Baltic Experience
Tour Description
Day 1: Helsinki
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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Helsinki
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure kicks off in Helsinki with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe check out the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Senate Square or catch a performance at the National Theatre. You may want to consider purchasing the Helsinki Card – which is both an economical way to travel on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) services and free admission to the main Helsinki sights and nearly 50 museums. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your group.
Day 2: Tallinn
Leave Helsinki after breakfast and catch a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital of Tallinn. Arrive mid-afternoon, check into your hotel and head out for a short orientation walk through the city. The rest of your day is then free to enjoy this exceptionally preserved medieval city and all it has to offer. Perhaps head out and enjoy some of the region’s culinary specialties or stop for a drink and people watching on the main square. With its steep red roofs, spires, pastel-coloured buildings and new restaurants and bars, Estonia’s capital is a real treat to explore. Seeing the vibrant streets of Tallinn now, it’s difficult to fathom that Soviet occupation only ended in 1991.
Day 3: Tallinn
Today is free to do as you wish, but an exploration of the Old Town is recommended – home to the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe, Old Thomas as well as the Raapteek, which has housed a pharmacy since the 15th century. You can also see St Olaf Church. Maybe head to Upper Tallinn, home to the noble families, to see amazing views of Lower Tallinn and the medieval spires of the town walls. The 13th-century Toompea Castle, where the Estonian Parliament sits, and the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are some of the main attractions. Alternatively, head to Pirita to chill out at Tallinn’s most popular beach, or visit Kadriorg Palace – a palace built by czar Peter the Great for his second wife Catherine I.
Day 4: Riga
Depart by bus after breakfast, cross the border and arrive in the Latvian capital of Riga in the afternoon. Riga is renowned for its welcoming locals and a fascinating art nouveau heritage. Tonight, perhaps grab a drink at one of the many bars in the Old Town after you’ve settled into your lodgings.
Day 5: Riga
Travel by public transport to Sigulda – a pretty town with medieval history that backs onto Gauja National Park. Take the cable car across the river to Turaida Castle, which began construction in 1214 and is made from striking red bricks. Take a guided tour, then explore the castle grounds which feature sculptures set in evergreen woodland. Take a hike along the winding Gauja River with your leader, taking in the clear air and thick Latvian forest. Return to Riga for a free evening.
Day 6: Riga
Today, you’ll get the chance to explore Riga. Take an orientation tour and see the Doma Cathedral, St Peter’s Basilica, House of Blackheads, the Swedish Gate, The Great Guild & Small Guild and the Cat House. There is nothing scheduled for the rest of the day, so you are free to explore at your own pace. Perhaps pay a visit to The Museum of Occupation of Latvia, which offers insight into the hardships suffered by Latvians during its occupation by, the Germans and the Soviets. The Central Market Halls are a great place to haggle for supplies for a picnic lunch if it takes your fancy. Make sure you give the (bitter but reputedly healthy) Riga Black Balsam a try. The recipe is secret, but it contains rare ingredients such as Valerian, Wormwood, Black Pepper, Ginger, Gentian and Linden flower.
Day 7: Klaipeda
Set off by private bus after breakfast and cross the border into Lithuania. After a stop at the famous Hill of Crosses at Siauliai, continue onto the former Prussian city of Klaipeda, the city of sculptures and jazz. Klaipeda used to be a member of the Hanseatic League and is the gateway to the Curonian Spit – a long and narrow sand dune peninsula separating the Curonian lagoon from the Baltic Sea. When you arrive, check into your hotel, then head out to the waterfront and explore the Old Town centre, which features 18th-century wooden buildings and other historic monuments.
Day 8: Curonian Spit
Today, take a day trip to explore the unique World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park – the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. This area is full of beaches, sand dunes and forested areas. The peninsula is only 400 m wide in parts but 98 km long. It formed only 5000 years ago by strong winds and currents which constantly change the shape of the landscape to this day. Only recently a whole village was swallowed by the inexorable sand. According to legend, the spit was formed by the girl giant Neringa, who poured sand into the Baltic Sea to protect the bay from storms and create an embankment for fishermen to live. Explore the tiny village of Nida and the surrounding beaches by bike and look in the distance to see the Russian border. Then for lunch, maybe try the smoked pike for which the spit is famous.
Day 9: Aukstaitija National Park
After breakfast, travel by bus, train and car to the town of Ignalina, then on to Aukstaitija (pronounced owk-sty-chee-ah) National Park and the charming village of Ginuciai – your home stay for the night. As one of the best national parks in the Baltic states, Aukstaitija has 126 lakes, an abundance of waterways, hills and woods. Enjoy the hospitality and home-cooking of our host family for the next two days.
Day 10: Aukstaitija National Park
This morning, you’ll take a guided kayak ride through the lakes and rivers, past villages and through forests, to an ancient pagan site on top of a hill with a wishing tree. The top affords great views across the surrounding forests and lakes. The rest of the day is free to visit some of the local attractions, such as the nearby villages that date from the 14th century and consist of traditional wooden houses and farmsteads. The 19th-century Ginuciai Watermill is another point of interest. You can hike to lookouts, fish, swim in the lake or river rapids, or relax. Perhaps ask your host family to fire up the sauna for the ultimate relaxation and cleansing experience.
Day 11: Vilnius
Continue your journey today by local train to the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius. Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France and Russia, each occupier has left its mark in some way. Vilnius offers a different picture of the Baltics than Riga and Tallinn, but it’s every bit as interesting. Take an orientation walk with your leader when you arrive, seeing Cathedral Square and its free-standing belfry and the length of pedestrianised Pilies Gatve, lined by baroque churches. The rest of the day is free. Maybe visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, previously called the Museum of Genocide Victims and better known under the name KGB Museum, as it is located in the former KGB headquarters of Vilnius. If you’d like a break from Vilnius’ historic monuments, maybe take a walk through some of the charming gardens around the city.
Day 12: Vilnius
Your adventure comes to an end today. There are no more activities planned and you’re free to depart the accommodation at any time after you check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2025 | Oct 22, 2025 | $4,410.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | $4,570.00 | |
| May 2, 2026 | May 13, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| May 9, 2026 | May 20, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| May 16, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| May 23, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| May 27, 2026 | Jun 7, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| May 30, 2026 | Jun 10, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| Jun 3, 2026 | Jun 14, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 6, 2026 | Jun 17, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 10, 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 20, 2026 | Jul 1, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Jul 5, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 8, 2026 | $4,615.00 | |
| Jul 1, 2026 | Jul 12, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 8, 2026 | Jul 19, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 26, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Jul 29, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | $4,805.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 12, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Aug 30, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Sep 6, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Aug 29, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 16, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 | $4,840.00 | |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | $4,750.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | $4,480.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 14, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 1, 2027 | May 12, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 8, 2027 | May 19, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 12, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 15, 2027 | May 26, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 22, 2027 | Jun 2, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 26, 2027 | Jun 6, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| May 29, 2027 | Jun 9, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| Jun 2, 2027 | Jun 13, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 5, 2027 | Jun 16, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 9, 2027 | Jun 20, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 12, 2027 | Jun 23, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 16, 2027 | Jun 27, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 19, 2027 | Jun 30, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 23, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 7, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jun 30, 2027 | Jul 11, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2027 | Jul 14, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jul 7, 2027 | Jul 18, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Jul 14, 2027 | Jul 25, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Jul 17, 2027 | Jul 28, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Jul 21, 2027 | Aug 1, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Jul 24, 2027 | Aug 4, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Jul 28, 2027 | Aug 8, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 11, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Aug 4, 2027 | Aug 15, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Aug 18, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Aug 11, 2027 | Aug 22, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 25, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Aug 18, 2027 | Aug 29, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Aug 25, 2027 | Sep 5, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Aug 28, 2027 | Sep 8, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Sep 1, 2027 | Sep 12, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Sep 15, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Sep 8, 2027 | Sep 19, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Sep 11, 2027 | Sep 22, 2027 | $5,080.00 | |
| Sep 15, 2027 | Sep 26, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 29, 2027 | $4,985.00 | |
| Sep 22, 2027 | Oct 3, 2027 | $4,845.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2027 | Oct 6, 2027 | $4,705.00 | |
| Oct 9, 2027 | Oct 20, 2027 | $4,705.00 |