Cruise Vacations
DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE SWEDEN
BALTIC
Beauties By Diane Tierney
Cruise the Baltic Sea for bold destinations that make brazen impressions. The Baltic Sea beckons cruisers like never before with its bold and beautiful ports. Whether you’re a culture vulture, architecture aficionado or sophisticated city slicker, the Baltic countries feature cities brimming with both Old World grandeur and charming, quaint character. On a Baltic cruise, you’ll easily circumnavigate the sea in style and, within a week or two, see several sensational countries: Russia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Poland and more. These Baltic countries also have many UNESCO World Heritage sites, many close to port, such as Tallinn’s Old Town or Sweden’s Drottningholm Palace, a well-preserved royal castle. And, in summer, thanks to being in a region of the midnight sun, 64 • Vacations ® • Spring 2020
the days are extra-long, which adds to the ease of adventures. There are many options to take two tours in a day – a city day tour of palaces and an evening at the opera or ballet after dinner. Many of the cities are also very easy to walk if you want to explore on your own. Consider choosing a cruise line that offers overnight stays so you can delve deeper into these many-layered destinations. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Viking are terrific options for this region. Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises also have Baltic sailings in luxury ships that complement the opulent sights you’ll see during the day.
