Nordic & Baltic Escape

Welcome to Helsinki and the start of this Nordic & Baltic Escape tour! Meet your tour leader at the hotel before embarking on a driving and walking tour. Explore the vibrant seaside capital city of Finland, known for its beautiful islands and lush green spaces. See iconic sights such as the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Marvel at Uspenski Cathedral and delve into the Kauppatori Market. After a day brimming with discovery, enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Guided tour of Helsinki: Enjoy an insightful walking tour of Helsinki with a local guide this evening and see the city’s top sights and attractions. See the Havis Amanda, the famous art nouveau fountain which is said to symbolise the birth of the city of Helsinki, visit Senate Square, see Helsinki Cathedral which is Finland's most photographed building, and marvel at Uspenski Cathedral which is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Finish off the guided tour with a walk through Kauppatori Market where you can shop for souvenirs, keepsakes and well-priced Finnish crafts!

Enjoy a free day to experience Helsinki your way today! Wander the streets of this diverse city, discover its charm and delicious Finnish fare, and admire the architectural innovations and natural spaces. Why not choose to join this afternoon’s optional excursion and visit the 18th-century Suomenlinna Fortress? Discover centuries-old artillery and defensive walls spread across 6 linked islands on a historical trip. Embark on a guided tour and marvel at the Ehrensvärd Museum. This evening, join the An Evening in Helsinki optional excursion to witness Helsinki’s awe-inspiring landmarks, including the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church, and Sibelius Monument. Take in the spectacular sights and architecture before enjoying a local dinner with an ocean view!

Today, the tour travels onwards to the first of three Baltic States for some Baltic travel highlights! Board a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn in Estonia. Upon arrival in Estonia’s beautiful capital, enjoy an included lunch at a medieval restaurant located in the vibrant Old Town Square. Next, embark on a walking tour led by an expert local guide to discover the city’s highlights and historic sites, including St. Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure before settling in for the night.

Helsinki to Tallinn ferry crossing: Hop aboard and enjoy a cruise across the Gulf of Finland, from Finland to Estonia. Be sure to take in the scenic views as the ferry makes its way to Tallinn.

Lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town Square.

Guided tour of Tallinn: Join a local guide for a tour of Tallinn, Estonia’s lively capital! Filled with mediaeval churches, cobbled walkways and a vibrant, contemporary culture, Tallinn is a photographer's dream. Highlights include St Olav's church, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tall Hermann Tower, Town Hall Square and more.

Make the most out of a free day in Estonia's charming capital today! Explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and wander through its cobbled streets that wind past cafés, shops, and medieval marvels like the Kiek in de Kök Tower and the Gothic Town Hall. Beyond the walls, Estonia's cultural hub boasts a vibrant tech scene, innovative eateries, and Soviet-era architecture that’ll have tech heads, foodies, and history buffs enthralled!

Today, bid farewell to Tallinn as the tour journeys to Riga in Latvia. En route, make a stop in Estonia’s resort city of Pärnu for some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Next, cross the border into Latvia and soak in the seaside charm of Saulkrasti on the Gulf of Riga. Upon arrival in Latvia’s capital, experience the Brothers’ Cemetery before checking into the hotel. Once settled, join an orientation walking tour of Riga’s Old Town and see the city’s highlights such as the Riga Dom Cathedral, the Old City Wall and more!

Visit Pärnu: Enjoy a stop in the resort city of Pärnu in southwestern Estonia. Pärnu is a seaside city overlooking Pärnu Bay and is renowned for its street art, colourful houses and scenic beach.

Enjoy a stop in Saulkrasti: The seaside town of Saulkrasti is a great place to drink in the beauty of the Latvian shoreline without huge crowds. This is where Latvian locals spend days by the beach.

Visit the Latvian Military Cemetery: Also called the Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren, the Latvian Military Cemetery is a national monument that commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who gave their lives for their country during 1915-1920, fighting in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.

Orientation tour of Riga: Embark on an orientation walking tour of Riga, Latvia’s exciting capital city. See the impressive architecture and learn more about Latvia’s history and culture. Riga boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere combined with Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture. The city is home to popular landmarks like the Riga Dome Cathedral, Saint Peter’s Church, Big Christopher, the Three Brothers, the Old City Wall and the Freedom Monument.

Enjoy a free day in Riga to relax and explore as you wish! Visit the city’s numerous museums, browse the local markets, stroll the streets and admire the city’s famed wooden buildings and art nouveau architecture. The pedestrian-only Old Town houses a variety of shops and restaurants as well as the busy Livu Square that’ll give you an authentic taste of this captivating capital!

Lithuania awaits! Get an early start today as the tour journeys to another hidden gem in the Baltic region. Start with a visit to the Hill of Crosses, a renowned religious site before continuing on to Trakai which is famed for its captivating island castle! Enjoy free time here for lunch. Next, arrive in Vilnius, the historical capital of Lithuania and embark on a guided tour. Discover the beautiful Baroque architecture and iconic landmarks such as the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and the Church of St. Anne. Afterwards, enjoy free time to further explore at your leisure before an included group dinner tonight!

Visit the Hill of Crosses: Experience a visit to the Kryziu Kalnas Hill of Crosses in Lithuania which has been one of the world’s most singular expressions of human faith and sacrifice for over 100 years. Pilgrims have been flocking to the sight for centuries and today there are 200,000+ crosses, carvings and shrines. The tradition of leaving crosses on the hill began only in 1831 by relatives of rebels who died fighting the Russian tsar of the time.
 
Trakai Island Castle: First built in the 14th Century, Trakai Island Castle once served as a residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Unfortunately, the castle was severely damaged by the 17th Century. It was finally rebuilt with incredible precision in the 1950s. In winter, the lake surrounding the castle freezes over and creates a fairytale-like atmosphere. In summer, bright blue waters and luscious greenery surround the castle, making it a top attraction in Lithuania all year round! 

Guided tour of Vilnius: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Vilnius. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers centuries of history to explore, and has a long and storied past. Learn about the history and see more of this city’s Baroque-style architecture and medieval buildings and monuments. Highlights include the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Vilnius Town Hall and the Uzupis Angel Statue.

Enjoy a free day in this fascinating and eclectic city and dive deeper into the history and culture of Lithuania’s enchanting capital! Known for its Baroque architecture that makes up the Old Town, Vilnius also boasts diverse styles of buildings from a range of eras. This adds to the city’s unique charm which you can admire while wandering its winding streets. Explore more must-see sights such as the Uzupis Angel Statue which represents the country’s freedom and independence or climb Gediminas' Tower, the sole remnant of the Upper Castle, for panoramic views of the city. The choice is yours!

After breakfast, depart from Vilnius and travel towards Kaunas. Arrive and join your tour leader for a guided tour of the city. Enjoy some free time before journeying onwards to Klaipeda this afternoon. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour in this port city where the Baltic Sea meets the Danė River. Discover the old town which features German-style, 18th-century wood-framed buildings that are a sight to behold! Afterwards, make the most out of free time by exploring the waterside Lithuanian Sea Museum which includes dolphin shows and maritime exhibits in a 19th-century fort. Tonight, board an overnight ferry and cruise towards Karlshamn.

Guided tour of Kaunas: Experience the top things to do in Lithuania’s second-largest city on an orientation tour! Tick must-see sights off of your bucket list, including the picturesque natural scenery of the Confluence of Niemen and Neris, the renovated Kaunas Castle and the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, the largest Gothic church in Lithuania.

Orientation tour of Klaipėda: Discover the charming port city of Klaipėda in Lithuania on an orientation tour. See where the Baltic Sea meets the Danė River and admire the German-style, 18th-century wood-framed buildings in the old town.

Start the day with breakfast on board the ferry before arriving in Karlshamn. Afterward, take a scenic drive to Malmö, a coastal city in southern Sweden where an orientation tour awaits. Admire Sweden’s third-largest and most cosmopolitan city before enjoying free time for lunch. Next, travel from Malmö to Copenhagen and witness the iconic Øresund Bridge along the way. Arrive at the hotel in Copenhagen and enjoy free time before the optional group dinner tonight.

Marvel at the best of Malmö: Embark on an orientation tour of Malmö, a stunning coastal city that’s also the third-largest in Sweden. Snap some photos of the iconic Malmöhus Castle built in the 15th century, soak up the sights of the historic buildings surrounding the main square of Stortorget, shop for some souvenirs in Sodergatan and head to the cobbled square, Lilla Torg, for a variety of restaurants and cafes to grab lunch.

Visit Copenhagen: Tick another Scandinavia highlight off your bucket list and spend an evening in Copenhagen, the enchanting capital city of Denmark! Some of the city’s top attractions include the famous Nyhavn Waterfront, Rosenborg Castle, the Town Hall, the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace.

Enjoy a final breakfast with the group before this Scandinavian and Baltic group tour concludes. Don’t forget to swap contact details with your newfound travel friends before parting ways. We hope you enjoyed this Nordic & Baltic Escape and leave with lasting memories. Safe travels onwards!