Holland America Line

14-Day Baltic Explorer

14-Day Baltic Explorer
Starting from $2,999*

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Ship: ms Veendam

Departure Date :

Itinerary

Day Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Departs 05:00 PM
A stop in Amsterdam offers the chance to explore the sights of one of Europe’s most colorful, dynamic and historic cities—one with a well-earned reputation as a laid-back and inviting place for people of all stripes. Visitors are naturally drawn to the historic city center where you’ll find some of the world’s top art museums, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. And at Dam Square, the Amsterdam’s largest public square, you can tour the Royal Palace before continuing to the tourist attractions on the Canal Belt. The iconic network of waterways that surrounds the downtown area offers a picturesque backdrop for sightseeing by bike or canal boat. Be sure to visit the floating Bloemenmarkt to peruse famed Dutch tulips, and take time to wander and window-shop among the narrow lanes of de Jordaan. And you won’t have to look far in Amsterdam to find delicious Dutch treats along the way. Just duck into a cozy brown café to sample a plate of bitterballen with mustard and a beer, and grab a gooey sweet stroopwafel from a street vendor as you stroll.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Day Scenic cruising Elbe River / Hamburg, Germany
Cruising / Arrives 04:00 PM
The second-longest river in Germany after the Rhine, the Elbe flows for over 1,000 kilometers (700 miles) between the Krkonoše Mountains in the north of the Czech Republic—where the river is known as the Labe—and the North Sea. One of Central Europe’s major rivers, it’s also one of the most popular in Germany for boat cruises due to the array of natural and cultural sights along the way. Cruise passengers can see the looming sandstone massif outside Dresden, the vineyards of Saxony and many historic towns, including Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation, and Meißen, which is famous for the manufacture of porcelain. The river also winds through several major cities, such as Prague, Berlin, Magdeburg and Hamburg. The stretch between Hamburg and the North Sea is fascinating not only because of the many attractions in and around the city—which has one of the busiest ports in the world—but because of smaller cities and towns like Glückstadt and Cuxhaven, and the various islands and natural sites that can be observed en route.

Hamburg, Germany

"Hamburg is one of Germany’s most cosmopolitan cities, with celebrated cultural venues, leading museums and lively shopping and dining districts. The city’s character is powered by the mighty River Elbe, which passes by stylish neighborhoods on its way to the North Sea. Its two lakes are also among Hamburg’s most famous features, where residents come to sail, kayak and canoe while others bike and walk on the shaded pathways along their shores.
Scenic cruising Elbe River / Hamburg, Germany
Day Hamburg, Germany
Departs 07:00 PM
"Hamburg is one of Germany’s most cosmopolitan cities, with celebrated cultural venues, leading museums and lively shopping and dining districts. The city’s character is powered by the mighty River Elbe, which passes by stylish neighborhoods on its way to the North Sea. Its two lakes are also among Hamburg’s most famous features, where residents come to sail, kayak and canoe while others bike and walk on the shaded pathways along their shores. Often referred to as Germany’s Gateway to the World, due to its role as the biggest commercial port in the country (and the second largest in Europe), the city has a maritime atmosphere and bustle. Hamburg has launched ships since the Middle Ages, but it was also instrumental in launching the musical career of the Beatles, who played in multiple venues on the Reeperbahn in the city’s St. Pauli district. It was here that they recorded the single that would launch them to stardom, ""Please Please Me."" Today, with two of its portside districts recently added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, upscale shopping districts and a distinct European flavor, Hamburg retains an energetic and eclectic atmosphere where historic and modern charms meet. "
Hamburg, Germany
Day At Sea

Day Copenhagen, Denmark
Arrives 07:00 AM Departs 11:00 PM
"Copenhagen is one of the easiest European capitals to fall in love with. The sights of old buildings, cobbled streets and the tower- and turret-dotted skyline lend fairy-tale charm—this was, after all, the home of author Hans Christian Andersen. But make no mistake: This is a thoroughly modern city with international clout. Restaurants around the world draw inspiration from the New Nordic cuisine pioneered by Noma and other Copenhagen restaurants, while Danish design from this century and the last is universally admired and coveted. Urban planners flock here to try to work out just how the city remains so livable and yet so functional, and despite its wealth of old buildings, Copenhagen’s not locked in the past; there are also thrilling examples of modern architecture. Copenhagen is a city that’s easy to find things to do and explore on foot or by excellent public transport, where everyone speaks perfect English, the food is fresh and innovative, and there’s plenty of locally brewed beer—which, of course, is best enjoyed sitting by the water on a sunny day. "
Copenhagen, Denmark
Day At Sea

Day Stockholm, Sweden / Cruising Stockholm Archipelago
Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM / Cruising
Spread over more than a dozen islands linked by bridges, the Swedish capital of Stockholm is one of the most effortlessly enjoyable cities in Europe. Go sightseeing in Stockholm's elegant Östermalm with its chic interior design stores; verdant Djurgården with its museums, cultural sights and acres of rolling parkland; ancient Gamla Stan with its cobbled streets that surround the Royal Palace; and trendy Södermalm with its cool neighborhoods and even cooler inhabitants. Stockholm is easy to navigate on foot or by public transport, and wherever you roam, you’re never far from water or parkland attractions in Stockholm.

Cruising Stockholm Archipelago

"When approaching the Swedish capital by sea, spare a thought for the captain. It can't be easy to carefully navigate the narrow channels of the Stockholm Archipelago—channels densely dotted with somewhere in the region of 30,000 islands. Many of these islands are little more than granite outcrops inhabited only by seabirds. Some have thriving communities year round, but many more see their populations rocket in the warmer months when ferry service from the city resumes and Stockholmers escape to spend time at their summer homes and on their boats. The larger islands have distinct personalities: Sandhamn, for instance, becomes a major sailing hub, its harbor packed with yachts, while Grinda has a famous värdshus—an old-fashioned inn—where people come for dinner and to spend the night. Whatever time of year you visit, the journey through the archipelago to reach Stockholm—which is itself composed of 14 interconnected islands—is always spectacular, and helps you understand why Stockholm’s residents are so proud and protective of this area of outstanding natural beauty."
Stockholm, Sweden / Cruising Stockholm Archipelago
Day Tallinn, Estonia
Arrives 09:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM
"On the shores of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn, Estonia’s largest city, is impossibly charming. Northern Europe’s oldest capital—it dates back to the 12th century—is also one of its best preserved, with much of its Old Town constructed when it was a bustling port in the Hanseatic League. Explore the upper portion on Toompea Hill, where there is an impressive castle and the 19th-century Alexander Nevsky cathedral, a vestige from the Russian Empire, then head to the lower section for churches and merchants’ homes off twisting medieval streets. Tallinn isn’t, however, simply a historic showpiece. Just a short walk from the UNESCO World Heritage-designated core is a dynamic, future-facing city of glass buildings and trendy restaurants and boutiques catering to the city’s young professionals—as well as visiting travelers. "
Tallinn, Estonia
Day St. Petersburg, Russia
Arrives 07:00 AM
"St. Petersburg, Russia, emerged from the vision of one man, Czar Peter the Great, at the beginning of the 18th century and was the country’s capital for 200 years, until the Russian Revolution. Pushkin called it Russia's ""window to Europe,"" and like Venice and Amsterdam, two cities that inspired Peter, the city was built on a network of canals. Among the city's tourist attractions, the Hermitage is its most famous. It is one of the world’s greatest art museums, and the largest museum in the world—with almost three million objects collected in five buildings. Performing arts, too, abound: Many of Russia’s greatest ballets, plays and operas have premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre. Nearby, the summer residences of the czars, including Peterhof, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are dazzling gilded Baroque palaces for sightseeing in St. Petersburg."
St. Petersburg, Russia
Day St. Petersburg, Russia
Departs 06:00 PM
"St. Petersburg, Russia, emerged from the vision of one man, Czar Peter the Great, at the beginning of the 18th century and was the country’s capital for 200 years, until the Russian Revolution. Pushkin called it Russia's ""window to Europe,"" and like Venice and Amsterdam, two cities that inspired Peter, the city was built on a network of canals. Among the city's tourist attractions, the Hermitage is its most famous. It is one of the world’s greatest art museums, and the largest museum in the world—with almost three million objects collected in five buildings. Performing arts, too, abound: Many of Russia’s greatest ballets, plays and operas have premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre. Nearby, the summer residences of the czars, including Peterhof, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are dazzling gilded Baroque palaces for sightseeing in St. Petersburg."
St. Petersburg, Russia
Day Helsinki, Finland
Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM
"Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is sometimes overshadowed by its larger Scandinavian counterparts, Copenhagen and Stockholm, but the city has its own singular style and appeal. A lively arts and music scene thrives amid splendid Art Nouveau buildings and classic cafés. The city's modern architecture is especially exciting: Buildings by Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen should be at the top of your must-see list. Finland’s design output, too, goes far beyond familiar Marimekko prints. Wander into the shops in the city’s Design District or check out the exhibits at the Design Museum (Designmuseo). If the weather is good, you’ll want to hop a ferry to a nearby island or enjoy the catch of the day at a harbor-facing restaurant. If you are lucky enough to be here in the summer, it's a magical time of the year, when the days last for up to 19 hours and the entire city sparkles from the sun reflecting off the water. "
Helsinki, Finland
Day Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM
This delightful hilly town, boasting medieval houses and ruined fortifications, is the island of Gotland's capital city. Due to its gentle climate an abundance of roses bloom here, even as late as November, marking Visby as "The City of Roses." In its heyday, Visby was one of the richest trading centers in northern Europe. Remains of the medieval city walls are considered to be among the best-preserved in Europe. Additional points of interest include the cathedral, one of the town's 17 medieval churches still in use today; the Old Apothecary, a late medieval four-story merchant's house; and the Fornsal Museum with an interesting exhibit of medieval artwork, hordes of silver from Viking times, and impressive picture stones that predate the Viking rune stones.
Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Day At Sea

Day At Sea

Day Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Arrives 07:00 AM
A stop in Amsterdam offers the chance to explore the sights of one of Europe’s most colorful, dynamic and historic cities—one with a well-earned reputation as a laid-back and inviting place for people of all stripes. Visitors are naturally drawn to the historic city center where you’ll find some of the world’s top art museums, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. And at Dam Square, the Amsterdam’s largest public square, you can tour the Royal Palace before continuing to the tourist attractions on the Canal Belt. The iconic network of waterways that surrounds the downtown area offers a picturesque backdrop for sightseeing by bike or canal boat. Be sure to visit the floating Bloemenmarkt to peruse famed Dutch tulips, and take time to wander and window-shop among the narrow lanes of de Jordaan. And you won’t have to look far in Amsterdam to find delicious Dutch treats along the way. Just duck into a cozy brown café to sample a plate of bitterballen with mustard and a beer, and grab a gooey sweet stroopwafel from a street vendor as you stroll.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
 
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