The Poseidon statue in Götaplatsen Square, the cultural heart of the city.

The second largest city in Sweden, Göteborg is the perfect destination for culture, dining, shopping and entertainment. The city is undergoing a transformation from industrial seaport to contemporary cultural and international sports venue and has something to offer every traveler. Those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the city can visit the Göteborg Opera, one of the city’s most prominent buildings celebrated for its outstanding architectural and acoustic creation. The opera building was designed by Jan Izkovitz and features a complete program of opera, dance, musicals and concerts.

To explore the history of the town, take a step back in time in one of the many castles and country estates spread throughout the country, from medieval citadels to the fortresses built in the 17th century as protection against the Danes. Other popular attractions include the Liseberg, Sweden’s premier amusement park and the unique Göteborg indoor fish market. In addition to its cultural offerings, the city is cited as one of Northern Europe’s most exciting culinary destinations. Göteborg offers a number of world-class restaurants with innovative cuisine, mainly using local north Atlantic fish and shellfish. There are also a number of bakeries, bistros and cafés conveniently located throughout the city.

Before you board Star Flyer for the next port call, be sure to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Gotaplatsen, the main public square and home to the famous Poseidon statue by Carl Milles. Don’t forget to take lots of photos!

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. To view a complete list of Star Flyer’s 2012 Northern Europe/ Baltic itineraries, click HERE. Bookings are now open!

Chalk Cliffs of Rügen Island in the Jasmund National Park.

The island of Rügen is located just off the northeastern coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea. The island’s largest town, Sassnitz, is a major tourist attraction for those who love the sight of luxury yachts, passenger ferries and pleasure boats. The island has more than 40 museums covering everything from local history to underwater archaeology. There are also countless monuments, churches, palaces and majestic homes, including graves and burial mounds from the island’s historic past, and the Ralswiek Palace and Granitz hunting lodge from the 19th century.

Rügen is famous for its romantic seaside resorts and spas, which date back to the 18th century and breathtaking landscapes. On the coast, there are mile-long beaches and in the heart of the island, you can follow the scenic drive “Alleenstrasse” along cobble-stoned avenues lined with century old trees.

Little Sassnitz is the site of several gingerbread-trimmed hotels where outdoor lovers like to vacation, and it is also the jumping off place for Jasmund National Park, where hikers may walk through forests of beech and larch to view the spectacular chalk cliffs that tower in white majesty over the breaking sea below. The snow-white cliff “Königsstuhl” on the Jasmund peninsula rises 118 meters out of the Baltic Sea; for best views of the majestic cliff,guests can take a boat tour around the peninsula and enjoy the scenery from the water.

Before you board the ship for the next port call, be sure to try some of Rügen’s local culinary treats: Sanddorn (sea-buckthorns), little orange berries that grow on shrubs all over the dunes of the island.

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. To view a complete list of Star Flyer’s 2012 Northern Europe/ Baltic itineraries, click here. Bookings are now open!

The Akershus Castle overlooking Central Oslo and Oslo Fjord.

Best known for its deep blue, sheer-sided fjords, this majestic European country is surrounded by lush greenery, moors and lakes. Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capital cities and boasts a collection of natural wonders and cultural attractions.

There is plenty to see and do while in Oslo. For a breathtaking view of the city and the fjord, guests can visit Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle built in the 1300s. Originally built to protect Oslo, Akershus Fortress is located in the city’s center and is a great place to discover Oslo’s history or simply enjoy a summer day.

Guests also can visit historical places like the Parliament building, the Royal Palace and the Nobel Institute for a more in-depth exploration of the city. Those looking for great entertainment can take in a show at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Norway’s largest performing arts institution.

Don’t forget to visit the Viking Ship Museum and see the incredible artisanship. The Viking Ship Museum features several historic Viking ship discoveries from Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune, as well as other finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord. Don’t leave without picking up a few Norwegian Viking souvenirs that include models of the ships and replicas of traditional Viking helmets.

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. To view a complete list of Star Flyer’s 2012 Northern Europe/ Baltic itineraries, click here. Bookings are now open!

Kieler Woche in Kiel, Germany.

Located in northern Germany just 90 miles north of Hamburg, Kiel is a traditional maritime and naval city famous for its sailing regattas and the world’s largest sailing event known as ‘Kieler Woche’ (Kiel Week). Star Flyer will participate with other tall ships in the sailpast event that marks the opening of scheduled match racing of over 2,000 of the fastest boats in the world, ranging from single-handed dinghies to multi-ton maxi-boats at Kieler Woche 2012.

During Kieler Woche the entire center of town is transformed into the largest summer festival in northern Europe showcasing international cuisine, hand-made crafts and nightly performances with musical acts from all across the globe. The festival takes place over the course of nine days during the month of June and each year more than three million guests attend this event.

While in Kiel, guest also can visit the Navy Memorial, a monument dedicated to the soldiers lost at sea during the two World Wars and lovers of Maritime history will want to visit the nearby town of Laboe, where they will find the restored World War II submarine, U-Boat 995. Other popular tourist attractions include the local Opera House, Town Hall, Kiel Fjord, Kiel Canal—the world’s busiest artificial waterway—which connects the North Sea with the Baltic, and Holstenstrasse, one of the longest shopping miles in Germany. After all that shopping, be sure to sit at one of the outdoor cafes or pubs and indulge in some of the town’s popular dishes like kebobs and potato pizza while sipping locally-brewed German beer and listening to live bands.

Star Flyer’s eight-day ‘Kiel Sailing Parade’ voyage departs from Kiel on June 22, 2012, and calls at Sassnitz-Ruegen, Germany; Gdansk, Poland; Ventspils, Latvia; and Visby-Gotland and Stockholm, Sweden. Beginning summer 2012 the ship will sail a variety of Baltic itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. Bookings are now open!

Ventspils, Latvia.

Located in northwest Latvia, Ventspils is a modern city with a busy industrial port and a population of about 43,000. The city’s name literally means “Castle on the Venta” referring to the Venta River. Ventspils’ historical part of town is small and can easily be explored on foot. The main tourist attraction is the restored Livonian Order Castle, which was built in the 13th century. Other popular attractions in this quaint seaside town include the Seaside Open Air Museum, House of Crafts, Blue Flag Beach and the Renka Garden, the main venue for outdoor concerts, art festivals and other summertime events.

Be sure to indulge in some of the region’s traditional culinary delights like Pîrâgi, Latvian bacon buns, Rupjmaize, a dark bread made from rye or the Latvian Kringel, a coffee cake often used as a birthday cake. Don’t forget to wash down those tasty breads and pastries with Užavas, a light beer brewed locally.

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. Bookings are now open!

Often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” St. Petersburg, Russia, has all the ingredients for an unforgettable travel experience – historical architecture that reveals the pomp and extravagance of the city’s political and Imperial past, lively nightlife and cultural traditions that have inspired some of the world’s greatest literature, music and art.

Star Flyer’s new Baltic itineraries include an overnight stay in St. Petersburg, allowing guests to explore the city at their own pace, one cultural landmark at a time. While at port, take time to visit famous tourist attractions like the Hermitage Museum, Peterhof, the luxurious Imperial palace built by Peter the Great, St. Isaac’s Cathedral or catch a ballet performance at the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre.

The Hermitage is famous for its European art collection with works by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse, and features more than 3 million exhibits. Peterhof is home to exquisite marble statues, extravagant fountains and parks filled with rare, exotic plants and flowers.

Be sure to indulge in some of the region’s traditional culinary delights like beef stroganoff, chicken kiev or Russian-style caviar served with finely chopped hard-boiled egg and onion on blinis, miniature Russian pancakes.

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. Bookings are now open!

Guests on our Star Flyer sailings from Cannes and Monte Carlo are lucky to visit the Isola del Giglio, one of the most “beautiful children in Tuscany,” as they are called. Giglio’s mild climate, unspoiled nature and crystal-clear waters offer an unforgettable visit. Guests can head for the sandy beaches and beautiful coves to relax, go for the incredibly rich underwater world if they’re into diving or take one of the many hiking paths and explore the beautiful countryside of the Giglio island.

Giglio is charming and simple; the picturesque town of Giglio Porto, the only harbor on the island, is a colorful row of houses nestled along a cove between two piers, backed by a huge green hill row with the medieval Castello on the peak. Dreamy restaurants built on stakes over the water offer fresh seafood specialties. Are you ready to set sail for Giglio? We are!

Tangier, Morocco.

Located at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Tangier is an architecturally and culturally eclectic town with nearly 700,000 residents and is often referred to as Morocco’s St. Tropez. Tangier was the real model for the legendary American film “Casablanca” with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It still retains its faded mongrel charm – not entirely Moroccan, European or African but a glamorous mix of all three. The old world of bazaars is still intact in the form of the Grand Socco with its makeshift shops, snake charmers, musicians and storytellers.

While at port in Tangier, Star Clippers guest can visit the white-walled Kasbah and the Sultan’s Garden with its Moroccan fountain, fragrant herbs and shrubs, and orange and lemon trees. At the end of the day there’s always that erotic Moroccan “liquid light” that French painter Delacroix painted over and over again that makes an appearance in every love story set in the Middle East.

Royal Clipper’s Transatlantic Rome to Barbados cruise calls at Tangier, Morocco, during the 2011-2012 Mediterranean season.

The ancient Greek city of Pergamon.

Situated on Turkey’s north Aegean coast, Dikili is a small fishing town known for its dark sand beaches, picturesque shoreline and warm thermal springs.

With a history dating back to the 2nd century B.C., guests will find that there is a lot to discover and explore while at port in this resort town.

From Dikili, guests can take an optional tour to the stunning historical site of Pergamon, an ancient Greek city that thrived during the Hellenistic period and was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon. Other notable attractions include the temple of Dionysus, the Acropolis, the town of Bergama and a 10,000-seat theater clinging to the incredibly steep hillside.

Be sure to visit the restored marble-columned Roman Temple of Trajan and the Asclepion, an ancient healing sanctuary named after the god of medicine.

Star Flyer’s “Greek Isles & Turkey” cruise calls at Dikili, Turkey, during the 2011-12 Mediterranean sailing season.