16/07/2023 Tilbury

Tilbury

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

17/07/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

18/07/2023 Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

Step ashore in southern Sweden and the cosmopolitan city of Gothenburg. With its canals, fascinating architecture, trams and art, this is one of Sweden’s trendiest cities. Soak up the Scandi atmosphere as you stroll along the waterfront or through the ‘Haga’ – the city’s old quarter. The city has a choice of museums and galleries to visit, from the Gothenburg Museum of Art with its fine collections and the cutting edge Roda Sten Art Centre, to the niche Radiomuseet (Radio Museum). Perhaps take a tour to the Volvo Museum and discover more about Sweden’s iconic brand.

Optional excursions

Explore Gothenburg’s beautiful northern Öckerö archipelago, spread across ten islands and home to ancient remains, traditional harbours and quaint fisherman’s huts nestled beneath granite cliffs.

19/07/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

20/07/2023 Visby, Sweden

Visby, Sweden

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The medieval walled city of Visby stands as a reminder of the Hanseatic League’s power and influence. Set on the strategically located island of Gotland, it was the Baltic’s main centre of trade during the 12th to 14th centuries. Limestone towers and red-roofed merchant houses are encircled by remarkedly well-preserved 13th-century ramparts, and the unique UNESCO-listed townscape is dominated by the towers of St Mary’s Cathedral which was constructed between 1190 and 1225.

Optional excursions

Take a guided stroll through the historic heart of Visby and visit the 11th-century St Mary’s Cathedral.

21/07/2023 Stockholm ⚓, Sweden

Stockholm ⚓, Sweden

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

Spread across an archipelago of 14 islands, Sweden’s capital offers a scenic approach by sea. Its distinct districts are linked by scores of bridges. The most notable and oldest quarter is medieval Gamla Stan, home to the Royal Palace and a warren of narrow lanes crowded by 16th and 17th-century gabled merchant houses.

Included excursion

Get a sense of the city’s splendid coastal setting and scale on an included sightseeing excursion.

Optional excursions

Visit the Vasa Museum which contains the beautifully restored 17th-century Swedish warship which sunk on her maiden voyage.

22/07/2023 Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia

Arrive 1000. Depart 1700.

Timeworn spires and watchtowers pierce the skyline of this former Hanseatic trading port that has earned its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Cobblestone streets lead up past merchant houses to the top of Toompea Hill, crowned by St Mary’s Cathedral which was founded in 1240. Tallinn’s medieval history is juxtaposed against its more recent cold war past that is laid bare in the KGB Museum.

Included excursion

An included sightseeing excursion provides a relaxing introduction to the area.

Optional excursions

Head out into the Estonian countryside to visit Kadriorg Park, a Baroque palace built by Peter the Great and dedicated to his wife.

23/07/2023 Kotka, Finland

Kotka, Finland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set at the mouth of the River Kymi and surrounded by an archipelago of over 400 islands, Kotka is a popular destination for summertime boating and yachting. The city’s seafaring heritage is showcased at the Maritime Museum while its varied sea life is on display at Maretarium aquarium. This compact city has lots of parks including Sapokka Water Garden and a sculpture park set along the promenade. The Russian Tsar, Alexander III, was so taken with the unspoilt countryside that the summer residence, an imperial fishing lodge, was built beside the Langinkoski rapids.

Optional excursions

Visit the summer residence of Russian Tsar Alexander III, set beside the Langinkoski rapids.

24/07/2023 Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, Finland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Surrounded by an archipelago of over 330 islands, Finland’s capital is aptly known as the ‘Daughter of the Baltic’. The historic Market Square is filled with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce and marks the heart of the city. Nearby lies architect Carl Ludvig Engel’s Senate Square, home to the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral. Ferries set sail from here for Suomenlinna fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will showcase the city’s array of grand architecture and more.

Optional excursions

Seek out sights associated with composer Jean Sibelius, such as a quasi-abstract sculpture dedicated to the city’s most famous son.

25/07/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

26/07/2023 Wismar, Germany

Wismar, Germany

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The medieval town of Wismar was an important trading centre for the Hanseatic League between the 13th and 15th centuries. Explore the old town of red-brick Gothic buildings which earned Wismar a place on UNESCO World Heritage List or perhaps visit nearby Schwerin and its fairy-tale castle.

27/07/2023 Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The cosmopolitan Danish capital is an eclectic mix of architectural styles which attest to its long history. Once a small village, it was fortified when Bishop Absalon of Roskilde built a castle here in 1167. Attractions include Tivoli Gardens, characterful Nyhavn Canal graced with 17th-century houses, the Baroque-inspired Christiansborg Palace and Rococo Amalienborg Palace, residence of the Danish Royal Family. The Little Mermaid Statue, which has been plucked straight from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy-tale of the same name, graces the waterfront. An included excursion will help you get your bearings.

Included excursion

A sightseeing tour is a great way to see some of the city’s attractions.

Optional excursions

A visit to the Christiansborg and Amalienborg Palaces will contrast their resplendent interiors, follow the trail of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and enjoy a canal cruise to see the city from a different angle.

28/07/2023 Aalborg, Denmark

Aalborg, Denmark

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

The attractive waterside city of Aalborg lies in the north Jutland region of Denmark is best known for its revitalised waterfront on the Limfjord. The city boasts more than 300 shops and is home to the Kunsten – a Museum of Modern Art designed by the iconic Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Beneath one of the city’s busy shopping streets lies a Franciscan Monastery Museum documenting the medieval history of the monastery, which was established in around 1250. Today, the city has a thriving art and culture scene with an vast collection of street art.

29/07/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

30/07/2023 Tilbury

Tilbury

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.