essential cruise - Imperial St Petersburg and the Baltics

Day 1 London Tilbury At London Tilbury Port, embark Columbus (3T) in preparation for late afternoon sailing. Day 2 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Charming and quirky, the aesthetically pleasing Dutch capital offers a thrilling metropolitan buzz dressed in a 17th century Golden Age façade. Gabled houses, quiet canals, and pretty brick bridges run wistfully through the city. Spend the day exploring the cobbled streets by foot or bicycle. Visit the world’s only floating flower market to see the famed Dutch tulips at Bloemenmarkt, visit the 17th century Royal Palace on Dam Square, still used for Royal events to this day; or soak up some culture at the famous Rijksmuseum, house of Anne Frank, or the Van Gogh Museum. Day 3 At sea Day 4 Copenhagen, Denmark A city peppered with brightly coloured townhouses and winding canals, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is easily one of the most charming cities of the Baltics. With over 1,000 years of royal history, it’s unsurprising that Copenhagen is rife with beautiful palaces and castles - a highlight of which is the elegant Amalienborg Palace, home to the reigning Queen Margrethe II. Indulge in the city’s renowned bike culture and hire a bicycle or join a cycle tour, wander the pretty pedestrianised lanes of Strøget, or stop for a coffee among the historic cobblestoned streets of Nyhavn. Day 5 Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany Along a coastline that has come to be known as the ‘German Riviera’, Warnemünde sits attractively on its long, startlingly white expanse of sand. This lazy beach town is all about promenading, tasting the local fish, and people watching in a traditional Strandkorb (straw beach basket). In the centre of town, picturesque shops spill onto cobblestoned streets selling jewellery fashioned from the native amber found along the coast. The pedestrianised area of Kröpeliner Strasse is certainly worth a wander and is an easy walk to St Peter’s Church, with an observation tower that offers impressive views over the terracotta-topped town. Day 6 At sea Day 7 Tallinn, Estonia Elegant soaring spires stud the skyline and grand city gates open onto long, winding cobbled walkways; you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped directly into a fairy-tale when docking in Tallinn. Estonia’s medieval, UNESCO-listed capital is one of Europe’s most complete walled cities and laced with labyrinth-like alleyways full of art galleries, vintage shops, and famously indulgent coffee shops - time can easily be lost within these walls. The splendid Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Kadriorg Palace are great for understanding Estonian history, while the 400ft 16th century tower of St Olaf’s Church offers one of the city’s best viewpoints. Day 8-9 Petersburg, Russia (overnight) Welcome to one of the most beautiful cities on our route: St Petersburg. The grandeur of Russia’s former capital never fails to amaze, but the scars of over 350 years of volatile history through war and revolution are apparent. Opulent palaces, ornate churches and superb parks are as readily available, and we have an overnight stay to explore all this plus the infamous Aurora warship! Be sure to view the comprehensive art collection at the State Hermitage Museum and the city’s striking centrepiece, the iconic five-domed Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, while an evening dedicated to the performing arts, in the birthplace of Russian ballet, is not to be missed. Day 10 Helsinki, Finland Helsinki seamlessly entwines the sleek and modern with the neo-classical in an exceptionally handsome and vibrant city centre that has steadily grown in popularity in recent years. Striking architecture includes the impressive green and white Lutheran Cathedral, while the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral dominates the city skyline. The National Museum of Finland, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Design Museum are among the most notable attractions in the city. Day 11 Stockholm, Sweden The locals refer to Stockholm as ‘beauty on water’ and it doesn’t take long to understand their affection. As one of the world’s leading tech capitals, it is perhaps less ‘classical’ than some of the other stops on our route. Its dynamic and forward-thinking culture is reflected in its largely industrial design and no-fuss minimalism; however that’s not to say it doesn’t have some old world charm. The city is built on 14 islands connected by old bridges and the old town, Gamla Stan, includes an imposing palace and looming cathedrals. One of the city’s true highlights is the magnificent Vasa Museum, which features a salvaged 17th century Swedish warship. Day 12 At sea Day 13 Aarhus, Denmark Today we stop in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city. The streets of this compact city are brimming with discoveries and cultural highs. Some of the highlights include the 10-storey ARoS contemporary art museum with a rainbow-roofed installation; the newly revitalised harbour area; the redevelopment of Godsbanen cultural centre and the picturesque Medieval Latin Quarter. Day 14 At sea Day 15 London Tilbury Arrive at London Tilbury Port.