14 Night Cruise sailing from Dover roundtrip aboard Saga Ruby.

A Baltic cruise with a twist, this fascinating journey contrasts some lesser-known gems such as the Latvian city of Ventspils, the pretty Estonian island of Saaremaa, quirky Riga and unspoilt Svaneke in Bornholm, with more traditional destinations like Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg and Tallinn.

Highlights of this cruise:

Stockholm
Gracefully set on 14 islands and connected by 40 bridges, Stockholm is the Baltic's largest seaport. Surrounded by clear waters and unspoilt countryside, it is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.

The city's rich and fascinating history is reflected in the ornate architecture of its churches, castles, bridges and elegant open squares. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is located on the island of Stadsholmen, and is characterised by narrow medieval streets. Here you can see the majestic exterior of the 18th-century Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral.

Stockholm, incredibly has over 100 museums that are visited by millions of people every year. The National museum is the most renowned, with over 16,000 paintings and 30,000 items of art handicraft. This amazing collection of art is Sweden's largest with works by Rembrandt and many other artists.

Helsinki
The cultural, commercial and political centre of Finland, this delightful Scandinavian capital has no high-rise buildings and an intimate small-town feel, with spacious streets interspersed with gardens and parks.

As the most northerly of European capitals founded by King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden, the city's grand architecture reveals a mixture of Swedish, Russian and international influences and it is often called the 'white city of the north' as many of its buildings are made from a local light-coloured granite.

St Petersburg
This relatively young city has packed a lot into its 300 years, and is brimming with historic treasures including ornate palaces, splendid gardens and world-renowned museums.

You can learn about the revolution of 1917 and chart the periods of change faced by Russia in the 20th century as it forged a new path in the Soviet era. The city is often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' as it has many bridges over the river Neva, an important part of the city.

In 1991, a referendum took place for the renaming of the city. After being named Leningrad since 1924, the city supported "St. Petersburg" and was officially renamed in September, 1991.

The skyline over St. Petersburg is relatively low as there are no skyscrapers. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is the tallest building in the city, standing at just over 400ft. The controversial Ohkta Centre, is a city endorsed project said to be looking to build a super tall skyscraper over 1300ft.

Riga
Riga, the capital of Latvia, was founded more than 800 years ago and has now grown into the biggest and most exciting city in the Baltic states. Located on the Daugava River, Riga's history dates back to the 13th century, and by the 18th and 19th centuries it had become one of the leading European trading ports. The last 15 years of independence and two years as a member of the European Union have brought about great changes and today you will encounter a cosmopolitan city divided into two distinct parts by a charming canal. The Old Town is easily navigable on foot and offers a wonderful array of historic buildings, among them the 13th-century churches of St Peter, St George and St John and the magnificent Dome Cathedral. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is well known for its Art Nouveau architecture. The New Town provides a wonderful contrast, with its modern shops, office blocks and sophisticated eateries. The city is also a recognised cultural centre and the Latvia National Opera has a comprehensive programme of opera, ballets and recitals throughout the year.

Svaneke
A small town on the eastern coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark, Svaneke is the second smallest chartered town in Denmark.

Its half-timbered houses and narrow streets make it one of the island's most cherished beauty spots.

In 1975, Svaneke's well-preserved town centre was awarded the European Architectural Heritage Gold Medal.
There's plenty to see and do in Svaneke from visiting the oldest windmill in Denmark, to relaxing in a quaint cafe or restaurant.