Discovering the Cities of the Baltic - 12 July 2024

12 July Departing Rosyth Port, Scotland

14 July Kiel Canal, Germany

Connecting the North Sea at the mouth of the Elbe River to the Baltic Sea at Holtenau, the Kiel Canal is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Slicing a man-made path through the German countryside, on average this 61-mile long marvel of engineering allows vessels to avoid 250 nautical miles of sea sailing. Sailing slowly along the canal presents an opportunity to take in lush green countryside and a collection of interesting villages and towns flanking the still waters.

15 July Warnemunde, Germany

Founded in the 13th century, the former fishing village of Warnemünde is located along the Baltic Sea. With a wide promenade that runs parallel to the sea, it leads to the well-known lighthouse where a laser and light show is celebrated on each New Year’s Day. The Alter Strom canal is full of colourful boats and surrounded with lively restaurants, and close by is Alexandrinenstraße, a quaint street lined with small houses and tall trees.

17 July Klaipeda, Lithuania

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.

18 July Gdańsk, Poland

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. A delight to explore, the city features an abundance of attractions, discovered in and around scenes of charming 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 best way to see and appreciate Gdańsk is by strolling the pavements and alleys to seek out the many gems. The 'main town' is at the top of the list of the must-visit areas to discover; here you'll find streets and squares that appear to be taken straight from a fairy tale, as well as many museums and monuments, and fine examples of various architectural styles.

20 July Frederica, Denmark

Frederica was founded in 1650 by King Frederick III, and was built from scratch on a marshy piece of land. The town was specifically designed in a grid structure, and was encircled by defensive ramparts; although tall buildings and those with towers were built outside of the walls, to ensure no enemies had landmarks to aim for. Today, these landmarks are a fascinating tribute to the town, such as the Gunpowder Tower. Close by is the city of Odense, birthplace of world-famous Hans Christian Andersen.

22 July Return to Rosyth Port, Scotland