Scandinavian Cruises

Established in Viking times, Aarhus has a strategic position on the Jutland peninsula and has long been an important centre for trade with Germany and the Baltic countries. Today, the city is celebrated for its thriving culture scene, having previously been recognised as a European Capital of Culture. Aarhus has an array of art galleries and museums, such as the ARoS Art Museum and underground Viking Museum where you can learn more about the local history.

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, Nyhavn Canal overlooked by 17thcentury 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.

With its attractive canals, intriguing architecture, trams and art, Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s trendiest cities. The waterfront and the ‘Haga’ – the city’s old quarter – are the perfect places to experience the Scandi atmosphere. The city has a choice of museums and galleries to visit too, from the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the cutting edge Roda Sten Art Centre, to the niche Radiomuseet (Radio Museum) and the Volvo Museum, where you can learn more about Sweden’s iconic brand. Gothenburg’s northern Öckerö archipelago, spread across ten islands, is home to ancient remains, traditional harbours and quaint fisherman’s huts nestled beneath granite cliffs.

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. While the island of Djurgården is home to the Vasa Museum, where you can see the beautifully restored 17th-century Swedish warship which sunk on her maiden voyage in 1628.

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.

Finland’s capital is surrounded by an archipelago of over 330 islands. At the heart of the city is a historic Market Square brimming with stalls selling a variety of local produce. Nearby lies architect Carl Ludvig Engel’s Senate Square, home to the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral. Other landmarks include the quasi-abstract sculpture dedicated to the city’s most famous son, composer Jean Sibelius. From Helsinki you can take a ferry to the nearby Suomenlinna fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is spread across six islands.

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