Stockholm to Ijmuiden

Stylish Stockholm has enough to occupy you for a lifetime from cathedral-like food markets to simmering baths and natural escapes. Visit the staggeringly beautiful interior of Stockholm's City Hall or learn more about one of Sweden’s best-known exports – with a visit to the ABBA museum. The history is deep and the architecture typically stylish as you explore this capital of Scandi cool. The Gamla Stan old town is a storied historic core of cobbled streets and brightly hued towering townhouses standing side by side. Attractive squares fill with the smells of fried herring from traditional restaurants while the latest culinary trends sweep through the city's revered kitchens. Breathe in the crisp clean air and relish the tranquillity and atmosphere of a truly great and grand Baltic city. Stockholm's visitors and residents spill outdoors in the summertime to the city's beaches and the archipelago's scattering of 24 000 islands and islets nearby. Steamboats puff scenic routes between them. Stockholm itself sprawls across 14 islands interlinked with dozens of arching bridges. Shimmering canals and leafy green parks offer peace and sanctuary within the city while trendy bars coffee shops and rooftop cocktail joints add to the hip and happening appeal. Stockholm's bustling shopping streets also showcase cutting edge trends for the fashion-conscious.

A thriving flawlessly-designed seaside city Helsinki is famously livable and inspiring. A regional powerhouse of outstanding design and creativity Helsinki lies across a confetti scattering of 300 islands and skerries in the Gulf of Finland. Known for the light granite hue of its buildings - which lend the city a bright whitewashed appearance - traditional buildings mingle seamlessly with bold new structures showcasing Finland's celebrated design outlook. Helsinki Cathedral is the crowning glory - rising high over the city's waterfront with its pearly white domes gleaming.   A city that reveres knowledge and creativity above all else artworks and statues litter the streets and parks honouring creative minds of the past. Open parks offer space to lie back and soak up summer's sun while sculptures like the abstract organs of the Sibelius Monument celebrate national heroes like composer Jean Sibelius - whose music gave Finland national identity in the quest for independence. Feel the stunning acoustics of the incredible Rock Church deep in your gut as you witness a performance in this collaboration between man and nature. Helsinki's easy-going forward-thinking way of life was hard fought for and the spectacular Suomenlinna fortress rears out of the waves as a reminder of the historical struggles that have played out in this stretch of sea. Sail out to the quaint little beaches and waterfront pathways that now lend a calm peaceful ambience to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A fairytale city of new and old Tallinn boasts one of the best-preserved UNESCO listed old towns in Northern Europe and balances the traditional and contemporary astutely. A beautiful Baltic capital of storied culture and history Tallinn is riding the wave of a burgeoning reputation as Europe's hidden gem and it boasts a picturesque allure that few cities can rival. The European City of Culture award in 2011 was a symbol of the country's increasing integration with the European Union and offered Tallinn a chance to showcase and upgrade its cultural marvels. Walk into the old town through Viru Gates past flower vendors and the smells of roasting nuts. Town Hall Square is the heart and soul of Tallinn and when you walk the narrow cobbled streets that open out into it you’re walking the same pathways that Tallinn's people have walked since the 13th century. Surrounded by practically complete medieval walls lose yourself in deep museums and visit pretty churches like St. Olaf church - one of the city's most famous with its sharp green spire puncturing the sky. Head to Kohtuotsa platform in the upper town for views of the city's sea of red roofs interrupted by church towers and rounded turrets. From here climb Toompea Castle's central hill before visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - easily recognisable by its bold colours and trio of black onion domes.

Centred around a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Old Town Latvia’s capital is a quirky and artistic place - with an extensive collection of gleaming art-deco architecture. With a quirky underbelly and beautifully preserved fairytale architecture it’s no wonder Riga is affectionately known as the Baltic Berlin. Ascend the tower of St. Peter's Church for a view down over the gingerbread-architecture below. The House of Blackheads is one of the city’s standouts a historic trade guild’s meeting place it adds grace and grandeur to the spacious town square. The much-photographed Three Brothers lean together with their pastel-shaded facades and idiosyncratic personalities. Look out across the River Daugava for an example of modern Riga - the steel and glass of the National Library building. The Freedom Monument stands a full 42 meters tall and is a proud statue marking Lativa’s incredibly hard-won independence. Cavernous hangers – that once housed bomber zeppelins from the First World War – now host one of Europe’s biggest and best food markets. Soak up the smells and sights of Riga Central Market where you can taste pickles smoked herring and piragis – local rolls stuffed with bacon. Take time out in brightly painted cafes and flower-laced courtyards which serve up refreshments and dizzyingly strong self-brewed craft beers. Or head to the greenery of Bastejkalna Park to stroll the banks of the canal and over ornate bridges.

When thinking of countries of legends,
tumult and fabulous architecture, Lithuania does not immediately spring to
mind. And yet, it should – particularly Klaipeda, Lithuania’s third largest
city (and only seaport). 

As one of the few eastern ports to not
freeze during the cold Baltic Sea winters, Klaipeda has always been a coveted spot.
Once known as Memel, the city has had a chequered past. Founded in 1252 by the
Teutonic Order, Memel was the capital of Prussia during the Napoleonic wars. It
was a German state until 1919, when the signing of the Treaty of Versailles
commandeered it for Lithuania. It then surrendered to German hands before and during
WWII, but was liberated along with the rest of the country in 1945. 

As you walk around the pretty town centre,
you would be forgiven for thinking that you were not even in Lithuania. The
Germanic influence is most apparent in the well-ordered centre, with its
fachwerk, (half-timbered) style buildings and cobbled streets. Much of the
original architecture was destroyed during WWII, but head for the Art Yard and
you’ll not only find examples of what is left from Memel’s past, but also a
buzzing hub of street art, coffee shops and independent boutiques. Much of the
city’s tourism is focused around neighbouring Spit National Park. This UNESCO
World Heritage site of 5,000-year-old peninsula of woods and beach separates
the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon and is a prime example of outstanding
universal value to the region.

Gdansk, one of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities, sits on the edge of the Baltic Sea. Looking around today, it’s difficult to imagine that during World War II, much of the city was reduced to rubble. Painstakingly reconstructed with great skill, the Hanseatic architecture and historical treasures rose like a phoenix from the ruins.Head to the city centre and walk in the footsteps of Polish royalty down the Royal Route, which leads to many of Gdansk’s best-preserved treasures. Passing through majestic stone gates is the wonderful Amber Museum. Learn all you need to know about amber or Baltic gold as it’s known. It’s been collected and worked for over 6000 years in Gdansk, a major contributor to the city’s wealth.Through the Golden Gate lies Dluga street, peek behind the exquisite facades and visit some of the beautifully restored town houses. Stroll on past landmark buildings like the soaring Town Hall, ending up on the very photogenic Mariacka street.Along the waterfront is the striking, modern architecture of the World War II Museum, a poignant space, in the very city where the first shots of the war were fired. The excellent exhibitions leave few unmoved and has rapidly become one of Gdansk’s top attractions.More recent history is explained wonderfully at the European Solidarity Centre down by the shipyards. The trade union “Solidarity” was formed in the 1980’s and Poland’s’ struggle to topple Communism began.Gdansk has certainly earnt its place in the history books of Europe.  

Karlskrona is made up of 33 different linked islands, just a small part of the 1650 islands that are the Blekinge archipelago. Established as a naval base in 1680 by King Karl XI and named after him, Karl’s crown, it’s still an active base today.Karlskrona was built to impress. Sweden’s only baroque city had one day hoped to replace Stockholm as capital and although it was not to be, a feeling of grandeur and exclusivity remains. The beautifully preserved buildings and churches are a wonderful testament to this history and along with the port, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1998.At the heart of the city is Stortorget, a huge market square built in the style of a Roman Piazza. A statue of founder King Karl XI takes centre place and surveys the busy market held there several times a week. Browse the surrounding specialty shops or try one of the many delicious restaurants. It’s just the occasion to try local delicacies like delicious stuffed potato dumplings or fabulous fresh fish.You’re never far from the water though and the Navel Museum is a fascinating place to get a real sense of the history of the archipelago.Very interactive, it’s a popular attraction. Climb aboard ships and submarines or gaze at ancient shipwrecks from an underwater tunnel.Being Sweden’s sunniest city makes it easy to explore the ravishing natural scenery by foot, bike, kayak or boat. Follow a network of extensive trails to discover rugged coastland, forests, streams and lakes by water or land.

Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star - the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind. Choose a model with electronic assistance to take the strain out of any journey, giving you the freedom to whizz around and explore the modern angular architecture of the centre, and the pastoral colours of Nyhavn waterfront. Head out to the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale - the strikingly-restrained statue is the perfect landmark for Copenhagen; unshowy, self-assured and utterly irresistible. The Danish concept of hygge is very much alive here, and you’ll feel that warm cosy feeling as you visit cafes illuminated by the warm glow of hanging filament bulbs, and stuffed to the brim with thick, dusty books. Home to mega-brewer Carlsberg, Copenhagen is also a city for hop enthusiasts, and there is a thriving craft brewing scene to sample. Danish Smørrebrød sandwiches are a must try, or for something a little more substantial, settle in for a culinary voyage and try a taster menu – the city’s restaurants are littered with Michelin stars.

North Holland’s ‘Gate to the North Sea’, IJmuiden has four harbours: the Vissershaven, Haringhaven, IJmondhaven and the Seaport Marina - the latter used by pleasure craft. It is the largest Dutch fishing port, but is a relatively young town: it grew up in the 1870s when the North Sea Canal was opened. During World War II, the German Navy demolished much of the town and built huge fortified concrete bunkers for their torpedo boats and submarines. After 1945, the town was rebuilt by the architect Willem Marinus Dudok. He designed IJmuiden’s most impressive building, the Stadhuis van Velsen, which houses local government offices. For cruise passengers IJmuiden is the gateway to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital and one of Europe’s truly great cities, where elegant canals are lined by old brick gabled houses, and superb art galleries and museums are home to some of the world’s best-known paintings. Please note that complimentary shuttle buses operate from the port to the centre of IJmuiden, not to Amsterdam.