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Map of Premium Baltics including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Fairy tale towns, quaint countryside and cultural delights

Discover the captivating beauty of the Baltics on a 10-day journey that takes in the region’s charming cities, hearty cuisine, and lesser-known treasures. Immerse yourself in the culture and history of atmospheric cities where you’ll explore medieval fortifications, learn how to cook famous national dishes and soak up the lively atmosphere of the Old Towns. Whether you’re chatting with cider makers, walking in a national park or wandering down cobblestone lanes, there is much to enjoy here and plenty of surprises along the way traversing three countries whose national sport is mushroom picking. If you enjoy lesser known destinations, long summer nights, and want to do more than just see the sights, this immersive tour is calling your name.

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

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Spend time with a family of cider makers who have returned to their ancestral lands to produce delicious organic drinks and live more sustainably.

  • Take a day trip to World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park and explore the quaint fishing villages and forests before they’re slowly covered by the shifting sands.

  • Admire the whimsical and ornate architecture, medieval watchtowers, and charming pastel-coloured buildings in the Baltics’ atmospheric capitals.

  • Learn how to make the tasty Lithuanian pastries known as Kybyns, before visiting a castle located in the middle of a lake.

  • Spend a night at a historic Art Nouveau villa in Parnu, a beachy resort town known for amazing spas and a laidback vibe, at you Baltic Feature Stay.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Trakai castle: medieval gothic Island castle, located in Galve lake. Lithuania
Hiking path through Soma National Park, Estonia
Curonian Spit sand dunes in Lituhuania
Cathedral square seen from Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius, Lithuania
church steeples in Vilnius, Lithuania

Itinerary
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Welcome to Tallinn! On arrival, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of town. With its steep red roofs, spires, pastel-coloured buildings and new restaurants and bars, Tallinn is a treat to explore. You may like to stretch your legs with a stroll around town before you join your local leader and small group for an important welcome meeting at 6pm. After the meeting, enjoy a welcome dinner in the historic Old Town which is filled with historic buildings. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is especially atmospheric at night.
Accommodation
  • Von Stackelberg Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
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.

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.

After breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour around the Estonian capital that was once home to knights, landlords and soldiers. With many of the original buildings still intact, it’s like taking a virtual trip back to medieval times. Discover the old city fortifications, the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe and St Olaf Church. Amazing views of Lower Tallinn and the spires of the town walls are also yours on this entertaining stroll. Along with seeing the 13th-century Toompea Castle, where Estonian Parliament sits, you’ll also tour the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, admire the spectacular view of the city from the viewing platform and browse the area’s artisan studios. This afternoon is yours to explore your way. Perhaps hire a bike or catch a tram and head out to Kardiorg park where many of the city’s museums are located.
Accommodation
  • Von Stackelberg Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tallinn - Walking Tour
  • Tallinn - Aleksander Nevsky Catherdal
Optional Activities
  • Tallinn - TV Tower - EUR15
  • Tallinn - Telliskivi Creative City - Free
  • Tallinn - Kumu Art Museum - EUR12
  • Tallinn - Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and KGB Prison Cells - EUR11
  • Tallinn - Estonian History Museum - EUR12
  • Tallinn - City Museum - EUR6
  • Tallinn - Peter The Great Museum - EUR5
  • Tallinn - The Estonian Maritime Museum - EUR25
  • Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace - EUR9
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Tallin and travel to the village of Jõesuu located on the edge of Soomaa National Park. Here you’ll meet a family of cider makers who have returned to their ancestral lands to produce organic drinks and live more sustainably. Raise a glass of local cider or organic soft drink as you enjoy a feast of Estonian cuisine for lunch. From here, you’ll travel to Parnu which is famous for being Estonia's summer capital and a hub for beach goers, vibrant nightlife and a thriving art scene. On arrival, head out for an orientation walk with your tour leader then spend the rest of the day exploring Parnu your way or relax at one of the many spas in town. You’ll spend tonight in your atmospheric Feature Stay accommodation, a grand Art Nouveau boutique hotel that was once the home of a wealthy merchant. Everything from the building’s facade to the gracious trees outside your window are listed under national heritage protection.
Accommodation
  • Villa Ammende (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Soomaa National Park - Cider Tasting Lunch
  • Parnu - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
  • Parnu - Spa Visit - EUR19
  • Parnu - Parnu Museum - EUR10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Today you’ll explore over 800 years of history in Cesis, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. It has remained almost unchanged despite the war and is famous for its medieval castle and park where summer concerts and festivals are held each year, its wooden architecture and brewery that dates back to 1590. After exploring the town with your leader, continue to the pretty town of Sigulda which backs onto Gauja National Park and is packed with history. Locals call Sigulda "the little Switzerland of Latvia" and it’s especially popular during the autumn months. Take a guided tour of Turaida castle then explore the castle grounds and climb the castle tower for magnificent views of Gauja National Park. From here you’ll continue to Riga, the largest of the Baltic’s three capital cities. Tonight you may like to head out with your group for dinner at one of the restaurants in the Old Town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Gutenbergs or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cesis - Orientation Tour
  • Sigulda - Turaida Castle Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, discover the fascinating history of Riga on a walking tour of the Old Town. See all the major sights such as Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics, St Peter`s church, the Swedish gates, and the Gunpowder tower. On the way to Riga market, one of the largest markets in Europe, you’ll pass the Freedom Monument which celebrates Latvia’s freedom, independence and sovereignty. Before you sit down for a traditional lunch, explore the market and taste a few local specialities like smoked fish and creamy Latvian cheese. After lunch, toast your trip with Riga Black Balsam, an herbal liqueur that locals believe can cure anything and everything. This afternoon, you can explore Riga your way. Maybe visit a local museum or head to the neighbourhood known as the Quiet Centre to discover its Art Nouveau architecture, cafes, restaurants, bookstores and more.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Gutenbergs or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Riga - Walking Tour
  • Riga - Market Tour + Lunch
  • Riga - Balsam Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Riga - Beer Spa - Free
  • Riga - Riverboat Cruise - EUR20
  • Riga - St Peter's Tower - EUR9
  • Riga - Museum of Occupation of Latvia - Free
  • Riga - Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum - EUR5
  • Riga - Riga Art Nouveau Center - EUR9
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today you’ll raise a glass to the Guinness Book of World Records’ northernmost vineyard in the small town of Sabile which is a 2 hour drive from Riga. Before you visit the vineyard, stop in at a winery and sample unique local wines like sparkling apple wine, blackcurrant wine and cherry vermouth. From here, you’ll continue to Kuldiga which is known as Nordic Venice. Home to Europe`s widest waterfall, this town has some of the best gourmet restaurants in the country. Of course, we’ll stop here for lunch! After you’ve sampled the local cuisine, get back on the road and travel to Liepaja where you’ll join a guided walking tour of the town with an expert guide. After a day spent exploring Western Latvia, cross the border to Lithuania and spend a relaxing evening in Klaipeda.
Accommodation
  • National Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sabile - Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting
  • Kuldiga - Town Visit
  • Liepaja - Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, take a day trip to explore World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park – the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. After a quick ferry ride across the lagoon, spend your day exploring the quaint fisherman villages, spectacular sand dunes and forests - before it’s too late! Whole villages have been slowly swallowed by the constantly shifting sands. Look in the distance to see the Russian border as you learn about the amber which has been mined in the National Park since the 19th century. Each village has its own unique design. Today you’ll visit one of them - Juodkrante – which is famous for its lush forest filled with nearly 100 carved wooden sculptures that illustrate Lithuanian folk tales. After a day spent surrounded by nature, head back to Klaipeda for dinner at a local brewery and the chance to try a local brew.
Accommodation
  • National Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Klaipeda - Curonian Spit Tour
  • Klaipeda - Hill of Witches
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Leave the Baltic coast behind and travel across Lithuania to Trakai which is home to the impressive 14th century Trakai Island Castle. Set on a small island in the middle of Lake Galvė, this is the only castle in Eastern Europe that is built on an island. Your visit will get off to a delicious start as you learn how to make perfect kybyns, the traditional Lithuanian pastries the area is famous for. After filling up on the hearty pastries filled with mutton and onion, and a bowl of hearty soup, head over to the castle grounds for a guided tour. Afterwards you’ll continue to Vilnius and your hotel for the night.
Accommodation
  • Neringa Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Trakai - Pastry Making Class and Lunch
  • Trakai - Castle Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3.5 hours.

After breakfast, join an expert guide for a city tour of Vilnius. Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France and Russia, each country has influenced this picturesque city. Vilnius offers a different picture of the Baltics than Riga and Tallinn, but it’s every bit as interesting. Pass through Cathedral Square and the Old Town, and learn about the famous Grand Duke Gediminas, the legend of Vilnius' creation and the prestigious history of Vilnius University. Of course, a trip to the Baltic region is not complete without learning about its main pride - amber. Visit a local amber museum and gallery and discover the beauty of this culturally significant stone which locals believe has mystical properties. In the evening, join your local leader and group for dinner at an atmospheric local restaurant and raise a glass to the final night of your trip.
Accommodation
  • Neringa Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vilnius - City Tour with Amber Workshop
  • Vilnius - Farewell Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast, your Balkans adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Vilnius - Museum Of Occupations And Freedom Fights - EUR6
  • Vilnius - Gediminas Castle Tower - EUR6
  • Vilnius - National Museum - EUR4
  • Vilnius - University Museum - EUR3
  • Vilnius - TV Tower - EUR13
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Ferry, Public bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (9 nights), Farm stay (1 night)

Included activities

  • Tallinn - Walking Tour
  • Tallinn - Aleksander Nevsky Catherdal
  • Soomaa National Park - Cider Tasting Lunch
  • Parnu - Orientation Walk
  • Cesis - Orientation Tour
  • Sigulda - Turaida Castle Tour
  • Riga - Walking Tour
  • Riga - Market Tour + Lunch
  • Riga - Balsam Tasting
  • Sabile - Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting
  • Kuldiga - Town Visit
  • Liepaja - Walking Tour
  • Klaipeda - Curonian Spit Tour
  • Klaipeda - Hill of Witches
  • Trakai - Pastry Making Class and Lunch
  • Trakai - Castle Tour
  • Vilnius - City Tour with Amber Workshop
  • Vilnius - Farewell Dinner

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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Essential trip information

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