A Taste of the Baltics with Crystal Cruises – 5 Culinary-Centered Shore Excursions

Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises has been providing guests with an elevated world of service, inclusion, and immersion for many years. Crystal carefully curates each voyage to deliver the most relaxing and culturally enriching experiences around the globe, featuring distinct and unique shore excursions that stand out in the industry. From culinary discoveries to UNESCO World Heritage sites, each port stop with Crystal offers a wide array of incredible excursion options.

Crystal travels to every corner of the globe, and each destination presents guests with the opportunity to delve deeper into the region through various activities and experiences. The Baltic region is no exception. Here are five unique culinary-centered shore excursions offered by Crystal in this part of the world:

Visby Walking Tour with a Taste of Gotland

VISBY WALKING TOUR WITH A TASTE OF GOTLND | Duration: Half-Day

Your tour begins at the pier with a local guide, followed by a short coach transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Visby. You will explore narrow alleys, visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, and enjoy stunning views from a viewpoint. Afterward, relax in your guide’s private garden for “Fika,” featuring coffee or tea and Gotland’s Saffron Pancake. The tour concludes at Almedalen, the former medieval harbor, where you can choose to return to the ship or explore the town further.

Flavors of Estonia

FLAVORS OF ESTONIA: A CULINARY WORKSHOP | Duration: Half-Day

Travel from the port to the Viimsi Open Air Museum in Pringi, where you can explore 150-year-old seaside farmhouses that showcase Estonian village life and traditions. The visit includes an interactive workshop on traditional fish preparation, guided by a local chef, where participants learn techniques like smoking and pickling while enjoying views of Tallinn’s skyline.

This experience offers a deeper connection to Estonian culture through cuisine, concluding with a return to the port enriched with new skills and appreciation for the heritage.

Flavors of the North

FLAVORS OF THE NORTH | Duration: Half-Day

Sweden’s culinary landscape is rich and varied, showcasing traditional and modern dishes that reflect its history and culture, from reindeer and game meat in the north to fresh fish along the coast. The Swedes embrace foreign influences, creating a vibrant dining scene in Stockholm with restaurants, cafes, and specialty shops that blend classic dishes with innovative flavors.

Visitors can interact with local vendors and chefs, enjoying a unique culinary experience before returning to their ships.

The Flavors of Bornholm

THE FLAVORS OF BORNHOLM | Duration: Half-Day

Embark on a culinary adventure through Bornholm’s unique food heritage, beginning in Snogbæk, a former fishing village known for its pop-up garage shops. Visit a local smokehouse to enjoy rye bread with smoked herring, chives, and onions, paired with a local drink.

Continue to Høstet farm, where you can explore sustainable practices and sample seabuckthorn products. Conclude your journey at Svaneke Brewery, renowned for its sustainable brewing, before taking a scenic drive back to the pier, reflecting on the flavors and stories of Bornholm.

Taste of Riga

TASTE OF RIGA | Duration: Half-Day

After departing from the port, the bus takes you to Riga Central Market, the largest market in the Baltic States, which opened in 1930 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following this, you’ll visit Town Hall Square and explore the Old Town, featuring 13th-century churches and historic buildings. The tour concludes with a tasting of Riga Black Balsam, a bitter alcoholic drink made from 24 ingredients.

Booking Your Cruise

Now that you are ready to book your cruise and experience these incredible shore excursions for yourself, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the ships inside-and-out, and have an amazing relationship with Crystal Cruises. Our advisors will craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.