Explore eight countries united by the Baltic Sea, discover their intertwined histories, and encounter fascinating cultures. Delve deeper through dramatic water approaches, and foray into character-filled villages and island stops for quiet walks. Wander along the medieval walled city of Visby, explore dazzling St. Petersburg over two days, dine on local specialties, and enjoy private musical performances—or have a deck party in the tranquil Swedish Archipelago. Enjoy ample choices and avenues for exploration in each of the cities. Explore from a privileged vantage point—going by ship allows you to sail routes of the old Hanseatic League, in the paths of early traders and nobles, and lets you enter the cities as they were meant to be—by sea.
Highlights
Venture into the medieval Old Towns of Riga and Tallinn, UNESCO sites
Explore the tiny islands along Finland and Sweden by kayak or nature walks
View one of the world’s greatest art collections at the Hermitage Museum
Experience the fascinating history of eight Baltic countries
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. See the city from the water on a boat cruise along its charming canals, then embark on the National Geographic Explorer.
Sail to the tiny isle of Christiansø, where Danish fortifications date from 1684. Join National Geographic Photography Expert for a walk among the colorful buildings of this car-free island, home to less than 100 people and just one species of mammal: the hedgehog. This afternoon, you will cruise to Bornholm Island. Hike the coast trail to the clifftop ruins of the Hammershus fortress, or visit the island’s round churches and the harbor village of Svaneke, voted Denmark’s most beautiful town in 2013.
Arrive in Poland and take in Gdańsk’s art and architectural highlights, including the GothicRenaissance Town Hall and the National Museum. Visit the Westerplatte peninsula, where World War II began with the German invasion of Poland, and take a guided tour of the European Solidarity Center.
Enjoy a day at sea, as you sail into the Gulf of Riga, with lectures by experts, photography workshops with Certified Photo Instructors, and National Geographic Photography Expert, and enjoy a scenic sailing into Riga this evening.
Day 5: Riga
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take a walking tour through Riga's UNESCO World Heritage-designated center, passing wooden houses, art nouveau architecture, and funky cafés. Wander through the airy Central Market—Europe’s largest market, housed in old Zeppelin airship hangers. Or drive to the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, situated in a wooded park on the outskirts of the city.
Cross the Gulf of Riga to Estonia arriving in Tallinn this afternoon. Stroll the cobbled, medieval streets of the walled Old Town on a guided walking tour, and see the Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Visit Town Hall Square and take in the view of Tallinn’s picturesque spires and gables from Dome Hill.
Arrive in Helsinki in the morning, a stylish capital known for its creativity, architecture, and vibrant contemporary design scene. Choose from several options during your time here: a traditional Finnish foraging excursion; a visit to the World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna Fortress; or a trip back in time to the home of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, one of Finland’s most notable statesmen. Then explore in and around Finland’s capital: tour a grand estate in Porvoo or visit the Seurasaari Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditions of rural Finland.
Today you’ll explore Finland’s southern coastline, with its numerous bays, inlets, and islands rich with natural history. Navigate the labyrinthine passages of Ekenäs Archipelago National Park by kayak or Zodiac and disembark to explore its rocky and windswept islets.
Arrive in Mariehamn, the capital of Finland’s Åland Islands, an autonomous region made up of over 6,700 islands where 90% of the population speaks Swedish. Delve into the rich history of the islands, get a taste of their musical and culinary traditions, and learn how the Baltic Sea has connected major empires throughout history. Set off on a hike or a bike ride along its shores, or venture out into the harbor of Mariehamn on zodiacs to explore the historic pilot station, Kobba Klintar.
Experience the natural beauty and cultural history of the largest archipelago in Sweden as you cruise among countless islands and past Fredriksborg Fortress on your way into the Swedish capital. You’ll stay docked in Stockholm overnight so you can enjoy this magical Scandinavian city at your leisure. The next day, marvel at an amazingly preserved 17th-century wooden warship Vasa, housed in Stockholm’s Vasa Museum. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit the Royal Armoury to see the sparkling costumes and carriages of Sweden’s monarchs.
Spend the day exploring the World Heritage site of Visby, a former Viking settlement on the island of Gotland and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Scandinavia. Stroll the old town’s cobbled streets and walk along its 13th-century wall. Then visit the Gotland Museum, where an incomparable collection showcases Swedish history, from eighth-century picture stones to the discovery in 1999 of the Spillings Hoard, a treasure trove of Viking silver. Alternatively, head into the countryside for a visit to a sheep farm, or join a local guide for a bike ride, enjoying amazing views of the medieval town of Visby and the harbor.
Enjoy a leisurely sail through the narrow Kalmar Strait, which separates the Swedish mainland from the island of Öland. Visit Kalmar Castle, a seaside Renaissance castle set on the site where the Kalmar Union was signed in 1397, bringing Norway, Sweden, and Denmark under a single monarch. Or venture to Öland, a long island of limestone heaths, biodiversity, and prehistory, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its first inhabitants date back some 6,000 years. As you explore the island’s coast, learn about its Mesolithic and Neolithic sites and discover its diverse flora and fauna—including a surprising number of bird species. On a guided tour of the Ottenby Bird Observatory, where researchers have been studying migratory birds since 1946, learn about bird banding—a technique used to study the approximate 140 species that migrate through the region each year.
Day 15: Copenhagen, Denmark | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
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Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336.
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Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340,342, 344, 346, 348, 350.
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Cat 4
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 14 Dinners
14 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet)
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are available aboard the ship. Additionally, a selection of super premium wines and liquors is offered for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
6 hours ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
7 hours ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
22 hours ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
5 days ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
6 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.