Cruising Scandinavia & the Baltic Sea

Arrive in Copenhagen and transfer to your luxury vessel for an onboard welcome reception this evening.

Leave Copenhagen behind to discover Bornholm, an island long prized for its strategic location in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Once ashore, you might stroll the streets of medieval Gudhjem, enjoy local Danish delicacies, learn about island life and local craftsmanship amid picturesque farmlands and coastlines, or visit local villages and the medieval fortress of Hammershus.

Come ashore to discover the old and new facets of Gdansk, a historic Polish port city that bore the devastating brunt of World War II’s opening chapter. Here, you might explore the Old Town’s Golden Gate, Artus Court, Gdansk Town Hall, St. Mary’s Church and Neptune’s Fountain before strolling along the Moltawa River. Alternately, you might visit the Museum of the Second World War, take a scenic countryside drive and pay an introspective visit to the Stutthof concentration camp. Or, traverse the Brick Gothic Srodmiescie district to the European Solidarity Center, where you learn about the Solidarity Movement and see where the August Agreements were signed. Yet another option might be to visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, followed by a lunch of local specialties.

Today, explore the Swedish island of Gotland, coming ashore in the Hanseatic walled city of Visby. Here, you might delve into the city’s rich Viking and medieval heritage, embark on a bike tour of local landmarks and a botanical garden or journey through the charming countryside, taking in the daily rhythm of island life and admiring the charming countryside along the way.

Disembark to soak up the charms of Latvia’s quirky capital. Riga juxtaposes its wooden buildings, Art Nouveau architecture and medieval Old Town with trendy dining, modern art and bar scenes. Today, you might join a walking tour of the Old Town and attend an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral, or perhaps combine your walking tour with a visit to the Art Nouveau Museum. Foodies might opt for a visit to the bustling Central Market followed by a hands-on cooking class. For a more active experience, a bike ride may take you through Riga’s Old Town and the park-like Great Cemetery.

After a relaxing morning amid the natural beauty of the Stockholm Archipelago, come ashore to explore the capital of Stockholm itself. Begin with a walking tour of the Old Town’s Storkyrkan (cathedral), Stortorget (town square) and Royal Palace. Alternately, explore Stockholm City Hall, with its iconic spire bearing the Swedish national coat of arms. Or, tour a 17th-century Swedish warship at the Vasa Museum, followed by a drive through the city center. Finally, you may opt for a tasting of local Nordic specialties.

Continue exploring Stockholm, perhaps on a walking tour of the city's Old Town or Vasa Museum. Return to Le Laperouse as your cruise heads towards Estonia.

Disembark in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, its cobblestoned medieval streetscapes intermingling historic churches with chic restaurants. Here, you might take in the Old Town’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Dome Hill, Town Hall and St. Mary’s Cathedral, capping your excursion off with a sampling of medieval dishes. Alternatively, you might opt for a brisk bog walk through an enchanting forest or a tour of a historic manor house in Lahemaa National Park with a sampling of Estonian vodka.

Today, your expedition takes you to the Finnish Aland Islands, a Swedish-speaking archipelago that convenes its own parliament and flies its own flag. This scenic enclave of sandy beaches and winding paths is a popular holiday destination among Northern Europeans. Arriving in the capital of Mariehamn, you might take in the picturesque bays and an open-air museum chronicling farm life in the 19th century. Alternately, you may choose to hike the island’s panoramic coast.

Uncover the charms and traditions of Helsinki, a political, intellectual and cultural capital renowned for its fiercely independent artists and architects. Today, you might explore Embassy Park, Helsinki Cathedral, the Parliament House, the National Museum of Finland, the new Opera House, historic Finlandia Hall, the unique underground Temppeliaukio Church and the Sibelius Monument. Or, opt for a private boat tour through the islands outside the Finnish capital, pausing at Suomenlinna Island, home to an imposing 18th-century military fortification.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your ship and crew, and transfer to the airport for your flight home.