Treasures of the Baltic - A Voyage from Helsinki to Stockholm

Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.

Built on the site where the River Kymijoki meets the Baltic Sea, picturesque Kotka has a long seafaring tradition. This morning we will explore the history of the region and visit the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge which was built in 1889 for Alexander III, the future Emperor of Russia who used it as a summer home. It is now a living museum situated in a stunning nature reserve on the river. We will continue to the Maritime Centre Vellamo where local guides will enlighten us about the maritime and cultural heritage of the region. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the old city from our central berth.

Arrive in the historic maritime city of Tallinn with her awe inspiring city walls and fortifications, narrow Medieval streets and gateways which remain remarkably well preserved. In the Upper Town we will enjoy the views from Dome Hill with the extraordinary vista of domes, spires and gables and see Toompea Castle, once a fortress, and now the seat of the Estonian parliament. Walking to the lower Old Town we will visit the main Square where we will find the oldest pharmacy in Europe, the Gothic Cathedral and the 15th century Town Hall. This afternoon you can choose to either explore further at your own pace or join a tour to the outskirts of Tallinn to Kadriorg Palace and Park, which were commissioned in 1718 by Russian Tsar Peter I, soon after his conquest of Estonia, in honour of his wife Catherine I. The palace was designed by Italian architect Nicola Michetti and its magnificent main hall is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Northern Europe. We will visit the art collection housed within the palace and spend time exploring the magnificent park with its fountains, hedges, and flowerbeds, modelled on Versailles.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we head for Riga. Perhaps find a spot on deck, listen to an informative talk in the lounge or enjoy a book in the library.

This morning we will explore Latvia’s capital by foot. Founded in the 13th century it became one of the most successful trading cities of the Baltic. Explore the Old Town with its Medieval streets lined with Hanseatic warehouses and punctuated with Gothic and Baroque churches including St Peter Cathedral, the largest Medieval church in the Baltic. Return to the ship for lunch and spend an afternoon exploring independently, maybe see the Art Nouveau district, visit one of the many local museums or the impressive central market housed in an old zeppelin hangar.

Founded in 1252 by the Teutonic Knights of East Prussia, Klaipeda was annexed by Hitler in 1939 and almost destroyed towards the end of World War II. Arriving over lunch we will explore the old town of Klaipeda including a stop in Theatre Square before strolling along the narrow atmospheric streets where in the past craftsmen including shoemakers, blacksmiths and bakers used to live and work. Continue towards the resort town Palanga where, after a walk through the Botanical park, we arrive at a 19th century Neo-Renaissance style mansion which houses the largest Amber Museum in the Baltics. Here we will learn all about ‘Baltic gold’ before returning to Klaipeda.

Gdansk’s 1000 years of history have left a collection of buildings and monuments designed in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. On a morning city tour we will walk along the cobbled streets of the Royal Way in the old quarter and view the elaborate architecture, including the 15th century merchant’s palace of Artus Court. Also see the pride of Gdansk, Gothic St Mary’s, which is the world’s largest brick church, accommodating some 25,000 worshippers. Alternatively, visit the 13th century Malbork Castle which belonged to the Teutonic Order and at the time was the largest castle in the world. Over the years it has been used as a royal residence as well as a fortress and was renovated after being damaged during World War II. In 1997 it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNSECO and now serves as a museum with grand exhibition halls displaying collections of armoury, ceramics, sculptures and spectacular Baltic amber. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon to explore further at your own pace.

Mid-morning we arrive in Sweden at one of the country’s oldest cities and ports, Kalmar, where we will berth close to the historical centre. A choice of afternoon tours will include Kalmar Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Scandinavia and a stronghold of royal power. Originating from the 12th century, the current building represents the rule of the Vasa Kings who rebuilt it in the style of a Renaissance palace. Alternatively, join a visit to the UNESCO island of Oland where we will see Stora Alvaret, a giant limestone plateau containing ancient remains, unique flora and fauna as well as the royal palace of Solliden. Built by Queen Victoria of Sweden in 1903, it is still used as a summer retreat by the Swedish Royal Family and we will have time to explore the extensive gardens and pavilion.

Today we visit this once important Hanseatic port on the island of Gotland. Best explored on foot, the beautifully preserved Medieval town snuggles inside 13th century walls, housing 44 watchtowers. In Viking times and several centuries after, the Swedish island of Gotland and especially the city of Visby became a centre of trade in the Baltic Sea and is a World Heritage Site. Walk its streets from the Middle Ages and see its gardens ablaze with flowers, earning the city its nickname ‘the city of ruins and roses’. Later, visit the impressive St Maria Cathedral and wander the paths of the Botanical Gardens. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further and maybe see the Viking exhibits at the Gotland Museum. Alternatively, join us for a ride on the Gotland Railway, a historic train travelling along the only remnant of Gotland’s once extensive railway network. We will see peaceful landscapes, passing through Tule and ending at Roma – a perfect way to admire rural Gotland. Later we drive to the west coast of Gotland, arriving at the fishing village of Gnisvärd where we will venture into the nearby forest to view a stone ship. Here, boulders, dating back to the Bronze Age, have assumed the form of a ship over 150 feet in length and are presumed to be marking a grave or cremation burials.

Be on deck this morning as we sail through the many islands of the Swedish archipelago. This is a great sailing area and the islands are peppered with attractive summer homes. Arriving into our city berth in the late morning there will be some free time before lunch on board. This afternoon there will be a choice of tours including the Vasa Museum, built around the 17th century warship which sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. The discovery of the Vasa in 1956 and subsequent salvage in 1961 is one of the most important events in marine archaeology. In addition to the well-preserved, elaborately decorated hull, thousands of items from the ship, including hundreds of sculptures, have been recovered. On our return to the MS Hebridean Sky we will drive through Old Stockholm and past the Parliament Building and Royal Palace which overlooks the inner harbour. Alternatively join the guided tour to historic Uppsala, one of the oldest cities in Sweden that has played a dominant role in the political, intellectual and historical development of the country. We start with its Medieval cathedral including the Renaissance tomb of Gustav Vasa and continue to the Linnaeus Garden, Sweden’s oldest botanic garden originally laid out in 1655. Spend some time in this beautiful, serene garden designed by Carl von Linne before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky for our overnight mooring.

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.