Day 1 - Sunday - Jun 23, 2024
Day 2 - Monday - Jun 24, 2024
Arrive in Helsinki-Finland's stylish capital known for its creativity, architecture, and vibrant contemporary design scene-in the morning, and transfer from the airport to the ship before lunch. Choose from several options during our time here: a traditional Finnish foraging excursion; a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna Fortress; or a trip back in time to the home of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, one of Finland's most notable statesmen. We'll stay docked in Helsinki overnight so you can enjoy the city at your leisure in the evening. Explore in and around Finland's capital with the local experts: tour a grand estate in Porvoo or visit Seurasaari Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditions of rural Finland. (Day 1: L,D; Day 2: B,L,D)
Day 3 - Tuesday - Jun 25, 2024
| Ekenas Archipelago National Park, Finland |
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Today, we'll explore Finland's southern coastline, with its numerous bays, inlets, and islands rich with natural history. Navigate the labyrinthine passages of Ekenas Archipelago National Park by kayak or Zodiac and disembark to explore its rocky and windswept islets. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Wednesday - Jun 26, 2024
Arrive in Mariehamn, the capital of Finland's Aland Islands, an autonomous region made up of over 6,700 islands where 90% of the population speaks Swedish. Delve into the rich history of the islands, get a taste for their musical and culinary traditions, and learn how the Baltic Sea has connected major empires throughout history. Set off on a hike or a bike ride along its shores, or venture out into the harbor of Mariehamn on the zodiacs to explore the historic pilot station, Kobba Klintar. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Thursday - Jun 27, 2024
| Captain's Choice, United States |
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Day 6 - Friday - Jun 28, 2024
| Cruising Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden |
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Day 7 - Saturday - Jun 29, 2024
Experience the natural beauty and cultural history of the largest archipelago in Sweden as we cruise among countless islands and past Fredriksborg Fortress on our way into Swedish capital. We'll stay docked in Stockholm overnight so you can enjoy this magical Scandinavian city at your leisure. The next day, marvel at an amazingly preserved 17th-century wooden warship Vasa, housed in Stockholm's Vasa Museum. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit the Royal Armory to see the sparkling costumes and carriages of Sweden's monarchs. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Sunday - Jun 30, 2024
Spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Visby, a former Viking settlement on the island of Gotland and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Scandinavia. Stroll the old town's cobbled streets and walk along its 13th-century wall. Then visit the Gotland Museum, where an incomparable collection showcases Swedish history, from eighth-century picture stones to the discovery in 1999 of the Spillings Hoard, a treasure trove of Viking silver. Alternatively, head into the countryside for a visit to a sheep farm, or join a local guide for a bike ride, enjoying amazing views of the medieval town of Visby and the harbor. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Monday - Jul 1, 2024
Enjoy a leisurely sail through the narrow Kalmar Strait, which separates the Swedish mainland from the island of Oland. Visit Kalmar Castle, a seaside Renaissance castle set on the site where the Kalmar Union was signed in 1397, bringing Norway, Sweden, and Denmark under a single monarch. Or venture to Oland, a long island of limestone heaths, biodiversity, and prehistory, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its first inhabitants date back some 6,000 years. As we explore the island's coast, learn about its Mesolithic and Neolithic sites and discover its diverse flora and fauna-including a surprising number of bird species. On a guided tour of the Ottenby Bird Observatory, where researchers have been studying migratory birds since 1946, learn about bird banding-a technique used to study the approximate 140 species that migrate through the region each year. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Tuesday - Jul 2, 2024
Sail to the tiny isle of Christianso, where Danish fortifications date from 1684. Join the National Geographic photography expert for a walk among the colorful buildings of this car-free island, home to less than 100 people and just one species of mammal: the hedgehog. This afternoon, we cruise to Bornholm Island. Hike the coast trail to the clifftop ruins of the Hammershus fortress, or visit the island's round churches and the harbor village of Svaneke, voted Denmark's most beautiful town in 2013. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Wednesday - Jul 3, 2024
Arrive in Poland and take in Gdansk's art and architectural highlights, including the Gothic Renaissance Town Hall and the National Museum. Visit the Westerplatte peninsula, where World War II began with the German invasion of Poland, and take a guided tour of the European Solidarity Center. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Thursday - Jul 4, 2024
Enjoy a day at sea, as we sail into the Gulf of Riga, with lectures by the experts, photography workshops with the certified photo instructors, and National Geographic photography expert. Enjoy a scenic sailing into Riga this evening.
Day 13 - Friday - Jul 5, 2024
Take a walking tour through Riga's UNESCO World Heritage-designated center, passing wooden houses, Art Nouveau architecture, and funky cafes. Wander through the airy Central Market-one of Europe's largest markets, housed in old Zeppelin airship hangers. Or drive to the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, situated in a wooded park on the outskirts of the city. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Saturday - Jul 6, 2024
Cross the Gulf of Riga to Estonia arriving in Tallinn this afternoon. Stroll the cobbled, medieval streets of the walled Old Town on a guided walking tour, and see the Kiek in de Kok, a 15th-century defensive tower. Visit Town Hall Square and take in the view of Tallinn's picturesque spires and gables from Dome Hill. Enjoy the city at your leisure this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Sunday - Jul 7, 2024
This morning, after breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flights home. (B)
