Norwegian Dawn - July 17, 2024

Distributed across fourteen immaculate islands in a sheltered Baltic bay, crisscrossed by scenic bridges, Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including the medieval "city between the bridges," the vast Royal Palace, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies.

Finland's national capital is a spacious Neoclassical city in fine white granite, whose upbeat pace and fashion sense belie the Finnish reputation for conservatism. The massive Temppeliaukio Church is carved out of solid stone, while on the Esplanadi, famous Finnish designers like Marimekko or Iitala demonstrate a lighter, more modern style.

Peter the Great styled this to be his Venice of the North. Italian architects created baroque facades, the match of any, to line the banks of the Neva River. Long, arched bridges join the city's halves. You'll want to see the spires of the Saints Peter and Paul Fortress, the blue domes of the Ouspensky Cathedral and, of course, some of the million masterworks of art contained in the Hermitage galleries of the Winter Palace.

Peter the Great styled this to be his Venice of the North. Italian architects created baroque facades, the match of any, to line the banks of the Neva River. Long, arched bridges join the city's halves. You'll want to see the spires of the Saints Peter and Paul Fortress, the blue domes of the Ouspensky Cathedral and, of course, some of the million masterworks of art contained in the Hermitage galleries of the Winter Palace.

Beautifully preserved medieval walls and towers still stand tall in the Old Town section, shadowed by the hilltop Toompea Castle. Stroll and shop along cobblestone streets, walk up to the Baroque Palace, and drop in at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and find inspiration in the gleaming mosaics and tiles. This is, by far, one of the most atmospheric locales in Europe.

Riga is home to a university, the Latvian Academy of Sciences, and to numerous other educational and cultural institutions. The old section, or Hansa town, is circled by a park-lined moat and includes the ancient castle of the Livonian Knights, the 13th century Lutheran cathedral, and the Parliament building. This area, with its narrow, cobbled streets lined with gabled dwellings and warehouses, has retained much of its medieval character.

Klaipeda, the third largest port city in Lithuania, is located on the southernmost shore of the Baltic Sea. Klaipeda is not only one of the largest fishing ports on the Baltic Sea, but also a major cultural center of Lithuania. Of the museums of Klaipeda, tourists should visit the large Maritime Museum and Aquarium, which boasts thousands of exhibits from the seas and oceans of the world.

Once a tiny fishing village, today Gdynia is Poland's most important port. It is also well situated; venture to the resort town of Sopot, merely nine miles away. Tour the more prominent Polish city of Gdansk, only another six miles inland from Sopot.

From Warnemunde, you can travel on the autobahn or railway to Berlin to view the Brandenburg Gate, Kaiser Wilhelm Church, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Reichstag and the collected wonders of the Pergamon Museum. Or stay down by the sea, and visit medieval Rostock and the spas of the Baltic shore.

Hamburg's port on the river Elbe has been busy since medieval times, when it was a cornerstone of the Hanseatic League. It is a graceful city of parks and lakes, and grand old buildings like the Rathaus (City Hall). Brahms and Mendelssohn were born here, and Hans Leip, who wrote Lili Marlene.

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, and travelers find it incredibly charming. For historical interest, explore the streets of Christianborg and Amelienborg palaces. Leisure seekers can stroll the streets or lounge in the cafes of Stroget. Visit Tivoli Gardens, too, and don't forget to see the statue of the Little Mermaid, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen.