Known locally as ‘the gateway to the world’, the port of Hamburg has a rich maritime history. Of course the city has its seedy side, as characterised by the old red light district around the Reeperbahn, but it’s also a vibrant, progressive city with some excellent museums, galleries and theatres.

The town of Lysekil is situated at the mouth of the Gullmarsfjord on the west coast of Sweden, on a coastline characterised by red granite cliffs and scattered islands. Highlights include the excellent Havets Hus aquarium and the charming streets of the compact Old Town, the Gamlestan

Wonderful Copenhagen is the perfect city to explore on foot, by bicycle or by water. Visit the bustling wharf at Nyhavn, enjoy the palaces, galleries and museums, wander through the amazing Tivoli Gardens, and if you have time, make the most of Copenhagen’s gastronomic revolution.

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.

Liepaja, Latvia’s third largest city, was a key naval base during both the Tsarist and Soviet eras, so the beautiful beach comes as something of a surprise. History buffs will enjoy exploring the old Karosta military district, while the city centre is home to some lovely art nouveau buildings and the impressive Holy Trinity Cathedral.

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.

Finland’s lovely capital Helsinki is a maritime city, with the sea on three sides and almost 100 kilometres of shoreline, as well as around 300 islands. Its contemporary architecture and focus on modern design sit surprisingly well alongside its four hundred year history.