NEW! Icons of the Viking Age

See the highlights of Klaipėda during a walking tour of its old town and visit the Klaipėda Castle Museum. Meet your guide and set out on foot toward the old town. Once the northernmost port of the Prussian empire, its cobblestoned streets are steeped in history and maritime heritage. In Theatre Square, pass the Taravos Anike sculpture, dedicated to the memory of poet Simon Dach. You will view other icons of folklore, including the Golden Mouse and Cat Klaipedis—the cat with a gentleman’s face. Next, head to the Klaipėda Castle Museum. Originally built by the Teutonic Knights during the 13th century, its buildings were eventually demolished after falling into disrepair. Visit the archeological museum, housed beneath one of its remaining bastions, then cap your journey with a stop for refreshments and a piece of local cake, before returning on foot to your ship.

View the sights of Klaipėda’s old town district and contrasting modern areas during a panoramic excursion. Embark on a scenic drive through the new districts of the city and past local residences. Take in the views of the tree-lined streets and view some of the city’s architectural gems. Pass by the Botanical Garden, then head to the Sculpture Park to see its collection of contemporary art. Continue your drive to the old town for a guided walk and view some of the city's icons of folklore, including the Golden Mouse, The Dragon emerging from its wall and the unusual Cat Klaipedis—the cat with a gentleman’s face. You will also learn more about Klaipėda’s maritime history by the Meridianas, a restored sailing ship. Afterward, head to Theatre Square, passing the Taravos Anike sculpture, dedicated to the memory of poet Simon Dach, before walking back to your ship.

Discover the pristine nature and cultural delights of the Curonian Spit during a guided excursion. The Curonian Spit is a 61-mile long, thin and curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its dramatic natural landscapes. Drive along the spit via motor coach to reach the village of Juodkrante, a former fishing settlement. After a short stop, continue to the Dead Dunes, the tallest migrating dunes in Europe. Take in the views and learn about the history of the region before heading to Nida, where you will enjoy a lunch of local fare followed by a guided stroll of its quaint streets. Visit the Thomas Mann Museum, located in the novelist’s former summer home, to learn about this Nobel Prize winner and the summers he spent in Nida. At the end of your excursion, return to your awaiting ship.

Explore a museum housed in the ruins of a 13th-century castle, followed by a visit to a historic brewery. Built by the Teutonic Knights and set at the mouth of the Dangė River, Klaipėda Castle was once a site of major military importance. Between the 13th and 18th centuries, it underwent many destructions and reconstructions, before its eventual demolition during the 19th century. Following extensive archaeological work from 1968 onward, Klaipėda Castle Museum was established beneath one of the bastions. Here, you will see the excavated findings, view the remaining sections of the castle and learn about its history. Then, transfer to the Švyturys Brewery, the second-oldest brewery in Lithuania. Learn about the production process during a guided tour. Cap your visit with a sampling of some of the brewery’s beer before returning to your awaiting ship.

Explore the Curonian Spit and immerse yourself in your surroundings during a panoramic cycle. After a short safety demonstration, mount your e-bike and cycle to the ferry terminal. Ride the ferry to Smiltyne, where you will set out to follow the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. Pass by the Smiltyne Yacht Club, established in 1936, and see the boats docked at the marina. Pedal towards Juodkrante, pausing at a wild sand beach before continuing through dense pine forest towards the northern tip of the Curonian Spit. Along the way, you will pass by sites of interest including the Maritime Museum and Dolphinarium, where dolphins and sea lions are cared for by specialists. Call at an ethnographic fisherman’s household for a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals, then board the ferry back to Klaipėda for a guided walk around Theatre Square, before returning to your ship.

See notable sights of Palanga during an informative excursion, including a stop at the Amber Museum. Begin with a scenic drive by motor coach to this popular seaside town, where your first stop is the Palanga Botanical Park. Stroll through its tree-lined paths to reach the Amber Museum, housed in the restored 19th-century Tiškevičiai Palace. View the impressive collection, consisting of almost 30,000 pieces of amber, some containing insects, spiders and plants, and learn about the history of this natural substance, nicknamed “Baltic Gold.” After exploring with your guide, continue to the center of Palanga. View the Gothic Revival architecture of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and walk the tree-lined streets of Basanavičiaus Street, then enjoy a lunch of local fare before returning to your ship.

Venture into the old town to visit a historic brewery and enjoy a tasting of locally brewed beers. With your guide, take a short drive by motor coach to the old town of Klaipėda, where you will call at the Švyturys Brewery. The name of this establishment translates to “lighthouse”—founded during the late 18th century, it is the second-oldest brewery in Lithuania and a major sponsor of Lithuanian sports, culture and art. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided visit of the brewery, tracing the production process of Lithuania’s most famous beer from the laboratory all the way to the bottling room. After, head to the tasting area, where your guide will lead you on a tasting of some of the brewery’s beers, accompanied by complementary snacks. At the end of your visit, you will return on foot to your awaiting ship.

Experience the natural beauty and rich birdlife of Lithuania’s Curonian Lagoon. Embark on a scenic drive through a landscape of waterways, wetlands and traditional fishing settlements to Mingė, one of the country’s most distinctive villages. Here, you will set out on a stroll through this charming riverside community before continuing to Ventė Cape, one of the Baltic region’s most renowned birdwatching locations. Visit the historic ornithological station, established in 1929, where scientists have studied migratory birds for decades. During a guided tour, discover the science behind bird migration and ringing, explore the museum exhibits and learn how ornithologists track thousands of birds each year. Following your visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring authentic flavors before returning to your ship.