Baltic Adventure
13 days, Vilnius to Helsinki
Itinerary
Day 1Vilnius
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this charming city.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Vilnius
Visit Trakai Castle. Enjoy optional activities like the Frank Zappa monument, the breakaway Republic of Uzupis, a giant egg statue, the Gediminas tower and castle museum, and the KGB Museum.
Spend free time walking through charming old town or searching out artist havens and modern statues.
Multi-faceted, puzzling, a heady mix of old and new, Vilnius has all the glories of a royal past, the troubling reminders of wartime and Communist atrocities and a vibrant forward-looking outlook.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Trakai Castle Visit
Enjoy a visit to Trakai Castle, about 45 mins out of town by bus, built in the late 14th century. Getting out of the capital and visiting this historic treasure is a great way to experience a little more of Lithuania.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Frank Zappa Monument Visit
FreeVisit the statue that pays tribute to the musician Frank Zappa, who's much loved in Lithuania.
Gediminas Tower Visit
2EUR per personVisit Gediminas Tower to learn more about this symbolic place in Lithuania.
KGB Museum Visit
3EUR per personThe KGB Museum is the unofficial name for the Museum of Genocide Victims currently housed in the former KGB headquarters. The fascinating museum brings to light the atrocities of war and the suffering the people of Lithuania and the other Baltic countries. On display are documents and artifacts related to the 50 year occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Vilnius/Nida
Travel by public bus to the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit. Visit the Parnidis dune in the evening.
The Curonian Spit is a long, thin sand dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This spit is shared by Lithuania and Kalingrad, Russia's westernmost oblast.
The forested hills used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now, the hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists, depicting witches, dragons, and the elements. Some of the statues tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Nida
Enjoy an included bicycle tour around the Hill of Witches and a visit to sea bird colonies.
Hill of Witches Bicycle Tour
See the area from the seat of a bike. The Hill of Witches used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now the hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists, depicting witches, dragons and the elements. Some of the statues as well tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Nida/Riga
Cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga, stopping at the Hill of Crosses along the way. Options for this charming city include visiting the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the Andrejsala artists' district, or just wandering the cobblestone streets.
Explore the narrow streets on foot and get better acquainted with the city known as "the Paris of the East". Opt to visit St Peter's Church, where we ascend the spire by lift, for a fantastic view over the city.
Local Bus
Change buses in Klaipeda.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Saint Peter's Church
7EUR per personAscend the spire of this church by lift for a fantastic view over the city.
Andrejsala Artists' District
FreeThe Andrejsala neighbourhood is an industrial port area just outside the city. Recently it has developed into a cultural hub with art and entertainment areas, workshops, galleries, and cafés. Explore all it has to offer.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Riga
Enjoy a guided tour and a lunch of treats from the Central Market. Spend a free afternoon exploring the city.
Riga Guided Tour
Visit some of the neighbourhoods and sights around Riga and learn about the history of this 800-year-old city. Visit the central market and pick up some delicacies for lunch.
Free Time
Explore this intriguing city.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia Visit
The museum is dedicated to portraying what life was like in Latvia during the three periods of occupation. Learn about life under Soviet and Nazi rule and how Latvians regained their freedom in 1991.
Riga Art Nouveau Centre Visit
5-20EUR per personRIga is one of the few places where Art Nouveau architecture has survived in great numbers. Visit the centre to learn more.
Riga Castle Visit
3EUR per personFirst built in the 1440s on the banks of Daugava River, Riga Castle is now the home of the President of Latvia and the National History Museum. Enjoy a visit here and explore the castle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Riga/Kuressaare
Cross the border to Estonia and get the local experience with three nights on a farm in Saaremaa. In the area there is canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, and island visits. Opt to travel into the capital of Saaremaa, Kuressare, for a folk evening with traditional music.
Saaremaa is a remote island in the Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape.
Enjoy three nights on a farm outside the main city of Kuressaare.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8Kuressaare
Enjoy a tour of Saaremaa including a visit to the Kaali meteorite lake, bakeries, and windmills. Opt to visit the local breweries.
Saaremaa Guided Tour
Visit a group of windmills and try traditional baked goods while sipping on local beer. In the area, you'll find a naturally growing oak forest with rare flora (like orchids) and a bird watching platform.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Kuressaare
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit some of the ancient churches or natural sites like the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Free Time
Head out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Sightseeing Saaremaa
FreeVisit some of the churches, some dating back as far as the 1300s and others boasting ancient wall frescoes still intact. Natural sites include the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 10Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Fall in love with this medieval town. Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Kadriorg Palace Visit
The Kadriog Palace was built by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia. Currently, the palace is home to an art museum.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Tallinn
Spend a free day exploring this medieval city. Use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the Dome Church, the open air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches, or relax in a sauna.
Free Time
Explore the sights or hit the beach.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Sea Kayaking
33EUR per personHead out to sea by kayak to get a new perspective of the area.
Occupation Museum Visit
5EUR per personVisit the Museum of the Occupations to learn more about life under the Soviet and Nazi regimes, then head to the ex-KGB headquarters.
Dome Church and Toompea Hill Visit
2-6EUR per personEnjoy a visit to the Dome Church, or St Mary's Cathedral, located on Toompea Hill. it's the oldest church in Tallinn, built in the 13th century.
Old Town Visit
FreeWander the Old Town, soaking in the 15th to 17th century feel, and visit the Raekoja Plats where you can check out cafés and restaurants lining this square. It's absolutely a must-see.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Tallinn/Helsinki
Travel by ferry to the charming capital city of Helsinki. Enjoy an afternoon in the Scandinavian city with an orientation walk and free time.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Get out and explore this the Scandinavian city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Helsinki
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.