Inclusions
- Return International Flights
- 3 nights at 4 star in Vilnius
- 2 nights at 4 star in Riga
- 2 nights at 4 star in Tallinn
- 1 night at 4 star in Helsinki
- Vilnius city tour with entrances to the Palace of the Great Dukes and Vilnius University courtyards
- Kaunas walking tour and Trakai Castle visit
- Rundale Palace guided tour with entrance fees
- Riga city tour with visit to the Museum of Occupation and Dome Cathedral (organ concert or Art Nouveau Museum depending on season)
- Ligatne Bunker guided visit with entrance fees
- Tallinn city tour including Kadriorg Palace, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Niguliste Museum and church tower view
- Helsinki walking tour including Senate Square, Esplanade, City Hall, Presidential Palace, and Oodi Library
- Daily Breakfast
- 1 farm-style lunch in Ligatne
- Cocktail tasting at Riga Black Magic Bar
- Vana Tallinn liqueur tasting in Telliskivi Creative District
- Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
- All intercity transfers by comfortable air-conditioned coach
- Private airport transfers in Vilnius and Helsinki
You'll Love
- Medieval splendour of Vilnius Old Town and Trakai Castle
- Interwar architecture and lively streets of Kaunas
- Baroque magnificence of Rundale Palace
- Riga’s Art Nouveau treasures and Black Magic cocktail experience
- Tallinn’s Kadriorg Palace, Toompea Hill, and Danse Macabre masterpiece
- Trendy Telliskivi district and modern elegance of Helsinki
Overview
Uncover the charm, culture, and history of Northern Europe on this 8-night / 9-day journey through Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. Begin in Vilnius, where Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque treasures fill Europe’s largest Old Town, and explore the medieval island fortress of Trakai Castle and the interwar architecture of Kaunas. Cross into Latvia to marvel at the lavish Rundale Palace before discovering Riga, the “Paris of the Baltics,” famed for its elegant Art Nouveau façades and lively café culture. Travel onward to Tallinn, a fairy-tale medieval city where cobbled lanes and spired towers meet vibrant modern districts like Telliskivi. Conclude in stylish Helsinki, where sleek Scandinavian design and contemporary landmarks such as the Oodi Library blend with neoclassical charm.
This expertly curated tour balances guided sightseeing with free time, allowing you to wander grand palaces, stroll centuries-old streets, uncover Cold War secrets in an underground bunker, and taste local specialties. With seamless transfers, comfortable 4-star stays, and immersive cultural experiences, it’s the perfect introduction to the captivating Baltic capitals and the Nordic elegance of Finland.
When/Date
Itinerary
Arrive at Vilnius Airport, where you will be greeted by your driver for a private transfer to your centrally located hotel. After check-in, take the evening to relax or enjoy a gentle stroll through the cobblestoned streets of Lithuania’s capital. Vilnius is renowned for its atmospheric Old Town, a harmonious blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. As dusk falls, the softly illuminated church spires and lively cafés create the perfect introduction to the Baltic charm.
Begin your morning with a guided exploration of Vilnius, one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful cities. Visit Cathedral Square, dominated by the striking neoclassical Cathedral and its standalone bell tower. Step inside the Palace of the Great Dukes of Lithuania, a symbol of the nation’s rich royal heritage, before discovering the 16th-century courtyards of Vilnius University, among the oldest universities in Europe. Your afternoon is free for personal discovery—wander hidden alleyways, admire street art in Užupis (the self-proclaimed “Republic”), or enjoy a coffee in a charming courtyard café.
Venture west to Kaunas, Lithuania’s vibrant second city and former temporary capital. Explore the compact Old Town, home to Kaunas Castle, the Town Hall, and the red-brick Vytautas Church. Admire Perkunas House, a Gothic gem once linked to the Hanseatic merchants, and stroll along the lively Laisves Aleja, a pedestrian avenue lined with interwar architecture that earned UNESCO recognition. On your return, stop at Trakai, where a 14th-century red-brick castle sits on an island in the shimmering waters of Lake Galvé—a picture-perfect medieval setting.
Leave Lithuania behind and cross into Latvia, pausing to visit Rundale Palace, often called the “Versailles of the Baltics.” Designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect of St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, this 18th-century Baroque masterpiece delights with opulent halls and manicured French gardens. Continue through the gentle Latvian countryside to arrive in Riga, the elegant capital, for an evening at leisure.
Embark on a guided exploration of Riga, known as the “Paris of the Baltics” for its vibrant Art Nouveau architecture and lively café culture. Walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, with highlights including the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church, and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which reveals the country’s dramatic 20th-century history. Visit the Dome Cathedral to hear its magnificent organ (May–Sept) or, in spring and autumn, the Art Nouveau Museum for a glimpse into stylish 1900s interiors. Conclude the evening with a signature cocktail at the atmospheric Riga Black Magic Bar, famous for its herbal Riga Black Balsam liqueur.
Travel north through the picturesque Gauja National Park region, stopping briefly in Sigulda for scenic photos of its medieval castles and wooded river valley. Continue to Ligatne, where a secret Soviet-era Cold War bunker lies hidden nine meters underground—a fascinating insight into the paranoia of the nuclear age. After exploring the bunker, enjoy a hearty farm-style Latvian lunch at Zipari before crossing the Estonian border and arriving in Tallinn, the fairytale capital, for an overnight stay.
Start with a visit to Kadriorg Palace, a splendid Baroque residence built by Peter the Great for his beloved Catherine I, surrounded by landscaped gardens. Then, take a walking tour of Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval centers. See the onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the soaring church towers, and the Niguliste Museum, home to the haunting Danse Macabre painting. Climb a church tower for panoramic views of red-tiled rooftops and the sparkling Gulf of Finland.
Spend the morning exploring Telliskivi Creative City, a trendy district filled with street art, boutiques, and lively cafés. Enjoy a tasting of the local Vana Tallinn liqueur, a sweet and spiced Estonian specialty. In the afternoon, board a comfortable ferry for a scenic crossing of the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki. Upon arrival, embark on a guided walking tour to admire Senate Square, the Esplanade, City Hall, the Presidential Palace, and the striking modern architecture of the Oodi Library.
After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Helsinki Airport for your onward flight or journey home, bringing your unforgettable Baltic adventure to a close.
