WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A BALTIC CRUISE IN SUMMER

As a summer alternative to the often frantic, overcrowded Mediterranean, the sheltered waters of the Baltic provides a whole conga line of outstanding ports of call, many of them flaunting a string of stunning medieval architecture and a history fully equal, if not more interesting, than their sunny southern counterparts, And, the great thing about cruising the Baltic is that you rarely need to fly to pick up your ship. Most sail from a convenient port on the UK mainland.

People often argue that the weather is changeable, and not guaranteed to be as warm as the Mediterranean. True as this is, more often than not the temperatures can hit the mid to high twenties in the summertime Baltic. And the sun seldom sets before midnight in mid summer, providing some absolutely amazing ends to the day in those far northen reaches.

For many, the highlight of any Baltic cruise is Saint Petersburg, and many ships spend one or more nights here. Peter the Great's tremendous, often troubled 'Window on the West' is worth a few days of anybody's life (and you'll still only scratch the surface on your first visit), but it is far from being the only highlight in the Baltic's glittering bag of tricks.

For instance, just the approach to Stockholm's stately harbour is an astonishing treat, as your ship threads its way through an archipelago of several hundred islands en route. Copehagen has the Little Mermaid, and it's world famous Tivoli Gardens is a shimmering, ethereal wonderland that can stand up to any of Walter Disney's theme parks when it comes to the magic stakes. To coin a  perhaps unfortunate phrase, these are merely the tip of the Baltic's incredible iceberg.

Helsinki is cool, cultured, and chock full of cutting edge, modern architecture. Tallinn is an amazing, almost perfectly preserved medieval theme park, studded with castle turrets, copper spires and ancient battlements, a city laced with winding cobbled streets that run into large, cafe strewn squares.

Germany's port of Warnemunde is the gateway to Beriin, but is a fantastic place just to wander in itself, with its shop lined canals, Hansel and Gretel style architecture and fabulous beach. it is without doubt one of the most attractive seaside resorts anywhere in Europe.

These are just some of the amazing sights that ring the edge of the Baltic like so many mesmerising gems. It's a magical region, with a feeling and a finesse that make it a fabulous, flight free alternative to the Mediterranean. At the very least, I'd argue that it's worthy of your consideration.