Why Baltic without Russia? Your Guide to Cruising the Baltic

From the clear air, the light-filled nights in the height of the summer and the historic cobblestone-laced Old Towns, to the glorious, lush forests and the long sandy beaches the Baltic is the perfect multi-faceted destination, alongside great food and drink and wonderful opportunities for hiking and cycling.

Let's begin with one of the icons of the region: beautiful Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, offering magnificent palaces, maritime marvels and cobbled streets in its charming Gamla Stan (Old Town). Sweden's charming island of Gotland and capital Visby, which used to be the bustling centre of Hanseatic trade, is also well worth a visit.

Despite its tiny size, Visby has the largest number of preserved ruins in all of northern Europe, including churches, fortresses and more, dating back to the 12th century. Some cruises also call into Karlskrona, known as Sweden's only Baroque city and host to Sweden's largest naval base.

Next door in Finland, for more contemporary art and design, Helsinki will take your breath away. This vibrant city has had somewhat of a renaissance over the years, with a coastline home to 300 forest-topped islands contrasted with contemporary architecture and a focus on modern.

The glowing light creates magical long evenings in the height of the summer and the evocative coastline with cliffs, golden sand beaches and towering sand dunes has inspired artists through the ages, in particular the romantics of the 19th century and great composers, such as Sibelius. As you spot the rocky island outcrops of Sweden and Finland, you will expect to catch sight of a Moomin at any moment.

To the west, Denmark enthrals with wonderful Copenhagen, a supremely walkable waterfront city with amazing restaurants and that iconic colourful harbour, with a history that dates back to 1043. It's full of historic landmarks, significant buildings and interesting sights and museums, from the pretty harbour of Nyhavn and the Amalienborg Palace to the Tivoli Gardens.

Bornholm is another popular stop, a ruggedly handsome island that lies way out in the Baltic, closer to Sweden and Poland than the Danish mainland and known for its intriguing rundekirke (round churches), sleepy fishing villages, traditional smokehouses and fantastic foodie scene. Skagen at the very northern tip of Jutland is famed for its beautiful coastal scenery, which attracted many artists during the 19th century and today is popular destination for well-to-do Danes, drawn here by the beaches, charming architecture and spectacular sunsets.

Head south to Germany where Berlin is the main draw: a fascinating mix of world-famous history brought to life in amazing museums and galleries, alongside beautiful parks, leafy boulevards and busy shopping streets that all clamour for your attention. Berlin is reached on a long day's journey from Warnemünde. UK guests may prefer to explore this pretty little seaside resort, or take the quick trip - by river or road - to Rostock, whose historic Gothic and Baroque style make for a fascinating day of exploration

Just south, Dresden is one of Germany's most beautiful cities, a symphony of striking Baroque architecture, and the restored Altstadt is a quite remarkable sight given its near total destruction during the Second World War.

Next door in Poland, the Baltic port of Gdansk occupies an important place in 20th century history; the first shots of World War II were fired at the Westerplatte naval base, and it was amongst the shipyards of Gdansk that the Solidarity movement was born in the 1980s.

As a key member of the Hanseatic League, the town has a long history, with architecture painstakingly reconstructed, whilst exploration further afield includes sites ranging from castles to concentration camps.

Head north to Lithuania where capital Vilnius is famed for its baroque architecture in its historic, medieval Old Town among its charming, cobbled streets, while Lithuania's only major seaport, Klaipeda on the northwest coast, served for a time as the capital of Prussia, and there is still a noticeable Germanic flavour to the architecture of the Old Town.

It's only a short distance from both the spectacular dunes of the Curonian Spit and the lovely seaside town of Palanga.

Neighbouring Latvia is best known for its charming capital, Riga, a highlight of any Baltic itinerary. The compact Old Town delights with its winding lanes and elegant spires, and the city is also home to one of Europe's most impressive ensembles of Art Nouveau architecture.

North in Estonia, the historic harbour city of Tallinn is captivating. The perfect size to explore on foot, its medieval and UNESCO-listed town centre, with its cobblestone streets and a busy Town Hall Square, is the perfect introduction to Estonia's rich history.

Then, the Estonian island of Saaremaa is one of the Baltic's best kept secrets, a timeless landscape of spruce forests, windmills and sleepy little villages. The island's capital, Kuressaare, is a popular spa resort and is home to an impressive medieval castle.

Windstar's fleet of small ships offer a Baltic programme featuring itineraries of varying lengths, with some cruises mixing in stops in the lovely Norwegian fjords, while Ponant's chic Explorer class ships will sail among the historic cities of the Baltic Sea next summer.

Silversea and Regent also offer one- and two-week all-encompassing explorations of the Baltic cities that include Norway, often beginning or ending in Copenhagen, Stockholm or Southampton for a Baltic cruise from the UK.