Island Gems for Explorers Rügen - Bornholm - Öland - Gotland - Åland

DAY 1: SWITZERLAND - Hamburg

Journey via Basel and Frankfurt to Hamburg.

The last boarding point in Switzerland is Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse, at 08.00.

DAY 2: Hamburg - Island of Rügen

Journey to the first Baltic island, Rügen, where you will be welcomed by snow-white cliffs, blue water and broad sandy beaches.

Day 3: Island of Rügen - Bornholm

Visit to the chalk coast at the National Park Centre. The ferry takes you from Rügen to the Danish island of Bornholm in just 3½ hours. Pure romance awaits you here, with medieval round churches, colourful chimneys and reminders of fierce Vikings.

DAY 4: Island of Bornholm

(Optional excursion) Rugged rocky coasts alternate with beaches stretching for miles, peaceful forests, open fields, deep gorges and idyllic fishing villages. You will experience tranquillity and unspoilt nature, and perhaps try a smoked herring.

DAY 5: Bornholm - KALMAR

Ferry crossing to the crime-fiction town of Ystad, then by coach via Karlskrona, which with its 33 islands deserves the title "Little Stockholm", to Kalmar.

DAY 6: Island of Öland - Gotland

Across the Kalmar Strait you reach the island of Öland, which delights with its diversity and contrasts! The famous karst and heathland landscape of Stora Alvaret is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Windmills, early Gothic fortified churches and idyllic villages shape the landscape. In the evening, crossing by ship to Visby, the capital of the island of Gotland.

DAY 7: Island of Gotland

(Optional excursion) The island owes its name to the Germanic tribe of the Goths. The landscape is characterised by forests, fine sandy beaches and steep limestone cliffs, with picturesque little towns and country churches in between.

DAY 8: Gotland - Stockholm

Ferry crossing to Stockholm. On a guided city tour you will get to know this magnificent metropolis. Water, water everywhere. And in the middle stands the island with the old town, its narrow lanes, the Stadshuset, the parliament island and the Royal Palace, Kungliga Slottet.

DAY 9: Stockholm - Åland

In the morning, boat trip through the archipelago to Åland. The pretty town of Mariehamn welcomes you with a maritime flair. Swedish, Finnish and Russian influences have shaped this small island realm. Mariehamn lies on a narrow peninsula between two bays and the harbours of Västerhamn and Österhamn.

DAY 10: The Åland Islands

A voyage of discovery around the fascinating Åland Islands. A rugged maritime landscape, smooth rocky coasts and glittering water await you. The archipelago consists of more than 6,700 skerries and islands, but only 60 of them are permanently inhabited. In the afternoon, boat trip back to Stockholm.

DAY 11: Stockholm - Gothenburg

Journey across Sweden to the Göta Canal, often referred to as Sweden's blue ribbon. Dating from the 19th century, the canal links western Sweden with the east coast. Onward journey to Gothenburg. The city was founded in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf and quickly grew into a centre of fishing and shipbuilding. Embarkation on a ferry to Kiel.

DAY 12: Kiel - Hanover

Arrival in Kiel in the morning and onward journey to Hamburg. The jewel of the city centre is the Binnenalster basin, laid out in the 17th century. Onward journey to Hanover.

DAY 13: Hanover - Switzerland

Return journey to Switzerland.