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12 Night Scandinavia Cruise from Helsinki

Ship: National Geographic Explorer

Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions

Sailed: Sunday, Jul 7, 2024 from Helsinki, Finland

Ended: Friday, Jul 19, 2024

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Sunday, Jul 7, 2024 departure of the National Geographic Explorer. If Lindblad Expeditions modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Sunday - Jul 7, 2024

Helsinki, Finland

Arrive in Helsinki and transfer into the heart of the city. Take a panoramic city tour before you embark and set sail this evening. (D)

Day 2 - Monday - Jul 8, 2024

Ekenas Archipelago National Park, Finland

Hundreds of rocky, windswept islands dot Finland's coast. We will pause in the Ekenas Archipelago National Park and explore its many islands, harbors, and inlets by Zodiac and kayak. These islands are a habitat for white-tailed eagles, nesting waterfowl, and gulls, among other avian species. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Tuesday - Jul 9, 2024

Mariehamn, Finland

Discover a fascinating autonomous region today, Finland's Aland Islands where most residents speak Swedish. Spend the day in the capital of this 6,700-island archipelago, Mariehamn, with options to delve into the islands' rich seafaring history with museum visits or to explore by foot, bike, or Zodiac. Museum options include the Pommern, a four-masted bark that was donated to the city after World War II, and the Mariehamn Maritime Museum. Other opportunities to explore by land include hiking or biking a shoreline trail. Another option is to travel by Zodiac out of the Mariehamn harbor to the islands' historic pilot station. Called Kobba Klintar, it's a scenic spot where you can see the 1862 house of pilots who have helped countless captains navigate this tricky harbor over the years. This evening, enjoy the quaint downtown of Mariehamn-known as "the town of the thousand Linden trees"-at your leisure since the ship will be docked here overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Wednesday - Jul 10, 2024

Stockholm, Sweden

Sail among the serene islands of Sweden, past the 18th-century circular Fredriksborg Fortress and into the capital's port. Stockholm is spread over 14 islands, and an overnight docking allows freedom to experience this magical city at night with the lights of harborside restaurants reflecting on the water. The morning brings the opportunity to discover the city's cultural treasures: At the Vasa Museum, see the eponymous well-preserved 17th-century wooden warship; and on a walking tour of the city's Old Town, learn about the country's monarchy at the Royal Armory through displays of regal clothing, jewelry, and carriages. Choose to visit Fotografiska, the museum of photography that has exhibited legends like Annie Leibovitz, or the Millesgarden, a spectacular sculpture garden built on terraces on the island of Lidingo. Before the end of the day, enjoy a local music performance curated by the onboard ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Thursday - Jul 11, 2024

Stockholm, Sweden

Day 6 - Friday - Jul 12, 2024

Visby, Sweden

Today, explore the well-preserved 12th-century town of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the large island of Gotland. A medieval ring wall with original towers and gates encircles the city, a Hanseatic town that was a Viking settlement. Thousands of years of Swedish history unfold at the Gotland Museum where treasures include eighth-century picture stones and Viking silver. Outside Visby, the island has more than 150 nature reserves, sea stacks in the wild and windswept northern part of the island, and flower-filled meadows, shipwrecks, and beaches in the south. There are opportunities today to visit a sheep farm or ride a bicycle on a scenic coastal trail. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Saturday - Jul 13, 2024

Ahus, Sweden

Discover the picturesque town of Ahus with its cobblestoned roads, colorfully painted wooden houses, and 60-mile crescent shaped beach. Learn about its small-scale eel fishing tradition, a craft inherited from father to son since the 13th century and recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Visit Ales Stenar, Sweden's best-preserved tumulus: 59 standing stones erected 1,400 years ago in the shape of a boat. Although no one is sure why the stone design was created, we know the formation stands over a 5,500-year-old burial site. This afternoon, enjoy a tasting at the Absolut distillery, where vodka is made exclusively with grain from southern Sweden. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Sunday - Jul 14, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

Today we dock in the center of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, just steps from the Little Mermaid statue. Take a panoramic walking tour of the city visiting Borsen, the 17th-century stock exchange, and Christiansborg, a palace and the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Later, enjoy a canal tour into the heart of Christianshavn and a performance by local musicians. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Monday - Jul 15, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 10 - Tuesday - Jul 16, 2024

Oslo, Norway

Our day in Norway's capital will include Frogner Park, a masterfully landscaped outdoor sculpture park featuring hundreds of life-size figures by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Learn about Norway's role in polar exploration at the Fram Museum, which is built around the original ship that Amundsen, Nansen, and others sailed aboard to discover new regions of both poles. Spend an evening at your leisure in beautiful Oslo as the ship will be docked near the capital overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Wednesday - Jul 17, 2024

Oslo, Norway

Day 12 - Thursday - Jul 18, 2024

Cruising the Fjords

We conclude our voyage with a day exploring one of Norway's most stunning fjords. Discover quaint villages with narrow streets and wooden houses-many centered around their time-old fishing traditions-and learn about local customs. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Friday - Jul 19, 2024

Bergen, Norway

This morning, disembark in Bergen after breakfast and transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)