Countries & Cultures of Northern Europe

The Kiel Canal is one of the world’s busiest artificial waterways, linking the North Sea with the Baltic and saving ships a long journey around Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula. At its western end lies the town of Brunsbüttel, where vessels pass through a series of locks before entering the canal. From the decks of your ship, you can watch the fascinating operation of the Brunsbüttel lock system, as water levels are carefully adjusted to allow safe passage. It’s an impressive feat of engineering, and a reminder of the canal’s importance to international trade since it first opened in 1895. Beyond the lock gates, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise through the canal itself, where the close banks bring you within sight of small towns, farmland and woodland.

At the Baltic Sea end of the Kiel Canal, near the city of the same name, lies the Holtenau Lock. Here, ships are carefully guided through a remarkable system of gates and chambers that adjust the water level, allowing safe entry and exit from the canal. Opened in 1895 and expanded over the years, the Holtenau Lock is a key gateway between the Baltic and North Sea, and from your ship, you can watch the lock in action as water levels rise or fall, and the vast gates slowly open. Once inside the canal, your scenic journey passes through quiet countryside and canal-edge villages, offering a unique opportunity to experience Germany’s landscapes from the comfort of your ship, and witness one of Europe’s great maritime routes at work.

The southernmost town in Sweden, Trelleborg is known as ‘the city of palm trees’, an unusual sight for Scandinavia. The town provides an important link between Sweden and the rest of Europe, with its busy port area, but is most famous for its rich Viking history – having been named after a circular fort built by the Vikings - Trelleborgen. This fort was discovered in the 1980’s and has been partly reconstructed, and now holds an annual Battle of Trelleborgen festival.

Boasting one of the largest ports in the Baltic with over 1,000 years of seafaring traditions, Gdańsk is considered Poland’s maritime capital and is one of the country’s most important and dynamic cities. The city features an abundance of attractions, discovered in and around scenes of historic streets, riverside walkways and impressive boulevards begging to showcase their highlights. Gdańsk's Latin-penned moto is ‘nec temere, nec timide’ - meaning ‘neither rashly, nor timidly' - and visitors are encouraged to bear this in mind during their time in the city. The 'main town' is at the top of the list of the must-visit areas to discover; here you'll find streets and squares displaying fine examples of various architectural styles, as well as many museums and monuments.

Set on Latvia’s scenic west coast, Ventspils combines golden Baltic beaches with a proud Hanseatic history. As you stroll its cobbled streets dotted with colourful cow sculptures designed by local and international artists, you will also be able to enjoy the many flowers and fountains Ventspils is renowned for, before exploring the striking 17th-century castle that stands at the heart of the old town. Further afield, the town’s sandy beach, dunes and clear water are a magnet for locals and visitors alike.

Lithuania’s only port city, Klaipeda, has maritime connections at its heart, with an abundance of museums dedicated to seafaring tales, as well as hosting a biennial tall ships regatta. The city changed significantly after the Second World War, but still has a collection of monuments and half-timbered houses from before this time, which contrast with the Curonian Spit National Park, established in 1991 to protect its unique ecosystems.

Copenhagen is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with its monarchy dating back as far as the 8th century, and home to the impressive Royal Family’s Amalienborg Palace and Christianborg Palace. The Danish crown jewels are housed at Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The diminutive Little Mermaid Statue, based on Hans Chrisitan Andersen’s 1836 story, sits on the shoreline looking for her prince; while the Nyhavn District reveals canals lined with historic wooden ships and brightly coloured townhouses.

At the Baltic Sea end of the Kiel Canal, near the city of the same name, lies the Holtenau Lock. Here, ships are carefully guided through a remarkable system of gates and chambers that adjust the water level, allowing safe entry and exit from the canal. Opened in 1895 and expanded over the years, the Holtenau Lock is a key gateway between the Baltic and North Sea, and from your ship, you can watch the lock in action as water levels rise or fall, and the vast gates slowly open. Once inside the canal, your scenic journey passes through quiet countryside and canal-edge villages, offering a unique opportunity to experience Germany’s landscapes from the comfort of your ship, and witness one of Europe’s great maritime routes at work.

The Kiel Canal is one of the world’s busiest artificial waterways, linking the North Sea with the Baltic and saving ships a long journey around Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula. At its western end lies the town of Brunsbüttel, where vessels pass through a series of locks before entering the canal. From the decks of your ship, you can watch the fascinating operation of the Brunsbüttel lock system, as water levels are carefully adjusted to allow safe passage. It’s an impressive feat of engineering, and a reminder of the canal’s importance to international trade since it first opened in 1895. Beyond the lock gates, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise through the canal itself, where the close banks bring you within sight of small towns, farmland and woodland.