Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travellers. We’re not complaining, though; more mystery means fewer crowds and an easier time getting to know these fantastic countries. Beginning in charming cobblestoned Vilnius and ending in beautiful Helsinki, this two-week trip gets to the very heart of the region. Get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art district, experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of Tallinn before crossing to Finland by ferry.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Trakai Castle visit (Vilnius). Curonian Spit visit. CEO led orientation walk in Klaipeda. Full day tour of Nida. Riga city tour. Farm-to-table dinners prepared by a local family. Saaremaa guided village tour. Kadriorg Palace visit (Tallinn). Orientation walk (Helsinki). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Explore the charming and enigmatic Baltic countries, Ride a bike around the coastal dunes of Lithuania's Curonian Spit, Picnic in beautiful Riga, Live like a local on a farm in Estonia, Wander the charming streets of Helsinki
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Ferry, public bus. walking, bike, private vehicle.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (9 nts), farm stay (3 nts).
Itinerary
Vilnius
Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this charming city.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Vilnius
Visit Trakai Castle. Enjoy optional activities like the Frank Zappa monument, the breakaway Republic of Uzupis, a giant egg statue, the Gediminas tower and castle museum, and the KGB Museum. Spend free time walking through charming old town or searching out artist havens and modern statues.
Multi-faceted, puzzling, a heady mix of old and new, Vilnius has all the glories of a royal past, the troubling reminders of wartime and Communist atrocities and a vibrant forward-looking outlook.
Vilnius/Klaipėda
Travel by private vehicle to Klaipeda, one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk, visiting famous sights, and seeing up close the many interesting sculptures that make Klaipeda unique. Make brief stops at Theatre Square, in the heart of the old town, to see the sculpture of Ann from Tharau in the square’s centre fountain. Then walk by Klaipeda Castle, first mentioned in written sources as early as 1252.
The orientation walk will finish at a local gastropub with a local beer, where afterwards you can opt to grab some dinner on your own.
Full day tour of Nida from Klaipeda
You will spend the whole day exploring the peninsula known as the Curonian Spit, located between Klaipeda and Nida. You will visit the Hill of Witches, Lithuania’s outdoor sculpture trail of wooden folk art that will take you on a trip through the most well-known legends and stories in Lithuanian folk history. Later in the day visit the Parnidis Dune and Sun Clock in Nida. Stop for some free time in Nida where you can grab some lunch on your own and opt to see the Fisherman museum and Nida Lighthouse if time allows. Arrive back in Klaipeda in the evening. The Curonian Spit is a long, thin sand bar, dotted with dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This spit is shared by Lithuania and Kalingrad, Russia's western most oblast.
The forested hills, known as Hill of Witches used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now, the hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists, depicting witches, dragons, and the elements. Some of the statues tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings.
Klaipėda/Riga
Cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga, stopping at the Hill of Crosses along the way. Options for this charming city include visiting the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the Andrejsala artists' district, or just wandering the cobblestone streets. Explore the narrow streets on foot and get better acquainted with the city known as "the Paris of the East". Opt to visit St Peter's Church, where we ascend the spire by lift, for a fantastic view over the city.
Riga
Enjoy a guided tour and a lunch of treats from the Central Market. Spend a free afternoon exploring the city.
Riga/Kuressaare
Cross the border to Estonia and get the local experience with three nights on a farm in Saaremaa. In the area there is canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, and island visits. Over the next three nights, savour farm-to-table dinners specially prepared by your host family. Saaremaa is a remote island in the Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape.
Enjoy three nights on a farm outside the main city of Kuressaare.
Kuressaare
Enjoy a tour of Saaremaa including a visit to the Kaali meteorite lake, bakeries, and windmills. Opt to visit the local breweries.
Kuressaare
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit some of the ancient churches or natural sites like the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Fall in love with this medieval town. Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace.
Tallinn
Spend a free day exploring this medieval city. Use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the Dome Church, the open air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches, or relax in a sauna.
Tallinn/Helsinki
Travel by ferry to the charming capital city of Helsinki. Enjoy an afternoon in the the white city of the North with an orientation walk and free time.
Helsinki
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
