2 Weeks in Baltic Sea

What You Should Know Before Going On A Baltic Sea Tour

Popular Baltic Sea Routes and Destinations

One of the best features of a Baltic Sea cruise is the opportunity to experience so much northern European culture in one vacation. Small-ship cruises tend to focus on smaller ports, where they easily slip in and out, offering the most time in your Baltic destination. Some of the most popular Baltic Sea cruise routes stop in St. Petersburg, Russia, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and more.

History lovers can indulge their passion in some of the Baltic region’s most culture-rich cities. Visit the the famous Little Mermaid statue, Tivoli Gardens and Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, considered a Baltic capital along with Helsinki and Stockholm. In Estonia, visit the center of Tallinn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then move on to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

The must-see sights in historic St. Petersburg include St. Isaac’s Square and its massive cathedral, Peterhof Palace, the Faberge Museum and the Hermitage Museum - and perhaps a night at the opera. Take a day excursion to Berlin to view Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. In Helsinki, marvel at the Church of the Rock and in Stockholm, leave the cruise ship for a few hours to embark on an exhilarating RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ride through the country’s archipelago.

What Countries Will You See on a Baltic Sea Cruise?

Depending on your chosen Baltic Sea cruise tour company, you will stop in the following countries:

• Sweden
• Finland
• Russia
• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Germany
• Denmark

What to Pack for a Baltic Sea Cruise

You’re headed for the north when you embark on your Baltic Sea cruise. While others may prefer turquoise seas and white-sand beaches, you’re smitten with the history and culture the Baltic region has to offer. So, what to pack?

No matter the time of year, you should plan for cooler temperatures - layer, layer, layer. Really, we can’t stress the importance of packing the right outerwear for your Baltic cruise - better overpacked and warm than underpacked and miserable.

Clothing to Pack for a Baltic Sea Tour:

A variety of lightweight shirts

Shorts

Long pants or long skirts

Warm sweaters or fleece jackets

Thick parka

Waterproof jacket and/or rain poncho

Lightweight jacket

Comfortable walking shoes

Lightweight, casual shoes for onboard

Many, many pairs of warm socks

Evening wear (depending on your style of cruise)

Additional Items to Pack for the Baltic Sea:

Umbrella

A phrasebook for the various countries of the Baltic you’ll visit (or a language app)

Daypack

Phone, iPad, headphones, etc.

International charger

Baltic Sea Souvenirs

Pick up a few of these goodies on your Baltic Sea cruise or tour and help assuage the jealousy your friends and family are feeling over your amazing voyage.

Top Latvia Souvenirs

1. Balzams: Look for Latvijas Black Balzams, an herbal beverage with reputed healing properties and perfectly refreshing when added to an icy beverage.

2. Honey: A variety of flavors can be found throughout Latvia. Latvian honey comes in myriad flavors and forms and has long been used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Grab apple blossom honey for everyday use and some linden blossom honey for fighting off the common cold.

Top Estonia Souvenirs

1. Marzipan: A typical northern European treat, marzipan originated in Reval, Estonia. Look for it in candy shops in Old Town.

2. Dolls: A great gift for children or doll lovers, Estonian dolls dressed up in traditional folk costumes - typically handmade - are found all over the country.

Top Lithuania Souvenirs

1. Basketball gear: Really! Pick up some hoops gear in Lithuania, known for its talented basketball players. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll find ample jerseys, balls, clothing, candy, toys and more at shops around the country.

2. Trejos Devynerios: Monks have been sampling this herb- and spice-infused traditional Lithuanian alcoholic beverage for more than a thousand years. Look for bottles labeled “999” - there are three different varieties to choose from.

Top Finland Souvenirs

1. Marimekko fabrics: Pick up some colorful, original Marimekko fabrics in Finland, their country of origin. Wall hangings of this internationally renowned fabric make great gifts.

2. Littala glassware: Known for their eye-catching design, this original glassware from Finland can be found in many forms, from votives and tumblers to vases and whimsical objects.

Top Sweden Souvenirs

1. Lovikkavantar (Lovikka mittens): Keep those mitts warm with typical Swedish mittens made in the Lovikka region of Norrbotten. You’ll likely recognize the yellow, blue and red embroidery.

2. Salt Licorice: Bring home some of this favorite Swedish candy, a great souvenir for the sweet tooths in your life. They’ll either love or hate its distinctive flavor - a true taste of Sweden

Top Russia Souvenirs

1. Samovar: Follow in old Russian tea tradition and purchase a samovar for your own tea parties at home. Choose from electric ones and authentic styles, even as small as five liters (easier to take home!).

2. Caviar: Bring home some red caviar (or salmon caviar), a Russian national delicacy. Check it out at the Yeliseevsky food store, the oldest in Moscow.

Top Poland Souvenirs

1. Bison grass vodka: Yes, you read that right. One of the things you can only buy in Poland is this regional specialty. It is so called because of an infusion of herbs from the primeval forests of Białowieża. Look for it by the bottle or as a shot in a vodka specialty bar.

2. Wieliczka salt: A souvenir worth its (forgive us) salt, this iconic Polish souvenir hails from the salt mines of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wieliczka. Long ago, it was mined and then carried all across the continent to royal tables and far-away kingdoms as a necessary and respected culinary accompaniment.

Top Souvenirs from Germany

1. Christmas pyramids: Otherwise known as that wooden Christmas decoration that spins because of candles. You’ve seen it and you can find it and bring it home from Germany’s many Christmas markets and souvenir shops. Pay special attention to the country of origin, however, to be sure you are bringing home an official German-made souvenir, not one manufactured in China.

2. A chunk of Berlin Wall: if you’re staying at the Westin in Berlin, the staff will provide tools to carve off a chunk of the wall by yourself. Or, for the less physical route, stop in to the Berlin Wall Memorial and purchase pieces of wall, along with a certificate of authenticity.

Top Souvenirs from Denmark

1. Royal Copenhagen dinnerware: Listen to the “oohs” and “aahs” at your next dinner party when you break out the iconic Royal Copenhagen dinnerware that you picked up on your Denmark tour. It doesn’t come cheap, with the most favored items running from $45 to over $600 a piece. Look for the original Blue Fluted design, which dates back to 1775, or the popular updated design by karen Kjældgaard-Larsen.

2. LEGO: OK, so you can purchase this favorite age-old toy in the United States, too, but who doesn’t want to bring back a bought-in-Denmark LEGO set for the kid (or young-hearted adult) in their life! Check out the LEGO flagship store in Copenhagen or the original LEGOLAND in Billund.