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OCEANIA BALTIC CRUISE - Visiting Old World Gems -Trip Report
Stockholm, Tallinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg, Riga (Latvia),
Klaipeda (Lithuania), Berlin, Copehagen, Bruges (Belgium)
Here is a report on a Baltic Sea cruise we took in 2014 on Oceania. The cruise started in Stockholm and we visited the Scandinavian capitals of Copenhagen Denmark and Helsinki Finland. We had a two-day visit to St. Petersburg Russia, a day in Berlin Germany, and visits to cities in the Baltic States - Riga Latvia, Klaipeda Lithuania, and Tallinn Estonia). We also visited Bruges in Belgium on our way to our final stop in Southampton England.
STOCKHOLM SWEDEN
Stockholm Sweden. We arrived a few days ahead of time in Stockholm to explore this beautiful city located on an archipelago of islands, joined by a network of bridges.
Bikes and water. We used city bicycles (available all over town) to explore the city. Water plays a big part in Stockholm’s charm.
Streets of Stockholm. Stockholm is a lively city with interesting architecture, plazas, art museums, street art, monuments and streets.
Dining. Cool restaurants too with very good food. And maybe the most interesting bathroom in the world.
TALLINN ESTONIA
Tallinn Estonia. Next we visited Tallinn, an utterly charming old world town, with interesting architecture, street fairs in medieval costumes, wine vaults under the city walls, austere church decorations featuring coats of arms, and lots of street musicians with odd instruments.
ST. PETERSBURG RUSSIA
St. Petersburg, Russia. Our two day guided visit to St. Petersburg Russia was fantastic. Starting with some iconic sights, such as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Winter Palace, Peterhof, the Hermitage, and others.
Around St. Petersburg. We also visited the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel and major shopping galleries.
RIGA LATVIA
Riga, Latvia. Riga is a beautiful city with a charming old town center with cute shops and an outdoor market of craft stalls. It is also a major site of Art Nouveau architecture.
KLAIPEDA LITHUANIA
Klaipeda, Lithuania. On our visit to Klaipeda, there was a wonderful outdoor festival with crafts, local food and dance.
COPENHAGEN DENMARK
Copenhagen, Denmark. Yet another beautiful city, with the famous little mermaid statue, Tivoli Gardens, and pretty waterways. Our boat trip through the city was a real treat.
BERLIN GERMANY
Berlin. This city presents so many iconic sites from the last century, in addition to its old world monuments. We visited the Berlin Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, and vestiges of the infamous Berlin Wall, followed by the moving enigmatic Holocaust Memorial, a beautiful mosaic in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial, and, of course, Checkpoint Charlie.
BRUGES BELGIUM
Bruges, Belgium. On our way to our final stop in England, we left the Balitic Sea and stopped in the picturesque town of Bruges. With its canals, intricate architecture, playful spirit, excellent restaurants, and lovely lanes and gardens - it was a memorable stop.
