Day 1: Stockholm

Emerald spires puncture the sky across Sweden’s alluring capital, a leafy place of history, culture and waterfront perfection. Innovative and inventive, Stockholm is a city looking to the future, but with a firm grip of its envied past. Stylish Stockholm has enough to occupy you for a lifetime, from cathedral-like food markets to simmering baths and natural escapes. Visit the staggeringly beautiful interior of Stockholm's City Hall, or learn more about one of Sweden’s best-known exports – with a visit to the ABBA museum. The history is deep, and the architecture typically stylish, as you explore this capital of Scandi cool. The Gamla Stan old town is a storied historic core of cobbled streets and brightly hued, towering townhouses standing side by side. Attractive squares fill with the smells of fried herring from traditional restaurants, while the latest culinary trends sweep through the city's revered kitchens. Breathe in the crisp, clean air and relish the tranquillity and atmosphere of a truly great and grand Baltic city. Stockholm's visitors and residents spill outdoors in the summertime, to the city's beaches, and the archipelago's scattering of 24,000 islands and islets nearby. Steamboats puff scenic routes between them. Stockholm itself sprawls across 14 islands, interlinked with dozens of arching bridges. Shimmering canals and leafy green parks offer peace and sanctuary within the city, while trendy bars, coffee shops and rooftop cocktail joints add to the hip and happening appeal. Stockholm's bustling shopping streets also showcase cutting edge trends for the fashion-conscious.

Day 2: Helsinki

"A thriving, flawlessly-designed seaside city, Helsinki is famously livable and inspiring. A regional powerhouse of outstanding design and creativity, Helsinki lies across a confetti scattering of 300 islands and skerries in the Gulf of Finland. Known for the light granite hue of its buildings - which lend the city a bright, whitewashed appearance - traditional buildings mingle seamlessly with bold new structures, showcasing Finland's celebrated design outlook. Helsinki Cathedral is the crowning glory - rising high over the city's waterfront with its pearly white domes gleaming. A city that reveres knowledge and creativity above all else, artworks and statues litter the streets and parks, honouring creative minds of the past. Open parks offer space to lie back and soak up summer's sun, while sculptures like the abstract organs of the Sibelius Monument celebrate national heroes like composer Jean Sibelius - whose music gave Finland national identity in the quest for independence. Feel the stunning acoustics of the incredible Rock Church deep in your gut, as you witness a performance in this collaboration between man and nature. Built into the rock underground, the amphitheatre's soaring copper bowl roof is suspended dramatically on a bed of glass windows. One of Helsinki's many incredible buildings, the Design Museum offers a comprehensive insight into the city's balance of style, function and form. Helsinki's easy-going, forward-thinking way of life was hard fought for, and the spectacular Suomenlinna fortress rears out of the waves as a reminder of the historical struggles that have played out in this stretch of sea. The chain of forts covers six islands and was built to defend the archipelago when it fell under Swedish rule. Sail out to the quaint little beaches, and waterfront pathways that now lend a calm, peaceful ambience to this UNESCO World Heritage Site."

Day 3 - 5: St Petersburg

Elegant and exotic, St Petersburg somehow feels familiar and far away at the same time. Set on the Gulf of Finland, Russia’s second city has a more relaxed, European flavour than anywhere else in the country - and its fluctuating name reflects the rebellious city’s turbulent history. Envisioned by Peter the Great as a ‘window into Europe’, St Petersburg is a grand city of waterways and wide boulevards. Stacked with museums, galleries, soaring architecture and open squares, St Petersburg is Russia at its most inviting and culturally eclectic. See Faberge eggs in the museum, which holds nine of the legendarily precious objects. Or indulge in world-class culture at the Mariinsky Theatre, where ballerinas perform in a truly exquisite setting. St Petersburg is known for its astonishing white nights during summer, a period when the sun never truly sets, and the city revels in light for 24 hours a day and the sky glows like a work of art, as it shifts from blue to pink. Many bars and restaurants work all night, while events and festivals feed off of the city’s extra energy. While St Petersburg has a modern, contemporary sheen - with lively bars and restaurants – the elegance of emperors’ palaces, mighty cathedrals and river walks lend a timeless, old-world grace. Beautiful gardens and canal cruises add to the laid-back appeal, but Russia's imperial capital also has a fiercely revolutionary history. See the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood’s gloriously flamboyant, colourful onion domes, on the site where Emperor Alexander II was murdered. Winter Palace is another landmark of this city, located on Palace Square, where seismic historical events have unfolded – including the Bloody Sunday massacre and October Revolution.

Day 6: Tallinn

A fairytale city of new and old, Tallinn boasts one of the best-preserved UNESCO listed old towns in Northern Europe, and balances the traditional and contemporary astutely. A beautiful Baltic capital of storied culture and history, Tallinn is riding the wave of a burgeoning reputation as Europe's hidden gem, and it boasts a picturesque allure that few cities can rival. Having endured countless occupations in its history, Estonia finally gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has been hell-bent on progressive, forward-thinking policies ever since. The European City of Culture award in 2011 was a symbol of the country's increasing integration with the European Union, and offered Tallinn a chance to showcase and upgrade its cultural marvels. Walk into the old town through Viru Gates, past flower vendors and the smells of roasting nuts. Town Hall Square is the heart and soul of Tallinn, and when you walk the narrow cobbled streets that open out into it, you’re walking the same pathways that Tallinn's people have walked since the 13th century. Surrounded by practically complete medieval walls, lose yourself in deep museums, and visit pretty churches like St. Olaf church - one of the city's most famous, with its sharp green spire puncturing the sky. Head to Kohtuotsa platform in the upper town for views of the city's sea of red roofs, interrupted by church towers and rounded turrets. From here, climb Toompea Castle's central hill, before visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - easily recognisable by its bold colours and trio of black onion domes.

Day 7: Day at sea

Day 8: Copenhagen

Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star - the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind. Choose a model with electronic assistance to take the strain out of any journey, giving you the freedom to whizz around and explore the modern angular architecture of the centre, and the pastoral colours of Nyhavn waterfront. Head out to the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale - the strikingly-restrained statue is the perfect landmark for Copenhagen; unshowy, self-assured and utterly irresistible. The Danish concept of hygge is very much alive here, and you’ll feel that warm cosy feeling as you visit cafes illuminated by the warm glow of hanging filament bulbs, and stuffed to the brim with thick, dusty books. Home to mega-brewer Carlsberg, Copenhagen is also a city for hop enthusiasts, and there is a thriving craft brewing scene to sample. Danish Smørrebrød sandwiches are a must try, or for something a little more substantial, settle in for a culinary voyage and try a taster menu – the city’s restaurants are littered with Michelin stars.