Seven Nations. Ten Days. Countless Baltic Discoveries.

The tides of the Baltic Sea lap onto the shores of seven nations that steal our hearts and pique our curiosity. If you think you don’t have time to visit them all, PONANT can take you to all seven in just ten days. Pack countless Baltic discoveries into just under two weeks, all while you indulge in the laid-back luxuries of one of our elegant small ships.

The beauty of a PONANT voyage lies in the number and variety of destinations you can experience in a short amount of time. 

Imagine, then, visiting seven countries across ten days of exhilarating discovery. Experience the fascinating and influential thread that has woven a remarkable tapestry of shared history and colorful cultures. Encounter an epic past that has been preserved in precious UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in elegant and ornate architectural masterworks, and through cherished traditions of cuisine, music, and a love of the outdoors. 

This is the Baltic, the finger-like sea pointing northward into the heart of Scandinavia. The fate of Northern Europe has unfolded on its shores, from the pristine forested expanses of Sweden to the peninsula and islands of Denmark. Our luxury small ship journey helps you peel away the region’s intricate layers while simultaneously telling the stories that unite seven seemingly disparate nations.

Here are some highlights of our most comprehensive journey in the region:

Finland: Experience the White City of the North

Neoclassical beauty and Art Nouveau wonders highlight the Finnish capital of Helsinki. In addition to being hailed as one of the cleanest cities in the world, it was also called one of the greatest places in the world by Time magazine in 2021. It was also designated as a World Design Capital in 2012. Renowned for its sustainability, Helsinki’s urban plan is driven by its respect for the environment and regard for its citizens, with environmentally friendly infrastructure and human-scale functionality enhancing the lifestyles of all its people. 

Estonia: Hear the Echo of Song in a Medieval Treasure

There is much to celebrate in Estonia and its stunning Old Town, seemingly plucked straight from the Middle Ages. Tallinn provides one of Northern Europe’s finest glimpses into a medieval past, with its labyrinth of cobbled streets and red-roofed houses. Its Upper and Lower Town are equally enthralling, and if you feel inspired to sing as you explore, blame Estonia’s history. When the nation’s 300,000 citizens rose up against Soviet rule in 1988, they sang for their freedom – en masse. The so-called Singing Revolution was won without a single shot being fired.

Sweden: Explore a Stunning Capital and Historic Island

Stockholm enjoys one of Northern Europe’s most stunning settings, overlooking the confluence of Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The city straddles more than 14 islands, all connected by 57 bridges. The Gamla Stan – Stockholm’s Old Town – is a showcase of splendid baroque, Art Nouveau, and other architectural styles that reflect the city’s long history. Offshore, the island of Gotland strikes quite a different pose. Outside its main city of Visby, a pretty canvas of farmland is dotted with churches and strewn with ancient stone walls. The island is punctuated by two miles of defensive walls, so remarkably preserved that they are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Latvia: Admire Art Nouveau Splendor

In the Latvian capital of Riga, the entire historic center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its unique blend of incredibly preserved Art Nouveau and 19th-century wooden architecture. In fact, Riga is home to the highest number of Art Nouveau buildings in the world – some 800 grace its cityscape, earning it the nickname “the Paris of the North.” In addition to its beautiful architecture, it also enjoys a stunning setting: hugging the Daugava River before it spills into the Gulf of Riga.

Lithuania: Take in an Eclectic Port City

Lithuania’s only major seaport, Klaipėda is a relatively tranquil town compared to the days when it was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Prussia, and Germany. Today, it is Lithuanian through and through, where locals enjoy the outdoors in parks and protected forests and follow a long-held tradition of foraging for everyday berries. The Old Town boasts numerous preserved buildings of German and Scandinavian architecture, some in the lovely half-timbered style.

Poland: Marvel at a Hanseatic Heavy Hitter

Like many cities on our Baltic itinerary, Gdańsk thrived as part of the Hanseatic League, the medieval mercantile heavyweight in the Baltic region. One of the most remarkable structures in all of Northern Europe stands as a testament to its prosperity: a giant treadwheel crane. This 14th-century device – stories tall and powered by human strength – loaded and unloaded merchant ships docked in the Motława River. Amidst the Old Town’s Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque buildings, shops and boutiques display some of the finest amber in Europe, thanks to the rich deposits of the fossilized tree resin along the Baltic.

Denmark: Visit a Land of Fairy Tales

One of Denmark’s more remote islands, Bornholm, and its port city of Rønne, are renowned for longcase grandfather clocks, an industry that was started when a Dutch ship ran aground here in 1744 and damaged the five clocks it was carrying. A local wood turner repaired them, and never stopped making them. 

The capital city of Copenhagen is often called the “City of Spires” for the church and palace towers that stand over the fairy-tale cityscape. More than 850 years of history live in this former fishing village. Today, visitors head to the harbor at Langelinie to admire The Little Mermaid statue, or to Tivoli Gardens to get lost amid the nostalgic pull of the world’s oldest amusement park. 

There you have it … seven countries (and nine ports!) in ten days.