25/09/2022 Dover

Dover

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

26/09/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

27/09/2022 Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden

Arrive 0800. 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. Join an included sightseeing tour, then soak up the Scandi atmosphere as you stroll along the waterfront or through the ‘Haga’ – the city’s old quarter. The city of course 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 most iconic brand.

Included sightseeing excursion

See the city sights on an included sightseeing tour.

Optional excursions

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

28/09/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

29/09/2022 Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden

Arrive 1300 on September 29. Depart 1300 on September 30.

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 sightseeing 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.

01/10/2022 Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia

Arrive 0800. 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 limestone 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.

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.

02/10/2022 St Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg, Russia

Arrive 0800 on October 2. Depart 1800 on October 3.

Peter the Great’s ‘Window on Europe’ was Russia’s Imperial capital for two centuries before Moscow reclaimed the title. The Tsar’s ambitious dream has given the world a city of monumental grandeur which will be highlighted on an included sightseeing excursion. St Petersburg is defined by canals and waterways fronted by many Italianate mansions and interspersed by plazas adorned with baroque and neoclassical palaces. Of special note is the golden-domed St Isaac’s and the Hermitage, a world-class art museum which includes the Winter Palace.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will reveal the St Petersburg plethora of sights, including its waterways and grand designs.

Optional excursions

View the Hermitage’s outstanding collection of art, marvel at the sumptuous Rococo design of the Tsar’s summer residence, Catherine’s palace in Pushkin or be moved by an evening ballet performance at one of the city’s theatres.

04/10/2022 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

Step aboard a restored Tall Ship to explore the surrounding archipelago.

05/10/2022 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 sightseeing 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.

06/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

07/10/2022 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.

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.

08/10/2022 Skagen, Denmark

Skagen, Denmark

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Skagen is set at the northern tip of the Jutland Peninsula, near the confluence of Baltic and North Sea. A group of artists, drawn by Skagen’s special blend of exceptional light quality, rugged landscapes and simple way of life, established a colony here during the late 1800s. Their legacy can be found throughout this popular holiday destination which continues to attract visitors with its shifting sands and white sand beaches, colourful cottages and relaxed vibe. The Skagen Museum features work by Karl Madsen, Peder Kroyer and Viggo Johansen.

Optional excursions

Step back in time to experience Skagen’s fishing heritage at the open-air Kystmuseet.

09/10/2022 Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Oslo’s roots reach back to the Viking era when Harald Hardrada, in 1040, established a trading place at the head of the Oslofjord. It is a compact city packed with sights, including theatres, art galleries and museums. The Viking Ship Museum preserves three Viking-era burial ships, while Vigeland Sculpture Park has 200 pieces made by the artist after which it is named. Landmark sights the Opera, Nobel Peace Centre and City Hall can be seen from the waterfront.

Included sightseeing excursion

Oslo’s green spaces, historic buildings and modern architecture will be revealed on an included sightseeing excursion.

10/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

11/10/2022 Dover

Dover

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.