Best Of Scandinavia Cruise 7 netter • Copenhagen, Denmark • Jewel of the Seas

If you’re planning a cruise out of Denmark, tack on a few days ahead of your vacation to explore this beautiful northern capital. A foodie, art and culture capital, Denmark offers endless discoveries for every kind of traveler — not to mention a wonderful blend of historic charm and cool modern design. But first things first — the best way to start your day when you visit Denmark is with a Danish pastry from Conditori La Glace, the city’s oldest confectioner’s shop. Afterward, you can visit the colorful quay district of Nyhavn and see where the writer Hans Christian Andersen lived and worked. For a bit of natural beauty and tranquility, take a stroll along the leafy pathways of the Frederiksberg Gardens. Or get your fix of history and culture during the changing of the Royal Guard at the stately Amalienborg palace, home of the Danish royal family.

Situated in the middle of an archipelago, Stockholm is Sweden's cultural and political center. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets in the oldest part of Stockholm and along the Skeppsbron dock. Take your time to shop in the cool boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. In summer, join the locals for a swim in Stockholm's clean inner-city waterways.

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.

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.

Visiting the Latvian capital of Riga is like stepping into a fairy tale. The mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles make the city an architecture enthusiast's dream location. The best way to see the city? By wandering down the charming cobblestone streets.

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.