19-DAY HARBORS OF NORWAY, SCANDINAVIA & THE BALTIC

Hamburg is a major transport hub in Northern Germany and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Located on the river Elbe, some 110 km from its mouth in the North Sea, the port can take the world’s largest cruise ships. The birthplace of Johannes Brahms, who spent his early formative years in the city, it is renowned for its numerous musicals, operas and orchestral presentations. Read more about Hamburg, Germany

Farsund is a town with an east coast harbour and is also a municipality in the 260 km2 county of Vest-Agder, Norway. Farsund town was a trading centre in 1795, and today is the centre of the largest agricultural (and most populated) district in the county. Read more about Farsund, Norway

Oslo, the capital and most populous city in Norway, lies between the Oslo Fjord and the green hills of Oslomarka. The combination of city life and easy access to outdoor activities makes Oslo a unique destination. Oslo is built in a horseshoe shape on the shores of the Oslofjord and limited in most directions by hills and forests. Read more about Oslo, Norway

Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city and is situated on the west coast of Sweden at the mouth of the river Gota Alv. The city was developed largely by city planners and canal experts from the Netherlands and Germany, and this is the reason for the Amsterdam-style canal around the city centre. To this day the city owes much to the influence of people from abroad. Read more about Gothenburg, Sweden

Skagen - aka The Skaw - is a projection of land and a town on the northernmost tip of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark. The area is extremely picturesque, and distinguished by its low, yellow houses with red tile roofs nestled into the beach areas. The impressive and wild landscape was largely formed by a severe process of desertification and migrating sands that hit the area in the 18th and 19th centuries. Read more about Skagen, Denmark

Wismar (pop. 43,000) is located about 100 km SE of Kiel and 100 km NE of Hamburg in central northern Germany, on the Baltic Sea. The port of Wismar is situated in the Bay of Wismar and is well-protected by a promontory. Read more about Wismar, Germany

Copenhagen, situated on two islands, is the capital and largest city in Denmark. It is perhaps best known for being the final resting place of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen, and also being one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities. It has a very high quality of life. Read more about Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish town of Rønne, the largest on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, is home to 15 medieval churches - four of which are Round Churches - that display unique artwork and architecture. In the colourful Old Quarter with its cobbled streets one finds some notable examples of 19th and early 20th century architecture that include half-timbered houses and interesting museums. Ronne is also well known for its arts and crafts, especially the delightful clay pottery and glass souvenirs made on site. Read more about Ronne, Denmark

Visby, on the island of Gotland that lies 90km off the SE coast of Sweden, is a medieval town of roses, ruins, narrow winding lanes, and an amazingly well preserved town wall with 27 of the towers still intact. There are also 200 medieval houses as well as several ancient churches, many of which were built in the 12th century. Another attraction is the beautifully restored Cathedral of St Mary’s. Read more about Visby, Sweden

The city of Stockholm in Sweden spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. Its history stretches over seven centuries, and it is Sweden's centre of art and culture. It is also famous for being the home of the Nobel Prizes. Read more about Stockholm, Sweden

The city of Stockholm in Sweden spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. Its history stretches over seven centuries, and it is Sweden's centre of art and culture. It is also famous for being the home of the Nobel Prizes. Read more about Stockholm, Sweden

Read more about Helsinki, Finland

Tallinn, capital of Estonia, is dominated by the amazing 13th century Toompea Castle towering over the rest of the city. Having always been the seat of power in Estonia, it is appropriately home to the country’s Parliament today. Tallinn was named the European Capital of Culture in 2011, and its Medieval city centre, the most amazing part of Tallinn, truly must be explored. Read more about Tallinn, Estonia

Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. It is the largest city of the Baltic states and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava. Read more about Riga, Latvia

Klaipeda is the third largest city of Lithuania, and the northernmost ice-free port on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Its fascination lies primarily in the echoes of its history as reflected in its historic buildings in the city centre. Here the picturesque buildings, some of which display the well-known half-timbered construction, date from the 13th to 18th centuries. Read more about Klaipeda, Lithuania

Gdansk lies on the southern edge of Gdansk Bay on the Baltic coast, and is Poland’s principal seaport. From a trading base for the once-mighty Teutonic Knights to the birthplace of modern Poland, the city drips history. Today Gdansk, with its painstakingly reconstructed and very charming Old Town, is perfectly located at the heart of the coast, and is the showpiece of Poland's north. Read more about Gdansk, Poland

Copenhagen, situated on two islands, is the capital and largest city in Denmark. It is perhaps best known for being the final resting place of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen, and also being one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities. It has a very high quality of life. Read more about Copenhagen, Denmark