LONDON TO STOCKHOLM

Southampton is a city in Hampshire, South East England, 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 15 miles (24 km) west of Portsmouth.

Step back in time to the 14th century as you meander along the narrow streets of this medieval gem past gabled buildings and through the bustling market. Take a boat ride along the city’s canals. Or spend the day exploring Brussels and its famed Grand Place or Antwerp, home of Rubens and Bruegel, seeing the verdant countryside along the way.

In a city where almost everything is extraordinary in some way, Amsterdam is a blank canvas on which to make your own masterpiece of a visit. Behold the largest collections of Vincent Van Gogh works, handbags and all things cat related – in separate museums, of course. Hop on a canal boat, rent a bike or head out on foot in any direction and you will stumble on something unforgettable, like an ancient cathedral, a park carpeted in flowers or the iconic windmills that dot the Dutch landscape. Near the port town of Ijmuiden, Haarlem offers all the trappings of a quintessential Dutch city – picturesque canals, cozy cafés and cobbled lanes as well as the oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum.

Enjoy a picturesque 10-hour passage from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, between the city of Kiel and the mouth of the Elbe River. This great engineering achievement, completed in 1895, carves through the charming North German landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the German capital and savor landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the glorious Charlottenburg Palace. Stroll down Unter den Linden, see the site of the Berlin Wall and take a boat ride along the city’s canals. Explore on your own and visit one of the many museums. Or discover charming Warnemünde and its lovely Gothic church, market square and seaside promenade.

Largely rebuilt after World War II, Rønne still feels historic because even the new buildings reflect the older architecture. As a result, walking from more modern areas into the charming Old Town (Gamle Stan) is less noticeable. Don’t miss the 14th-century St. Nicholas Church, one of the more historic buildings on Bornholm Island, or the massive round-tower castle and its fascinating military museum in the south of Rønne. To better understand the island’s seafaring and natural history, visit Bornholm Museum.

Lithuania’s third largest city, Klaipeda has been in and out of the hands of the Russians, Swedes and Germans. Marvel at the impressive, and verbosely christened, St. Mergeles Marijos Taikos Karalienes Church tower and walk through Anika Square. Head to the pristine Baltic waters lapping at the broad sands of Smiltyne Beach. Or duck into the Clock Museum or Castle Museum

Enjoy the lovely countryside beyond the towered walls and take in the view of this former Hanseatic League town before exploring its narrow, winding lanes, marvelous ruined medieval churches and impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral. Or visit an intriguing Bronze Age burial in the midst of farmland and take in the cliff-top view of the precipitous coastline.

Once called the “Paris of the Baltics,” Riga has regained its status as a cosmopolitan capital with dozens of museums and arguably Europe’s most exceptional Art Nouveau architecture. Founded in 1201, Riga boasts a magnificent Old Town called “Vecriga.” Riga Castle, the residence of Latvia’s president, was built on the site of the original settlement next to the Daugava River. St. Mary’s Dome Cathedral is renowned for its stained glass windows and massive 19th century organ comprised of more than 6,500 pipes. Outside the city limits, traditional Latvian life is on display in outdoor exhibits at the Open Air Ethnographic Museum.

Finland’s only city located on an island, Kotka is full of Finnish coastal charm, rich in history and surrounded by idyllic landscapes. The dockside Merikeskus Vellamo is a top museum choice, offering an account of Finland’s seafaring history with exhibits on navigation, fishing and shipwrecks, while the Maretarium aquarium showcases an abundance of Finnish fish species that live according to the four seasons of Finland. Also in town, the Sapokka Water Garden is an urban oasis and park that continually garners accolades. You’ll quickly discover the park’s unity is guided by water – waterfalls, small brooks, ponds and of course, the sea. Just north of Kotka, escape to the Valkmusa National Park for excellent birding and peaceful marshland hikes.

Step back in time as you walk through this beautifully preserved medieval town and discover its upper and lower levels, the guild houses, the churches and squares, the famous apothecary shop and the exquisite town hall. See delightful parks, Baroque palaces and a ruined 15th century convent. Or visit a lovely recreated rural Estonian village by the sea.

Spend a marvelous day discovering this lovely city and its beautiful buildings. Visit the charming Old Town, medieval Gamla Stan, the elegant royal palace, the wonderful parks and the impressive Vasa, the magnificently restored 17th century warship that sank in the harbor on her maiden voyage.

Your cruise stay holiday concludes today in Stockholm