Exploring the Baltics Historic Waterways

Sail through eight countries united by the Baltic Sea, encountering fascinating cultures and long-neglected histories.

Discover fairytale castles and the “city of ruins and roses,” before delving into the European capitals of Copenhagen, Stockholm and St. Petersburg, where you'll spend three nights at the superb Grand Hotel Europe. Each of the capitals has an Old Town, and the buildings have been beautifully restored; especially moving are those of Tallinn and Riga, flourishing in the 21st century. The great cities and Hansa towns of Lubeck and Gdansk are balanced with peaceful island stops for nature walks, where the vitality of summer enhances your experience.

Itinerary

DAY 1 — U.S. / Fly overnight to St. Petersburg, Russia

DAY 2-5 — Petersburg / Embark Ship
St. Petersburg, with its grand palaces, canals and parks, is an illustrious start to our journey. We check in to the five-star Grand Hotel Europe and spend three days exploring St. Petersburg’s imperial luxuries and artistic bounty: the Hermitage, with its renowned art collections, the grandiose Peter & Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter the Great’s Summer Palace at Petrodvorets, with its gilded fountains and grand cascade, and the opulent palace of Catherine the Great at Pushkin. On one evening, dinner will be on your own with the option to attend a musical performance at Catherine’s private bijou theater in the Hermitage. On Day 5 we are the first guests to embark National Geographic Explorer, docked in sight of the grand Hermitage Museum. With champagne in hand, we gather on deck for the ship’s thrilling departure from St. Petersburg along the Neva River. In the evening, we meet our fellow guests and staff members at a welcome reception and dinner. (Day 2: D; Day 4: B,L; Days 3 & 5: B,L,D)

DAY 6 — Tallinn, Estonia
Our first stop is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, known for its awe-inspiring city walls and narrow, well-preserved medieval streets. Our walking tour includes the scenic Old Town (a World Heritage Site) and Town Hall Square, where a new breed of entrepreneurs have proudly opened an array of shops, cafes and galleries. A highlight is the vista from Dome Hill of Tallinn’s picturesque assortment of spires and gables. Our ship will remain here late into the evening, so those who wish may have dinner ashore or continue exploring on your own. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 — Helsinki, Finland
After a leisurely morning at sea, we make a scenic approach to Helsinki, tying up right in town. The Russian influence on Finnish architecture is immediately evident on our guided walk. Highlights include the magnificent Cathedral Tuomiokirkko, the busy open-air market and a ferry ride to the Suomenlinna Fortress (a World Heritage Site), located on a group of islands which strategically dominate the sea approach to the city. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — Swedish Archipelago
Today we wind our way through the enchanting islands of the archipelago. At Bullerö Nature Reserve an afternoon of swimming, hiking and kayaking works up our appetites for a feast of local salmon. And in true Swedish tradition, a sauna and a dip in the cool Baltic Sea round out the day. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — Stockholm
The city that “floats on water,” Stockholm is built on 14 islands. Our exploration begins with a Zodiac cruise along Stockholm’s scenic canals. A guided walk takes us through the cobbled streets of the Old Town Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace and the famed Vasa Museum with its remarkable 17th-century warship, raised virtually intact in 1961.(B,L,D)

DAY 10 — Visby, Gotland, Sweden
During the Viking Era, and for several hundred years onwards, the island of Gotland and especially the city of Visby, became a center of trade in the Baltic Sea. Visby is a well-preserved, walled city (a World Heritage Site) with streets from the Middle Ages and gardens ablaze with flowers, earning the city its nickname “the city of ruins and roses.” See the superb Viking exhibits at the Fornsal Museum and explore the botanical gardens. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 — Riga, Latvia
A beautiful Hanseatic city dating from 1201, Riga is dominated by its jumble of eclectic architecture from many periods. The historic city center is a World Heritage Site, recognized as having the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe. We explore the Old Town and 14th-century Riga Castle. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 — At Sea
Time at sea to hear talks about the Baltic’s intriguing history and exciting future. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — Gdánsk, Poland
Homeland to our notable guest speaker Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of Poland, Gdansk is known as the birthplace of Solidarity. We dock at the historic shipyards with its moving Solidarity Monument, and stroll the red-brick inner city with its old merchant’s houses and 15th-century Artus Court. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 — Christiansø & Bornholm Islands, Denmark
Land by Zodiac at tiny Christiansø for a morning of reflection and photography in this artists’ village that now occupies the site of an 18th-century castle. Continue to verdant Bornholm, rich in natural history, and see the ruins of ancient Hammershus Castle. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 — Lübeck, Germany
Today we explore lovely Lübeck, designated a World Heritage Site and once the medieval capital of the Hanseatic League, Europe’s first Common Market. A boat ride along the canals gives us an overview of the Hanseatic and Renaissance architecture. After lunch, join a guided walk exploring this culturally rich city. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 — Copenhagen, Denmark/Disembark/Home
After breakfast, disembark in Copenhagen and have a brief stop to see and photograph the famed statue of The Little Mermaid en route to the airport for flights home. (B)

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