16 Night Cruise sailing from Dover roundtrip aboard Saga Sapphire.

On this unique Baltic voyage you can experience all the excitement of the Tall Ships Race as the famed schooners set off for their incredible journey across Europe. After two days in port with these traditional vessels, go on to explore the very best of the world's largest inland sea, visiting Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Norway, and spending three full days in the timeless city of St Petersburg.

Highlights of this cruise:

Aarhus
Located in the centre of Denmark on the peninsula of Jutland, Aarhus is regarded by many as the country's cultural capital.

The city was established in Viking times and, with its sheltered bay and harbour dating back to the 15th century, has long been an important centre for trade with Germany and the Baltic countries.

Today you will encounter a small city with a bustling atmosphere. The University of Aarhus and other important educational centres based here attract a large number of students, and there is no shortage of cultural activities to keep you entertained.

The many architectural sights of interest include the City Hall, and a visit to the Old Town introduces you to an open-air museum of medieval houses gathered from all over Denmark.

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.

Tallinn
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a truly magical experience and has one of the most beautifully preserved medieval centres in Europe.

The Upper Town is characterized by watchtowers, graceful spires and winding cobbled streets, while the Lower Town offers red gabled roofs and soaring spires.

The golden era in Tallinn's history came in the period between the early 15th and mid 16th centuries when the city attained fame and a powerful role in the Baltic Sea area through its membership of the Hanseatic League.

Gdynia
Gdynia is a major Polish port and ship building centre, lying along Gdansk Bay on the Baltic. A naval port was constructed here in the 1920s and in 1970 Gdynia, along with Gdansk, was the scene of tragic rioting.

Made a city in 1926 and therefore one of Poland's youngest cities, Gdynia lies in close proximity to sandy beaches and the forested hills surrounding the city.

Winner of the 2002 Europe Prize for promoting the idea of European unity, you can discover Gdansk and the surrounding area from this convenient port.