40-day hidden gems of the midnight sun

Your voyage begins in Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. The city owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, and boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture.Copenhagen deserves its accolade as the Venice of the North. Founded on a series of islands and islets, the city today is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city. Stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses. Browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

This idyllic island in the Baltic has been a popular destination since its discovery by Danish artists in the 19th century. Bornholm boasts a wealth of scenic beauty ranging from bucolic farms to one of Denmark's largest forests. The island also features sandy beaches, quaint fishing ports and a rugged coast crowned by the ruins of the largest medieval fortress in Northern Europe. Bornholm is also the host of "New Scandinavian Cooking" - a wildly popular television series watched by over 60 million viewers. The island has become renowned for its high-quality gourmet produce including superb smoked fish, sausages and internationally award-winning beer and blue cheese.The island's capital and largest city, Rønne is home to 14,000 inhabitants.

Dramatic 13th-century city walls surround the former Viking settlement of Visby, Sweden. Recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved medieval commercial center in Northern Europe, this quaint town of 20,000 residents, known as the "City of Roses and Ruins," is home to ancient forts, churches and winding streets lined with cafés and cozy cottages. The Gotlands Fornsal Museum explores 8,000 years of the region's rich cultural history, from the geological formation of Gotland through the Viking period to the modern age. A venture beyond the ancient walls takes you to the Hanseatic harbor of Almedalen, dotted by such historical sites as the Kruttornet (Powder Tower) and the Jungfrutornet (Maiden's Tower), or to scenic Dalmansporten, site of the 12th-century St. Mary Church, the only one of Visby's earliest churches to still be in use today. For those seeking the solace of the countryside, Gotland, Sweden's largest island, offers flowering meadows, pastoral views and the opportunity to experience the dairy products and sweet jams produced on local farms.

Often described as the "Capital of Scandinavia," Stockholm traces its origins back seven centuries, when it was founded on the island of Gamla Stan and became the capital of Sweden. Today, the city covers 14 separate islands connected by bays, channels and inlets. The skyline is a sea of copper roofs grown green with patina, towers, spires and graceful cupolas stand sentinel over the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan). With its population of nearly a million people, Stockholm is one of the world's most beautiful, clean and orderly cities.With a history stretching over seven centuries, Stockholm is not just a beautiful city but also Sweden's center of art and culture.

A second day in Stockholm, Sweden - time to explore at your own pace.

Perhaps their country's harsh climate encouraged the Finns' love and respect for design and the arts. Whatever the cause, there's no denying that Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Scandinavia. Hailed as the "Daughter of the Baltic," Finland's capital is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. In the past century, Finland has nurtured some of the major creative talents of Western culture, from the composer Sibelius to architects Eliel & Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto.The center of Finnish commerce and culture, Helsinki is home to some 616.000 people. Much of the city's neoclassical architecture dates from the period of Tsarist rule, which began in 1809 after political control of Finland passed from Sweden to Russia, Finland gained its independence in 1917.

Like Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic republic of Estonia has survived a turbulent history. The small nation was conquered and ruled by the likes of Teutonic Knights, Polish princes and Russian Tsars. For 51 years, Estonia remained a pawn in the Soviet empire, until the burgeoning freedom movement led to independence for the Baltic Republics in 1991. Like its sister republics, Estonia maintained its ties to the Western tradition, retaining the Latin alphabet and Catholic and Protestant faiths. Once a member of the historic Hanseatic League, Tallinn is the political, commercial and cultural center of Estonia.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Capital of Latvia and the largest city of the Baltic Republics, Riga has long been a center of commerce and culture. Founded in the 13th century, the city rose to prominence as a member of the Hanseatic League, the great German-Baltic trading consortium that dominated Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. In the long struggle for Latvian independence, Riga has been ruled by Germans, Swedes and Russians. Today this "Little Paris of the Baltic" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its architecture including one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in Northern Europe.The city's German heritage contributed to the city's rich architecture. Riga's Art Nouveau buildings are outstanding examples of the German style known as Jugendstil.

Formerly known as Memel, Klaipeda is a unique historic city - with its roots that go back to the days of German knights - and it's a gloriously royal city, too, as Klaipeda was once the capital of Prussian Kingdom. Today Klaipeda is a modern city, known for its creative, innovative design and architecture and, even more for its friendly and welcome people. Being the third largest town in Lithuania, this relatively small town is well known for its grand annual events including the Jazz festival and Sea festival. The cultural scene offers everything from the internationally-known music concerts to sizzling jazz clubs, bars and countless museums and galleries.

Your ship calls at Gdansk, Poland.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship returns to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Your ship calls at Lysekil, Sweden.

Your ship calls at Farsund, Norway.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Narvik, Norway.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Honningsvag is your gateway to Norway's North Cape on Magerøya Island. This is the northernmost point in Europe, and the true land of the midnight sun. From mid-May to July, the full disc of the sun never dips below the horizon. In winter, the days barely lighten to a spectral gloom. To the north lies only the remote Svalbard Archipelago, Jan Mayan Island, and the polar ice cap. From the cliffs of North Cape, perched 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean, one stares into the arctic silence.During the summer months, vast reindeer herds roam Magerøya Island's treeless, central plateau.

Your ship calls at Tromso, Norway.

Your ship calls at Reine, Norway.

Your ship calls at Bronnoysund, Norway.

Trondheim is the third largest - and second oldest - city in Norway. The town was originally called Kaupangen upon its founding in 997 A.D. by Viking king Olav Tryggvason. The city commands the trade routes linking Southern Norway with the fjord lands to the north. Trondheim quickly became a major commercial and cultural center - the city served as Norway's royal capital.Trondheim's old city features broad avenues and attractive 17th-century wood buildings - a legacy of the rebuilding that followed a disastrous fire that leveled the city in 1681.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Visible for miles from sea, the White Cliffs of Dover are an instantly recognizable symbol of England. Modern highways make Dover the doorstep to London - Britain's ever-fascinating capital. Visitors to this great city have a wealth of pleasures to choose from. Explore the notorious Tower of London and view the Crown Jewels. Visit Windsor Castle or see Westminster Abbey. The choices are fascinating and endless. Dover is also your gateway to Kent's green countryside, dotted with old medieval towns and castles.Dover has played a major role in world history since the days of the Norman invasion. Today 13th century Dover Castle dominates a harbour filled with cross-channel ferries and merchant and passenger shipping.

Your ship calls at Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, UK.

Your ship calls at Fowey, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Bantry, Ireland.

Its history may date back eight centuries and its heart may revel in its reputation as Ireland's Cultural Heart but Galway has a personality that possesses a spirit, a drive and an attitude that keeps this city looking forward. Along with a city center that pulsates with cozy cafés and bustling shops you'll discover a maze of medieval streets that invite exploration and photogenic centuries-old churches and castles. And just outside the iconic city walls is a world of untouched beauty-a picturesque countryside that boasts heather-covered hillsides, gently rolling grasslands, charming villages and ancient stone walls. During your stay be assured that Galway's multiple personalities will create one unforgettable vacation destination.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Greencastle (Londonderry), Ireland.

Your ship calls at Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Your ship calls at Ullapool, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Just north of Scotland lay the Orkney Islands. Washed by the furthest reach of the Gulf Stream, this chain of over 70 islands offers dramatic landscapes that range from sea cliffs rearing 1,000 feet above the waves to sweeping white sand beaches. Bird watchers flock to the Orkney Islands, drawn by the multitudes of sea birds. Divers explore the wrecks lying in the clear waters of Scapa Flow, the Royal Navy's fleet anchorage in two world wars. And most fascinating of all, the Orkney Islands boast the greatest concentration of prehistoric sites in all Europe, including the mysterious Ring of Brodgar and 5,000-year-old Skara Brae.Vikings - Norsemen - ruled the Orkney Islands from the 9th to 13th centuries, leaving in their wake such monuments as St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. This hint of Scandinavian influence can be heard in the lilting accent with which Orcadians speak.

Your ship calls at Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland, United Kingdom.

A second day in Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland, United Kingdom - time to explore at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your voyage concludes in Dover (for London), England.