A journey through Copenhagen, Denmark, Riga and Tallinn — where history, culture and contemporary life meet along the Baltic Sea.

There are few better ways to experience the Baltic than by sea. From Copenhagen's colorful waterfront and royal palaces to Riga's extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture and Tallinn's medieval streets, each destination offers a distinctly different expression of Northern European culture.

This summer, Culture Traveler's Kareem George and Frederick Morsches set out aboard the new EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, beginning in Copenhagen and continuing through some of the Baltic's most fascinating cities.

The journey offered exactly the kind of experiences we love at Culture Traveler: beautiful places, remarkable history, art and architecture, memorable food, and the opportunity to experience each destination on its own terms.

Copenhagen: Where the Journey Begins

The journey began in Copenhagen, a city where centuries of royal history and Scandinavian design exist comfortably alongside one another.

Before setting sail, there was time to experience some of what makes Denmark so compelling. Copenhagen offers an extraordinary combination of elegant architecture, cultural institutions and a relaxed sense of everyday life. From the city's historic center to the colorful harbor of Nyhavn, it is a place that rewards simply wandering and seeing where the day takes you.

Then it was time to board EXPLORA III and set sail for the Baltic.

The ship itself became part of the experience. Explora Journeys approaches ocean travel with the feel of a luxury hotel at sea, emphasizing spacious suites, refined dining, wellness and a more relaxed pace of travel. Kareem had been looking forward to experiencing EXPLORA III since its inaugural season, particularly its oceanfront suites, culinary offerings and wellness spaces.

Denmark: Royalty, Vikings and the Danish Imagination

Denmark's cultural history is remarkably layered, and a few days here can take you across centuries.

At Kronborg Castle, the real-life Elsinore associated with Shakespeare's Hamlet, Renaissance history comes vividly to life. At Amalienborg Palace, visitors can experience the continuing traditions of the Danish royal family.

Then there is the Viking legacy.

At the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, five remarkably preserved ships offer a tangible connection to Denmark's seafaring past. The country's history as a maritime power feels especially appropriate when experienced as part of a journey by sea.

But Denmark's cultural story doesn't stop with castles and Vikings. Art and design are equally central to its identity, while Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens offers a lighter, almost storybook side of the city. It is no surprise that Tivoli famously helped inspire Walt Disney's vision for Disneyland.

Together, these experiences reveal something essential about Denmark: its history isn't preserved behind glass. It remains woven into the country's architecture, design, traditions and everyday life.

Riga: A City That Stays With You

From Denmark, the journey continued to Riga, Latvia — a city that left a particularly personal impression on Frederick.

Riga was his second visit to the city, more than 25 years after traveling there with his parents. Returning as an adult, with decades of travel and experience behind him, gave him the opportunity to see the city through entirely new eyes.

Riga's extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture, medieval Old Town, opera and ballet, museums and culinary traditions all contribute to its distinctive character. But for Frederick, the city's cultural life carries an especially personal resonance, including its connection to the great dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, who was born in Riga.

His reflections on returning to the city became the subject of a deeper Culture Traveler story.

Riga also demonstrated one of the pleasures of exploring the Baltic by sea: the ability to move between very different cultural worlds while maintaining a comfortable, unhurried rhythm throughout the journey.

Tallinn: Medieval Streets and a Modern Creative Spirit

The next stop brought the journey to Tallinn, Estonia, where centuries of history meet a distinctly contemporary creative energy.

Tallinn's Old Town feels almost storybook-like, with its cobblestone streets, medieval walls and historic towers. The onion domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral rise above the city, while St. Catherine's Passage offers a glimpse into the crafts and traditions that have long shaped Tallinn's character.

Walking along the medieval walls and through the historic center, it is easy to understand why Tallinn has become such a compelling destination for travelers interested in European history.

But Tallinn isn't frozen in the past.

The city's Telliskivi Creative City offers a striking contrast, with contemporary art, design, independent businesses and a creative atmosphere occupying a former industrial area. Nearby, the gardens and palace of Kadriorg provide yet another perspective on the city.

That combination — medieval heritage alongside contemporary creativity — is part of what makes Tallinn so rewarding to explore.

The Baltic at Its Best

What makes a journey like this so memorable is not simply the individual destinations. It is the contrast between them.

In Copenhagen, Scandinavian design and royal history set the tone. Denmark's castles and Viking heritage reveal another layer of the region's past. Riga brings together Art Nouveau architecture, music, ballet and a deeply cultivated cultural life. Tallinn offers medieval charm alongside an energetic contemporary arts scene.

And between each destination, there is the sea.

Traveling aboard EXPLORA III creates a natural rhythm to the journey: days spent exploring cities and immersing yourself in their culture, followed by time aboard ship to slow down, dine, relax and watch the Baltic landscape pass by.

That balance is one of the great pleasures of luxury cruising. The voyage itself becomes part of the destination.

Exploring the Baltic Aboard Explora III