Iconic Capitals & Towns of the Baltic

Helsinki sits on the southern peninsula of Finland, where soft-hued neoclassical buildings stand beside striking modern architecture. The Kallio district is lined with boutiques and restaurants serving local dishes such as graavilohi, a sweet marinated salmon. Keskuspuisto park lies a short distance from the centre, and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Le Champlain sails at 6:30 pm.

Tallinn opens onto the Baltic Sea in the far north of Estonia, and its medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow streets lead to the gothic town hall, standing since 1404, the Kiek in de Kok tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle. A walking tour of the old town is among the activities offered, and an included excursion, Tallinn & folklore, is available on this call.

Stockholm occupies an archipelago where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea. In Gamla Stan, the old town, medieval streets lead to the Royal Palace. The ship remains in the Swedish capital overnight, leaving time to explore beyond the old town.

The green island of Djurgarden brings several cultural sites together. The Vasa Museum is devoted to a 17th century three-masted ship, Skansen presents traditional Swedish customs, and the ABBA Museum celebrates the pop group. The SkyView gondola rides up the Ericsson Globe for a panorama over the city. A tour of Stockholm and a visit to the Vasa Museum are among the activities offered before the ship departs.

Visby, on the west coast of the Swedish island of Gotland, is a Hanseatic town whose fortifications enclose a UNESCO World Heritage old town. The grand homes of wealthy merchants stand beside low wooden houses on cobbled lanes. Landmarks include St Mary’s Cathedral with its octagonal steeples and the Powder Tower on the town wall. Saffron pancakes with red fruit are a Gotland speciality, often enjoyed in one of the rose-covered cafes.

Gdansk, nicknamed the golden door of Poland, is known for the Hanseatic gables and colourful facades of its old town. Craft shops line the Vistula quays, amber jewellers fill elegant Mariacka Street, and the Church of St Mary holds an astronomical clock. The Long Market square is home to the Artus Court and the Gdansk History Museum. A Polish classical music concert is among the activities offered during the call.

Gudhjem is a medieval fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm, one of the most visited villages in Denmark. Half-timbered houses with red roofs line its narrow streets, set between rocky cliffs, dense forest and white sand beaches. The first herring smokehouses were built here in the mid-19th century, drawing fishermen from across the region.

The voyage ends in Copenhagen, which spreads across the eastern shore of Sealand a few kilometres from the Swedish coast. Canals thread through the historic districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn, and several palaces trace the story of the Danish monarchy. Smorrebrod, the traditional open sandwiches topped with ham, cheese or smoked fish, is the local dish to try.