A Small Ship Cruise of the Baltic, Botanical Heritage, Art & Architecture

Beginning in Oslo, we transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drinks aboard the ship as we sail this evening.

Skagen is a 600-year-old market town situated in the far north of Denmark. The breathtaking scenery and light here have inspired poets, artists and musicians over many years, while the area around Skagen has been designated a rare, authentic natural beauty spot by the World Wide Fund for Nature. We visit Grenen, the northernmost part of Denmark, where the North Sea meets the Baltic. The constant shifting of sand, brought on by the seas’ duelling tides, has resulted in a dynamic stretch of beach, or spit, which is continually evolving. See the remarkable 14th-century Sanded Church, named after Saint Laurence, patron saint of Skagen and protector of sailors. The church sank beneath the sand in the 18th century. Today, only the tower of the ancient church remains visible, the remainder of the structure having since been demolished. The afternoon is free for you to discover the winding alleys of the old quarters or take in the vibrant surrounds of the marina. Otherwise, perhaps visit the local museum to see works by the prominent artists, Anna Ancher and Peder Severin Krøyer, both of whom were inspired by the region.

Arrive this morning in the historic port of Helsingør where you have a choice of excursions.

Explore the Old Town and Kronborg Castle, built in the early 15th century by the Danish King, Eric of Pomerania. At that time, the castle went by the name Krogen. In the following century, Frederick II rebuilt the castle into a magnificent Renaissance castle, renaming it Kronborg. The castle is also known to many as ‘Elsinore’, the setting for Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet.

You may prefer to drive to Copenhagen and visit the Palace of Amalienborg, the Royal Residence since 1794. While here, visit the Amalienborg Museum, marvel at the elegant Gala Hall, and discover the spectacular artefacts within the Fabergé Chamber. Return to the ship via the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. See one of Scandinavia’s largest collections of modern art or discover the sixty sculptures located in the museum’s landscaped parkland.

Keen gardeners may otherwise wish to visit Exillion, a private garden created by Peter Wibroe. The garden is inspired by French Baroque, Italian Renaissance and Oriental gardening. It also features an English topiary section. Following your visit to Exillion, enjoy a private tour of your Botanical Guide, Toby Musgrave’s private garden, as well as the community garden project near his home.

Spend the morning on Bornholm Island, which features a mix of wheat fields, forests, and an attractive coast dotted with fishing villages.

During an island drive, see the famous 12th-century Osterlars Round Church and visit the town of Gudhjem to sample its smoked herring. While Hammershus Castle offers fantastic views of the island’s rugged coastline.

Alternatively, visit the charming Enghoj Perennial garden, inspired by the English-cottage style and featuring many species of clematises, roses, perennials, boxwood, yew, grasses and summer flowers. The garden is divided into sections by shrubs, fences for climbing plants, a pergola, and stones between the beds. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon cruising.

The Polish city of Gdansk presents 1,000 years of history with its collection of buildings and monuments designed in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.

Take a tour of the city this morning, walking along the cobbled streets of the Royal Way within the Old Town. See the 15th-century merchant’s palace of Artus Court. And see the world’s largest brick church, the Gothic basilica, St Mary’s, which can accommodate 25,000 worshippers.

Alternatively, visit the 13th-century Malbork Castle which belonged to the Teutonic Order and at the time was the largest castle in the world. Over the years it has been used as a royal residence, as well as a fortress, and in 1997 it was listed as a World Heritage site by UNSECO. Now serving as a museum, its grand exhibition halls display collections of armoury, ceramics, sculptures and spectacular Baltic amber.

Return to the ship for lunch before exploring at your own pace this afternoon. We gather this evening to enjoy a recital by members of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic at a local venue.

Following a morning at sea, we arrive in one of Sweden’s oldest cities, Kalmar.

A choice of afternoon tours includes a visit to Kalmar Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Scandinavia and a stronghold of royal power. Originating from the 12th century, the current building represents the rule of the Vasa Kings who rebuilt it in the style of a Renaissance palace.

Alternatively, head to the island of Oland, whose southern region is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Arrive at Stora Alvaret, a giant limestone plateau harbouring ancient remains and endemic flora. It is also where we find the royal palace of Solliden. Built by Queen Victoria of Sweden in 1903, the property is still used as a summer retreat by the Swedish Royal Family and we have time to explore its extensive gardens and pavilion.

Today we visit the neighbouring island of Gotland. Its largest town, Visby, is a delight to explore on foot. With its gardens ablaze with flowers, it also goes by the name, ‘the city of roses and ruins’. Later, visit the impressive St Maria Cathedral and wander paths of the nearby botanical gardens.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further and perhaps see the Viking exhibits at the Gotland Museum.

Alternatively, join us for a ride on the Gotland Railway, a historic train operating along a remnant of Gotland’s once-extensive railway network. Observe peaceful scenes while passing through rural landscapes before ending in the small town of Roma. Afterwards, drive to the island’s west coast, arriving at the fishing village of Gnisvard. Venture into the nearby forest to view a ‘stone ship’, comprised of many boulders arranged in formation. These ancient funerary markers assume the form of a ship measuring 45 metres in length. It stands as one of the best-preserved examples of ritual on the island.

This morning we sail by some of the Stockholm archipelago’s many islands, their shores lined with enchanting summer homes. Upon reaching the Swedish capital, Stockholm, we have a choice of excursions.

Join a city tour which includes the Vasa Museum, built around the 17th-century warship which sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628. The ship’s discovery in 1956, and its subsequent salvage in 1961, was one of the most extraordinary feats of maritime archaeology. Look upon its well-preserved, elaborately decorated hull, along with sculptures and many other artefacts recovered from the ship.

On our return, drive through old Stockholm, past the Parliament Building and Royal Palace, which overlooks the inner harbour.

You may prefer to visit Stockholm’s open-air museum, Skansen, and wander through its magnificent themed gardens. More than simply ornamental, they stand as a tribute to Sweden’s agricultural traditions, seasonal festivals, and ecological wisdom.

This morning, venture north to Uppsala, one of Sweden’s oldest and most influential cities.

Choose to visit the majestic Uppsala Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture that houses the tomb of King Gustav Vasa. Continue to the enchanting Linnaeus Garden, part of Sweden’s oldest botanical garden. Designed in 1655, before its transformation by the legendary botanist Carl von Linné, the garden’s meticulously restored beds include more than 1,300 plant species. Each of these has been thoughtfully arranged according to the groundbreaking system of classification devised by Linné, known as the father of modern taxonomy.

Otherwise, visit Skogskyrkogarden, ’The Woodland Cemetery’, which was developed between 1917 and 1940 by the architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz. Several small chapels occupy a pine-covered ridge, where they create a sacred outdoor space that blends with the surrounding nature. The cemetery was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Having crossed the Baltic Sea, our vessel docks in the town of Mariehamn this morning. Head into the beautiful countryside along scenic roads to arrive at the Jan Karlsgården Museum. Learn about the island’s farming traditions during a tour here. We continue to the hill of Badhusberget, which affords us panoramic views over the town and other nearby islands. Then visit the fascinating Åland Maritime Museum, whose collection of model ships and other exhibits highlight the region’s shipbuilding history. Return to the ship for lunch and time at leisure before we continue cruising early this evening. As we sail toward Estonia, we pass some of the 6,700 islands that make up the Åland archipelago.

The Estonian capital greets us today. Tallinn’s awe-inspiring city walls and narrow medieval streets remain remarkably well-preserved.

Choose to take part in a walking tour of Tallinn. In the Upper Town, enjoy views from Dome Hill, taking in extraordinary vistas of domed buildings and their spires and gables. We also admire the striking form of Toompea Castle. Once a fortress, the building now serves as the seat of the Estonian parliament. After walking to the Lower Town, visit Town Hall Square. Here you will find Europe’s oldest continually operating pharmacy, which opened in 1422. The Gothic Cathedral and the 15th-century Town Hall also take pride of place within the city’s historic centre.

Alternatively, discover Estonia’s artistic soul at the KUMU Art Museum in Tallinn. The museum reveals centuries of creative expression, from 18th-century masterpieces to bold contemporary works.

This afternoon, we drive to the outskirts of Tallinn to visit Kadriorg Palace and Park. Commissioned by Russian Tsar Peter I in 1718, soon after his conquest of Estonia, the palace boasts a magnificent main hall, considered one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Northern Europe. We visit the art collection housed within the palace and spend time exploring the magnificent park, modelled on Versailles and featuring fountains, hedges, and flowerbeds. A private classical concert has also been arranged here.

Arriving in Helsinki over breakfast, we head out on our choice of tour.

Take in the sights of the colourful Market Square, the President’s Palace, and the impressive architecture of Senate Square – including the Lutheran Cathedral of Finland and Uspenski Cathedral. Continue to the Sibelius Monument and the impressive Temppeliaukio – ‘The Church in the Rock’ – before returning to the ship.

Alternatively, visit the Vallila Allotment Garden. Wander the property’s patchwork of tiny cottages and lush vegetable plots. You can also browse the onsite museum, whose collection of artefacts details local life in the 1930s, offering a glimpse into Helsinki’s summertime traditions.

This afternoon, journey to Ainola. Situated on the shores of Lake Tuusula, we find the former home of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. After exploring the property, now a museum, we enjoy a private concert showcasing his music.

Disembark in Helsinki at 9:00 am and transfer to the post-tour hotel or airport for your onward journey.