26 June

Iceland: Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður is the largest town in Iceland’s wild Westfjords, dramatically located on a spit of sand hemmed in by mountains on three sides. The town itself is fairly low key, and the main attraction is exploring the surrounding landscapes, such as the spectacular Hornstrandir Peninsula.

27 June

Iceland: Akureyri

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city, though with just 18,000 inhabitants it’s really more of a small town. Situated on the north coast at the head of Iceland’s largest fjord, it’s a cute and quirky place that also serves as a base from which to explore the bubbling mud pools and lunar landscapes around Lake Mývatn.

28 June to 29 June - At sea

30 June

Norway: Honningsvåg

The port of Honningsvåg is the gateway to Europe’s most northerly point, the North Cape, and enjoys 24-hour daylight in summer. Aside from tourism, fishing is the major industry in this part of Norway, and the region is also said to be inhabited by trolls.

1 July

Norway: Hammerfest

Situated over 600 miles beyond the Arctic Circle, Hammerfest claims to be the world’s northernmost town, although other Arctic settlements would contest this. It’s also the only place where you can join the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, a slightly eccentric club with some 250,000 members worldwide.

2 July

Norway: Tromsø

Tromso’s location well within the Arctic Circle means the summer months are lit by the Midnight Sun, a compensation for long dark winters. Explore the streets with their multi-coloured wooden houses, see the amazing architecture of the Arctic cathedral, or take the cable car up to Mount Storsteinen for a fantastic view.

3 July - At sea

4 July

Norway: Ålesund

When Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed to foot the bill to rebuild it. The result was the stunning Art Nouveau architecture that you see today, which blends elements of the German 'Jugendstil' with Viking flourishes.

5 July

Norway: Måløy

The little town of Måløy is a major fishing port, on the sheltered eastern side of Vågsøy island. Nearby sights include the Kannesteinen rock, sculpted by the sea into a bizarre mushroom-like shape, while further afield is the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to continental Europe’s largest glacier.

6 July

Norway: Rosendal

Rosendal is famous for the Barony, an historic manor house and Renaissance garden that was home to some of Norway’s most distinguished nobles between 1655 and 1927. Rosendal is also near to the beautiful Hardangerfjord and Folgefonna National Park.

7 July

Norway: Ulvik (Hardangerfjord)

The Hardangerfjord region is rich in natural beauty, and is sometimes known as ‘Norway’s orchard’ on account of the many fruit farms growing apples, cherries, pears and plums. There are some fantastic hiking trails in the region, along with sights including the famous Trolltunga rock.

8 July

Norway: Mandal

9 July

Norway: Oslo

The intriguing city of Oslo, Norway’s capital, has so much to offer, from the open air Norwegian Folk Museum to the amazing Vigeland sculpture park, and from the Holmenkollen Ski Museum to the Munch Museum’s collection of memorable paintings. History, art and culture are what defines this lovely city.

10 July

Denmark: Skagen

Situated at the very northern tip of Jutland, Skagen is famed for its wonderful light and beautiful coastal scenery, which attracted many artists during the 19th century. Today it’s a popular destination for well-to-do Danes, drawn here by the beaches, charming architecture and spectacular sunsets.

11 July

Denmark: Copenhagen

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.

12 July

Denmark: Aarhus

Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city, but it’s also a compact and likeable place with a burgeoning cultural scene and a large student population. The combination of superb restaurants, attractive cobbled streets and excellent museums make Aarhus an unexpected highlight of any cruise around the Baltic.

13 July

Germany: Kiel

14 July

Germany: Warnemünde (Rostock)

The old Hanseatic port of Rostock was heavily damaged in the Second World War, though attractive enclaves of historic architecture remain. The little village of Warnemünde, a suburb of Rostock, is home to one of the most appealing beaches on the Baltic coast. An excursion inland to Berlin is a popular option, though it's around 150 miles each way.

15 July

Denmark: Ronne (Bornholm)

The ruggedly handsome island of Bornholm lies way out in the Baltic, closer to Sweden and Poland than the Danish mainland. It’s the sunniest place in Denmark, known for its intriguing rundekirke (round churches), sleepy fishing villages, traditional smokehouses and fantastic foodie scene.

16 July

Poland: Gdynia (Gdansk)

The Baltic port of Gdynia is the gateway to Gdansk, a city that 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.

17 July

Lithuania: Klaipeda

Klaipeda is Lithuania’s only major seaport, and served for a time as the capital of Prussia, when it was known as Memel. There is still a noticeable Germanic flavour to the architecture of the old town, and it’s only a short distance from both the spectacular dunes of the Curonian Spit and the lovely seaside town of Palanga.

18 July

Latvia: Riga

Riga, Latvia’s charming capital, is 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.

19 July

Sweden: Visby

The charming UNESCO-listed town of Visby is the capital of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic. The photogenic cobbled streets and ruined Gothic churches are a reminder of the island’s fascinating history, invaded by both Germans and Danes and decimated by the Black Death in the 14th century.

20 July to 21 July

Sweden: Stockholm

The buzzing city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Many sights will delight; the busy waterfront, the cobbled streets in the Old Town, and the museums, palaces, gardens and galleries. And of course, just 20 minutes away, its archipelago of 30,000 islands offers a totally different experience.

22 July

Estonia: Tallinn

The historic harbour city of Tallinn in Estonia is really quite captivating. Just 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.

23 July

Arriving in Helsinki

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.