Winter Adventures In Lapland - Scandinavia's Winter Wonderland

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.

Glittering and mysterious, peaceful and romantic: do you know Scandinavia in winter? The HANSEATIC nature brings you very close to its most stunning places – right from the start when cruising through the Stockholm Archipelago. The deck is the ideal vantage point to see 24,000 islands, a unique piece of natural heritage. There is no trace of the hustle and bustle of the high season in winter, and you’ll have a special opportunity to explore Stockholm at a relaxed pace – whether you choose to walk through the fabulous old town, explore Stockholm on a city tour1 or visit the open-air museum Skansen1. Afterwards, it’s northbound.

Glittering and mysterious, peaceful and romantic: do you know Scandinavia in winter? The HANSEATIC nature brings you very close to its most stunning places – right from the start when cruising through the Stockholm Archipelago. The deck is the ideal vantage point to see 24,000 islands, a unique piece of natural heritage. There is no trace of the hustle and bustle of the high season in winter, and you’ll have a special opportunity to explore Stockholm at a relaxed pace – whether you choose to walk through the fabulous old town, explore Stockholm on a city tour1 or visit the open-air museum Skansen1. Afterwards, it’s northbound.

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.

The spirit of adventure will hang in the clear air as you press on into the icy northern extension of the Baltic Sea. Experiences that are only possible with a small expedition ship like the HANSEATIC nature, which is suitable for polar regions, await you on the flexible expedition day in the Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay. Depending on the weather and ice conditions, the nature Walk and the many open deck areas will become your front-row seats.

Situated at the northern end of icy Bothnian Bay, Lulea is your gateway to Swedish Lapland. Your exhilarating days here are all about adventure moments and outdoor winter activities – whether it’s a winter experience with huskies1 or on a fat bike1 ride across the ice and snow. You will also have the opportunity to get to know the culture and traditions of the Sami1. Gammelstad Church Town1 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attests to the lives and beliefs of people in northern Scandinavia. Shed light on the history of this snowy church town on an atmospheric guided tour with torches. Alternatively, get in the mood for adventure by going winter hiking and ice fishing1 on frozen lakes. Would you like even more Nordic highlights? With a little luck, in clear weather you will be able to see the Northern Lights, observing this show of nature spellbound from the deck of the HANSEATIC nature.

The Finnish town of Kemi is situated not far from the Arctic Circle. You can experience for yourself how the locals get around on a snowmobile safari1, on a dog sleigh ride1 or on a snowshoe hike1 through deep snow-covered forests and along frozen lakes and rivers. Perhaps you would also like to try your hand at ice fishing1? Extend your knowledge about life in northern Europe in Rovaniemi1 on a visit to the Arktikum museum. You will also be amazed by the SnowCastle, a hotel and restaurant that are rebuilt every year.

Oulu is considered a real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Why not see for yourself on a reindeer sleigh ride1 or with a snowmobile1 – or alternatively explore Finnish Lapland while cross-country skiing1.

On the second flexible expedition day in Bothnian Bay and the Bothnian Sea, nature keeps enticing you with new views that are only possible with a small expedition ship like the HANSEATIC nature.

With bobbin lace and picturesque wooden houses, Rauma is a living example of Finnish craftsmanship. You will have the place almost completely to yourself at this time of year. Wind your way through the charming old town that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In keeping with the contented feeling of hygge, explore the Danish capital of Copenhagen on foot with glogg and a pastry. Use the long lay time into the evening to stroll through the charming streets on your own and pay flying visits to the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace.

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’.

Reflect on your many unforgettable impressions and experiences during the daytime passage through the Kiel Canal with the best views from the many open deck areas of marshes, forests and meadows.

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.