Circumnavigating the Baltic Sea

Days 1-2

U.S. / Copenhagen, Denmark / Embark Ship

After an overnight flight, arrive in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Sail past the iconic trading houses and historic homes of Copenhangen's neighborhoods during an afternoon canal cruise. Then embark National Geographic Explorer. Lunch and dinner are served on Day 2.

Day 3

Christiansø & Bornholm

Sail to the tiny isle of Christiansø, where Danish fortifications date from 1684. Join our National Geographic Photography Expert for a walk among the colorful buildings of this car-free island, home to fewer than 100 people and just one species of mammal: the hedgehog. This afternoon, we cruise to Bornholm Island. Hike the coastal trail to the clifftop ruins of the Hammershus fortress, visit the island's unique round churches, or visit local producers that are part of the farm to table renaissance on this small island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Gdańsk, Poland

Arrive in Poland and take in Gdańsk’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. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

At Sea / Riga, Latvia

Take advantage of this day at sea to unwind with a massage in the spa or a session in the fitness center, get lost in a book in the library, or soak up the views from the rooftop observation deck. Benefit from lectures by our experts as well as photography workshops with our Certified Photo Instructors and National Geographic Photography Expert. Then, enjoy a scenic sailing into Riga this evening.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Riga

Take a walking tour through Riga’s UNESCO World Heritage-designated center, passing wooden houses, art nouveau architecture, and funky cafés. Wander through the airy Central Market – Europe’s largest market, housed in old Zeppelin airship hangers. Or drive to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, situated in a wooded park on the outskirts of the city.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Tallinn, Estonia

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 Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Visit Town Hall Square and take in the view of Tallinn’s picturesque spires and gables from Dome Hill. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8-9

Helsinki, Finland

This morning we arrive in Helsinki, a stylish capital known for its creativity, architecture, and vibrant contemporary design scene. Choose from several options during our time here: a traditional Finnish foraging excursion; a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna Fortress; or witness the architectural past and present of Finland's most notable architects. Then explore in and around Finland’s capital: tour a grand estate in Porvoo or visit Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditions of rural Finland. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Exploring Coastal Finland

Today we explore Finland’s southern coastline, with its numerous bays, inlets, and islands rich with natural history. Navigate the labyrinthine passages of Ekenäs Archipelago National Park by kayak or Zodiac and disembark to explore its rocky and windswept islets. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 11-12

Åland Islands

Arrive in Mariehamn, the capital of Finland’s Åland Islands, an autonomous region made up of more than 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. Explore the ruins of the Bomarsund fortress, Russia's doomed fortress in the Åland Islands; meet local producers who help grow over 70% of Finland's apples; or discover the maritime traditions of the islands with a visit to a captain's estate and to the Pommern, one of only four remaining Flying-P Liner sailing cargo ships.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 13-14

Stockholm Archipelago / Stockholm, Sweden

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 to the Swedish capital. We stay docked in Stockholm overnight so guests can enjoy this magical Scandinavian city at their leisure. The next day, marvel at the 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 Armoury to see the sparkling costumes and carriages of Sweden’s monarchs.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Visby, Gotland

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 in1999 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. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16

Öland, Sweden

Enjoy a leisurely sail through the narrow Kalmar Strait, which separates the Swedish mainland from the island of Öland. Visit Kalmar Castle, a seaside Renaissance castle set on the site where the Kalmar Union was formed in 1397, bringing Norway, Sweden, and Denmark under a single monarch. Or venture to Öland, 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. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17

Copenhagen, Denmark / Disembark Ship

Disembark this morning in Copenhagen and transfer to the airport for flights home. 

Meals Included: Breakfast