Lindblad's Nat'l Geographic Explorer Charts European Adventures This Summer

Sven-Olof Lindblad, president of Lindblad Expeditions, writes compelling letters. Like many of you, I'm on Lindblad's mailing list and every so often I receive a brochure with a letter penned by Mr. Lindblad himself. His missives are always persuasive and he crafts the letter to dovetail with a special offer that makes it really difficult to say "no" to an upcoming expedition adventure.

His May 15th letter introduces us to the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and her summertime European itineraries. He talks about visiting Europe "through the front door" from the sea. I agree when he says that it's a magical way to see Europe.

"It's different sailing into a harbor, watching a city's skyline unfold in front of you, than entering by bus from the airport."

That is so true!

Lindblad goes on to say that "at the end of the day, what's perhaps most important is the camaraderie that so naturally develops on the National Geographic Explorer between, frankly, the most intersting guests on the planet, a most engaging staff of historians, naturalists, and just plan raconteurs, and a crew that is really enjoying their new ship and would love to have you join them."

If only I had some more time to devote to vacations this year! Lindblad is promoting two excellent European itineraries right now that include free air and $2,000 in cruise fare savings.

European Odyssey: A Passage Through Centuries of Culture & History
September 27, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer

• 9/27: depart the U.S. for Copenhagen, Denmark
• 9/28: arrive in Copenhagen
• 9/29: Lubeck, Germany
• 9/30: Transit the Kiel Canal
• 10/1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10/2: Oostende, Belgium (Bruges)
• 10/3: Bayeux, France
• 10/4: Cherbourg, France (Normandy D-Day Beaches)
• 10/5: St. Malo and Mont-St. Michel, France
• 10/6: at sea
• 10/7: Ile D'Aix and La Rochelle, France
• 10/8: La Cote Basque, France
• 10/9: Bilbao, Spain
• 10/10: La Coruna/Santiago De Compostela
• 10/11: Islas Cies and Bayona
• 10/12: Oporto, Portugal
• 10/13: Lisbon, Portugal

Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways
September 5 and 13*, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer
*travels from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen

• Day 1: fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
• Day 2: Copenhagen
• Day 3: Lubeck, Germany
• Day 4: Christianso & Bornholm Islands, Denmark
• Day 5: Gdansk, Poland
• Day 6: at sea
• Day 7: Riga, Latvia
• Day 8: Visby, Gotland, Sweden
• Day 9: Stockholm, Sweden
• Day 10: Stockholm Archipelago
• Day 11: Tallinn, Estonia
• Day 12: Helsinki, Finland
• Day 13–15: St. Petersburg, Russia
• Optional Moscow extension is available

If you book the September 5th Baltic voyage, you'll sail with Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society, and his wife Wiley.

For more information about these voyages, talk with your travel agent or contact Lindblad Expeditions at 1-(800) 397-3348.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and copyright Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

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