http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress Travel tips for travelers to the Baltic Sea and beyond Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:56:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One of the most popular itinerary options in Europe, a Northern Europe cruise presents passengers with cultural diversity, historical attractions, and magnificent scenery. Cruises in Northern Europe typically combine visits to Copenhagen and other Scandinavian capitals and overnights (on the ship) in St. Petersburg. From St. Petersburg's opulent palaces ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-cruises/ Countries bordering the Baltic Sea Region offer varied shopping venues. Many of the town and city shopping areas, for example, are for pedestrians only, and shoppers may browse at their leisure while strolling along wide streets free of traffic. Other cities offer shopping within well-preserved medieval walls and along charming ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-shopping/ Shop without having to worry about getting mowed down by passing vehicles on pedestrian shopping streets that are closed to vehicular traffic. In Copenhagen, shop Strøget, the world’s longest pedestrian shopping street. Popular shops include Illums Bolighus featuring Danish design, and the flagship stores of Royal Copenhagen Porcelain and Georg ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/street-smart-pedestrian-only-shopping-areas/ Kalmar is well known for Swedish crystal, handmade in one of the 15 glassworks in the Kingdom of Crystal, among which Orrefors and Kosta Boda are the most prominent. In Orrefors factory shop, purchase (tax free) firsts and seconds from the Orrefors collection and watch master craftsmen in action as ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/crystal-clear/ A visitor’s first view of Copenhagen will likely be not from the sea but from the air. That’s because Copenhagen is where most Baltic cruises begin. Founded in 1167 as a fortress to protect the important herring trade, Copenhagen features two main cruise terminals, Langelinie Pier, situated within walking distance ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/copenhagen-city-of-spires/ Spend a leisurely morning strolling the markets in many Baltic Sea destinations. Cruise passengers can hardly miss Helsinki's famous Kauppatori, the Market Square, selling almost everything from fresh fish to handicrafts. The Old Market Hall next to the Market Square is worth a visit as well. The Old Market Hall ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/market-mania/ Deeply rooted in regional folklore and tradition, amber is mined in Lithuania. Only ten minutes by foot from where cruise ships dock along the Danes river brings cruise passengers to the heart of Klaipeda’s Old Town, where visitors will find a great variety of amber jewelry. Also, in neighboring Latvia, ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/ample-amber/ Helsingor (also known as Elsinore) is the Danish town that is home to Hamlet’s castle. Elsinore was founded during the reign of King Erik of Pomerania (1382-1459). Cruise ships moor at Kings Quay at the beginning of the one of Denmark’s oldest pedestrian streets. Within walking distance are exquisite old ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/helsingor-home-of-hamlet/ Founded in 1680 as Sweden’s primary naval base, Karlskrona is surrounded by islands. Ships transit a beautiful archipelago and a series of fortresses en route to the Karlskrona’s harbor. Ships that dock at the city center put passengers within a five-minute walk of attractions. Most ships, however, must anchor, and ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/karlskrona-navy-town/ Many of the port destinations in the Baltic Cruising region are walkable cities. Pedestrian streets and parks allow visitors to escape traffic. Stockholm’s National City Park, for example, offers a unique mixture of nature and culture, including four Royal Palaces. A recreation area for city residents and visitors alike, it ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/natural-beauty-at-the-parks/ The Baltic Cruising Region is rich with castles and royal palaces. Visitors can still see the changing of the guard in Copenhagen’s Amalienborg Palace, residence of Queen (changing of the guard daily at noon); and in Stockholm, where the main guard has been at Kungliga Slottet since 1523. Today, military ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/castles-and-kings/ During the past few decades the number of St. Petersburg shops, supermarkets and commercial centers increased dramatically. Shops tend to gravitate to Nevski Prospect, including Gostiny Dvor, a department store; Passage, across the street from Gostiny Dvor, for clothing, footwear, utensils, electronics and perfumes. When in St. Petersburg, be ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/st-petersburg-shopping/ Stockholm has endless shopping possibilities with several areas in the city of interest to shoppers. Gamla Stan features gift shops, including the inviting Slottsboden in Kungliga Slottet, specializing in genuine handicrafts and antiques. City center is the place to go for big department stores and shopping malls. NK and Gallerian ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/shop-till-you-drop-in-stockholm/ Tallinn’s Old Town is lined with dozens of souvenir, antique and specialty stores, not to mention clothing and footwear. Within Old Town, the main shopping streets are Viru, Müürivahe, Suur-Karja, Vaike-Karja and Kullassepa. Kalmar’s picturesque 17th and 18th century stone buildings offer a wide range of shopping. Almost all streets ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/old-town-shopping/ While in Riga, take time to browse the antique shops that sell Latvian paintings ranging from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Also look for bronze, silver, furniture, books, coins and china, and a genuine old Russian icon or two. In the heart of ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-antiques/ In the Baltic Sea Region, visitors will find refined city lifestyles and rural country charm. From opera and ballet in St. Petersburg to open-air museums presenting farm and peasant life, the Baltics spans the gamut of cultural offerings. Famed director Ingmar Bergman began his career as a director at Malmo’s ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/cultural-offerings-aplenty/ In Tallinn’s Old Town find St. Catherine’s Passage for craft workshops in a medieval atmosphere. Also, at Master’s Courtyard visitors can shop for jewelry and handicrafts, view art exhibitions, and sample confections made in the popular Café-Chocolaterie. http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/crafty-courtyards/ Find it all at Finland's Stockmann, the Nordic region's largest department store. In Helsinki, shoppers will find Stockmann along the main shopping streets running north and south: Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi. Stockmann also houses the Academic Bookstore, situated in a separate block and connected to the department store by a tunnel. ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/finnish-shopping-yet/ With a history that dates back many millennia, the Baltic Sea Region is awash in museums. In fact, some of the cities, contained within well-preserved medieval town walls, could be considered to be museums themselves. Museum-seekers will find no better place to begin than in Stockholm. With more than 100 ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/must-see-museums/ Within walking distance of Stockholm's Vasa Museum is the world’s oldest open-air museum, Skansen, featuring a zoo with wild and domestic Nordic animals, and 150 cultural and historic buildings from throughout Sweden. Skansen, more than 100 years old, is a large living heritage exhibit well worth a visit. Open-air museums are ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/open-air-museums/ Enjoy live performances throughout the Baltic Cruising region. St. Petersburg may well be the most popular performance port. It is a city full of theaters. The Mariinsky Theater (formerly the Kirov Academic Opera and Ballet Theater) is one of Russia’s largest and oldest music theaters, famous the world over for ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/performing-arts-in-the-baltic-sea-region/ The young port of Gdynia, founded in 1922, was the Baltic Sea’s largest port until 1938. In those years, Gdynia was a mere village, but the port gave rise to a city, which is why the city blends so well with the port. The city center features a wide avenue ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/gdynia-the-baltics%e2%80%98-youngest-port/ Situated on the southern coast of Finland, Helsinki is a gate between East and West. Finland’s capital city embodies much of the Finnish spirit and its progressive hi-tech push but also is unlike any other Finnish city, due in part to the combination of Swedish and Russian influences. Popular ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-helsinki-finland/ Founded in the year 1000, Oslo always has been a sheltered port. Norway’s capital city lies in the heart of Scandinavia and at the head of the 61-mile long Oslo fjord. Ships takes approximately four hours from the entrance of the fjord to the city center, sailing through cultivated ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/oslo-fjords-and-fortresses/ A gift from Danish king Knut the Holy, Helsingborg was founded in 1085. Dominating the city skyline, Karnan Tower dates from the medieval ages. On the waterfront is the beautiful Dunker Culture Center (pictured). Large ships dock in the South Harbor, less than two miles from the city center, while ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/helsingborg-swedish-pearl/ Maritime and ship museums are a part of the living history in the sea-faring nations of the Baltic Cruising Region. Visitors enthralled by Stockholm’s Vasa Museum (pictured) will also want to see Oslo’s ship museums: The Polarship Fram Museum, featuring the entire original Arctic exploration ship FRAM, built in 1892, ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/maritime-museums/ Founded in 1218, the Hanseatic city Rostock is approached at the seaside resort Warnemunde, where most cruise ships dock. Warnemunde was famed for its baths and spas in the 20th century. Ships pass a lighthouse and wide, sandy beaches to reach the port, where in 1860, the Baltic’s largest fleet ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/rostock-resort-port-meets-old-town/ Founded in 1550 by Sweden's King Gustav, Helsinki was developed as a harbor town to compete for Baltic trade with Tallinn. The Finnish capital developed around the port. Situated in the city center, South Harbor is the central cruise passenger traffic hub. Cruise ships dock at Katajanokka or other quays within ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/helsinki-where-east-meets-west/ One of Sweden’s oldest cities, Kalmar’s port activities date back more than 1,000 years. In the Middle Ages, the port played an important role with its strategic location on the Kalmarsund trade route. Trade with the Hanseatic League was robust, imbuing Kalmar with Germanic atmosphere. The Port of Kalmar is situated ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/kalmar-hanseatic-homestead/ Klaipeda was united with Lithuania only in 1923, and even then was closed to tourists during 50 years of Soviet rule following World War II. Today, as the only Lithuanian port, Klaipeda holds a position of great importance to Lithuania’s economics and its connection to the rest of the world. ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/klaipeda-important-port/ Early settlers were in the region surrounding Tallinn more than 3,500 years ago, and in 1154, an Arabian geographer marked Tallinn on the world map. A member of the Hanseatic League from 1285, Tallinn was among the most important Hanseatic trading towns, along with Lübeck, Visby and Riga. Luxury furs, ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/tallinn-unesco-world-heritage-site/ A Viking community once existed in the town that became Visby in 1203. The Swedish port is approached between two breakwaters. Cruise ships pass the ferry harbor and then the Inner Harbor, near the city center, as well as the town wall and its towers, old homes on a hillside, ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/visby-medieval-and-hanseatic-town/ Situated on Sweden’s southwest coast, Karlskrona has been home to the Royal Swedish Navy since the 17th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city features a well-preserved dockyard and fortification, as well as a town layout that dates back to the Baroque period. Excursions from Karlskrona include archipelago cruises, featuring ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-karlskrona-sweden/ Lithuania’s oldest city, Klaipeda is situated at the mouth of the river Dane, in the country’s western part, a region famous for its summer resorts, sandy beaches and pine forests, especially along the Curonian Spit. The inland countryside is heavily wooded and green. Excursions include Nida, a resort town in Neringa ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-klaipeda-lithuania/ Oslo is set at the head of the island-strewn Oslo fjord with an area of 96 square miles of forests, parks and recreational areas — including 343 inland lakes within the city limit. Oslo features a small and compact city center with most attractions within walking distance. Visitors will find ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-oslo-norway/ Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St. Petersburg is situated at the mouth of the Neva River. The city became one of Russia’s largest cruise ship ports and the country’s only gateway to the Baltic Sea, which is why St. Petersburg is called the Marine Capital of Russia. The ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/st-petersburg-venice-of-the-north/ First mentioned around 1260, Malmo grew into a town in the 14th century and became wealthy due to the herring trade with Hanseatic cities. Now it trades primarily with its neighbor across the sound, Copenhagen, as well as internationally The Copenhagen Malmö Port is a unique cross border alliance. For the ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/malmo-where-sweden-meets-denmark/ Crusaders and German merchants sailed into the area that would become Riga in 1201. From that point on, trade flourished, and Riga became a major port. Dominating the skyline are church steeples and the high-rise building known as Sun Stone on the bank of the River Daugava, the oldest part ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/riga-route-between-the-seas/ Founded in 1200, Stockholm started out as a port destination. Built on 14 islands, Sweden’s capital city often is called the “City That Floats On Water.” The Baltic Sea meets Lake Malaren in Stockholm’s Old Town, giving the city not only a reach into the Swedish countryside but also to ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/stockholm-floating-on-water/ Founded in 1229 (or at least that is the date that documents mention a marketplace in this part of Finland — Turku, in fact, translates to “market”). Turku is approached through an archipelago of 40,000 islands and islets before passing the Ruissalo nature park en route to the port. Less ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/turku-finland%e2%80%99s-former-capital-and-oldest-town/ Copenhagen, Denmark Located in northern Europe between the North Sea and Baltic Sea, Denmark is the only Scandinavian country connected to the European mainland. The Jutland peninsula shares a border with Germany. Otherwise, Denmark is an island kingdom (more than 400 islands in all). The Danish capital Copenhagen is on the ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-homeportsturnaround-ports/ Situated in north-central Poland, Gdnyia grew from a small fishing village in 1924 to the largest Baltic Sea port in 1938. Known as the “White City,” for its 1920s and 1930s architecture that drew largely on ship elements, Gdnyia is one of few examples of a port giving rise to ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-gdnyia-poland/ Situated on the strait of Öresund (the Sound), Helsingborg, Sweden, and Elsinore, Denmark are separated by a mere 2.5-mile stretch of water and a 20-minute ferry ride. Each represents the 10th largest towns in their respective countries. The similarities and differences of the two towns make visiting each worthwhile. “Round ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-hellsingborg-swedenhelsingor-denmark/ Kalmar is situated in the county of Småland, in southeastern Sweden. One port, three destinations (Kalmar, Öland and Orrefors), Kalmar offers visitors a rich historical heritage as well as world-class art and design, including handmade Swedish crystal from Orrefors Glassworks. The southern part of Öland (pictured) is listed as a ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-kalmar-sweden/ Sweden’s third largest city, Malmo is situated in the country’s southernmost county, Skåne. Malmo’s proximity to Copenhagen makes quick travel to the Danish capital, about 35 minutes by train. The Öresund Bridge also connects Malmo and Copenhagen. Excursions from Malmo include Copenhagen and Lund. http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-malmo-sweden/ The large port of Rostock played an important role in the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. The economic power from trade gave rise to culture and education. The city houses one of Europe's oldest universities, founded in 1419. The university gave Rostock the name “The Northern Light.” Excursions from Rostock ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-rostock-germany/ Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, in the estuary of the Neva River and on the islands of the Neva Delta, St. Petersburg is the world’s largest megapolis situated so far north. One of the younger cities in the Baltic region, Russia’s second largest city is just ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-st-petersburg-russia/ Take your desktop globe for a spin or pull out your atlas and cast your eyes on Europe. Look north, not south, to find the cruising region known as the Baltics. Even experienced travelers sometimes confuse the Baltic with the Balkans. The two regions could not be more different. The ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/cruising-the-baltic/ The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is located in the Baltic Sea region across the Gulf of Finland less than 50 miles south of Helsinki. Tallinn has managed to preserve its thousand-year old beauty. The Old Town has withstood a series of events ranging from Viking plundering and crusades to wars ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-tallinn-estonia/ Situated in the southwest corner of Finland, where two gulfs of the Baltic sea meet - the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia - Turku is Finland’s oldest city. Once the country’s capital city, Turku boasts a beautiful medieval castle, a fine cathedral and stylish boat restaurants. ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-turku-finland/ Situated on Gotland, the Baltic Sea’s largest island, Visby (also called “The Town of Roses and Ruins”) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. An impressive stonewall surrounds the well preserved Medieval town. Visby was for a long time the natural meeting point for sailors and merchants from ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/port-of-call-visby-sweden/ The Baltic cruising region refers to the Baltic Sea, an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean that separates the Scandinavian Peninsula from the rest of continental Europe. Stretching from southern Denmark to near the Arctic Circle and from eastern Denmark to southern Finland, the Baltic Sea is the world’s largest ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-sea-where-in-the-world/ Nearly all of the major cruise lines offer Baltic itineraries. Most cruise itineraries span seven days or longer and visit several port destinations during a single sailing. Pre- and post-cruise stays are popular, particularly in the primary turnaround ports (where Baltic cruises begin or end) of Copenhagen and Stockholm. Some ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/cruise-lines-and-itineraries-in-the-baltic/ During the cruise season, April through October, the Baltic Sea climate is similar to that of London or Amsterdam. While summers are short, they are comparatively warm. The climate is moderated by a section of the warm Gulf Stream. Average daytime temperatures during July and August are around 70°F. Spring ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/cruising-climate/ The Baltic Sea and the landmasses surrounding it were exposed when the Scandinavian ice sheet retreated toward the Arctic roughly 10,000 years ago. Perhaps the best known of the early settlers were the Vikings, also called Norseman, seafaring warriors who raided and colonized wide regions of Europe between the 9th ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-sea-brief-history/ Though English as a second language is spoken throughout much of the Baltic Sea, particularly among the young and in tourist areas, the primary languages are Finnish, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian, Russian, Norwegian, Danish, Lithuanian and Polish. Interesting facts about languages spoken in the Baltic Sea region: The Lithuanian language is the ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-sea-languages/ The standard of living varies greatly within the Baltic Sea region. The Scandinavian countries enjoy the world's highest standards of living. Social systems feature subsidized (or government assisted) health care, generous unemployment benefits and retirement pensions. The high standard of living benefits tourists, who find diverse dining, shopping and sight-seeing ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/baltic-sea-standard-of-living/ For cruise passengers, most of the Baltic Sea ports are close to the city centers and attractions. Many piers and terminals are within walking distance of the city centers. Others are only a short transit away. Public transport in the Baltic Sea region is safe, reliable, clean and cheap. Of the ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/made-for-cruise-passengers/ Copenhagen and Stockholm are the primary ports of embarkation and disembarkation for all Baltic cruises. Nearly all cruises begin or end in one of these Scandinavian capitals. Both have excellent air connections with the rest of the world. In 1998, Copenhagen Airport was extended with a new terminal. In 2002, ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/how-to-get-there-for-your-baltic-cruise/ Stockholm may just be the most beautiful city in the world to reach by water. The journey begins nearly 50 miles east, at the tip of a beautiful archipelago comprised of 30,000 islands, islets and rocks. Many of the islands are uninhabited, rocky outcrops that are homes only to birds. Other ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/stockholm-highlights/ A few key points that you should keep in mind if you are cruising to or from Stockholm: Most cruise passengers arrive in Stockholm at one of two places: Arlanda Airport (Stockholm serves as the initial port of departure for many cruises); or for those arriving by sea, the city center. If ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/08/stockholm-frequently-asked-questions/ Stockholm, Sweden The “City That Floats On Water” is built on 14 islands, where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. By ship, Stockholm is approached through an archipelago of 30,000 islands and skerries, fishing villages, thousands of sailing boats and quaint red summer cottages. Cruise ships dock in the city ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/06/baltic-homeportsturnaround-ports-stockholm/ European cruises are like exquisite appetizers. Your ship gives you a taste of the delicious culture capitals, allowing you to decide which cities and countries are most intriguing and appealing. Each stop on the cruise ship’s itinerary is designed to provide convenient access to the primary attractions, but the cruise ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/06/extend-your-cruise-in-europe/ A large city offering travelers and visitors many events, attractions and activities, Sweden’s capital is a friendly, attractive place built on 14 islands. Most popular of those islands and receiving more than 10 million visitors each year, Djurgården (translated as Game Park) is an island park right in the middle ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/06/stockholm-sweden-overview/ A beautiful and eminently livable city, Scandinavia’s largest city was originally a fishing village that evolved into a major port of trade and is now a jewel of Northern Europe. Despite massive 18th century fires, Copenhagen retains its charming medieval layout with plenty of Old World appeal, even as it ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/06/copenhagen-denmark-overview/ Before setting out to pedal around Copenhagen, my first challenge was to obtain the proper bike to straddle. I found it at Kobenhavns Cykler, located at the Copenhagen Central rail station (on the right side if you’re facing the station). I even found a convenient way to get to the city ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/06/cycling-copenhagen/ Finding Bliss in the Baltic SOMEWHERE IN THE BALTIC SEA, July 1 — It is near midnight, or at least that it is what my watch tells me. The sun and sky suggest otherwise. The bright orange orb hovers over the watery horizon, casting a reddish-yellow glow on a cloudless sky. My ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/cruising-white-nights/ As we stood on our balcony waiting for the sunset, Holland America Line’sWesterdam was charting a course for Tallinn, capital of Estonia. Not long ago, The Economist cited Estonia “as the biggest, most complicated, and most promising piece of the new Europe.” I’m not sure what we expected of Tallinn, but ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/sunset-at-last/ Unless you are booked on a cruise line shore excursion, you need to obtain a visa before leaving home to visit St. Petersburg. To clarify, cruise passengers who book cruise line shore excursions do not need visas. Everyone else does. No matter how you arrive, however, be prepared to wait in ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/st-petersburg-peter-the-great%e2%80%99s-city/ The next morning while walking around Helsinki, we were surprised to see a train announcing its arrival from “St. Petersburg.” The train trip took about the same amount of time as our cruise. It’s an overnight trip by train between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. Traveling in the other direction, Stockholm is ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/nordic-walking-wooden-knives/ A Swedish friend met us as we disembarked in Stockholm. She had come only to say hello and to share a taxi with us for the five-minute ride in to the city center where she would report for work. On the way, she suggested that we begin our tour in Djurgarden, the ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/stockholm-beauty-on-water/ Situated on the Baltic Sea’s largest island — with gorgeous fine sand beaches and a temperate climate — Visby and its environs are a playground for Scandinavians. Squint your eyes on a hot summer day and you could be in the Mediterranean. Known as “The Town of Roses and Ruins,” Visby ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/visby-sweden%e2%80%99s-mediterranean-isle/ Founded in 1218 and one of the three original Hanseatic cities, Rostock, Germany, is only 10 miles from the seaside resort Warnemunde, where cruise ships dock. And while many cruise passengers skip these two former East German destinations for trips to Berlin, we decided to stay put and see what ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/rostock-resort-port/ We would have enjoyed seeing the Danish town Arhus, but for the last day of our cruise we chose to visit Legoland, about an hour away from the port by motorcoach. The Danish toy company operates only four Legolands worldwide. Our kids had been to Legoland near San Diego. The Danish ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/arhus-the-end/ CHANCES ARE YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF KLAIPEDA. That’s because Lithuania’s oldest city was closed to tourists until Soviet occupation ended in 1990. Since then, Klaipeda has been quickly modernizing — all while keeping its heritage and beauty intact.Klaipeda is an up-and-coming, quaint and charming seaside city that presents ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/cruising-the-baltic%e2%80%99s-amber-coast/ The hub of activity and the main shopping areas are situated at and around Europe’s longest pedestrian street, called Stroget. The entrance to Stroget is approximately 30 minutes walk from the Langelinie Pier and one hour walk from the Freeport. Stroget runs from Kongens Nytorv square to Radhuspladsen (Town Hall ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/copenhagen-shopping/ The hub of activity and the main dining areas are situated at and around Europe’s longest pedestrian street, called Stroget. The entrance to Stroget is approximately 30 minutes walk from the Langelinie Pier and one hour walk from the Freeport. Stroget runs from Kongens Nytorv square to Radhuspladsen (Town Hall ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/copenhagen-dining/ September 2003 - Michael, the bartender at the trendy Copenhagen cafe Dan Turrell’s, had no qualms about telling me where to go. See, I had explained to Michael how as editor of a cruise magazine, I had come to Copenhagen to explore the shoreside attractions and activities that cruise passengers ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/reporter%e2%80%99s-notebook-congenial-copenhagen-city-of-cycles/ You could spend a week in Copenhagen and feel as though you did not get enough. In fact, any time spent in Copenhagen leaves visitors wanting to return. This wonderful Danish capital ranks among Europe’s most vibrant cities. From charming outdoor cafes along the beautiful harbor Nyhavn to Europe’s longest ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/copenhagen-highlights/ Copenhagen is on the island of Sealand. The attractions below are also on Sealand and easily reached from Copenhagen. None, in fact, are more than an hour away by train. Your Copenhagen Card will give you free train or bus transportation and free or discounted admission to most of these ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/day-trips-from-copenhagen/ Copenhagen is ideally suited for getting around on foot or by bicycle. Cruise passengers arrive at one of three places in Copenhagen: the airport; or for those arriving by sea, Langelinie Pier or Freeport Terminal. No matter where you arrive, you will soon see at least some of Copenhagen’s 2,500 free ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/walking-and-cycling-in-copenhagen/ A few key points that you should keep in mind if you are cruising to or from Copenhagen: Most cruise passengers arrive in Copenhagen at one of three places: Copenhagen Airport (Copenhagen serves as the initial port of departure for many cruises); or for those arriving by sea, Langelinie Pier ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/copenhagen-frequently-asked-questions/ Ralph Grizzle has launched a three new web sites aimed at assisting cruise travelers to the Baltic. The first site is designed to help travelers survive the pricey Danish capital, Copenhagen. To learn how to cope in Copenhagen, visit www.comingtocopenhagen.com. The second site aims to assist travelers to other Scandinavian ports, including Stockholm. ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/05/cruising-the-baltic-read-this/ You’ve heard stories of the high cost of travel in Europe, thanks to the decline of the dollar against the Euro. The stories certainly should concern anyone setting out to see Europe on their own. Yes, you may pay $8 for a cappuccino in Europe, and the cost of a ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/where-in-europe/ If you’re planning a cruise in the Baltic Sea, you’re likely old enough to remember such events as the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), U.S. President Ronald Reagan and congressional conservatives characterizing Russia as the Evil Empire (1982) and the Cold War, which lasted until late 1991. Thus, visiting St. Petersburg ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/48-hours-in-st-petersburg-what-to-do-when-your-ship-arrives/ Peterhof, a magnificent 18th century European palace and gardens, features more than 150 fountains and four cascades. Head to the suburbs of sprawling St. Petersburg to visit the region’s impressive palaces and parks. From the cruise terminal, you can get to Peterhof, a magnificent 18th-century European palace and gardens (inspired ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/palaces-parks-excursions-outside-st-petersburg/ Like any big city, St. Petersburg has some seedy sides, but you’ll steer well clear of those as you set out to see the main attractions. Even so, before disembarking your ship, you may be warned to watch out for pickpockets and petty thieves. Tourist guide Dmitry Ruchkin told The ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/is-st-petersburg-safe/ Q. I am visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise ship. Do I need a visa? A. Yes. Nearly 70 percent of all tourists to St. Petersburg arrive by ship, and they all need visas. See pages 14 and 15. Q. Can I sightsee on my own? A. Yes, but only if you have ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/st-petersburg-frequently-asked-questions/ The first thing you need to know about visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, is that you will need a visa. That’s right, the tedious and time-consuming paperwork for obtaining a visa must be completed — but not necessarily by you. That’s because Russian visas come with several caveats. The one you ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/04/papers-please-visiting-st-petersburg-with-a-visa/ Click to Play On a Baltic cruise this year? If you’re lucky, your ship stops in the Åland Islands ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2008/01/getting-active-in-the-a%e2%80%a6land-islands/ So many spectacular places to visit, so little time. Here are six of our favorites.   We’re not suggesting by the title of this article that it’s time to begin disembarking from that great journey known as life. Far from it. Cast your eye farther down the page, and you’ll see what ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2007/08/six-cruises-to-do-before-you-die/ From the cruise terminal, you can get to Peterhof, a magnificent 18th-century European palace and gardens (inspired by Peter the Great’s visit to Versailles in 1697), by bus or hydrofoil. Take the hydrofoil if possible, 30 minutes each way as opposed to about an hour each way by bus, advises ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2006/11/peterhof-palace/ When in St. Petersburg, be sure to take time to walk along Nevsky Prospect. The famed street is to St. Petersburg what the Champs Elysses is to Paris, or Broadway to New York. Ask your guide to take you to a cafe for a coffee, Russian beer or Soviet champagne ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2006/11/a-walk-along-nevsky-prospect/ While in St. Petersburg Russia, The Avid Cruiser stopped in at the Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel. This beautiful five-star hotel is currently undergoing a Euro $75 million renovation and expansion. But it’s still open for business and when we were there, the work was not intrusive. We spoke with Timophey ... http://www.balticbliss.com/wordpress/2006/11/on-your-own-or-with-a-guide/