Baltic Rhapsody - Stockholm to Amsterdam Cruise

Day 1 - Stockholm

Arrive: Fri 12 July 2024 / Depart: Fri 12 July 2024 at 17:00

The “Venice of the North,” spanning 14 small islands at the outflow of Lake Mälar into the Baltic, Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia and architecturally one of the finest in the world, with broad streets, waterside parks and many pedestrian walkways. For a taste of the city, take a walking tour of Old Town, and particularly the Royal Palace and beautiful Riddarholm Church; take in the views from the observation deck in the Town Hall; or visit one of the Skeppsholmen Museums, including Skeppsholm Church (1842), the Museum of Architecture, the Museum of East Asian Art and the Modern Museum. A main attraction near the center of town is the Vasa Museum, on the island of Djurgården, displaying the almost fully intact 64-gun warship Vasa, that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628.

Day 2 - Helsinki, Finland

Arrive: Sat 13 July 2024 / Depart: Sat 13 July 2024 at 23:00

The capital of Finland, Helsinki is also the cultural, commercial and political center of Finland. Helsinki is an easily-navigated city and an architectural delight. Helsinki is laid out with spacious streets interspersed with many gardens and parks. Wide streets and nearby islands add to Helsinki’s visual appeal. Beautiful neo classical buildings surround town squares and the cathedral is probably the most recognized of all Helsinki landmarks.

Day 3 - Tallinn, Estonia

Arrive: Sun 14 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 14 July 2024 at 16:00

On the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland lies Tallinn, the capital and main seaport of Estonia. Though the city has been bombed and pillaged many times throughout the ages, much of the town as it was in medieval times remains. Atmospheric streets serve as home to the palaces of Castle Hill. 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.

Day 4 - Riga

Arrive: Mon 15 July 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 15 July 2024 at 18:00

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. After more than 700 years of German, Swedish, Russian rule, Latvia, with Riga as its capital city, thus declared its independence on November 18, 1918. Soviet occupation and annexation occurred in 1940, but then Latvia declared its full de facto independence in 1991. The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Art Nouveau architecture.

Day 5 - Visby, Sweden

Arrive: Tue 16 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 16 July 2024 at 17:00

Visby is the largest city on the island of Gotland, and was once one of the most powerful cities in Europe. The entire island is full of ruins, artifacts and memories from its periods of greatness during the Viking period and Middle Ages when Visby was a member of the Hanseatic League. The town is surrounded by the Visby Ringwall, a huge 13th century stone wall that encloses the city. Inside the wall, Visby beckons with its medley of modern and medieval times.

Day 6 - Gdansk, Poland

Arrive: Wed 17 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 17 July 2024 at 16:00

Step into colorful and masterfully restored Old Town Gdansk and experience the grandeur of this once powerful member of the Hanseatic League. Marvel at the exquisite architecture. Stroll the entire length of Ulica Diuga (Long St.) stopping to visit St. Mary’s Church, which took 150 years to build, and its Astronomical Clock, from1460. Browse through the museums, shops and galleries. Seek out quality amber, embroidered linens, modern silver jewelry, and fine woolen sweaters. Admire the grand houses , the Green and the Golden Gates on the Royal Road. Try a sip of vodka distilled and served with real flecks of gold.

Day 7 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive: Thu 18 July 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Thu 18 July 2024 at 21:00

Copenhagen, the royal capital of Denmark, is one of Europe's oldest capitals. It was a fishing village until the middle of the 12th century, but then grew in importance after being fortified in 1167. Because of its harbor, it soon became a place of commercial importance. Copenhagen has a long history well-integrated with today's modern life. Theaters, museums, art galleries and musical entertainment are among the attractions that make Copenhagen memorable.

Day 8 - Skagen

Arrive: Fri 19 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 19 July 2024 at 17:00

Skagen has a wonderfully rich art history and an even greater collection of modern art galleries throughout the city. Often referred to as the Land of Light, the sun beautifully reflects off of the abundance of sand and water for longer hours than anywhere else in Denmark. Skagen’s beacon is its bustling harbor, which brings in fresh seafood from the northern tip of Jutland, which surrounded by the sea. Experience its magnificent countryside with large white sandy beaches and Denmark's largest moving sand dune, Råbjerg Mile.

Day 9 - Esbjerg

Arrive: Sat 20 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 20 July 2024 at 16:00

Day 10 - Hamburg

Arrive: Sun 21 July 2024 at 13:00

Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. It's crossed by hundreds of canals, and also contains large areas of parkland. Near its core, Inner Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city's central Jungfernstieg boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like 18th-century St. Michael’s Church.

Day 11 - Hamburg

Depart: Mon 22 July 2024 at 23:00

Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. It's crossed by hundreds of canals, and also contains large areas of parkland. Near its core, Inner Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city's central Jungfernstieg boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like 18th-century St. Michael’s Church.

Day 12 - North Sea Cruising

Day 13 - Tilbury

Arrive: Wed 24 July 2024 at 06:00 / Depart: Wed 24 July 2024 at 19:00

Day 14 - Zeebrugge

Arrive: Thu 25 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 25 July 2024 at 18:00

Zeebrugge is the gateway to Bruges, the capital of the Belgian province of West Flanders. Bruges was a wealthy city during medieval times when trade with Baltic ports flourished. The Zwin River, connecting Bruges with the North Sea, slowly began to narrow, marking the end of the city's great trade period. Today, visitors flock to Bruges to enjoy the charming, well-preserved medieval architecture lining the old and narrow roads and canals and to see some of Western Europe's finest artistic masterpieces.

Day 15 - Amsterdam

Arrive: Fri 26 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 26 July 2024

As capital cities go, Amsterdam is small in comparison. It has a reputation for free-spirited and very liberal lifestyles. Some might call it Europe's most "radical" city, but one cannot deny the beauty of Amsterdam and its rich history. Amsterdam is a cultural center of Europe, as exemplified in its more than 140 art galleries and 40 museums. In addition, it is famous for its baroque architecture, canals, and cobblestone streets where the favored mode of transportation is the bicycle.