We Love —
- Explore the classical capitals and countryside of the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
- Discover the resilience of their ancient cultures and hear first-hand how they threw off the yolk of their soviet oppression
- In each location you will be guided by people who know these countries the best – the locals, whose contrasting national characteristics illuminate their differences
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destinations —
Vilnius, surrounded by wooded hills and bisected by the river Neris, has at its heart the oldest medieval old town in Northern Europe with a mix of gothic, renaissance, baroque and neo-classical buildings lining cobbled streets. Gediminas Avenue, which runs from the Cathedral Square to the river, is a sort of combination of Whitehall and Bond Street with government buildings, shops and restaurants.
In Cathedral Square stands the baroque cathedral itself with its Bell Tower alongside; the Church of St Anne is considered Gothic masterpiece; Pilies Street marked by the Gates of dawn is a folk market as much as a street. And wander around the precincts of the 16th century University. See the beautiful Gediminas Square, climb the Castle tower for splendid panoramic views over the city.
The Hill of Crosses is an indomitable testimony to the power of Lithuanian Catholism. It's difficult to come by an authentic account of how and why the practice of erecting crosses here began country but over the years, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims.
The restored old town area of Riga with its winding, wobbly lanes is a UNESCO Heritage Site with a plethora of hip cafés, bars and restaurants in which sweaty pork-and-potato dishes have given way to Nordic-inspired cuisine.
Famous for its Art Nouveau architecture on which much money has been spent restoring facades of gargoyles and goddesses particularly in and around Alberta Street, the city having smothered by soviet communism for half a century is doing its best to reclaim its sobriquet 'The Paris of the North'.
Dominating the centre is Riga Cathedral with its Romanesque features; 18th-century baroque tower and 15th-century Gothic parts. Pilsētas Kanāls or City canal snakes alongside a thin belt of exquisite parkland dividing the Old Town from Central Riga.
Wedged between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, the Latvian countryside greens take the form of Gauja Valley pines; onion-domed cathedrals sprout up above local towns; cheesy Russian pop blares along coastal beaches; and spicy Rīga adds an extra zing as the country's cosmopolitan nexus and the unofficial capital of the entire Baltic.
Estonia is mile upon mile of coniferous forest with dappling sunlight picking out green hues; Hansel and Gretel farms; dark, dank earth; wooden houses painted buttercup gold; placid lakes; seaside resorts and mystical little islands. Pärnu, on the upper reaches of the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea, is different again. This is Estonia's 'summer capital', a holiday resort and health spa where boulevards of silver birch, cedar, oak and horse chestnut trees cut lead to a long, sandy beach.
Tallinn, elegantly restored in the 15 years since the Russians packed their bags and left, is a chocolate box medieval town overlooked by the crenelated walls of Toompea Castle and the onion domed St Alexander Nevsky cathedral. A one-time hanseatic port, the Old Town is a jumble of gable roofed merchant's houses, narrow cobbled streets, concealed courtyards and fortified buildings.
Surrounded by the old city wall interspersed with watch towers, St Catherine's Passage with its craft workshops is uber cute; the viewing platform Kohtuotsa offers staggering views of the Old Town's rooftops and towers contrasted against the modern city skyline and in the Old Town Square you can readily imagine it as the market and meeting place it was in medieval times.
Your Itinerary —
1) You will be met with a Lithuanian guide on arrival in the hotel in Vilnius. This guide will serve you whilst in Vilnius.
2) A second guide will escort you through Lithuania, Latvia and into Estonia. As the crow flies the travelling time between each city is 3 ½ 4 hrs but there are two stops in each case since it's a country tour.
3) Finally, you will have a guide in Tallinn.
Day 1: UK – Vilnius
Fly to Vilnius. Transfer 2 nights at the Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel. Welcome meeting.
Day 2: Vilnius
09:00 – 12:00 Vilnius sightseeing tour including visits to the medieval as well as modern sections of the city. See the Grand Cathedral of Peter & Paul, the small church of St. Anna - a gem of Gothic architecture and University of Vilnius.
Optional afternoon tour to the medieval capital of Lithuania 13:00 – 17:00 Trakai, on Galves Lake (27 km). On the beautifully situated island in the middle of the lake there is the 14th century red brick castle which now houses the History Museum. Afternoon at leisure. City sightseeing tour including Old Town and optional tour to Trakai.
Day 3: Vilnius – Riga
After breakfast, 9:00 departure by coach to Riga. En route you will visit the Hill of Crosses – a famous hill with more than a thousand crosses - and the splendid 18th century Rundale Palace - the former summer residence of the Duke of Kurland. At 14:00, lunch at a local Rundale restaurant.
2 nights at the Europa Royal.
Day 4: Riga
After breakfast, 9:00 – 11:00 Riga City Tour. The Old Town will delight you with the colourfully restored merchant's residences, the cosy beer cellars and cafes, historical monuments like the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Powder Tower and more. View the masterpieces of early 20th century Art Nouveau architecture. Afternoon at leisure. Old Town sightseeing tour.
Day 5: Riga
9:00 – 14:00 Optional Sigulda sightseeing tour. Sigulda is often called the "Latvian Switzerland" because of the beauty of its landscape. Visit the 13th century Knight's Castle, the mysterious Gutmana Cave linked to a romantic medieval love legend. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 6: Riga – Tallin
After breakfast, 9:30 departure by coach to Tallinn. En route sightseeing at the Ethnographical Open Air Museum on the outskirts of Riga to see traditional Latvian rural buildings, the oldest ones dating from the 17th century. View the Baltic Sea Coast along the way and enjoy a sightseeing orientation of the Estonian Town Parnu. At 14:00, lunch at the local Parnu restaurant.
2 nights at Nordic Forum.
Day 7: Tallin
Old City Tour and optional tour to Kadriog Park & Palace
Day 8: Tallin – UK
Transfer to airport and return flight.
Optional extras include:
4 Hour tour to Trakai - £38 per person
5 Hour tour to Sigulda - £46 per person
3 Hour tour to Kadriorg Park and Palace - £38 per person
These can be added at the next stage of the booking process.
Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel, Vilnius - 2 nights —
This offer is based on a Twin Room on a bed and breakfast stay. You may choose to upgrade to half board at the next stage of the booking process.
The on-site Brasserie de Verres en Vers showcases French cuisine, while the Astorija Bar & Library pours a variety of classic and creative cocktails. Travellers can maintain their workout routine in the hotel's Health Club, equipped with Technogym machines, or relax in our cozy indoor pool or unwind in the steam room or sauna.
Europa Royale, Riga - 3 nights —
This offer is based on a Twin Room on a bed and breakfast stay. You may choose to upgrade to half board at the next stage of the booking process.
Facing Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, Riga Motormuseum and Riga Aviation Museum, the hotel is located in the centre of Riga. Nestled in the charming district and 1km from the city centre. Set within walking distance from an opera and monuments, as well as renowned Old City Riga, Freedom Monument and Latvian National Opera.
Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn - 2 nights —
This offer is based on a Twin Room on a bed and breakfast stay. You may choose to upgrade to half board at the next stage of the booking process.
The Monaco restaurant and its enticing menu is an ideal place to relax and unwind right in the heart of the city. The friendly chefs and level of service will surprise you, whether you're looking for an invigorating breakfast, a tasty lunch, a gourmet dinner or simply a fine glass of wine.
Picture yourself enjoying the views over Tallinn's World Heritage-listed Old Town as you float above the city in a gentle aquatic embrace. That's the fairytale atmosphere of Nordic Hotel Forum's relaxation centre, which will refresh both body and mind. Make the most of the indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam saunas and gym. You can also cool down by ordering soft drinks and cocktails from the bar.
Your Journey —
Flights: Return indirect flights from London Heathrow are included.
London Heathrow to Copenhagen
06:40 - 09:30
Copenhagen to Vilnius
11:10 - 13:40
Tallinn to Stockholm
07:15 - 07:15
Stockholm to London Heathrow
07:55 - 09:35
All flight times are local
Transfers: Shared transfers are included throughout.
Please note: flight details are given as a guide only and may change. We will however notify you in advance if flights are more than 2 hours outside the time range given. Flights are non-changeable and non-refundable at time of booking.
