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Cruise passengers looking for unusual destinations will love Saga’s new Islands of Bothnia sailing with calls including the Swedish ports of Umeå, Örnsköldsvik and Luleå.

On long summer days the scenery around Örnsköldsvik, on Sweden’s eastern coast, is exceptionally pretty and visitors with a head for heights can take a ski-lift to the the top of Skuleberget mountain or tour the UNESCO-listed region of Höga Kusten to see the steepest coastline in the Baltic region.

Umeå lies 275 miles below the Arctic Circle and was the European Capital of Culture in 2014. There are traditional buildings to explore at the Gammlia open-air museum or an opportunity to visit an elk farm where elk milk is used to make cheese.

Saga Pearl II navigates the stunning Luleå archipelago and from Luleå visitors on this summer cruise can head into the Arctic Circle to see how long hours of daylight transform the landscape and learn how the Sami, the reindeer people, survive in a region that is ice-bound until the end of May.

The 14-night Islands of Bothnia cruise which departs from Dover on June 5, 2018, and also calls into Finland, Germany and Norway.

Mariehamn, in Finland, is known as the town of a thousand Linden trees and is the capital of the Aland archipelago. Beer-lovers can visit the Stallhagen Brewery to sample Alandic beer or keen walkers can join a guided hike in the Getaberget Hills.

Sassnitz, on Rügen, Germany’s largest island, was tucked behind the Iron Curtain for 50 years but now the white sand beaches, chalk cliffs and Jasmund National Park are waiting to be explored. Passengers can take a ride on the narrow gauge steam train Rasende Roland, stroll along the promenade at Binz, a vast concrete seaside resort built by Adolf Hitler as part of his Strength Through Joy programme.

Saga Pearl II also sails into Galtesund fjord, to the heart of the beautifully located city of Arendal in southern Norway, where the coastline and islands are dotted with picturesque wooden houses.

The homeward sailing features a daylight transit through the Kiel Canal to end this fascinating cruise.

For details visit saga.co.uk/cruises or call 0800 50 50 30

14 nights from £3,495 departing Dover on June 5, 2018. Price includes UK travel package to and from Dover, all meals and entertainment, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party and Captain’s dinner, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free wifi, on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights or a reduction if not required.

Price based on two people sharing the lowest available Inside cabin grade and includes any relevant booking discount. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details.