Travel and leisure
Cruises
Cruising the Baltic
With all that natural beauty, art and culture, it is no wonder that a cruise in the Baltic is so appealing, writes Penny Visman
Although Norway is not on the Baltic, it is by association often included in Baltic itineraries. But cruising to the Baltic through the Kiel Canal is a fascinating trip in itself. During the 61-mile (98km) transit you glide through tranquil German countryside. And what a welcome to hear God Save the Queen booming from the Canal Greeting Station, which plays the national anthems of passing ships. Opened in 1895, The Kiel Canal is the busiest man-made waterway in the world and has shortened the distance between the North Sea and Baltic by about 200 miles.
There is so much to see in St Petersburg. What an opportunity to take in a performance of the legendary Russian Ballet, and go with the flow by drinking Russian champagne in the interval. Introductory tours give an overview of great landmarks. The highlight here is of course the glorious Winter Palace: home of The Hermitage Museum, founded by Catherine the Great, it is crammed with astounding treasures.
The Baltic has so many gems. It is well worth rising at dawn to experience the enthralling approach to Stockholm as the ship slowly makes its way through the estimated 25,000 tiny islands. The Swedish capital’s Gamla Stan (old town) is a delight. Or visit the Vasa, a raised sailing ship with many artefacts, which sank in 1628 before leaving the harbour.
In Helsinki you can't miss the huge daily market on the quayside, which includes stalls selling Russian fur hats, reindeer-skin slippers, wooden toys and stylish casual clothes. The medieval walled town of Tallinn with its turrets, towers and gables looks like a setting for classic fairy tales. And when you've seen The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, relax in one of the cafes in charming Nyhavn (translates as new harbour, it was new in 1673).
A few minutes stroll from here takes you to Stroget (the mile-long traffic-free walking street). Pop into the Royal Copenhagen emporium for a browse and eat work-of-art cakes on the famous blue and white porcelain. Or take a tour to the Royal Palaces. Warnemunde, a salty bustling seaside town, is the base for day tours to Berlin.
