Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Kiel is very much a famous maritime city and sits at the far eastern end of the Kiel Canal, the world’s busiest artificial waterway, linking the Baltic Sea with the North Sea. It's a town with a tale. See the sluice gates and mighty ships up close as they transit through the canal, and then hire a bicycle from the pier to cruise along the promenade and Kiel Fjord.

Sail into Helsinki, past the island fortress of Suomenlinna, to find a clean and bustling capital city of neo-classical architecture. Shop along the Esplanade for Finnish crafts, visit architect Saarinen's studio, or while away some shore time strolling the city streets for curiosities, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Your guide to Helsinki. Finland’s capital since 1812, Helsinki is ‘the Daughter of the Baltic’, a city of intriguing contrasts, offering attractive Neo-Classical buildings alongside lively shopping esplanades. Elegant old homes and churches grace the surrounding countryside while Helsinki itself is predominantly modern, with many museums to explore and a great cultural centre anchored around the city’s Senate Square. On long summer days, Finnish natives and tourists crowd Helsinki’s public parks and sandy beaches, while in winter a visit to one of the city’s traditional saunas - or a steaming hot mug of glögi - provides the perfect way to keep warm.

Tallinn is Estonia’s capital and cultural hub. It is a busy Baltic Sea port with a walled Old Town made of cobblestones, cafés and shops. Plus there’s Kiek in de Kök, its 15th-century defensive tower. Your guide to Tallinn. Few cities in the world are as diverse as Tallinn. One of Europe’s most historic capitals, its picturesque old town is populated with medieval buildings that have earned UNESCO status. Indeed, walking through old Tallinn offers a direct link to the past but having only regained its independence in 1991, Estonia’s recent history is equally enthralling. Beyond the Old Town’s cobbled streets and towering buildings you’ll find hip cafés, independent galleries and small boutiques in the footprint of former warehouses. While venturing to the city’s outskirts offers a chance to explore colourful baroque palaces and exquisite sandy beaches.

Visby, known for its town wall, is the largest town on the Swedish island of Gotland and is around 55 miles east of the mainland in the Baltic sea. It has a close neighbour, the smaller isle of Faro. The two are known for their 'raunks', a series of gnarled limestone formations around the coast that were created during the ice age. Faro’s lighthouse and medieval church are popular film locations.

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. So much is new and striking, so much richly traditional – from the ramparts of Hamlet’s Elsinore to the very latest examples of Scandinavian design. Copenhagen literally takes your breath away. Be wowed by the Amalienborg Palace, Christiana’s hippy commune and the delightfully relaxing Tivoli Gardens.

Absorb the rich historic atmosphere of Germany's greatest port city. The heritage of the Hanseatic League is evident once more in theis great seafaring crossroads, much of which has been carefully restored to its pre-war glory. Hamburg is a place where anything can - and frequently does - happen, like giving the world its first glimpse of The Beatles.