Cruising the Baltic Sea - Southbound 2022

Day 1 Arrive in Stockholm & enjoy a gala at the Vasa Museum

Tour begins: 7:15 PM, Radisson Blu Waterfront or Sheraton Stockholm. Upon arrival of your flight, a transfer is included from the Arlanda Airport to the Radisson Blu Waterfront or Sheraton Stockholm in the heart of Stockholm. Meet your fellow travel companions at tonight's exclusive welcome cocktail reception and dinner at the Vasa Museum, the centerpiece of which is the world's only preserved 17th-century warship, the Vasa, salvaged in 1961 after more than 300 years on the bottom of Stockholm Harbor!

MEALS : D

LODGING : Sheraton Stockholm

PORTOFCALL : Stockholm, Sweden

Day 2 Discovering Stockholm, Sweden's capital

Sightseeing in Stockholm today includes a look at the city's intriguing islands – Sweden's capital sits astride 14 of them – on a cruise along its historic canals; and a guided tour of its iconic City Hall, where the annual Nobel Prize award festivities take place – including the Council Chamber, the Gold Room, and the misnamed Blue Room (the architect changed his mind and left its beautiful red-brick walls intact). If you wish, join us for a stop at the city's Royal Palace to watch the changing of the guard, or return to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Stockholm as you please.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Sheraton Stockholm

PORTOFCALL : Stockholm, Sweden

Day 3 More Stockholm sites & embark ship

Your morning begins with a guided visit to Stockholm's historic Royal Swedish Opera House, opened at the turn of the 20th century, and continues on a walking tour along the cobbled streets of Stockholm's medieval Gamla Stan, or Old Town, with your local guide, revealing centuries of Swedish history and culture. This afternoon, enjoy some more Stockholm sightseeing before boarding Le Champlain for the start of your Baltic Sea cruise.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

PORTOFCALL : Stockholm, Sweden

Day 4 A day exploring Finland's capital city of Helsinki

Following your ship's arrival in seaside Helsinki, Finland, a sightseeing excursion shows you the neo-Classical Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Market Square, and the Sibelius Monument dedicated to the great Finnish composer. Visit the Temppeliaukio Church, or "Church of the Rock," a modern design hewn out of solid granite. Drive by Finlandia Hall, designed by famed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, en route back to the ship.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

Day 5 Exploring ancient Tallinn, Estonia

Your ship arrives this morning in the walled city of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. Drive through Tallinn's suburbs, and join your local guide to stroll through narrow cobblestone streets and the main Market Square of Old Town; admire the 13th-century Toompea Castle, Estonia's traditional seat of power and visit St. Nicholas's Church. After lunch aboard ship, you'll have time to return to town and wander as you wish; Tauck's shuttle is available to take you from the city to the ship. Your Baltic Sea cruise heads to Latvia this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

PORTOFCALL : St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 6 Discover Riga, Latvia, a renowned center of culture

Riga, which is the capital of Latvia, lies on the banks of the River Daugava on the shores of the Gulf of Riga. Dating back to the early 1200s, the city was an important member of the Hanseatic League and became a trade and business link between the East and West. A cultural center of the Baltics, Riga's rich historic legacy is intertwined with politics, heavily influencing its heritage; the city boasts remarkable Gothic, Baroque, Classicism and Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture – and in 1997, the central part of Riga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today Riga is called the City of Inspiration, drawing comparison to Paris of the 1930s. Your visit includes an orientation tour providing views of the city canal parks, the Bastion Hill, the Powder Tower, the Latvian National Theatre, the Fine Arts Museum, the Art Nouveau district, the Freedom Monument, the University of Latvia, the Opera House, the Daugava River and its bridges and Passenger Terminal. A guided walking tour of the medieval Old Town of Riga along cobblestone streets is highlighted by views of Riga Castle, Dome Square and Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, Town Hall Square and the House of Blackheads, the Great and the Small Guild Halls, the fortification wall of Riga, and the Swedish Gate.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

PORTOFCALL : St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 7 Historic Visby on lovely Gotland Island, Sweden

Charming Visby, capital of the Island of Gotland, enjoys a vast historic past in tandem with today's charming small city in which parks, gardens and flowers abound. History tells of the Viking Age, a flourishing medieval period and the growth of the powerful Hanseatic League, but today Visby is equally as well known as the town of roses and ruins. Because of its unique cultural values, the Hanseatic Town of Visby has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the end of the 19th century, the ruins of Visby have been protected as historical monuments. The sea wall was first built in the 12th and 13th centuries; today's town wall is one of the best-preserved town walls in northern Europe, with 40+ guard towers intact. Join us for a locally guided tour of old Hanseatic Harbor, now known as Almedalen Park, with spectacular views of the medieval city. Continue along Strandgatan to see some of the medieval gabled warehouses, past Kruttornet, the Gun Powder Tower, which is the oldest preserved building in Visby. Stroll along the city´s narrow, rose scented alleys and arrive at the famed Botanical Gardens. Visit Visby Cathedral (Visby Saint Mary's Cathedral), which harkens back to German trade days of the 1300s. Travel along the narrow winding medieval streets to the pier where you'll have some time to explore as you please. Your ship departs late afternoon / early evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

PORTOFCALL : St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 8 A full day on the Baltic Sea

Your innovative small ship sets a new standard in cruising which you'll enjoy during an entire glorious day at sea en route to Copenhagen, Denmark today. As you cruise, check out all the amenities this sleek, state-of-the-art Explorer Class yacht offers... including fine cuisine in the elegant main dining room or more casual dining in the ship's buffet restaurant... cocktails and music in three stylish lounges... informative lectures and entertainment... a workout in the fitness center, and much more.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

PORTOFCALL : Tallin, Estonia

Day 9 Lübeck, the Hanseatic League and a canal cruise

Lübeck is noted as once being the de facto capital of the Hanseatic League, a league of market towns and merchant guilds that held a monopoly over trade in Northern Europe along the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Founded in the 12th century, Lübeck was one of Europe's most prosperous cities and a major trading center for all of Northern Europe – to this day, it is a prominent maritime center. The town retains much of its rich medieval heritage, which earned it a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – you'll get a good look at this on a canal tour that winds through Old Town. At the conclusion of your cruise, a walking tour introduces you to more of the city, followed by free time. Return to the ship and cruise this evening to Copenhagen, Denmark.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Champlain

Day 10 Disembark Copenhagen & Rosenborg Palace

Disembark your yacht in Copenhagen, Denmark, as your Baltic Sea cruise draws to a close. On a Copenhagen sightseeing tour, see the Danish Crown Jewels and other treasures at Rosenborg Slot (Palace), built in Dutch Renaissance style; Amalienborg, home to the Danish royal family; the famous statue of The Little Mermaid; and visit the colorful district of Nyhavn. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the city as you please; admission is included to Tivoli Gardens; you may want to stroll along the fashionable pedestrian area of Strøget.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Radisson Collection Royal Hotel Copenhagen

PORTOFCALL : Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 11 A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde and a farewell dinner

Journey today to Roskilde – Denmark's religious, cultural, and political center from the Viking times through the Middle Ages – for a visit to the Vikingeskibshallen (Viking Ship Museum), featuring five ships from the 11th century that were discovered in the 1960s, and lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Copenhagen to explore on your own and, later, share memories of this most remarkable Baltic Sea cruise with your fellow guests at this evening's farewell reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Radisson Collection Royal Hotel Copenhagen

PORTOFCALL : Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 12 Journey home

Tour ends: Copenhagen. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Skt Petri or Radisson Collection Royal Hotel Copenhagen to Copenhagen Airport and the Copenhagen Central Station is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Copenhagen, Denmark