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The largest city in Scandinavia, capital of Denmark for over 600 years and home to the world’s oldest monarchy, Copenhagen is the most charming of Baltic cities. Beautiful parks and gardens, attractive 17th and 18th century buildings, grand castles and the elegant Amalienborg Palace – home to the reigning Queen Margrethe II, grace the city that is laced with a labyrinth of winding canals. Cafes and restaurants spill out of brightly coloured townhouses onto the cobblestone streets in historic Nyhavn. The atmospheric waterfront area is a popular meeting place along with the world’s oldest entertainment park Tivoli Gardens.

Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg in 1703 as his ‘Window on the West’. Drawing inspiration from Europe, the Russian Tsar and his successors created an extraordinary city on the banks of the River Neva with opulent palaces, ornate churches and splendid parks all part of the supremely elegant architectural ensemble. The magnificent Hermitage and its priceless treasures of art, grandeur of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin and gilded fountains in the gardens at Peterhof illustrate the lavish lifestyle of Russia’s former ruling elite. The birthplace of Russian ballet, St. Petersburg is the perfect place to take in the performing arts.

Finland’s capital is a vibrant, modern city, yet very much in harmony with the surrounding nature. Its centrepiece is the majestic Senate Square lined with elegant neo-classical buildings and the impressive Lutheran Cathedral with white Corinthian columns and five green cupolas. A striking exception to Helsinki’s general architectural style is the Russian Orthodox, onion-domed Uspenski Cathedral, which stands on a hill at the end of Market Square and dominates the city skyline. Built into solid rock Temppeliaukio Church is also somewhat unusual. Museums are plentiful with the National Museum of Finland, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design Museum amongst the most notable.