”. Buckler is the author of the award winning books, The Literary Lorgnette: Attending Opera in Imperial Russia (Stanford, 2000), and Mapping St. Petersburg: Imperial Text and Cityscape (Princeton, 2005). She also co-edited a collection of essays, Rites of Place: Public Commemoration in Russia and Eastern Europe (Northwestern, 2013). Her current project is titled Cultural Properties: The Afterlife of the Imperial in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia. “The itinerary, for me, was thrilling and we were well-cared for throughout. My favorite part of the trip was actually riding the train, enjoying the expansive scenery…as well as the local tours exploring more of the place history…It was a fabulous journey!” – B. Lestrange Reseda, CA Past traveler

Snowy day at the Hermitage, St. Petersburg

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Mushing in Kirkenes, Norway

SCHE DULE BY DAY

T H U R S DAY- F R I DAY D EC E M B E R 2 8 - 2 9

USA/St. Petersburg, Russia Depart USA on flights bound for St. Petersburg, Russia. Meet your fellow travelers on the evening of the 29th for a welcome reception and dinner. (In flight, D) Hotel Astoria. S AT U R DAY D EC E M B E R 3 0

St. Petersburg St. Petersburg’s miles of canals laced with graceful bridges earned it the name, “Venice of the North.” Conceived by Peter the Great, the city was meant to be his link to the western world. Immerse yourself in the spectacular features of St. Petersburg, beginning the day with a drive along Nevsky Prospekt, the three-mile avenue that is the backbone of the city. Visit the Church of the Savior on the Blood and see the infamous spot where Czar Alexander II was killed in 1881. Conclude the day at with a guided tour of Catherine’s Palace, marveling at the grandeur of the Amber room. (B, L, D) Hotel Astoria. S U N DAY D EC E M B E R 3 1

St. Petersburg/board the Golden Eagle This morning explore the Hermitage, also known as the Winter Palace, originally built as the principal home of the czars. The Hermitage today houses the largest museum collection in the world, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Matisse, Gauguin, and Picasso. This evening, board the Golden Eagle private train. Enjoy a New Year’s Eve

dinner with signature caviar in the handsome dining car as the train makes its way north. (B, L, D) Aboard the Train. M O N DAY J A N UA RY 1

On the train/cross the Arctic Circle Spend a relaxing day aboard the private train, watching the taiga forest recede as you move north. Chat with fellow guests, attend a lecture by your study leader, and enjoy afternoon tea with fresh Russian cakes. Raise a toast to crossing the Arctic Circle. (B, L, D) Aboard the Train. T U E S DAY-W E D N E S DAY J A N UA RY 2 - 3

Kirkenes, Norway Pack your overnight bag and board a coach for polar town of Kirkenes. Board a coach for the tidy polar town of Kirkenes, Norway, overlooking Norway’s easternmost fjord. Visit the fantastic Snow Hotel, assembled each winter since 2006, and enjoy chilled vodka served in a glass made of ice. Embark on two evening bus tours in search of the Northern Lights, as well as an exciting dogsled ride and a visit to the Snow Hotel’s reindeer. (2B, 2L, 2D) Thon Hotel T H U R S DAY- F R I DAY J A N UA RY 4 - 5

On the train/Murmansk After a pleasant day rolling through the northern landscape, stop in Murmansk, the most important city on the Kola Peninsula. Even though it’s above the Arctic Circle, the port city of Murmansk stays ice-free for most of the winter due to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Here, board the world’s first nuclear-powered ice-

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Arctic aurora above Kirkenes, Norway

breaker, the Lenin, and visit the Murmansk Regional History Museum. (2B, 2L, 2D) Aboard the train S AT U R DAY J A N UA RY 6

Petrozavodsk Heading back south, the train makes a stop in Petrozavodsk, founded by Peter the Great. Weather permitting, board a hovercraft and skim over Lake Onega to Kizhi Island, the location of a UNESCO-listed open-air museum stocked with old wooden churches and houses from Karelia. (B, L, D) Aboard the train S U N DAY J A N UA RY 7

Vladimir/Suzdal 
 Discover two of Russia’s Golden Ring towns, Vladimir and Suzdal, ancient towns that were seats of political and economic power long before the rise of Moscow. Visit the UNESCO-listed Savior Monastery of St. Euphinius, founded in 1352. Inside the walls stands the five-domed Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, whose interior was frescoed by Gury Nikitin. Attend a choral concert by some of the monks, then go dashing through the snow on a traditional sleigh ride. (B, L, D) Aboard the train

TRA IN ACCO M M O DAT I ON S

D E TA I LS

Silver Class cabins offer compact (60 sq ft) but comfortable accommodations onboard the Golden Eagle. Modern en suite amenities include a private shower, a DVD/CD player, remote-controlled air-conditioning/ heating, wardrobe, personal safe and a large picture window.

GROUP SIZE: 10-40 GUESTS TOTAL

Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature the same amenities as Silver Class cabins, but in a larger space (77 sq ft), and include a full power shower and under-floor heating in every bathroom. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

SILVER CLASS: $12,995 /

Imperial Suites are the most beautiful and spacious cabins onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a generous 120 sq ft (11.2 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedicated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player and two large picture windows.

M O N DAY

J A N UA RY 8

Moscow Founded in 1147, Moscow rose to prominence during Mongol domination and ultimately became the Russian capital. Moscow today is a booming metropolis, dignified yet dynamic, where ancient churches sit should to shoulder with 21st century financial institutions. Spend the day exploring Russia’s capital city, including UNESCO-listed Novodevichy Convent, whose main attraction is its cemetery. Such luminaries as Gogol, Chekhov, Khrushchev, Raisa Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin are buried here. Take a tour of the

(Co-Sponsored with MIT)

PRICING: per person double occupancy $17,495 (SINGLE)

GOLD CLASS: $14,995 / $20,495 (SINGLE)

IMPERIAL SUITE: $22,995 / SINGLE NOT AVAILABLE

H I G H LI G H TS L I M I T E D AVA I L A B I L I T Y

• Educational Lectures by Harvard Study Leader Julie Buckler. • Venture far above the Arctic Circle and experience twilight at noon. • Visit the Snow Hotel, its guestrooms built of snow and adorned with snow carvings and ice sculptures.

Kremlin, including the Armory Museum, which houses Russia’s national treasures, such as religious icons, Fabergé eggs, and Catherine the Great’s ball gowns. Finish the day with an evening walk on Red Square, which along with St. Basil’s Cathedral is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Russia. This evening, celebrate your journey with a festive farewell dinner. (B, L, D) Hotel Four Seasons T U E S DAY J A N UA RY 9

Depart Moscow The journey concludes with transfers to the airport. (B, in flight)

• Search out the Northern Lights across the Aurora Borealis Zone on two consecutive evenings, in the comfort of a cozy coach. • Embark on a dogsled ride behind a team running over the frozen lakes and across the northern tundra. • Board the world’s first nuclearpowered ice-breaker, the Lenin, now a museum ship. • Skim over Lake Onega on a hovercraft to the UNESCO-listed open-air museum on Kizhi Island and admire Russia’s oldest wooden church. • Take an exhilarating traditional sleigh ride in old Suzdal

Kirkenes (Norway) Nikel

M A P

A R E A

Murmansk

Relax in the Golden Eagle’s elegant bar car

WHAT TO EXPECT: This trip is moderately active due to the substantial distances covered and the extensive walking and occasional stair climbing required. To fully enjoy this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day; flexibility and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are highly recommended as well. In true expedition style, some delays or changes in the itinerary are likely.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: TOUR COST INCLUSIONS Lectures by Harvard study leader; accommodations and meals as listed in the detailed itinerary; private coach for all touring and transportation per the itinerary; group arrival and departure transfers if arriving / departing on the start / end dates; all sightseeing and excursions including entrance fees per itinerary; local English speaking guides; special cultural features as stated in itinerary; services of a tour manager throughout the program; special welcome & farewell receptions; bottled / purified water with meals; beverages, local beer and wine with lunches/dinners; all gratuities including to tour manager, local guides, drivers; baggage handling at the hotels and train station where available; $200,000 MedEvac emergency evacuation insurance. TOUR COST EXCLUSIONS International airfare between the U.S. and the start and ending cities; air taxes or fuel surcharges; pre- or post-tour services; independent travel arrangements, visa, or passport fees; medical and trip cancellation/ interruption insurance; evacuation costs; food or beverages not included in group meals; items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcohol, telephone expense,

Petrozavodsk St. Petersburg

RUSSIA Moscow

excess baggage fees, photo/video expenses inside museums (where allowed); other items not expressly listed as included. RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS, & FINAL PAYMENT To reserve a space on the program, a $1,000 deposit is required per person. Please either call us at 800.422.1636 or 617.496.0806 or fill out and mail or fax the registration form found in the back of this brochure. Reservations are acknowledged in order of receipt until the maximum enrollment has been reached. Payment terms will be sent to you with your reservation confirmation from MIR Corporation, our partner company. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by Harvard Alumni Travels from the participant. If cancellation is received 91 or more days before tour start, the cost of cancellation is the non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person. If cancellation is received 90-61 days before tour start, the cost of cancellation is 50% of land tour cost paid or due. If cancellation is received 60 days or less before tour start, there is no refund. ITINERARY CHANGES Itineraries contained in this brochure are available at the time of printing and Harvard Alumni Travels and

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Vladimir & Suzdal

the Tour Operator reserve the right to change a program or accommodations as conditions warrant. RESPONSIBILITY Certain other provisions apply regarding limitations of liability and rights of Harvard Alumni Travels and the tour operator. The statement of responsibility is available at http://alumni. harvard.edu/travel/trips/arcticexplorer-2017. If you are not able to access the Internet, please call Harvard Alumni Travels at 800.422.1636 or 617.496.0806. DISCLAIMER Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented in this publication. Harvard Alumni Travels is not responsible for errors in or damages resulting from use of the information contained herein. Information contained in this catalog is subject to change without notice. QUESTIONS Please call the Harvard Alumni Travels at 800.422.1636 or 617.496.0806, email: haatravels@harvard. edu. TOUR OPERATOR: MIR CORPORATION CST #2082306-40. WST #601-099-932. ©2016 MIR Corporation, all rights reserved Photos © Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Astoria Hotel & MIR Corporation

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EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA ON LE SOLEAL JAN 21–FEB 3, 2017 DAVID AGUILAR

ELBE RIVER CRUISE (PRAGUE TO BERLIN) ON ELBE PRINCESSE APR 23–MAY 4, 2017 JOHN STEWART

NEW ZEALAND BY SEA ON CALEDONIAN SKY JAN 29–FEB 11, 2017 JAMES COSTA

WATERWAYS OF THE TSARS (MOSCOW TO ST. PETERSBURG ON VOLGA DREAM) JUN 7–17, 2017 JOHN STEWART

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