As you might expect, there is a large variety of shore excursions available in each port of call. These range from group walking tours, to hiring a private car and driver to take you to dinner with a local family. A short list of excursions are included at the end of this letter. Once you have confirmed your reservation aboard Rotterdam, you can book your excursions in advance on the Holland America website or by phone.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The city of Copenhagen began its life as a simple fishing village in the 12th century. Fortified by Bishop Absalon in the 15th century, it became an important trading center in the region. Tivoli Gardens, serves as a social center of the city, featuring amusement rides, arcades, beer gardens, and live performances. It’s said that the fountains and grounds in Tivoli are supposed to have provided inspiration to Walt Disney.

Other sites of interest in Copenhagen include the statue of The Little Mermaid, an outstanding national museum and gallery, a medieval Round Tower, the Carlsberg Brewery (tours and tasting recommended) and its lively evening entertainment. I suggest coming in to Copenhagen at least a day early to experience the city. Taking some of the worries of flight delay by arriving the day before the ship departs is recommended.

Tallinn, Estonia

A member of the powerful Hanseatic League that dominated trade in the Baltic in the Middle Ages, Tallinn became a wealthy medieval city. The same soviet policies that relegated this city to secondary status also guaranteed the preservation of its medieval center. That history has been beautifully preserved in Tallinn's charming Old Town with its cobblestone streets, Gothic cathedral and Baroque palace. It has been discovered as a relatively inexpensive destination, offering many dining options, sidewalk cafes, and beer cellars.

Saint Petersburg, Russia

What was once a mosquito infested swamp, is now one of the more glorious and historically and artistically significant cities in the world. Peter the Great, three centuries ago, determined that the site would make a strategic Baltic port, and set about filling in the marshes to create the city. In the end, St. Petersburg was born, at the cost of tens of thousands of Swedish prisoners of war and conscripted peasants. Known still as “the city built upon bones”, the city is home the perhaps the most comprehensive museum in the world, the Hermitage. Home also to the start of the Russian Revolution in 1917, and made famous during WWII as the city that was besieged by the Nazis for nearly 900 days, St. Petersburg is a city not to be missed.

Tour the Hermitage, enjoy a sidewalk café in this very cosmopolitan city, people watch or shop as you stroll Nevsky Prospekt, Russia’s most famous street. Please note that visas are required for independent travel in Russia. If you are taking a shore excursion offered by Holland America, you need not obtain a visa as you are part of a sponsored tour. If you plan to sightsee on your own, you MUST obtain a visa. I will do this for you, if you like. The cost will be an additional $165 per person.

Helsinki, Finland

Independent for less than 100 years, Finland has been ruled for centuries by a host of colonial powers, including Russia and Sweden. The Finns took advantage of the chaos caused by the Russian Revolution to declare their independence in 1917. The capital city of Helsinki, which hosted the 1952 Olympic Games, differs from many other Scandinavian cities in its functional, understated, neo-classical arcitecture. Spread out among many islands, Helsinki offers sidewalk cafes, an excellent national gallery, and the onion-domed Uspensky Cathedral. The Finnish language is more closely related to Hungarian than the neighboring nordic languages. Plan your day to take advantage of an authentic Finnish Sauna (suits not allowed), and not for the feint of heart as it usually requires jumping into the lake after taking your steam.

Stockholm, Sweden

One of the world's most beautiful capitals, Stockholm consists of 14 islands linked by boats and graceful bridges. Explore historic old town dating from the 15th century; marvel at the 17th century warship Vasa; discover Baroque and Rococo furnishings at the Royal Palace

Spanning no fewer than 14 islands, the capital of Sweden is one of the most visually impressive cities of the Baltic. Unique in its makeup, this city is 1/3 water, 1/3 parks and woodland, and some of the broadest boulevards and scenic waterfronts of the north.

Visitors shouldn’t miss a visit to see the Vasa, which sank in Stockholm Harbor immediately upon launching in 1628. After three centuries preserved in the deep mud of the harbor, the ship was raised in 1961 to form an outstanding nautical museum.

Warnemünde, Germany (port for Berlin)

Don’t miss the opportunity to tour into Berlin, which has visibly flourished since the fall of the Wall in 1989. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Brandenburg Gate and “Checkpoint Charlie” are all here. In the Western sector, browse the lively Kurfürstendamm for snazzy clothing stores, delicate hand-painted porcelain and a snack of beer and bratwurst.

Arhus, Denmark

Arhus is the center of commerce on the Jutland Peninsula. The city has a small-town feel to it, centered around a vibrant seaport. Visitors to this charming city will enjoy a pedestrian-only shopping street featuring Danish handicrafts. Visit the fascinating Museum of Prehistory, which takes you from the stone age to the Viking age

Oslo, Norway

The approach to Oslo is what makes a visit to this northern capital so impressive. The Oslofjord carries shipping just over 100km from the Skagerrak, the channel separating Norway and Sweden from Denmark.

Oslo is the only major metropolis in the country, and is roughly twice the size of the nearest city in size, Bergen. The city boasts a Viking Boat Museum, and Edvard Munch fans will be pleased with the collection at the national gallery.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way.

Only three pre World War II buildings in the city center have survived and are worth a look - city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde - home to ethnological exhibits.  Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city - where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 29, 2008