7 nights. Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia

Day 1

kiel canal, germany

Departure: 18:00

Explore the Majestic Kiel Canal: A Traveller’s Guide Tucked away in the heart of northern Germany, the Kiel Canal, or Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, is both a feat of engineering and a gateway to the region’s scenic beauty. Stretching 98 kilometres (61 miles) from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, this busy waterway is one of the world’s most heavily used artificial canals, offering a unique mix of natural splendour and industrial prowess. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or maritime aficionado, the Kiel Canal promises an unforgettable journey through time and tide. One of the canal’s most captivating features is its picturesque landscapes. As you travel along the waterway, you’ll pass charming villages, lush meadows and dense forests lining the banks. The canal’s well-maintained towpaths are ideal for cycling and walking, allowing you to soak up the tranquil atmosphere at your own pace. Don’t miss the chance to visit the delightful town of Rendsburg, where you can see the historic High Bridge and the unique transporter bridge, a rare engineering achievement that carries vehicles and pedestrians across the canal. For anyone fascinated by maritime history, the Kiel Canal offers a front-row view of the smooth choreography of naval traffic. More than 30,000 ships pass through the canal each year, including massive container ships, luxury yachts and naval vessels. A visit to the locks at either end of the canal, in Kiel-Holtenau and Brunsbüttel, gives you an up-close look at the intricate operations that enable these colossal ships to travel from sea to sea. The Kiel Canal Museum in Brunsbüttel offers further insight into the canal’s construction and importance, making it a must-visit for history buffs. No trip to the Kiel Canal would be complete without experiencing its lively cultural side. Throughout the year, the region hosts a variety of festivals and events that celebrate its rich maritime heritage. From Kiel Week, one of the world’s largest sailing events, to smaller local fairs and markets, there’s always something going on. Make sure to sample the local cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and traditional German dishes, the perfect way to round off a day spent exploring this remarkable waterway. Whether you’re cruising along its waters or discovering its surrounding countryside, the Kiel Canal offers a diverse and rewarding travel experience that captures the essence of northern Germany.

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Day 2

copenhagen, denmark

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

A decade ago, visitors came to Copenhagen just for its canals, cobbled squares, charming streets and pastel painted houses. Now this city is most known for its innovative design, cutting edge architecture and its top-rated restaurants. This historic city of canals has become trendy, cosmopolitan and exciting, without losing its old charms. The fairytale-like port of Nyhavn, the city’s legendary waterfront, is the most traditional sight of Copenhagen, where visitors enjoy the cobbled streets and colourful houses that contrasts with Langelinje quay, where the city’s most famous attraction, The Little Mermaid, is located. Walking along the Langelinje quay, the modern opera house appears on the horizon bringing tourists back into the 21st century. Another of the city’s new waterfront landmarks is the Black Diamond entertainment complex, an additional reason to travel beyond the tiny tourist-focused centre. The building itself is stunning and provides a unique opportunity to lounge in a deckchair overlooking the water. Two of the coolest areas of the city are Veesterbro and Norrebro, away from the herds of tourists. These vibrant neighbourhoods will allow the most adventurous travellers to mix with the locals and experience the buzzing atmosphere of places like the Norrebro Food Hall, a covered foodie market, or the Ralea, the restaurant where local chefs go to get food after work. Copenhagen’s coolest borough of trendy bars, design stores and eateries, where visitors can experience the culinary revolution the city has to offer, it's just a metro ride from the city centre. The less-travelled island neighbourhood of Christianshavn offers a tranquil glimpse of residential life and canal-side strolls. It’s also home to the “free town” of Christiana, a colourful alternative community built by hippies in the 1970s, which shines with galleries and cafés, and has its own, strict set of rules. Copenhagen is clean, safe and easy to get to know. It is also one of Europe’s greenest cities and its public transport would make New York green with envy. Its centre is reserved for pedestrians and strict anti-pollution laws enforced. It’s an environmentally idyllic spot with plenty of green space and bicycles often outnumber cars, so be careful of stepping out into bike lanes. Wander carefree to the world-famous Tivoli amusement park and the city’s delightful botanical garden, or take to the pavement cafés and restaurants in the summer alongside the locals. Whatever you decide to do in the Danish capital, whether you dig design and dine, or wander in wonder, Copenhagen will keep calling you back like a siren.

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Day 4

visby, sweden

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 16:00

Visby, the picturesque medieval capital of Gotland, is a delight in every respect. Even if you saw nothing else of the island’s many attractions, a visit to wander through Visby’s maze of cobbled lanes, lined with painted cottages where colourful wildflowers spring from cracks in the pavement, would stay with you for a very long time.

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Day 5

helsinki, finland

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

Helsinki is located on a small peninsula at the southern tip of Finland. If you approach Helsinki from the sea, you'll see neoclassical buildings with elegant lines and pastel colours, and a marketplace brimming with strawberries and salmon. The city has grown with a focus on harmony. In the summer, many locals swap city life for their country cottages, but in winter the capital comes alive with theatre, political institutes and over 20,000 university students. Architecture enthusiasts will adore Helsinki. The attractive neoclassical buildings around Senate Square were almost entirely designed by German architect Carl Ludwig Engel in the early 19th century, shortly after Helsinki took over from Turku as the capital of Finland. The jewel in the crown is the Lutheran Cathedral, which has recently been refurbished and looks better than ever, with the 12 apostles on the roof once again looking down at the world below. Elsewhere in the city, the bold, simple designs of the city’s great 20th century architects, notably Aalto and Saarinen, blend with the clean neoclassical lines. The stunning Jean Sibelius Monument, dedicated to Finland’s most famous composer, consists of hundreds of steel pipes sculpted by Elia Hiltunen. The monument is located in Sibelius Park. The Kansallimuseo, or National Museum, has fantastic displays of Finnish culture. The exhibits of the City Museum illustrate the history of the city. The islands surrounding Helsinki make for excellent day trips. The sandy beaches and smooth rocks of Pihlajasaari make it a popular summer spot for sunbathing Finns. Every summer, there are many free outdoor concerts in one of the city’s numerous parks. In the afternoons, all kinds of music can be heard on the leafy Esplanadi. Helsinki may be a small city compared to the world's mega-cities, but it still has a cosmopolitan spirit. Helsinki is a beautiful city, especially in the summer. The streets are clean and there's always a peaceful spot to be found, if you need one. Some say that Helsinki is "the biggest village in the world" and it's a fantastic place for tourism, history, museums, galleries, theatre, music, shopping, restaurants, clubs, and so on, all environmentally friendly, free of pollution and traffic congestion.

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Day 6

tallinn, estonia

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 19:00

One of Europe's most enchanting cities, Tallinn is a perfect blend of medieval and modern, with its narrow cobbled lanes filled with baroque architecture, and its wild nightlife. Estonia's capital city has been labelled the 'New Prague' but this city stands out in its own right. The World Heritage-listed Old Town has plenty of diversions for even the most discerning traveller. Best explored on foot, Tallinn’s evocative Old Town is filled with castles, Russian Orthodox churches and Dominican monasteries. These historic treasures share the streets with old merchant houses and medieval meeting halls where visitors can witness locals demonstrating centuries-old artisan traditions of glassblowing, weaving and pottery, and, why not, take a unique souvenir back home. At night the Old Town transforms. Within its ancient walls travellers will be able to party in steamy nightclubs, sleek lounges, expat bars and vibrant gay clubs until the early hours of the morning. Outside the medieval quarters, there's plenty to see. On the outskirts of the old borough a new district is emerging, with gleaming new hotels, offices and plenty of restaurants, cafés, boutiques and nightclubs. Anyone arriving in Tallinn with the idea of an old Soviet Bloc grey city will be as surprised by this new skyline as they will be by the charming old core. Tallinn is proud of its old soul but it is also fashion forward, vibrant, colourful, cultural and wild.

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Day 8

kiel canal, germany

Arrival: 07:00

Explore the Majestic Kiel Canal: A Traveller’s Guide Tucked away in the heart of northern Germany, the Kiel Canal, or Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, is both a feat of engineering and a gateway to the region’s scenic beauty. Stretching 98 kilometres (61 miles) from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, this busy waterway is one of the world’s most heavily used artificial canals, offering a unique mix of natural splendour and industrial prowess. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or maritime aficionado, the Kiel Canal promises an unforgettable journey through time and tide. One of the canal’s most captivating features is its picturesque landscapes. As you travel along the waterway, you’ll pass charming villages, lush meadows and dense forests lining the banks. The canal’s well-maintained towpaths are ideal for cycling and walking, allowing you to soak up the tranquil atmosphere at your own pace. Don’t miss the chance to visit the delightful town of Rendsburg, where you can see the historic High Bridge and the unique transporter bridge, a rare engineering achievement that carries vehicles and pedestrians across the canal. For anyone fascinated by maritime history, the Kiel Canal offers a front-row view of the smooth choreography of naval traffic. More than 30,000 ships pass through the canal each year, including massive container ships, luxury yachts and naval vessels. A visit to the locks at either end of the canal, in Kiel-Holtenau and Brunsbüttel, gives you an up-close look at the intricate operations that enable these colossal ships to travel from sea to sea. The Kiel Canal Museum in Brunsbüttel offers further insight into the canal’s construction and importance, making it a must-visit for history buffs. No trip to the Kiel Canal would be complete without experiencing its lively cultural side. Throughout the year, the region hosts a variety of festivals and events that celebrate its rich maritime heritage. From Kiel Week, one of the world’s largest sailing events, to smaller local fairs and markets, there’s always something going on. Make sure to sample the local cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and traditional German dishes, the perfect way to round off a day spent exploring this remarkable waterway. Whether you’re cruising along its waters or discovering its surrounding countryside, the Kiel Canal offers a diverse and rewarding travel experience that captures the essence of northern Germany.

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