12 Days | Discover diverse delights in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Experience the Baltic states on this 12-day adventurous journey through Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From the medieval spires of Tallinn and the funky bars of Riga to the Baroque-styled quirks of Vilnius, hidden delights await at every turn. Visit colourful markets, be immersed in art and architecture and kayak on Lithuanian lakes. Hike through forest, learn about the layered history here and indulge in homecooked meals with friendly hosts. Join a trip with likeminded travellers and discover the rich history and fascinating customs of this region on our journey from Helsinki to Vilnius.
Trip overview
- Start
- Helsinki, Finland
- Finish
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- BMSE
- Walk through the perfectly preserved medieval wall and watchtowers of Tallinn's Old Town, a great place to explore on foot.
- Explore the 13th-century Turaida Castle on a guided tour, then wander through pristine woodlands and along the winding Guaja River.
- Visit Aukstaitija National Park, which offers unique opportunities for both action and relaxation. Kayak across the lakes, indulge in home-cooked meals or cleanse yourself in a traditional sauna.
- Cycle along the endless dunes and stunning beaches of Lithuania's Curonian Spit National Park on a full-day bike tour, making a visit to Nida village along the way.
- See the ornate architecture of Riga’s Old Town, where the narrow and pastel-coloured buildings house bars and restaurants.
- Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to have the best value holiday in Scandinavia.
- Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Occasionally bathrooms will be shared with other guests.
- Many hotel rooms in Europe are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- This trip is designed to give you a fair amount of free time so you can explore each destination at your own pace. We will, however, take you on regular orientation walks, so you'll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries.
- We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations, ferry ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
- Make sure to check the weather for the time of year you wish to visit, as it can vary significantly depending on season.
- There are a few long days of travel by public transport (up to 7 hours), as you'll be covering a lot of ground. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in either Copenhagen or Oslo. Check out our trips 'Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit' and 'Oslo to Vilnius'.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Public bus, Ferry, Canoe, Private vehicle, Train, Tram, Cable car
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
- Sigulda - Gauja River Cable Car
- Sigulda - Day Trip
- Sigulda - Turaida Castle Guided Tour
- Siauliai - Hill of Crosses
- Curonian Spit - Bike Ride
- Curonian Spit - Full Day Trip to the National Park
- Aukstaitija National Park - Guided Kayak Trip
- Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum - EUR22
- Helsinki - Cathedral - Free
- Helsinki - City Museum - Free
- Helsinki - Design Museum - EUR20
- Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum - EUR14
- Helsinki - Open-Air Museum Seurasaari - EUR12
- Helsinki - National Museum of Finland - EUR20
- Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
- Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR22
- Helsinki - Rock Church - EUR8
- Tallinn - Estonian History Museum - EUR12
- Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace - EUR12
- Tallinn - Peter The Great Museum - EUR5
- Tallinn - City Bike Tour - EUR28
- Tallinn - City Museum - EUR8
- Tallinn - Kiek in de Kök Tower Museum - EUR12
- Tallinn - TV Tower - EUR16
- Tallinn - The Estonian Maritime Museum - EUR30
- Tallin - Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom - EUR14
- Riga - Riverboat Cruise - EUR20
- Riga - St Peter's Tower - EUR9
- Riga - Central Market Halls - Free
- Riga - Museum of Occupation of Latvia - EUR5
- Riga - Beer Spa - EUR151
- Riga - Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum - EUR5
- Riga - Riga Art Nouveau Center - EUR9
- Riga - Panorama Observation deck of the Latvian Academy of Science - EUR6
- Nida - Fisherman Ethnographic Museum - EUR2
- Aukstaitija National Park - Sauna - EUR50
- Aukstaitija National Park - Bike Hire - EUR15
- Aukstaitija National Park - Beekeeping Museum - EUR6
- Trakai - History Museum & Castle - EUR12
- Vilnius - TV Tower - EUR14
- Vilnius - Gediminas Castle Tower - EUR6
- Vilnius - University Museum - EUR3
- Vilnius - National Museum - EUR5
- Vilnius - Museum Of Occupations And Freedom Fights - EUR6
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Days 9 and 10 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for ferry tickets. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
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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