Hanseatic Havens

Stockholm, Sweden's charming capital, spans 14 islands connected by picturesque bridges. Begin your exploration in Gamla Stan, the city's historic old town, where cobblestone streets lead to the majestic Royal Palace and the medieval Storkyrkan Cathedral.

For a dose of modern culture, visit the ABBA Museum on Djurgården Island, celebrating Sweden's iconic pop group. Nearby, the Vasa Museum showcases a remarkably preserved 17th-century warship. Stroll along the waterfront promenade of Strandvägen for stunning views and vibrant cafes. Don't miss the Stockholm City Hall, renowned for its striking architecture and the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Enjoy Swedish cuisine at a local bistro, featuring dishes like meatballs and herring.

Finland's capital is a laid-back but vibrant seaside city, surrounded on three sides by sea and tiny islands. Helsinki is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. Ships will dock in either South Harbour or West Harbour.

Top Things to Do in Helsinki:

• take the ferry to the fortress of Suomenlinna
• visit the Kiasma Modern Art Museum
• see the rock church, Temppeliaukio
• shop at Market Square
• stroll through Sibelius Park

Defined by the Baltic Sea and surrounding archipelago, Kotka is a picturesque town with a rich maritime tradition. This cultural city has plenty to offer including parks, churches, sculptural displays, and museums. Ships will dock at the Port of HaminaKotka.

Top Things to Do in Kotka:

• stroll around the Sapokka Water Garden
• explore the Finnish capital, Helsinki
• sail around the Kotka Archipelago
• visit a traditional Finnish sauna
• walk through the Kotka Urban National Park
• visit the medieval town of Porvoo
  

Tallinn's fairy-tale castles, cobbled streets and warm hospitality remain one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Ancient convents, steepled churches and handsome guild houses are all preserved as they were in Tallinn’s Old Town area, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ships will dock at the Old City Harbour.

Top Things to Do in Tallinn:

• admire the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• take in the city views from Toompea Hill
• visit the Open Air Museum
• stroll the gardens of Kadriorg Park
  

Long a popular summer getaway for Estonians, the rest of the world is just awakening to the irresistible allure of Saarema Island. Stroll the lovely capital city of Kuressaare, whose historic heart is graced with wonderful pastel-hued buildings. The town’s fairytale castle, surrounded by a moat, features several enchanting, irregularly shaped towers.

Farther afield, the Viidumäe Nature Reserve and Vilsandi National Park are home to striking wild orchids and thousands of migratory birds, music to nature lovers’ ears. In the village of Angla, charming wooden windmills line a scenic country road, and on the tip of the island’s southernmost cape, the picturesque Sõrve Lighthouse rises to a height of over 170 feet.

Centred around a charming UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town, Latvia’s capital is a quirky and artistic place. It is an architecture buff's dream come true with its collection of Art Nouveau buildings and Gothic structures. Ships will dock at the cruise quay on Daugava River.

Top Things to Do in Riga:

• admire the architecture on Elizabetes street
• take in the views from St Peter's Church
• visit Turaida’s famed castle
• explore the Latvian Ethnographic Museum
• trek along the Kemeri Bog Boardwalk
• visit the resort town of Jurmala

Lying on the Baltic coast of Poland, the port city of Gdansk is known for its beautiful Hanseatic architecture and colourful Old Town. The city was left in ruins after World War II and has been masterfully restored. Most ships will dock in the neighbouring town of Gydnia, while some small ships will dock at the Oliwskie Pier in Gdansk.

Top Things to Do in Gdansk:

• visit the Malbork Castle and museum
• stroll along Long Street
• shop for Amber on Mariacka Street
• tour Stutthof Camp
• visit the Oliwa Cathedral

Bornholm boasts a wealth of scenic beauty ranging from bucolic farms to one of Denmark's largest forests. The island also features sandy beaches, quaint fishing ports and a rugged coast crowned by the ruins of the largest medieval fortress in Northern Europe. Ships will dock at the Port of Ronne.

Top Things to Do on Bornholm:

• explore the medieval Hammershus fortress
• sample the local beer in Svaneke
• tour the Baltic Sea Glass studios
• cycle in and around the city of Ronne
• visit the islands famed round churches

Lively Szczecin, one of Poland’s largest cities and the capital of the West Pomerania region, has endured a colorful and multifaceted history that’s revealed in its architecture. Art nouveau mansions, ornate gothic-style buildings and baroque-style gates and fountains coexist with new glass and steel structures being erected such as the award-winning Szczecin Philharmonic Hall, which appears to glow with its innovatively lit glass façade.

Szczecin’s Old Town is an excellent starting point – it’s full of cafés, bustling restaurants, and top attractions such as the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes, the Waly Chrobrego elevated riverfront promenade and several museums. With parks aplenty, Szczecin is also known for being green and lush. The Jasne Blonia Square and neighboring Kasprowicz Park are the most popular, and the nearby Szmaragdowe Lake features an observation deck that offers lovely views of the Lower Oder River and Szczecin.

The quirky and heritage-filled Hamburg is a true city of water, nestled snugly between the Baltic and North seas and intersected by a frayed network of rivers and canals, spanned by hundreds of pretty bridges. Explore the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse district and a UNESCO site, known for its neo-gothic architecture.

The nearby Elbphilharmonie concert hall is impressive with its striking design and views over the Elbe River. For a taste of local life, visit the lively Fish Market or stroll along the waterfront at Landungsbrücken, where ferries offer scenic river cruises along the canals.

Kiel, a vibrant port city in northern Germany, serves as a gateway to the bustling metropolis of Hamburg. Known for its maritime heritage, Kiel offers visitors a chance to explore its picturesque harbor and the Kiel Canal, the world’s busiest artificial waterway. The city is also home to the annual Kiel Week, the largest sailing event in the world, drawing sailing enthusiasts from around the globe.

From Kiel, a short train ride brings you to Hamburg, where you can delve into the city’s dynamic culture and history. Visit the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world, and stroll along the lively waterfront at Landungsbrücken. Don’t miss the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall and indulge in local specialties like fresh fish at the bustling Fischmarkt.

The quirky and heritage-filled Hamburg is a true city of water, nestled snugly between the Baltic and North seas and intersected by a frayed network of rivers and canals, spanned by hundreds of pretty bridges. Explore the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse district and a UNESCO site, known for its neo-gothic architecture.

The nearby Elbphilharmonie concert hall is impressive with its striking design and views over the Elbe River. For a taste of local life, visit the lively Fish Market or stroll along the waterfront at Landungsbrücken, where ferries offer scenic river cruises along the canals.

Kiel, a vibrant port city in northern Germany, serves as a gateway to the bustling metropolis of Hamburg. Known for its maritime heritage, Kiel offers visitors a chance to explore its picturesque harbor and the Kiel Canal, the world’s busiest artificial waterway. The city is also home to the annual Kiel Week, the largest sailing event in the world, drawing sailing enthusiasts from around the globe.

From Kiel, a short train ride brings you to Hamburg, where you can delve into the city’s dynamic culture and history. Visit the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world, and stroll along the lively waterfront at Landungsbrücken. Don’t miss the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall and indulge in local specialties like fresh fish at the bustling Fischmarkt.