Maritime Breeze On The Baltic

Known for the Kiel Canal and Kiel Week, the city boasts an important maritime history. Kiel is also a great place to sight-see, do some shopping and take part in one of the many festivals taking place there.

Surrounded by wild natural landscapes and rugged cliffs lies Gdansk – a city full of history, culture and unique scenery. The city looks back over more than 1,000 years of history, including rule by the Teutonic Order, its heyday as a wealthy Hanseatic city, and the partitions of Poland in the 18th century. Today, Gdansk is a cosmopolitan city with an interesting past. A walk through the old city gates, through the Long Market or along the Motlawa provides a variety of views and leads you to many shops, restaurants and cafes, where you can take a relaxing break. Gdansk combines historic grandeur with modern charm and is a real highlight on the Polish Baltic coast.

Once known as Memel, Klaipeda is an inviting place for a relaxing stroll through its restored old town and past charming half-timbered houses along medieval cobbled streets. The former City Hall, where the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II and his wife Queen Luise took up residence in 1807/08 to escape from Napoleon, is particularly worth a visit. The theatre, which Richard Wagner visited in 1836, is also captivating thanks to its historic charm. In front of the theatre is the Simon Dach fountain with a statue of Annchen von Tharau, which was faithfully restored in 1989. In the surrounding area, you can see the Curonian Spit with its shifting sand dunes which inspired Thomas Mann – an impressive example of the unspoilt beauty of Lithuania.

At the estuary of the River Daugava lies a pearl of the Baltic: Riga offers an incomparable mix of history and modernity. While magnificent art nouveau facades adorn the outer districts of Latvia’s capital city, the enchanting old town with is well-preserved medieval buildings was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. At its centre near the House of the Blackheads, the tall tower of St. Peter’s Church rises high above the rooftops and is a magnificent sight. Riga is particularly lively thanks to its varied music and art scene – western influences combine with traditional Latvian elements and ensure its unique charm.

Rīga has an upscale, big-city feel unmatched in the region. The capital (almost as large as Tallinn and Vilnius combined) is the business center of the area while original, high-quality restaurants and hotels have earned Rīga some bragging rights among its Western European counterparts. The city also doesn't lack for beauty—Rīga's Old Town (now a UNESCO World Heritage site) is one of Europe’s most striking examples of the art nouveau architectural style. Long avenues of complex and sometimes whimsical Jugendstil facades hint at Rīga's grand past. Many were designed by Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of Soviet director Sergei. This style dominates the city center. In many ways, the wonder of Rīga resides less in its individual attractions and more in the fabric of the town itself. In the medieval Old Town, an ornate gable or architrave catches the eye at every turn. The somber and the flamboyant are both represented in this quarter's 1,000 years of architectural history. Don't hesitate to just follow where your desire leads—the Old Town is compact and bounded by canals, so it's difficult to get totally lost. When the Old Town eventually became too crowded, the city burst out into the newer inner suburbs. The rich could afford to leave and build themselves fine fashionable mansions in the style of the day; consequently, city planners created a whole new Rīga. Across the narrow canal, you'll find the Esplanāde, a vast expanse of parkland with formal gardens and period mansions where the well-heeled stroll and play. Surrounding this is the art nouveau district. Encompassing avenues of splendid family homes (now spruced up in the postcommunist era), the collection has been praised by UNESCO as Europe's finest in the art nouveau style. The best examples are at Alberta 2, 2a, 4, 6, 8, and 13; Elizabetes 10b; and Strēlnieku 4a. If the weather permits, eschew public transport and stroll between the two districts, taking in the varied skylines and multifaceted facades, and perhaps stopping at a café or two as you go. The city has churches in five Christian denominations and more than 50 museums, many of which cater to eclectic or specialist tastes.

Picturesque Tallinn lies right on the Baltic coast and is enchanting with its medieval old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Surrounded by a city wall with 26 defence towers, Estonia’s capital has charming little streets, historic buildings and a fascinating mix of architectural styles. Toompea Hill, Tall Hermann tower and the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral offer a wonderful insight into the city’s history, while the Town Hall Square in the centre of the old town is a lively place to explore.

Estonia's history is sprinkled liberally with long stretches of foreign domination, beginning in 1219 with the Danes, followed without interruption by the Germans, Swedes, and Russians. Only after World War I, with Russia in revolutionary wreckage, was Estonia able to declare its independence. Shortly before World War II, in 1940, that independence was usurped by the Soviets, who—save for a brief three-year occupation by Hitler's Nazis—proceeded to suppress all forms of national Estonian pride for the next 50 years. Estonia finally regained independence in 1991. In the early 1990s, Estonia's own Riigikogu (Parliament), not some other nation's puppet ruler, handed down from the Upper City reforms that forced Estonia to blaze its post-Soviet trail to the European Union. Estonia has been a member of the EU since 2004, and in 2011, the country and its growing economy joined the Eurozone. Tallinn was also named the European City of Culture in 2011, cementing its growing reputation as a cultural hot spot.

Arriving in the port of Helsinki is an experience in itself: Finland’s capital lies in a picturesque location on a peninsula, surrounded by the idyllic little islands of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is a melting pot of lively city life and lush green nature. The Kauppatori market square is an attractive place with its fruit and souvenir stalls, while the historic Vanha Kauppahalli indoor market offers local delicacies. Uspenski Cathedral is captivating with its grand architecture and wonderful views over the city. Helsinki Cathedral, the city’s snow-white landmark with green domes, is no less impressive. Explore this city full of contrasts on a discovery tour and enjoy the interplay between culture, nature and Nordic charm.

A city of the sea, Helsinki was built along a series of oddly shaped peninsulas and islands jutting into the Baltic coast along the Gulf of Finland. Streets and avenues curve around bays, bridges reach to nearby islands, and ferries ply among offshore islands.Having grown dramatically since World War II, Helsinki now absorbs more than one-tenth of the Finnish population. The metro area covers 764 square km (474 square miles) and 315 islands. Most sights, hotels, and restaurants cluster on one peninsula, forming a compact central hub. The greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which includes Espoo and Vantaa, has a total population of more than a million people.Helsinki is a relatively young city compared with other European capitals. In the 16th century, King Gustav Vasa of Sweden decided to woo trade from the Estonian city of Tallinn and thus challenge the Hanseatic League's monopoly on Baltic trade. Accordingly, he commanded the people of four Finnish towns to pack up their belongings and relocate to the rapids on the River Vantaa. The new town, founded on June 12, 1550, was named Helsinki.For three centuries, Helsinki (Helsingfors in Swedish) had its ups and downs as a trading town. Turku, to the west, remained Finland's capital and intellectual center. However, Helsinki's fortunes improved when Finland fell under Russian rule as an autonomous grand duchy. Czar Alexander I wanted Finland's political center closer to Russia and, in 1812, selected Helsinki as the new capital. Shortly afterward, Turku suffered a disastrous fire, forcing the university to move to Helsinki. The town's future was secure.Just before the czar's proclamation, a fire destroyed many of Helsinki's traditional wooden structures, precipitating the construction of new buildings suitable for a nation's capital. The German-born architect Carl Ludvig Engel was commissioned to rebuild the city, and as a result, Helsinki has some of the purest neoclassical architecture in the world. Add to this foundation the influence of Stockholm and St. Petersburg with the local inspiration of 20th-century Finnish design, and the result is a European capital city that is as architecturally eye-catching as it is distinct from other Scandinavian capitals. You are bound to discover endless engaging details—a grimacing gargoyle; a foursome of males supporting a balcony's weight on their shoulders; a building painted in striking colors with contrasting flowers in the windows. The city's 400 or so parks make it particularly inviting in summer.Today, Helsinki is still a meeting point of eastern and western Europe, which is reflected in its cosmopolitan image, the influx of Russians and Estonians, and generally multilingual population. Outdoor summer bars ("terrassit" as the locals call them) and cafés in the city center are perfect for people watching on a summer afternoon.

Stockholm is an enchanting capital thanks to its unique location on 14 islands, which are connected to each other by a multitude of bridges. Set between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, the city is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. In the old town, Gamla Stan, with its winding streets and historic buildings, you will find stylish bistros offering New Nordic Cuisine. On the neighbouring island is the impressive baroque Royal Palace, while the Vasa Museum with its restored war ship brings the city's fascinating maritime history to life.

Stockholm is a city in the flush of its second youth. Since the mid-1990s, Sweden's capital has emerged from its cold, Nordic shadow to take the stage as a truly international city. What started with entry into the European Union in 1995 gained pace with the extraordinary IT boom of the late 1990s, strengthened with the Skype-led IT second wave of 2003, and solidified with the hedge-fund invasion that is still happening today as Stockholm gains even more global confidence. And despite more recent economic turmoil, Stockholm's 1 million or so inhabitants have, almost as one, realized that their city is one to rival Paris, London, New York, or any other great metropolis.With this realization comes change. Stockholm has become a city of design, fashion, innovation, technology, and world-class food, pairing homegrown talent with an international outlook. The streets are flowing with a young and confident population keen to drink in everything the city has to offer. The glittering feeling of optimism, success, and living in the here and now is rampant in Stockholm.Stockholm also has plenty of history. Positioned where the waters of Lake Mälaren rush into the Baltic, it’s been an important trading site and a wealthy international city for centuries. Built on 14 islands joined by bridges crossing open bays and narrow channels, Stockholm boasts the story of its history in its glorious medieval old town, grand palaces, ancient churches, sturdy edifices, public parks, and 19th-century museums—its history is soaked into the very fabric of its airy boulevards, built as a public display of trading glory.

Stockholm is a city in the flush of its second youth. Since the mid-1990s, Sweden's capital has emerged from its cold, Nordic shadow to take the stage as a truly international city. What started with entry into the European Union in 1995 gained pace with the extraordinary IT boom of the late 1990s, strengthened with the Skype-led IT second wave of 2003, and solidified with the hedge-fund invasion that is still happening today as Stockholm gains even more global confidence. And despite more recent economic turmoil, Stockholm's 1 million or so inhabitants have, almost as one, realized that their city is one to rival Paris, London, New York, or any other great metropolis.With this realization comes change. Stockholm has become a city of design, fashion, innovation, technology, and world-class food, pairing homegrown talent with an international outlook. The streets are flowing with a young and confident population keen to drink in everything the city has to offer. The glittering feeling of optimism, success, and living in the here and now is rampant in Stockholm.Stockholm also has plenty of history. Positioned where the waters of Lake Mälaren rush into the Baltic, it’s been an important trading site and a wealthy international city for centuries. Built on 14 islands joined by bridges crossing open bays and narrow channels, Stockholm boasts the story of its history in its glorious medieval old town, grand palaces, ancient churches, sturdy edifices, public parks, and 19th-century museums—its history is soaked into the very fabric of its airy boulevards, built as a public display of trading glory.

A charming blend of history and vibrant culture awaits visitors to Kalmar on the east coast of Sweden. The cobbled streets of the old town, the city’s traditional buildings and impressive Kalmar Castle provide the beautiful backdrop to bring the rich heritage of the city to life. The harbour provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation at its cafes and restaurants with views over the water. With its lively cultural scene, art galleries and theatres, the city has plenty of variety to keep visitors entertained.

With its mix of world-famous landmarks and modern charm, Copenhagen appeals to every visitor. The Little Mermaid at Langelinie is the city’s most famous attraction. The colourful waterfront at Nyhavn with its lively cafes is a great place to while away some time, while Amalienborg Palace and the Tivoli amusement park will take you on a journey through the past and present of the Danish capital. In its majestic setting amidst well-kept rose gardens, Rosenborg Castle is home to the Danish Crown Jewels. As well as its historic sites, Copenhagen is a paradise for design fans: the cubist Royal Library and the Royal Opera House are outstanding examples of modern Scandinavian architecture.

By the 11th century, Copenhagen was already an important trading and fishing centre and today you will find an attractive city which, although the largest in Scandinavia, has managed to retain its low-level skyline. Discover some of the famous attractions including Gefion Fountain and Amalienborg Palace, perhaps cruise the city’s waterways, visit Rosenborg Castle or explore the medieval fishing village of Dragoer. Once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen features many reminders of its fairytale heritage and lives up to the reputation immortalised in the famous song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’.

The Kiel Canal is like a ribbon cutting through the landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein and linking the North Sea to the Baltic Sea between Brunsbuttel and Kiel. At just under 100 km (62 miles) long, the canal is the busiest man-made waterway in the world and cuts up to 900 km (560 miles) off shipping routes around Denmark. Opened in 1895 and originally known as the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, the canal makes its way past little villages, idyllic meadows and extensive pasture land. The two locks are masterpieces of engineering and have also been in operation since 1895, protecting the canal from changing water levels caused by the tides or by the winds off the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.

The Kiel Canal is like a ribbon cutting through the landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein and linking the North Sea to the Baltic Sea between Brunsbuttel and Kiel. At just under 100 km (62 miles) long, the canal is the busiest man-made waterway in the world and cuts up to 900 km (560 miles) off shipping routes around Denmark. Opened in 1895 and originally known as the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, the canal makes its way past little villages, idyllic meadows and extensive pasture land. The two locks are masterpieces of engineering and have also been in operation since 1895, protecting the canal from changing water levels caused by the tides or by the winds off the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.