21 May Dover, England
Embark Quest for Adventure. Depart 1600.
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.
23 May Skagen, Denmark
Arrive 1300. Depart 1900. Land by launch or tender.
Denmark's most northerly cruise port, Skagen can be found on the east coast of North Jutland. A popular yachting port, it is also the largest fishing port in the country.
24 May Copenhagen, Denmark
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
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’.
26 May Turku, Finland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Turku is a city on the south-west coast of Finland and is a regional capital. The area is named 'The Capital of Culture', and there are as many as 155 cultural events which take place in the city each year. From the harbour, you're not far from some of the city's best attractions. Turku Castle, which is one of the biggest tourist landmarks, is a stone's throw from the port. The castle dates back to the 1280s and has been renovated to restore it to its former glory. Not too far from the castle, you'll also find Turku Cathedral, one of the city's most historical and notable pieces of architecture.
In the centre of this regional capital, you'll also find many theatres and art galleries, as well as a shopping centre and a local market. If you'd rather relax than explore, bars and restaurants are in abundance. The local cuisine mainly consists of pizzerias.
27 May Vaasa, Finland
Arrive 0830. Depart 1700.
Lying in the narrowest part of the Gulf of Bothnia, Vaasa is the largest town on the west coast of Finland and comprises of two islands – Vaskiluoto to the west and Pikisaari to the north. The town was named after the Swedish Royal house of Vasa and almost 30% of the population speaks Swedish making it the largest bilingual town in the country.
The town blends both Swedish and Finnish culture, and has become an educational, cultural and tourist centre which highlights the town’s importance in history. It was twice destroyed by war (in 1714 and 1800) and again by a great fire in 1852. From 1862 it was rebuilt on the new coastline, which had moved west as a result of a rise in the level of the land. Architect Carl Axel Setterberg oversaw the rebuilding and designed the new town with broad avenues to reduce the risk of fire.
28 May Oulu, Finland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
29 May Lulea, Sweden
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
The seaport of Luleå is the county town of Norrbotten län. It is located on a peninsula at the mouth of the Lule River, where it enters the Gulf of Bothnia and is exposed to the full force of the northerly winds. Sometimes called the 'metropolis of the north', Gustavus Adolphus originally founded the town 7 miles further upriver in 1621 and it was moved to its present site in 1649.
In 1887 Luleå was almost entirely destroyed by fire and its buildings are new – the church, Norrbotten Museum and a technical school being the most important. The iron ore mined at Gellivara is exported through Lulea and there are smelting works at nearby Karlsvik. The port also exports timber, which is floated down the Lule river in large quantities. The port is normally icebound from November until the end of May.
30 May Umea, Sweden
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Umea is the centre of education in Sweden and the biggest city in Norrland. Because of its large student population, the area is full of musical and cultural events throughout the year. The Ume River runs through the centre, so all of its main attractions are within walking distance.
If you're interested in Umea's history and culture, you'll be spoilt for choice with the range of museums. A couple of them include Bildmuseet, a gallery which exhibits modern art; and Vasterbottens, a cultural history museum. If you want to discover some of the area's natural beauty, there's a host of parks and nature reserves which are a stark contrast to the busier parts of this vibrant city.
31 May Hudiksvall, Sweden
Arrive 0800. Depart 1530.
Considered to be the oldest town in north Sweden, Hudiksvall has a rich heritage of farming, seafaring and forestry. Its long and varied history is beautifully illustrated through the variety of architectural designs which span many centuries.
Since the early 19th century, the town has been called ‘Glada Hudik’ or ‘Happy Hudik’ because of the communities’ friendly hospitality towards visitors and each other. Blending architecture, far-reaching farming landscapes and beautiful scenery, Hudiksvall is the perfect example of typical Swedish culture and community.
01 Jun Stockholm, Sweden
Arrive 0800. Depart 1830.
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.
02 Jun Visby, Sweden
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Situated on the island of Gotland approximately 60 miles from the Swedish mainland, Visby is a beautifully preserved medieval port which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Known as the ‘town of roses and ruins’, this unique location is one of the most important reminders of the Hanseatic League, featuring cobbled streets and architectural relics of bygone times.
The imposing two-and-a-half mile city wall located here dates from the 13th century and is a monument to the great wealth accumulated here during the era of successful merchant trading.
03 Jun Rønne, Denmark
Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.
Rønne is the capital of Bornholm, a tiny island to the east of Denmark characterised by sandy beaches in the south and craggy cliffs and hilly landscapes in the north. Rønne was founded in the 13th century and was once an important Baltic trading post.
The town grew up around its natural harbour and today the population lives by fishing, farming and, increasingly, tourism. Approaching Rønne from the sea, you will see St Nikolai’s church on the hill just above the port. Close to the harbour, in Laksegade, there is an enchanting area of rose-clad, half-timbered 17th and 18th-century houses, including the terracotta-roofed Erichsen's Gaard.
The oldest building in Rønne is situated near the harbour and was originally constructed as a warehouse for storing provisions for the Navy. The oldest theatre in Denmark, built in 1823, is in Rønne and the ruins of one of northern Europe's largest castles are to be found nearby, at Hammerhus.
04 Jun Cruise the Kiel Canal
06 Jun 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.
