Summertime in lapland and Scandinavia

Day 1 - 4

3 DAYS SAILING
As set sail for Turku, Dr. Peter Walmsley will be on board to share his experiences with Finnish culture and British ex-pat, John Swallow, will be holding intimate group discussions on Finland’s highlights and what it’s like to live there.

Day 5

TURKU
FINLAND
Located at the mouth of the Aura River, Turku is Finland’s oldest city and one of Northern Europe’s most uniquely culture-rich and historic destinations. Founded in the 13th century, its architectural highlights include Turku Castle and the intriguing Kakola – a former prison, located on a hill that it is named after. Turku is the gateway to the beautiful Turku Archipelago, a utopia of around 20,000 pristine islands and rocky islets, covered with wild oak forests and offering scenic walking trails.

CRUISING TURKU ARCHIPELAGO
FINLAND
The Turku Archipelago is made up of approximately 20,000 tightly clustered rugged islands and islets. Finland’s most spectacular natural attraction provides views across their forests and tranquil waters; while the islands are abundant with wildlife, as various species of bird breed here, such as sea eagles of the white tailed species, and three different types of seal, including the three metre long Grey Seal and the far smaller Baltic Ringed Seal.

Day 6

CRUISE KVARKEN
FINLAND
Kvarken Archipelago, Finland
Kvarken is located at the narrowest point of the Gulf of Bothnia between Sweden and Finland, and is famed for its rugged shorelines, islands and islets. The Finnish side of Kvarken is UNESCO-listed as an example of isostatic uplift, how glacial retreat form our landscapes, and for its archipelago of islands. The Swedish side of the gulf has steeper, more imposing lands of the High Coast, a contrast to the lower-lying Kvarken Archipelago.

Day 7

OULU
FINLAND
Fountains in the park, Oulu, Finland
Located in the centre of Northern Finland on the Oulujoki river delta, Oulu is well known for its technological advances and being home to Finnish innovators., and is well placed to experience the long days of summer. Close by is Virpiniemi, surrounded by forests, ridges and beaches, and many species of arctic wildlife. Cultural events are popular, including the annual Air Guitar Championships, founded to promote world peace, but with a smile.OULU

Day 8

KEMI
FINLAND
Church of Kemi in Finland
Lying at the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia, Kemi is located just south of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland and is home to the largest snow castle in the world. Sculpted from frozen saltwater and snow, it is rebuilt each year with a different design. Close by is the Icebreaker Sampo, an icebreaker ship used for 27 years before it became a cultural attraction for the city.

Day 9

HOLMSUND
SWEDEN
Sea beacon on stone island, Holmsund, Sweden
Located on the eastern mouth of the Ume River and coupled with Obbola, on the western side of the river, Holmsund is part of the picturesque Umeå municipality region. Located amongst forested landscapes, marshland and small islets, the small port town of Holmsund worlds away from the larger and more cosmopolitan Swedish towns and cities, boasting a 19th-century three-nave church, and the impressive Obbolabron Bridge, connecting the town with Obbola and Holmen.

Day 10

SUNDSVALL
SWEDEN
Arrival - early morning Departure - late night
Sundsvall lies at the mouth of the Selånger River, in northern Sweden. Surrounded by dense forests, the city has been entirely built in stone after suffering devastating fires throughout history, earning itself the nickname of Stenstaden (Stone City). Sundsvall has many examples of ornate architecture, and Kulturmagasinet is a cultural hub of old warehouses that have been superbly restored, and now contain the library and Sundsvall Museum, housing exhibits on the history, natural history and geology of the city.

Day 11

TOCKHOLM
SWEDEN
Stockholm Sweden
Founded over 700 years ago and spread over 14 islands at the head of a vast archipelago, Stockholm’s location is incredibly unique. The Old Town district, Gamla Stan is home to historic buildings, including the 13th century Storkyrkan Cathedral and Riddarholm Church, which contrast sharply with the ABBA Museum, full of memorabilia about the Swedish super-group. The city also offers many traditional culinary experiences, such as fried herring, or meatballs with their delicious cream sauce.

CRUISING STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO
SWEDEN
Balmoral cruising the Swedish waterways
The largest archipelago in Sweden, and the second-largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea, the Stockholm Archipelago is made up of some 24,000 wild forested islands and rocky outcrops peppered with red wooden cottages and fields of wildflowers, some of which are inhabited - and begins just a stone’s throw away from the city of Stockholm, fanning out 80 kilometres east in to the Baltic se

Day 12

1 Day Sailing

Day 13

AARHUS
DENMARK
Cityscape of Aarhus in Denmark
Originally a Viking settlement called Aros, built at the mouth of the c, the city’s location was strategically chosen for being on trade routes for Denmark, the Baltic States and Germany; and also, for its importance as a naval base, where ships could be hidden away from the coastline and potential enemies. Aarhus is known nowadays as Denmark’s happiest city, according to world happiness surveys, due to its close proximity to the sea and dense forest areas, known to offer calmness and serenity

Day 14

1 Day Sailing

Day 15

Arrive early monring back in Newcastle

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