Cruising the Baltic Sea: Copenhagen to St. Petersburg

Arrive in Copenhagen and transfer to your luxury vessel this afternoon. Join fellow guests for an onboard welcome reception this evening.

Leave Copenhagen behind and settle into your luxury small ship as it makes its way toward Poland. The enrichment program begins today with the first presentations by your guest speakers, who provide insight on the history and culture of the countries on your itinerary. You may also take advantage of the ship facilities, including relaxing lounges, panoramic fitness room and sauna.

Spend the day as you wish in Gdansk, with shore excursions led by our experts on the ground. Perhaps take a guided walking tour through Old Town, visiting the Golden Gate, Artus Court, Gdansk Town Hall, St. Mary’s Church and Neptune’s Fountain before strolling along the Moltawa River. Alternately, visit the Museum of the Second World War, take a scenic countryside drive and pay an introspective visit to the Stutthof concentration camp. Or traverse the Brick Gothic Srodmiescie district to the European Solidarity Center, where you learn about the Solidarity Movement and see where the August Agreements were signed. Finally, choose to visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, followed by a lunch of local specialties. Back on board your luxury cruiser, attend a talk by Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former president of Poland Mr. Lech Walesa, followed by cocktails and a meet-and-greet.

Explore the port city of Klaipeda on an optional walking tour of Old Town, visiting the old castle grounds, German-style warehouses and Theatre Square with its Simon Dach Fountain, followed by a visit to the new Museum 39-45. Alternately, stop by the oldest Lithuanian brewery for a tour and tasting, or visit a nearby cattle farm. Return to the ship in time for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising.

Soak up the charms of Latvia with a day trip to its quirky capital, Riga. Join a walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and attend an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral. Discover Riga’s famed Art Nouveau-style architecture, which encompasses about one-third of the city center buildings. Opt for a walking stroll featuring some of the most remarkable façades, and visit the Art Nouveau Museum, with its authentic 1903 interior. Foodies can choose to whet their appetites with a visit to the bustling Central Market followed by a hands-on cooking class in one of Riga’s top restaurants. For a more active experience, a bike ride takes you through Riga’s Old Town as well as the park-like Great Cemetery, where you learn about Latvian family traditions.

Arriving in Stockholm this afternoon, choose from one of several excursions ashore. Perhaps take a walking tour of Gamla Stan (Old Town), reveling at the Storkyrkan cathedral and Stortorget; then, visit the Royal Palace. Alternately, explore Stockholm City Hall, with its iconic spire featuring the Swedish national coat of arms. You may instead see a 17th-century Swedish warship and recovered artifacts at the Vasa Museum, followed by a drive through the city center. Or take a thrilling guided tour from the rooftop of the Old Parliament House. Finally, you may partake in a Nordic food experience, sampling Swedish specialties from local purveyors.

Continue exploring Stockholm, perhaps visiting Drottningholm Palace and Theater. Art lovers can take an art tour, starting at Milles Garden and proceeding to Waldemarsudde, former home of landscape painter Prince Eugen. See his work and collection of Swedish turn-of-the-19th-century art. This afternoon, either soak up the breathtaking views of Stockholm from the city’s rooftops, visit the famous 17th-century ‘Vasa’ warship or take a guided walk through Old Town.

Disembark in Tallinn and take a guided walking tour of the city’s Old Town, admiring Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and vistas from atop Dome Hill. Then, see the main square, home to the Town Hall, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the oldest pharmacy in Europe. End the day sampling medieval dishes at a neighborhood restaurant. Opt for a taste of nature, leaving the city behind for a brisk bog walk through the enchanting Estonian forest. Or instead, drive past Tallinn’s Old Town en route to Lahemaa National Park, where you sample Estonian vodka or herbal teas alongside local nibbles at Palmse Manor.

Uncover the charms and traditions of Helsinki on a number of included excursions. Take a panoramic tour and see Embassy Park and Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square. Continue along Mannerheim Street — Helsinki’s main thoroughfare — and see the Parliament House; the National Museum of Finland; Finlandia Hall, the stadium that hosted the 1952 Olympics; and the new Opera House. Then visit the unique underground Temppeliaukio Church and the Sibelius Monument. Alternately, explore medieval Porvoo, which includes a guided cruise along the Porvoo River and parts of the Gulf of Finland archipelago. At Haikko Manor, sit down to a waterfront lunch. Return to Helsinki for a brief city tour, stopping at Sibelius Park and Senate Square before passing the Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Others may decide to relax like a local with a Finnish sauna experience and nature walk.

Bid farewell to your ship and crew and disembark in St. Petersburg for three days of exploration. Art connoisseurs can view the famous Impressionist collection at the Hermitage General Staff Building, including works from Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Matisse. History buffs can tour St. Isaac’s Cathedral, adorned with ornate mosaics, icons and columns of malachite and lapis lazuli. Should you prefer, visit Peter and Paul Fortress as well as the Fabergé Museum. Finally, you can partake in a cooking class, where you prepare brilliantly hued Russian borscht alongside a local chef. Then, check in to your luxurious hotel, where your luggage awaits. Gather early this evening to pay an after-hours visit to the opulent Hermitage Museum, seeing its collection of artworks from the Stone Age to modern times.

Enjoy further exploration of St. Petersburg for the next two days. Gain early access to Rococo-style Catherine Palace and its storied Amber Room. Continue to Peterhof, viewing the breathtaking Grand Cascade. Stroll through the park and witness the palace of Monplaisir before returning to St. Petersburg by private hydrofoil. Alternately, view the Impressionist collection at the Hermitage Museum, followed by a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral, or visit Peter and Paul Fortress and the Fabergé Museum. This evening, enjoy a private farewell dinner, complete with live entertainment. The next day, select from the excursions you may have missed, or enjoy time exploring on your own.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue on A&K’s group extension to Moscow.