Hamburg - Hamburg Scandinavia and the Baltic States: Exploring new horizons over Easter

Picturesque Kalmar, still a hidden gem on the Baltic Sea, welcomes you to southern Sweden. Founded in the Middle Ages, it became an important centre of power and trade in the north. In the 13th century, the city’s trade in butter, iron and limestone flourished, involving many German merchants. In the narrow cobbled streets of the old town, you can sense the history of the place at every turn. Well-preserved 18th and 19th century buildings line the streets and in the Gamla Stan district you can see some charming wooden houses. Your experts will sharpen your eye for the details of the city’s 1,000-year history. A real highlight is the majestic Renaissance Kalmar Castle.

Untouched, mysterious, wild – Gotska Sandon welcomes you with a magic that only a few are privileged to experience. Belonging to Gotland, this small island offers endless dunes, dense pine forests and white sandy beaches. A panorama full of vastness and tranquillity awaits you. Explore the fascinating flora and fauna on Zodiac trips or hikes along secluded paths: seabirds glide over the coast, seals doze in hidden coves and the sound of the sea accompanies every step. Archaeological finds, including Roman coins and medieval shipwrecks, bear witness to the island’s historical significance. Gotska Sandon is a haven for anyone who wants to experience Sweden’s tranquil beauty and scientific discoveries.

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. Leaving Helsinki harbour is also 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.

Where sea and land merge into one, Vaasa is one of the most beautiful cities on the coast of Finland. Here you will find a combination of historical depth and Nordic charm. The city, whose roots go back to the 14th century, radiates a special kind of charm and invites culture lovers on a journey through time: the ruins of Old Vaasa in the Rauniopuisto Park tell of life in the Middle Ages and are a picturesque place for a walk. The nearby Korsholm Church, dating from 1786, adds a majestic touch to the surroundings, while the town centre enchants with its cobbled market square and Gothic market hall, where local products have been sold for over a century. Vaasa brings together history, architecture and culinary delights to delivery a unique cultural experience.

The spirit of adventure will hang in the clear air as you press on into the icy northern extension of the Baltic Sea. On the flexible expedition day in the Gulf of Bothnia, with a bit of luck your small ship will encounter sea ice. The deck tour at the bow, the glass balconies and the many open deck areas will become your front-row seats. Nature will provide you with constantly changing views. Your sightings will be enhanced by the interesting knowledge provided by your experts on board.

At the estuary of the River Daugava lies a pearl of the Baltic: Riga offers an incomparable mix of history and modernity. While magnificent art nouveau facades adorn the outer districts of Latvia’s capital city, the enchanting old town with is well-preserved medieval buildings was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. At its centre near the House of the Blackheads, the tall tower of St. Peter’s Church rises high above the rooftops and is a magnificent sight. Riga is particularly lively thanks to its varied music and art scene – western influences combine with traditional Latvian elements and ensure its unique charm.

A Latvian coastal city with a surprising amount of charm, Ventspils is located where the Baltic Sea gently laps the shore and fresh winds sweep through the dunes and forests. Historic brick buildings and modern art characterise the cityscape, whose particularly delightful detail is the colourfully painted cow sculptures that can be seen everywhere. The long sandy beach invites you to relax for hours while the ships bob gently in the harbour. Stroll through well-kept parks, past the medieval castle and on to the “Lighthouse of Love” – it’s not just newly-weds who enjoy the unforgettable view here.

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.

Once a leading Prussian and Hanseatic city, today Gdansk is like an open-air museum dedicated to the historic Hanseatic League. Amber and shipbuilding once brought glory to Poland’s most famous port. The city’s old town, with its architecture dating from the 13th to 18th centuries, is one of the most beautiful in the country. The Long Lane with its magnificent houses and Neptune fountain stands as testament to the city’s golden age. But the spirit of the flourishing Hanseatic League era in Gdansk mainly lives on in the merchant houses and the world-famous Crane – a splendid panoramic view to be captured on camera.

As you wander around the picturesque fishing village of Gudhjem on Bornholm’s north-east coast, you will find out why it's known as the most beautiful place on the island: the narrow streets wind their way between half-timbered houses with red roof tiles, often lined with hollyhocks. In the port, fishing boats bob up and down on the water, and the scent of freshly smoked herring wafts out of the typical smoke houses. In Gudhjem, the Scandinavian feeling of hygge blends in with the wildly romantic charm of the Baltic Sea.

Look forward to an impressive daytime passage through the Kiel Canal, which leads you for just under 100 km (62 mi.) through the typical scenery of Schleswig-Holstein: marshland and geest, Eider-Treene Depression and hilly countryside. Experience the picturesque passage intensively from the deck of your little ship – sit back and enjoy. Particular highlights are the passages through the locks and the views of the Rendsburg High Bridge, an impressive steel construction and one of the most important monuments to engineering in Germany.