Russia & the Baltic Sea

Begin your cruise in Stockholm's stunning archipelago, nestled where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic. Take in this amazing city spread over 14 islands and its 13th-century Old Town, or Gamla Stan, with German-influenced architecture. Consider a trip to the Vasa Museum to see an amazingly preserved 17th-century ship, or indulge in a smörgåsbord complete with traditional smoked salmon. Or opt to visit Skokloster Castle in the Swedish countryside.

Spend the morning exploring Stockholm's architectural and natural wonders. Perhaps you will embark on an intimate boat tour and take in the breathtaking cityscape from the waters. Attend a private performance at the famed opera house. Or head on your own to the heart of the city to stroll the inviting footpaths of Djurgården Island, once a royal game park and today a picturesque recreational area blanketed in green.

Sail the vast expanse of idyllic islands along Sweden's picturesque coastline, a magnificent patchwork of some 24,000 islands and islets. The Stockholm Archipelago is the largest archipelago in Sweden, and the second largest island group in the Baltic, extending 37 miles out to sea. The once-dominant farming and fishing culture has all but vanished, though its coastal beauty of green forests, tiny villages and rock-strewn beaches endures and has inspired writers and artists for generations.

For the next three days, explore majestic St. Petersburg. Enjoy an included tour that shows you St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress, Nevsky Prospekt and more. Our overnight stays allow you the opportunity to choose an optional tour of the Hermitage Museum, an evening at a private concert and more.

Awake in St. Petersburg for a second day of exploration. Today you can choose to return to the city for a more detailed look at the wonders on display or journey into the countryside to visit the magnificent summer palaces of the tsars of Russia. If you didn't take yesterday's included guided tour, you can do so today. Or, opt for one of the many optional tours.

Enjoy your final day in St. Petersburg. Visit a communal flat, or kommunalka, browse a local market or admire art treasures at the Fabergé Museum or Russian Museum. Enjoy a third day to immerse yourself in the cultural and imperial treasures of St. Petersburg. If you wish, you can witness its sprawling palaces and elegant bridges from the water, embarking a fascinating cruise along the city's charming canals.

Step back in time as you explore Tallinn's Old Town, a UNESCO Site and one of the finest medieval quarters in Europe. As you take a stroll through the meticulously restored medieval streets, you will feel the aura of the 14th and 15th centuries of the Estonian capital. Essential is a visit to the colossal Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the Russian Orthodox style. Explore the sumptuously baroque Kadriorg Palace, intended as a summer residence for Catherine I of Russia, now the home of the foreign art collection of the Art Museum of Estonia. Last but not least, feast on marzipan, for this is the honey and almond confection's birthplace. Intricate edible creations can be found throughout the city, and should be sampled as often as possible.

Call on Sweden's largest island today and explore by foot its main city of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you stroll the medieval city's narrow lanes, vestiges of a rich past emerge at every turn. Vikings had settlements here and left more treasures here than anywhere else in Sweden. Later, with its strategic location on the route of most any Baltic voyage, Visby was once the most important and wealthiest city of the Hanseatic League.

Explore the charming village of Rønne, the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm. Its atmospheric cobblestone lanes lined with the low-timbered, red-roofed houses of medieval merchants chronicle a rich mercantile past. Take a tour around Bornholm's Medieval Center, or sample local food and drink, including its famous smoked herring.

Originally a Viking fishing village founded in the 10th century, the Danish capital boasts over 850 years of history. With an entire day to explore, pass the brightly colored houses of Nyhavn, or New Harbor, once the home of Hans Christian Andersen. Discover the sumptuously rococo interiors of Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Danish royal family. You may also want to consider a trip to the ornate Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspirational setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet. This fairy-tale city provides plenty to explore, including delights for your palate at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants, where you can indulge in a decadent lunch or an early dinner.

Disembark your ship this morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Or stay on to explore more of Copenhagen's charms.