Kiel - Hamburg City hopping along the Baltic Sea

Karlskrona is a maritime city full of history and beauty, situated in the archipelago of the southern Swedish county of Blekinge. Founded in 1679 as the home base of the Swedish fleet, Karlskrona extends over several islands connected by bridges. The central square Stortorget, the largest historical square in Sweden, is lined with magnificent baroque churches and the old City Hall. The nearby island of Stumholmen houses the impressive Naval Museum as well as shipyards and military buildings that tell centuries of history and are now open to the public.

Picturesque Tallinn lies right on the Baltic coast and is enchanting with its medieval old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Surrounded by a city wall with 26 defence towers, Estonia’s capital has charming little streets, historic buildings and a fascinating mix of architectural styles. Toompea Hill, Tall Hermann tower and the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral offer a wonderful insight into the city’s history, while the Town Hall Square in the centre of the old town is a lively place to explore.

Arriving in the port of Helsinki is an experience in itself: Finland’s capital lies in a picturesque location on a peninsula, surrounded by the idyllic little islands of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is a melting pot of lively city life and lush green nature. The Kauppatori market square is an attractive place with its fruit and souvenir stalls, while the historic Vanha Kauppahalli indoor market offers local delicacies. Uspenski Cathedral is captivating with its grand architecture and wonderful views over the city. Helsinki Cathedral, the city’s snow-white landmark with green domes, is no less impressive. Explore this city full of contrasts on a discovery tour and enjoy the interplay between culture, nature and Nordic charm.

Stockholm is an enchanting capital thanks to its unique location on 14 islands, which are connected to each other by a multitude of bridges. Set between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, the city is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. In the old town, Gamla Stan, with its winding streets and historic buildings, you will find stylish bistros offering New Nordic Cuisine. On the neighbouring island is the impressive baroque Royal Palace, while the Vasa Museum with its restored war ship brings the city’s fascinating maritime history to life. Enjoy the atmosphere long after sunset, as your ship will be staying for several nights.

A group of around 6,500 widely scattered islands – and you on a flexible course in the midst of them on an expedition day in the Aland Islands. Your small, manoeuvrable ship will really be in its element here. An autonomous archipelago between Sweden and Finland with unspoilt nature, a rich history and maritime culture. With its archipelago landscapes, the region offers quiet coves and picturesque fishing villages with red wooden houses nestled on the shores. A truly picture-perfect spot in Scandinavia! Lean back and enjoy on board the ship. Only 60 of these islands are inhabited, and the only town is Mariehamn. The “city of 1,000 lime trees” is an attractive place with its charming architecture and the maritime museum.

Once known as Memel, Klaipeda is an inviting place for a relaxing stroll through its restored old town and past charming half-timbered houses along medieval cobbled streets. The former City Hall, where the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II and his wife Queen Luise took up residence in 1807/08 to escape from Napoleon, is particularly worth a visit. The theatre, which Richard Wagner visited in 1836, is also captivating thanks to its historic charm. In front of the theatre is the Simon Dach fountain with a statue of Annchen von Tharau, which was faithfully restored in 1989. In the surrounding area, you can see the Curonian Spit with its shifting sand dunes which inspired Thomas Mann – an impressive example of the unspoilt beauty of Lithuania.

Gdańsk is a place full of history, culture, and unique landscapes. The city looks back over more than 1,000 years of history, including rule by the Teutonic Order, its heyday as a wealthy Hanseatic city, and the partitions of Poland in the 18th century. Today, Gdansk is a cosmopolitan city with an interesting past. A walk through the old city gates, through the Long Market or along the Motlawa provides a variety of views and leads you to many shops, restaurants and cafes, where you can take a relaxing break. Gdansk combines historic grandeur with modern charm and is a real highlight on the Polish Baltic coast.

The Kiel Canal is like a ribbon cutting through the landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein and linking the North Sea to the Baltic Sea between Brunsbuttel and Kiel. At just under 100 km (62 mi.) long, the canal is the busiest man-made waterway in the world and cuts up to 900 km (560 mi.) off shipping routes around Denmark. Opened in 1895 and originally known as the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, the canal makes its way past little villages, idyllic meadows and extensive pasture land. The two locks are masterpieces of engineering and have also been in operation since 1895, protecting the canal from changing water levels caused by the tides or by the winds off the North Sea and Baltic Sea.