Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you'll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?

The red and yellow clapboard houses of Skagen occupy a substantial spit of sand at Denmark’s most northerly reaches. Many people visit Grenen, the scenic end point of the dunes where two beaches meet. The light in the area has attracted and inspired many artists and craftsmen, and you can see the results in the Skagen Museum, and in the local shops filled with pottery and glassware.

The friendly Viking city of Aarhus is brimming with museums, parks, and entertainment venues. Currently enjoying an architectural renaissance, this tiny city was the 2017 European Capital of Culture. Founded by Vikings over 1,300 years ago, vibrant Aarhus is often affectionately referred to as the world’s smallest big city. It’s compact with a walkable city centre, yet this friendly, welcoming city holds a treasure trove of delights to discover.

With a certain unforgettable Baltic allure, the Old Town is like a picture post card with charming side streets, fashionable shop and the Royal Palace - all humming with the buzz of this vibrant City.

Visby, known for its town wall, is the largest town on the Swedish island of Gotland and is around 55 miles east of the mainland in the Baltic sea. It has a close neighbour, the smaller isle of Faro. The two are known for their 'raunks', a series of gnarled limestone formations around the coast that were created during the ice age. Faro’s lighthouse and medieval church are popular film locations.

Sitting on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga is the extraordinary capital of Latvia, and the largest city of the Baltic States. Art nouveau buildings and the medieval Old Town await. Your guide to Riga. Formerly a member of the Swedish and Russian empires, Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dense with beautiful examples of Medieval and Art Nouveau buildings. Consequently, Riga’s cobbled streets evoke a feeling of stepping back in time, and just exploring the architecture is a joyous way to pass time in the city. Further afield, you’ll find the sandy beaches of Jurmala, the magnificent Rundāle Palace and the sobering Salaspils.

Standing on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Klaipeda is the third-largest city and the largest port in Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic States. It has seen maritime trade since the 1300s. Klaipeda’s old town features German-style 18th-century wood-framed buildings and Theatre Square, the city’s congenial gathering spot, is home to the neoclassical Drama Theatre.

The port of Gdynia stands almost at the midpoint of Poland’s Baltic Sea coast, on the Gulf of Danzig. The city is part of a tri-city with Gdansk and Sopot. It boasts excellent beaches and restaurants. The city is a popular spa town and celebrated summer resort, with Europe’s longest wooden pier extending into the sea. You might also enjoy the odd Crooked House, with its surreal melted appearance.

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. So much is new and striking, so much richly traditional – from the ramparts of Hamlet’s Elsinore to the very latest examples of Scandinavian design. Copenhagen literally takes your breath away. Be wowed by the Amalienborg Palace, Christiana’s hippy commune and the delightfully relaxing Tivoli Gardens.

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. So much is new and striking, so much richly traditional – from the ramparts of Hamlet’s Elsinore to the very latest examples of Scandinavian design. Copenhagen literally takes your breath away. Be wowed by the Amalienborg Palace, Christiana’s hippy commune and the delightfully relaxing Tivoli Gardens.

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you'll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?