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Paddlers in the Nyhavn district of Copenhagen

Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Helsinki - Copenhagen - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Le Laperouse
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Set sail on an 8-day cruise through the historic cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys from Helsinki to Copenhagen aboard Le Laperouse! Glide through the waters and kick off in Helsinki, where Art Nouveau architecture beckons. Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town awaits, flaunting well-preserved medieval marvels. Stockholm's Gamla Stan charms with its cobblestone charisma, while Gotland's Visby takes you back to medieval times. Dive into Lithuania's cultural tapestry in Klaipeda and discover the significant history of Gdansk. Bornholm, a Danish gem, unveils farmland and ancient treasures. Conclude in Copenhagen's regal embrace, where 800 years of history unfold at Christiansborg Palace. Sail, explore, and revel in the Baltic's vibrant past on this journey where each port unveils a new chapter of enchanting tales.
Colorful sunset over Tallinn, EstoniaA view of Helsinki, the largest city in Finland.Helsinki Cathedral illuminated at dusk overlooking Senate SquareOld Town in Gdansk, PolandStriking skyline of old town Tallinn, EstoniaA moment of stillness in CopenhagenBicycles are a part of everyday life in EuropePaddlers in the Nyhavn district of Copenhagen
Highlights
  • Explore Helsinki's vibrant streets, awash with Art Nouveau architecture
  • Traverse Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town, alive with medieval charm
  • Discover Visby's medieval allure on the idyllic island of Gotland
  • Uncover Gdansk's poignant history as a cradle of solidarity
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Helsinki | Embark

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical center where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialties like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the center, is a good place to sit and unwind.

Day 2: Tallin

Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval center where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3: Stockholm

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic Sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th-century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Day 4: Visby, Gotland

This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as the Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialties, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Day 5: Klaipeda

Klaipeda was founded in the 13th century by Christian crusaders from the German Order of Teutonic Knights. Its strategic location on the edge of the Baltic Sea has made it a source of conflict between Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, and even the French since its creation. Today, the legacy of Klaipeda’s rich history is a great multiculturalism. This is the main port of Lithuania and the country’s third-largest city. The beautiful landscapes of the surrounding Baltic coast make it a popular tourist destination. The city center is very pleasant to visit due to its architecture blending German and Scandinavian influences.

Day 6: Gdansk

This ravishing city on the Baltic sea is nicknamed “the golden door of Poland”, and you’ll understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. You’ll be charmed by the moldings and gables that enhance the colorful façades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts shops. In elegant Mariacka street, the amber jewelers will most certainly tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint-Mary and its astronomic clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.

Day 7: Gudhjem, Bornholm

Lying in the south-west of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and most popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, you will fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests, and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.

Day 8: Copenhagen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional Danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese, or smoked fish.

Disembark after breakfast.

Ship/Hotel

Le Laperouse

Le Laperouse Ship
Le Laperouse
Le Laperouse Ship

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$11,484 2-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Cabin
Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² Private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Deluxe Suite
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 6m² private balcony
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 5
8m² private balcony King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 6
8m² private balcony King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m² Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin 8m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Owner's Suite
Area: 45 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds

Notes

Please Note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and subject to change without notice.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
  • A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
  • An exclusive presentation and discussion aboard with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-laureate Lech Wałęsa while in Gdansk
  • Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Helsinki to the ship on the day of embarkation
  • Transfer from the ship to the airport in Copenhagen at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

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