Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Southampton is the UK's leading port. Bustling modern cruise terminals, as well as wharfs and commercial harbours, line the waterfront, whilst the city itself is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, with a picturesque old town, the original city walls still standing, and super-modern shopping centres and office complexes. On all corners you will see tributes to the city's rich history and maritime heritage. Henry V marched his troops through the Westgate on his way to the battle of Agincourt, The Mayflower sailed from here with a cargo of settlers to the New World, and the Titanic started her fateful voyage here.

Situated at the very northern tip of Jutland, Skagen is famed for its wonderful light and beautiful coastal scenery, which attracted many artists during the 19th century. Today it’s a popular destination for well-to-do Danes, drawn here by the beaches, charming architecture and spectacular sunsets.

Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city, but it’s also a compact and likeable place with a burgeoning cultural scene and a large student population. The combination of superb restaurants, attractive cobbled streets and excellent museums make Aarhus an unexpected highlight of any cruise around the Baltic.

The buzzing city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Many sights will delight; the busy waterfront, the cobbled streets in the Old Town, and the museums, palaces, gardens and galleries. And of course, just 20 minutes away, its archipelago of 30,000 islands offers a totally different experience.

The charming UNESCO-listed town of Visby is the capital of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic. The photogenic cobbled streets and ruined Gothic churches are a reminder of the island’s fascinating history, invaded by both Germans and Danes and decimated by the Black Death in the 14th century.

Riga, Latvia’s charming capital, is a highlight of any Baltic itinerary. The compact Old Town delights with its winding lanes and elegant spires, and the city is also home to one of Europe’s most impressive ensembles of Art Nouveau architecture.

Klaipeda is Lithuania’s only major seaport, and served for a time as the capital of Prussia, when it was known as Memel. There is still a noticeable Germanic flavour to the architecture of the old town, and it’s only a short distance from both the spectacular dunes of the Curonian Spit and the lovely seaside town of Palanga.

The Baltic port of Gdynia is the gateway to Gdansk, a city that occupies an important place in 20th century history; the first shots of World War II were fired at the Westerplatte naval base, and it was amongst the shipyards of Gdansk that the Solidarity movement was born in the 1980s.

Wonderful Copenhagen is the perfect city to explore on foot, by bicycle or by water. Visit the bustling wharf at Nyhavn, enjoy the palaces, galleries and museums, wander through the amazing Tivoli Gardens, and if you have time, make the most of Copenhagen’s gastronomic revolution.

Southampton is the UK’s leading port. Bustling modern cruise terminals, as well as wharfs and commercial harbours, line the waterfront, whilst the city itself is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, with a picturesque old town, the original city walls still standing, and super-modern shopping centres and office complexes