Discovering Coastal Cities of the Baltic Sea

Following your arrival in Helsinki, we’ll embark the Sea Cloud in the early evening and enjoy a delicious four-course welcome dinner before setting sail and cruising south across the Gulf of Finland.

Today we arrive into the Estonian capital of Tallinn, just 50 miles south of Helsinki. Known as Reval during the Hanseatic era, it was the most important trading port on the Baltic Sea in the 15th century. Enjoy a stroll through the old town where you will find yourself transported back to a world of wealthy medieval townsfolk, Russian-inspired onion domes and traditional gabled houses, restored to their former glory, marking the border between east and west. The city's rich heritage, which is still guarded by lofty town walls, is now under UNESCO protection. Today, Tallinn is a lively Scandinavian city, where its vibrant history sits harmoniously alongside modern cosmopolitan life.

Today you can enjoy the nostalgic windjammer experience as we spend the day at sea. Why not take advantage of the full range of amenities on board – relax in the sauna, enjoy a beauty treatment in the spa or visit the library and borrow something from the collection. Alternatively you can relax in the sun or shade under one of the 28 sails on the sun deck, as you enjoy the stunning views over the Baltic Sea. This evening we arrive into the Swedish capital city of Stockholm, where you can explore 

Today we have a full day to explore Stockholm. On its Baltic side, the city overlooks an archipelago of craggy islands, while to the west lies the vast Lake Mälaren. The city itself spans 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges. The origins of Sweden’s magnificent capital are evident on the central city island, where you’ll discover yellow-gold town houses lining the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (the old town), one of Europe’s most enchanting and impeccably preserved historic centres. With a third of its area occupied by water and another third by green spaces, this cultural city manages to be both modern and traditional. Here you will find cutting-edge Nordic design, fashion, art, modern architecture, royal residences, seats of government and no fewer than three UNESCO world heritage sites.

Our cruise continues this morning to the Swedish island of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic Sea. This tranquil, sparsely populated island is home to a diverse landscape of lofty crags, grassy meadows, sweeping pebble beaches and forests with wind-bent pine trees. Similarly diverse are the island's astonishing culinary delights and Gotland's rich history which includes prehistoric sites, unique treasures from the Viking era and Visby, the oldest Baltic Hanseatic city which has remained almost unchanged since its heyday in the Middle Ages. The old town with its imposing two-mile circular wall was once christened 'regina maris' or 'queen of the sea' and provided a refuge for legendary pirate Klaus Störtebeker. Since 1805 it has been classified as a protected monument and since 1995 has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Relax on board today as we enjoy another day at sea. Experience an exhibition of true sailing craft as the crew climb the masts to release the sails, a centuries-old ritual brought to life. Take advantage of the ship’s many facilities or simply sit back and watch the world go by as we sail the Baltic Sea.

This morning we arrive into Klaipėda, Lithuania's third-largest city. There's a distinctly German flavour to Klaipėda, which was part of the Prussian Kingdom until 1923, with its traditional half-timbered buildings lining compact, cobblestoned streets. Beyond the historic centre, the modern city is divided by the Danė River and is rich in historic architecture, vibrant street art and lively bars and restaurants. A short ferry-ride from Klaipėda is the Curonian Spit National Park, a curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. Pine forests populated by deer, elk and wild boar cover the majority of the spit, while traditional fishing villages nestled amongst the dunes welcome visitors to what has affectionately become known as ‘Lithuania's Sahara'. 

We continue our voyage to the Polish city of Gdansk and the epicentre of Pomerania. Together with the chic seaside resort of Sopot and the port of Gdynia, Gdansk has a young, cosmopolitan vibe. With its eventful past, the queen of the Polish Baltic cities was already prosperous and respected in the Middle Ages and was a flourishing trading centre for many years. Its photogenic historic old town is a work of art and the neat and compact centre of this former Hanseatic town is a real pleasure to explore on foot. Discover the city at your own pace today, from the famous Dlugi Targ, or Long Market, to the picturesque Motlawa River. 

Today’s port of call is Gudhjem, a small town and fishing port on the northern coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm in Denmark. This friendly, sun-soaked island packs maximum scenic diversity into the smallest possible space. Beaches and sand dunes stretch along the southern coast while the north is lined with granite cliffs interspersed with sandy bays, which are ideal for swimming. Inland, the rolling hills are covered with beautiful natural woodland, moors and colourful wildflower meadows. Tiny brightly coloured timbered houses, their gardens overflowing with hollyhocks, adorn the pretty little island villages, most of which are located on the coast. The imposing Hammershus fortress, which is the largest ruined castle in Northern Europe, bears testament to the turbulent history of the area, dividing the Baltic powers of Denmark and Sweden.

This morning we arrive into Copenhagen, Denmark’s stylish capital city. With its iconic canals, lakes and harbour, water is an essential part of this city and the Inderhavnen (inner harbour) runs through the royal capital like a wide river before flowing into the Sound. Once the boundary between the western and eastern districts, the harbour quays have now become the heart of the city. Streets, alleyways, parks and squares all remain from the days when kings ordered their construction and each period of history has left its mark on the magnificent cityscape which includes several castles. In the midst of modern-day life, you can take a ride on a carousel in the Tivoli Gardens, follow in the footsteps of the royal bodyguards and their bearskin hats as they march through the streets or visit the city's famous magical landmark, the little mermaid.

Located in the middle of the West Sweden archipelago, Lysekil has developed into a prominent spa resort for the area. Lysekil's history dates back to the 16th century, and in common with many other Swedish coastal villages it was characterised by its busy shipping trade during the glory days of the herring industry. Enjoy a day of exploring in the city’s well-preserved old town, or for the more adventurous there are a variety of activities available close to the town centre, including kayaking, walking and seal safaris. Located on two nature reserves, there are also an abundance of natural wonders to behold and the town is a true gem for the avid or amateur photographer.