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Map of Classic Baltics including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Explore three colourful capitals and a forested island in the Baltics.

Uncover the cultural wonders and historical riches of three fascinating countries on an 8-day tour through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Wander the beautiful Old Town of Vilnius and learn about its complex modern history. Discover Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture and feast on Latvian cuisine at the city’s vast Central Market. Unwind in a remote farmhouse set among evergreen forest on Saaremaa Island, sharing a homecooked meal with your hosts, and finish in Estonia’s cool capital, Tallinn. This tour takes in historic cities, a pristine wooded island and unique Baltic cultures – all while taking you well off the typical tourist trail.

Start
Vilnius, Lithuania
Finish
Tallinn, Estonia
Destinations
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
AMKG
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • See the best of the Baltics in a week – soaking up centuries of history, getting a taste of the region’s hearty cuisine and meeting plenty of locals along the way.

  • Join a local guide to discover the best bits of Vilnius, from its legendary beginnings and UNESCO-listed Old Town to its tiny independent republic, Uzupis.

  • Discover the treasures of Riga – both historic and culinary – on a walking tour through the cobbled streets of the Old Town followed by a Latvian lunch at the lively Central Market.

  • Take a breath of pine-scented air during a relaxing farm stay on forest-covered Saaremaa, the largest island in Estonia, and share a home-cooked dinner made from local produce.

  • See some of the region’s finest art and stroll through manicured gardens at Tallinn’s Kadriorg Palace Art Museum, a grand baroque building built by Peter the Great.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip covers a lot in a week, so there are some long drives. However, all travel is in comfortable private vehicle or public bus, with one ferry ride. Please review the itinerary for details.

estonia_saaremaa-island_kuressaare_bridge
estonia_tallinn_man-cutting-cheese
Cathedral square seen from Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius, Lithuania
Trakai castle: medieval gothic Island castle, located in Galve lake. Lithuania
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, Estonia
Traditional wooden windmills of Saaremaa island, Estonia
Central market Bazaar Riga, Latvia

Itinerary
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Labas! Welcome to Lithuania. Tonight you’ll attend an important welcome meeting at 6 pm at the hotel. Afterwards, you’ll have the option to join your leader and new travel companions for dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive early, spend some time getting to know Vilnius. This charming capital is remarkably green and oozes history – but hip bars, cool cafes and a plethora of street art add a modern twist that makes it a joy to explore.
Accommodation
  • City Gate Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

This morning, join the group for a city tour led by a local guide. Pass through Cathedral Square and the UNESCO-listed Old Town, and learn about the legend of Vilnius' creation and the prestigious history of Vilnius University. Continue to the painting of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, a famed painting of the Virgin Mary that adorns the 16th-century city gates. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. Maybe take a hike to Gediminas Castle Tower or check out expansive views from the lofty TV tower – the latter is Lithuania’s tallest building and the location of a history-making event on 13 January 1991, when Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union. Alternatively, you could spend an hour or two exploring the tiny independent republic of Uzupis, which was declared in 1997. Ask your leader for more recommendations.
Accommodation
  • City Gate Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vilnius - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Optional Activities
  • Vilnius - University Museum - EUR3
  • Vilnius - National Museum - EUR4
  • Trakai - History Museum & Castle - EUR12
  • Vilnius - Gediminas Castle Tower - EUR6
  • Vilnius - TV Tower - EUR13
  • Museum - EUR6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Hop aboard a comfortable public bus to Riga, Latvia. On arrival, transfer to the hotel, located a short walk from the symbolic Freedom Monument – or, as she's affectionately known to the locals, Milda. Head out on a guided walk with your leader, navigating the narrow, cobbled streets to discover the key sights of the Old Town. You’ll stop for lunch at the sprawling Central Market, housed within five repurposed Zepellin hangars. Countless stalls feature everything from local pastries and traditional Latvian soups to tempura and fried chicken. Opt to try a few local specialities – such as Riga Black Balsam, an herbal liqueur – before digging into a meal made from fresh, seasonal Latvian produce.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Getrude (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Riga - Central Market Visit
  • Riga - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a free day getting to know Riga at your own pace. Most of the Art Nouveau architecture for which the city is famed is located in a neighbourhood known as 'the quiet centre'. A leisurely stroll along the canal that intersects the city's central park is another popular optional outing, as is a visit to one of its many museums. The National Museum of Art, located only a few minutes' walk from the hotel, is particularly impressive. Perhaps take in views of the city with a drink at a rooftop cafe (your leader will be able to make some recommendations) or, if the weather is right, make the trip to the popular beach resort town of Jurmala (30 minutes by train).
Accommodation
  • Hotel Getrude (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Riga - Beer Spa - EUR121
  • Riga - St Peter's Tower - EUR9
  • Riga - Riverboat Cruise - EUR20
  • Riga - Museum of War - Free
  • Riga - Mentzendorff's House - EUR3
  • Riga - Latvian National Museum of Art - EUR6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Rise early for the trip to Saaremaa island, the largest island in Estonia, by private minivan and public ferry. This heavily forested island is known among Estonians as the perfect place to relax in nature, and you’ll see soon why. Arrive in the island's south by late afternoon and transfer to your accommodation for the evening. You’ll stay in a cosy locally-owned farmhouse set within a large, well-kept garden – a lovely spot to unplug after a few days of city escapades. Rooms are homely and decked out with natural materials and colourful Estonian tapestries. Tonight you’ll share a home-cooked meal in the thatch-roofed dining room, featuring locally grown produce and – if you’re lucky – fish caught and smoked by your friendly hosts.
Accommodation
  • Aavikunurga Holiday Farm (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Saaremaa Island - Home-cooked dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, head to the biggest town on the island, Kuressaare. One of the biggest draws is Kuressaare Castle – one of Estonia’s best preserved fortresses, complete with terracotta conical spires and a shimmering moat. Opt to spend some time exploring the castle grounds and accompanying museum to learn more about life on Saaremaa throughout the ages. Later, hop on a public bus to the Estonian capital of Tallinn. Tonight's accommodation is in Tallinn's atmospheric Old Town, which is packed with tempting dining options for your free evening.
Accommodation
  • Rixwell Viru Square Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Today, your leader will get you acquainted with the key sights of Tallinn on an orientation walk. Then you’ll take a tram to the outskirts of the city to visit Kadriorg Palace Art Museum. Commissioned by Peter the Great in the early 18th century, this fine example of Baroque architecture features fabulous frescoes, decorative stucco and elaborate, colourful gardens – and of course, an impressive collection of early European and Russian art. Return later that day (your ticket is open so when you head back is up to you), perhaps opting to hire a bike for some active sightseeing, or continuing the cultural immersion at more of the city’s museums. Tonight, you might like to head out with the group for one last Estonian meal together, washed down with a glass of kali, a fizzy drink made from boiled rye bread.
Accommodation
  • Rixwell Viru Square Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace Art Museum
Optional Activities
  • Tallinn - Kiek in de Kök Tower Museum - EUR12
  • Tallinn - Estonian History Museum - EUR12
  • Tallinn - City Bike Tour - EUR25
  • Tallinn - TV Tower - EUR15
  • Tallinn - City Museum - EUR6
  • Tallinn - Peter The Great Museum - EUR5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Time to say farewell to your fellow travellers – your trip ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned for today, but Tallinn has a lot to offer and there's plenty to keep you busy for a few more days. Let us know in advance if you’d like us to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry, Public bus

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Farmstay (1 night)

Included activities

  • Vilnius - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Riga - Central Market Visit
  • Riga - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Saaremaa Island - Home-cooked dinner
  • Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace Art Museum

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Classic Baltics trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (farmstay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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