03 Aug Dover, England
Embark Quest for Adventure. Depart 1800.
Dover is situated at the mouth of a valley in the chalk uplands that form the famous white cliffs. A pre-Roman settlement existed on the site and, as Dubris, the place was important for Roman traffic with the European mainland.
The town's strategic position on the south coast has been evident throughout its history. Archaeological digs in the area have revealed that the area has always been a focus for people entering and leaving Britain.
Bombed and shelled during World War Two, the shattered seafront was subsequently redeveloped after the war and is now the foremost passenger port in the United Kingdom.
06 Aug Stockholm, Sweden
Arrive 1300 on August 6. Depart 1400 on August 7.
Gracefully set on 14 islands and connected by 40 bridges, Stockholm is the Baltic’s largest seaport. Surrounded by clear waters and unspoilt countryside, it is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
The city’s rich and fascinating history is reflected in the ornate architecture of its churches, castles, bridges and elegant open squares. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is located on the island of Stadsholmen, and is characterised by narrow medieval streets. Here you can see the majestic exterior of the 18th-century Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral.
Stockholm, incredibly has over 100 museums that are visited by millions of people every year. The National museum is the most renowned, with over 16,000 paintings and 30,000 items of art handicraft. This amazing collection of art is Sweden's largest with works by Rembrandt and many other artists.
Between April and October, it's possible to rent a bicycle by purchasing a bike card online or through one of many retailers. The card allows you to rent, and return, a bike from many of the bike stands spread throughout the city. The 3 day rental option is the most popular with tourists, allowing you to extend the rental period if you wish to do so.
08 Aug Helsinki, Finland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
The cultural, commercial and political centre of Finland, this delightful Scandinavian capital has no high-rise buildings and an intimate small-town feel, with spacious streets interspersed with gardens and parks.
As the most northerly of European capitals founded by King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden, the city’s grand architecture reveals a mixture of Swedish, Russian and international influences and it is often called the ‘white city of the north’ as many of its buildings are made from a local light-coloured granite.
09 Aug St Petersburg, Russia
Arrive 0830 on August 9. Depart 1800 on August 11.
This relatively young city has packed a lot into its 300 years, and is brimming with historic treasures including ornate palaces, splendid gardens and world-renowned museums.
You can learn about the revolution of 1917 and chart the periods of change faced by Russia in the 20th century as it forged a new path in the Soviet era. The city is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ as it has many bridges over the river Neva, an important part of the city.
In 1991, a referendum took place for the renaming of the city. After being named Leningrad since 1924, the city supported "St. Petersburg" and was officially renamed in September, 1991.
The skyline over St. Petersburg is relatively low as there are no skyscrapers. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is the tallest building in the city, standing at just over 400ft. The controversial Ohkta Centre, is a city endorsed project said to be looking to build a super tall skyscraper over 1300ft.
12 Aug Tallinn, Estonia
Arrive 0700. Depart 1745.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a truly magical experience and has one of the most beautifully preserved medieval centres in Europe.
The Upper Town is characterized by watchtowers, graceful spires and winding cobbled streets, while the Lower Town offers red gabled roofs and soaring spires.
The golden era in Tallinn’s history came in the period between the early 15th and mid 16th centuries when the city attained fame and a powerful role in the Baltic Sea area through its membership of the Hanseatic League.
14 Aug Copenhagen, Denmark
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
By the 11th century, Copenhagen was already an important trading and fishing centre and today you will find an attractive city which, although the largest in Scandinavia, has managed to retain its low-level skyline.
Discover some of the famous attractions including Gefion Fountain, the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace, perhaps cruise the city’s waterways, visit Frederiksborg Castle or explore the medieval fishing village of Dragoer.
Once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen features many reminders of its fairytale heritage and lives up to the reputation immortalised in the famous song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’.
15 Aug Warnemünde (for Berlin), Germany
Arrive 0600. Depart 2000.
The former fishing village of Warnemünde has ten miles of golden sands which stretch along Germany’s north-east coast, where the River Warnow flows into the Baltic.
This intriguing resort plays host to a number of events throughout the sailing calendar and its beach is only a five-minute walk from the pier. Warnemunde's famous lighthouse was built in 1897. Standing 37 metres high, the lighthouse gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy impressive views over the Baltic Sea and northern parts of Rosock, and is still in use today.
The other interesting landmark is the nearby Teepott, with its slightly curved roof, houses restaurants and a sea voyage exhibition. Built in the 1960s the Teepott is interesting East German architecture.
17 Aug Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Netherlands
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
The cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands is one of Europe’s great cities, where elegant canals and waterways wind their way through its heart. Much of the city’s charm dates from the 17th century, and an abundance of attractive houses from this era line the narrow cobbled streets.
The compact layout of the city ensures that many delights can be sampled in a short stay. Perhaps relax in the canal-side bars and cafes, join a memorable cruise along the waterways, or savour the impressive array of artwork on display in the many galleries.
18 Aug Dover, England
Arrive 0800. Disembark Quest for Adventure after breakfast.
Dover is situated at the mouth of a valley in the chalk uplands that form the famous white cliffs. A pre-Roman settlement existed on the site and, as Dubris, the place was important for Roman traffic with the European mainland.
The town's strategic position on the south coast has been evident throughout its history. Archaeological digs in the area have revealed that the area has always been a focus for people entering and leaving Britain.
Bombed and shelled during World War Two, the shattered seafront was subsequently redeveloped after the war and is now the foremost passenger port in the United Kingdom.
