Best Of Scandinavia Cruise 10 Nights • Stockholm, Sweden to Copenhagen, Denmark • Jewel of the Seas

If you’re looking forward to a cruise from Stockholm, plan to arrive in the city a few days before your vacation. Sweden’s hip capital is full of cool sights and interesting experiences you won’t want to miss. You’ll find all kinds of museums in Stockholm dedicated to everything from Viking history to alcohol to ABBA. For pretty buildings with plenty of history behind them, head to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town which dates all the way back to the 13th century. Home to some great restaurants and cafes, it’s the perfect spot to grab lunch or dinner while touring the city. A boat ride along the Royal Canals is always a good idea, too, and a great way to see Stockholm from a different vantage point. And if you’re a snap-happy photographer, few sights are as photogenic as Stockholm’s metro stations — each is its own unique art installation, and the city has so many you can easily fill up a day hopping from one to another.

Get to know the fairy-tale castles and cobbled streets of Tallinn's medieval Old Town. Or take a rejuvenating escape to one of the idyllic Baltic Sea beaches just outside the city center. Visit the Kunstimuuseum — Kumu, for short — the largest art museum in the Baltics, with Estonian art dating from the 18th century through the Soviet era. Check out Tallinn's two great churches: the ornate St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Mary the Virgin, with its 14th-century medieval foundations and 18th-century Baroque tower.

There's no shortage of things to do and see in this stylish historical capital. After you've explored Helsinki's center, head to Punavuori, with its Design District, the superb Design Museum and many attractive shops and galleries. Join the Finns for a sauna, or relax in a trendy cafe in the Kallio district, which has recently undergone a facelift.

Sweden's most alluring island resort is adorned with sandy beaches and medieval heritage. Stroll along the cobbled lanes of the Old Town, lined with picturesque and brightly painted cottages, shady arches and colorful flowers. Enjoy magnificent views of the Baltic Sea on the Strandpromenaden, a five-kilometer walking and biking path. Discover fossils and stalactites in Lummelundagrottan, Northern Europe's longest caves, a short drive north of Visby.

Unwind in Warnemunde, a German fishing town along the Baltic Sea with a relaxed pace of living. Walk down stretches of white sandy beaches, or take a stroll down the promenade. Enjoy fresh seafood that was probably caught hours earlier. Check out the distinctive lighthouse, and stroll the seaside Alte Strom promenade with its quaint shops and beer gardens perfect for a sunny afternoon.

Denmark's second largest city dates back to the Viking Age. Explore the Latin Quarter, the Old Town and the many museums before enjoying a world-class meal. Stroll through the Tivoli or the Botanical Gardens. Or hop on a bike with the wind in your hair and discover why this city routinely crops up as one of the happiest in the world.

Norway's fifth-largest city on the south coast faces Denmark and is surrounded by crystal blue water on three sides. Explore the colorful central market, and admire the original wooden houses in the historic quarter Posebyen. Go to the Ravnedalen Valley Nature Park west of town for a quiet walk on paths lined with trees and cliffs, or head to the Kristiansand Waterfall — you can find wild salmon swimming in the waters here.

Oslo's award-winning Opera House is perfect for exploring, both inside and out. Take advantage of its unique modern design and climb up to the top of the roof. Close by, you'll find the imposing Royal Palace and the Parliament, both of which offer insightful tours. Then, head to the Old Town to see medieval Oslo as it once was, and get some shopping and eating done.

Drive three kilometers from Skagen to Grenen, the geographical top of Denmark, where the Baltic Sea meets the North Sea — here, you can get up close and personal with seals. Take the four-kilometer bike ride west is Old Skagen, a former fishing hamlet picturesque yellow houses. Or stay in town and check out the Skagen Lighthouse, then head to a seaside restaurant for Dublin Bay prawns — they're so big you might think they're lobsters at first.

Copenhagen has come a long way from its early Viking days. Its historic center of Frederiksstaden has its share of castles and royal-era palaces— but it’s the modern, sleek Scandinavian design and playful, hygge spirit that sets Denmark’s capital apart today. Each neighborhood offers its own unique, exciting adventures. Explore the city’s seafaring past with a canal cruise under a network of bridges, or take a stroll along Nyhavn’s colorful quay. Peek in Kødbyen’s trendy art galleries and savor world-renowned Nordic cuisine in Christiania’s quirky cafes. Adventure comes in many forms in Copenhagen, from Baltic beaches to famous fairytales.