Our Favorite Nordic & Baltic Destinations

Imagine waking up in Norway, surrounded by bright blue fjords and snow-capped mountains. Picture strolling around charming Nordic cities, from Copenhagen to Helsinki, marveling at cutting-edge architecture, indulging in Michelin-starred cuisine and relaxing in waterfront saunas. 

The pleasures of Northern Europe and Scandinavia are limitless. And with so much nature and culture to experience, the best way to discover the region is by sea, where it’s possible to visit Denmark, Norway, Sweden — and see Stockholm’s skyline pictured above — as well as other must-see countries on the same trip. Back-to-back Northern Europe itineraries enable guests to spend two weeks soaking up this incredible part of the world, with Ilma offering a front-row seat to majestic coastal scenery, gleaming city skylines and unforgettable remote wilderness. 

7 Nights of Nordic Wonders
There is something magical about sailing the North Sea, where travelers can visit ancient Viking ports, fairytale villages and sleek, contemporary cities in a single trip. The dreamy 7 Nights of Nordic Wonders itinerary sails aboard Ilma, from Amsterdam to Copenhagen with stops in Norwegian and Swedish cities along the way, allowing voyagers to hit all the dreamy, Instagram-worthy spots. Encircled by the impossibly scenic Seven Mountains, Bergen is home to a historic old wharf (beautifully preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with candy-colored wooden houses, plus plenty of unrivaled food, art and architecture. It’s easily one of the most idyllic places in all of Scandinavia. 

Then, on to Stavanger and Kristiansand, and encounters with the staggering natural beauty of Norway’s southwestern coast — picture-perfect fishing villages, deep fjords carving through jagged mountain peaks and water that’s so clear and placid it’s easy to forget it’s ice-cold. Take in the unbelievable views from Ilma’s open-air spaces before exploring pretty Gothenburg and exciting Oslo, a city whose artistry ranges from the 200 sculptures in Vigeland Park to countless buzzy museums. Your next stop is Copenhagen, where avant-garde dining, ample green spaces, and a lively art and design scene make this one of the chicest destinations in the world.  

7 Nights of Baltic Beauties 
From Copenhagen, it’s on to the next portion of your Northern European adventure: 7 Nights of Baltic Beauties, traveling from the Danish capital to Stockholm and traversing five different countries (Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Estonia and Finland). These are some of the best cultural gems of the Baltic Sea, starting with the 17th-century naval port of Karlskrona and the major port of Gdansk, set apart from other Polish cities by its unique blend of architecture influenced by wealthy Dutch merchants. Then, it’s time for the (still under-the-radar) Scandi capital of cool: Helsinki, where design might as well be the national pastime. The city also boasts a bevy of art museums and galleries, public saunas and culinary hot spots, as well as the historic maritime fortress, Suomenlinna, built in the 18th century.

Next, it’s full steam ahead to Tallinn, Estonia, and the city’s marvelous Old Town, which was once enclosed by a medieval stone wall with 45 towers. Large sections of the wall and original towers remain, giving the city a gothic, fairy-tale appearance. In Mariehamn, the capital of the enchanting Aland Islands, an archipelago with over 6,000 small rocky islands, Swedish pancakes and smoked salmon are a culinary staple. This epic Nordic tour ends in Stockholm, where must-see spots include medieval Gamla Stan quarter, the National museum and Liljevalchs Konsthall art gallery, all of which showcase the dynamic, art- and culture-centric heartbeat of the city.