Little town called Visby, on an island (Gotland) off the coast of Sweden

Have you thought about a cruise visit to the Baltics, territories that gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (from north to south). One of our clients offered this very interesting diary of a summer trip and we thought you might enjoy reading it.

We awoke just in time for lunch. We’re not normally keen on pool buffets, but who can resist jumbo grilled prawns and salmon, bratwurst, potato salad and other delicacies from the sea. After a lovely lunch on the aft deck off the Portofino Grill, we left to check out the village. And encountered…winding, hilly, narrow cobblestone streets…the ruins of a 12th Century medieval church (St. Catherines, whose ceiling had been lost centuries ago and now opens up to the blue sky), and a street bazaar with treasures like woolen slippers (we bought three pair for our children). If you want to check it out try www.akantusvisby.se.

After this wonderful sojourn around the city, we were ready for massages upon our return to the ship. The spa’s variation on a Swedish massage had the masseuses actually straddling our backs while they (blissfully) dug their fingers into our torsos. One of the best massages we ever experienced.

And then, off to another sumptuous dinner which included lobster and soft shell crabs, followed by a chocolate soufflé. Surely this is what the Italians had in mind when they coined the phrase “La Dolce Vita” (the Good Life.)

As I couldn’t sleep I lingered in the Internet Café till 3 a.m. and then gave our 24-hour cabin service (with the tablecloth and waiter) a run for their money. The pizza I had was exceptional.