10 must-do excursions when cruising to Scandinavia and Russia

Photo courtesy of Scott Josephson

Get off the ship and explore

There’s a certain magic in sailing to Scandinavia and Russia. Your Baltic Sea voyage aboard the luxurious Viking Jupiter, the newest member of the Viking fleet, brings you to eight intriguing countries over 15 days.

The Viking Homelands itinerary gives cruisers a surreal opportunity to revisit history and become immersed in the culture of Russia’s St. Petersburg, without a visa on ship-run excursions, over two days. The capital cities of Sweden, Finland and Estonia also invite you to take in their old towns and modern architecture, while Poland entices you with the largest brick castle in the world.

Berlin resonates with reflection and redemption. Copenhagen is as much of a fairy tale as its name conjures. Viking history comes alive in Aalborg, Denmark on the North Sea, where your journey winds through the Norwegian fjords, ending in Bergen, Norway.

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See the Vasa Museum and Stockholm

Witness the splendor of Sweden’s most glorious warship, Vasa, at Scandinavia’s most visited museum. This ornately crafted wooden vessel was the most powerful of its time, but sadly capsized and sank minutes into its 1628 maiden voyage.

It remained submerged in a shipping lane near Stockholm harbor for 333 years before it was resurfaced in 1961. Restoration efforts took 20 years and maintenance continues to preserve its structural integrity.

Sail through the channels of this sparkling archipelago, past Gamla Stan (Old Town) and cultural landmarks, including the imposing Stockholm Palace.

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Photo courtesy of Oodi Helsinki Central Library

Check out the Helsinki Central Library Oodi

In this digital age, is the library still relevant? Hop on the complimentary Viking shuttle and take a self-guided tour of Helsinki’s Central Library. Oodi looks towards the the future with open-concept architecture that feels like an Apple Store in outer space.

This €98 million community center opened in December 2018 and goes beyond the book, loaning out power tools and musical instruments. With book-sorting robots, nooks and lounges appointed with clever Scandinavian furniture and activities spanning the quiet (reading) to the loud (3D printing), it is Disneyland for the makers of today and tomorrow.

Photo courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

Tour Peterhof Palace and Gardens in Russia

Known as the "Russian Versailles," the 18th century palace of Peter the Great remains a gilded spectacle of royal indulgence. From its lush, French-designed gardens to its majestic fountains, the exterior alone will take your breath away. Inside, you’ll marvel at the craftsmanship of the sumptuous royal chambers.

Take a morning tour to snag a spot on the Grand Cascade as the fountains spring to life with music. Weave your way through the manicured Lower Gardens where you just might encounter a surprise or two among the many water fountains. 

Photo courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

See the cathedral that honors Emperor Alexander II

Cruise the canals of St. Petersburg on a scenic city tour that winds through the Neva, Fontanka and Moyka Rivers. Spot royal landmarks including the magnificent Winter Palace.

You’ll feel like you’re in Moscow as you gaze upon the captivating onion domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Inside, admire its meticulously restored mosaics at this site of Emperor Alexander II’s assassination.

Also take in the gold domes and elaborate artwork of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, an architectural feat and the fourth largest cathedral in the world.

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Get special access with a Hermitage Behind Closed Doors tour

Once the Winter Palace, The State Hermitage Museum is the world’s second largest art museum (after the Louvre). Beat the crowds while gaining exclusive access to private artifacts and collections once off-limits to visitors.

Bask in masterpieces, like the "Madonna Litta" and Rembrandt’s "The Return of the Prodigal Son," as a knowledgeable local guide carefully curates your experience.

Get an insider’s look at the restoration and exhibit center to witness the diligent efforts involved in art preservation. Lunch is included in this full-day exploration of Russian art and culture.

Photo courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

Flashback to Soviet rule in Estonia

Gather round, comrades, for a comical and authentic perspective on a seemingly somber story of Soviet rule in Estonia. Board a rickety (and perfectly safe) Soviet-era workers’ bus with your entertaining uniformed officer/actor guide as he shares propaganda alongside candid autobiographical tales from the latter years of the USSR.

Visit former sites of infamy as you enjoy an authentic Russian picnic, replete with vodka shots. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh and ultimately laud the Estonian people for their fortitude and resilience in the face of trying times.

Photo courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

Visit the largest castle in the world

Traverse the Polish countryside by bus and travel back to the 13th century rule of the Teutonic Knights. Malbork Castle in Poland, once home to 3,000 armor-clad warriors, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Devastated by the ravages of World War II, the castle was painstakingly restored to its former glory. The world’s largest brick castle offers a glimpse into the life of this German order. Become familiar with their innovative heating and plumbing infrastructure, peek into the Grand Master’s quarters and visit the dignified St. Mary’s Church.

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Photo courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

Spend the day in Berlin

Berlin recognizes its past while embracing the future. After docking in Warnemunde, a 12-hour self-guided tour begins with a scenic two-hour train ride past windmills to the German capital.

This walkable urban center is a museum unto itself. The Topography of Terror, situated inside the former Gestapo headquarters, is now a museum focusing on the atrocities of the Nazi regime. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a solemn labyrinth of 2,711 stone columns commemorating Holocaust victims.

Checkpoint Charlie symbolizes the Berlin Wall and Soviet influence in post-WWII Germany.

Photo courtesy of Viking

Go from a palace to a park in Copenhagen

Elizabeth II isn’t the only reigning monarch. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II opens her Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace to eager visitors. Feel like a VIP at a state dinner as you waltz through these impressive, tapestry-covered spaces.

Your next stop is Copenhagen’s famed Tivoli Gardens for a leisurely stroll through its lush grounds. Relive your childhood on its retro wooden roller coaster, Ferris wheel, vintage cars and carousel. If you’re a real thrill-seeker, feel the rush of The Star Flyer swing ride or the g-force of the Fatamorgana tower.

Photo courtesy of Viking

Experience a day in the life of a Viking

No journey to the ancestral homelands is complete without coming face-to-face with actual Vikings. EPCOT meets reality at the lovingly reconstructed Fyrkat farm in Aalborg, where you’ll learn how the Vikings spent their days.

There’s no better way to celebrate local culture than with a glass of mead at Fyrkat Fortress, dating back a thousand years. Pay homage at the ancient cemetery of Lindholm Hoje, containing 150 stone ships and the final resting place of around 700 individuals. Its museum caps your day with a further glimpse into their life’s work.