Highlights Of Helsinki & The Baltics

Your 9-day adventure through the Highlights of Helsinki and The Baltics starts today! Arrive in Helsinki, the capital of Finland and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel. After a brief introduction to the upcoming itinerary, set off on a locally guided walking and driving tour through Helsinki. Marvel at some of the city’s top sights including Senate Square, the Uspenski Cathedral, the Havis Amanda, Kauppatori Market and more! Be sure to note what you would like to explore more on your free day tomorrow. This evening, look forward to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

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!

Hei Helsinki! Today offers a full free day to discover this artistic and modern city which is consistently listed as one of the world’s happiest and most liveable cities. Why not visit one of the many saunas for a relaxing local experience? This afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress on an optional excursion, including a ferry ride, light lunch and museum entrance. Then, join the Evening in Helsinki optional excursion to discover more of the city’s incredible attractions such as the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church and Sibelius Monument. Conclude an exciting day by sitting down for dinner with an ocean view and tasting delicious Finnish dishes!

Leaving the shores of Helsinki behind, it’s time to start our Baltic adventure! Catch a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland towards Tallinn, the enchanting capital city of Estonia. Arrive in the afternoon and head to a historic restaurant in the Old Town for an included lunch. Afterwards, set off on a walking tour with a local guide. Wander Tallinn’s charming cobblestone streets and admire its gorgeous medieval architecture while you learn more about this fascinating city. The evening is free to spend as you wish; choose to relax at the hotel or set off and do some more exploring!

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 walking tour of Tallinn: Join a local guide for a walking 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.

After an introduction to the top attractions in Tallinn yesterday, take today as an opportunity to discover this enchanting city in-depth! Its compact size makes it easy to navigate and explore on foot. In the Old Town, be sure to visit the 12th Century St. Olaf‘s Church which has survived being struck by lightning about 10 times and burnt down three times! Wander around the Old Town, relax in one of the city’s many green spaces (did you know that Tallinn was Europe’s Green Capital in 2023?) or take in the views from the TV tower. The choice is yours on this free day!

Say “farewell” to Tallinn and head towards our next Baltic country. Before crossing the border into Latvia, visit Pärnu. This seaside resort town is a popular summer vacation spot for Estonians! After some time to explore, hop back on the coach. First stop in Latvia is Saulkrasti, a picturesque coastal town along the Gulf of Riga. Later this afternoon, arrive in Riga and stop to pay your respects at the Latvian Military Cemetery before arriving at the hotel for the evening. After checking into the hotel, visit Riga’s Old Town and admire the city’s Art Nouveau and Gothic architectural marvels on an orientation walking tour! Enjoy a free evening in this vibrant city.

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 full free day to experience Riga! As the largest of the Baltic capitals and with over 800 years of history, Riga is sure to captivate with its blend of architectural wonders, luscious greenery and world-class cuisine. Wander through the UNESCO-protected Old Town and let landmarks like the House of the Black Heads and the Riga Dom Cathedral take your breath away. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the city’s many restaurants, do a spot of shopping or visit one of Riga‘s many celebrated museums or art galleries. However you choose to spend this free day, it’s sure to be one to remember!

Leaving Riga early this morning, get ready for a jam-packed day of incredible sights. Crossing the border from Latvia into Lithuania, today’s first stop is steeped in mystery and history. Visit the Hill of Crosses, an important religious site and UNESCO World Heritage Site near the city of Šiauliai. Then, travel onwards to Trakai. This quaint town is home to a true fairytale site - the Trakai Island Castle! After snapping plenty of pictures, the tour travels to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Embark on an orientation tour and spot some of the city’s most beautiful attractions including the Vilnius Cathedral, Church of St Anne and Gediminas Tower. Enjoy some free time before sitting down for dinner with the group.

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 a guided 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 Adam Mickiewicz statue. You can also cross the river into the Užupio Respublika, a self-proclaimed republic within Vilnius which has its own constitution and an army of 11 men.

Labas rytas Vilnius! Lithuania was occupied three times (twice by Russia and once by Germany) and this turbulent past is reflected in its capital’s impressive street art and museums. However, Vilnius is also full of life and locals take any opportunity to celebrate the city’s freedom and unique culture. In just one day in Vilnius, you can visit a political-prison-turned-ultra-cool-event-space, wander through one of Europe’s largest Old Towns, explore the self-proclaimed republic of Užupis and walk or take a funicular to Gediminas Tower for panoramic city views! Not to mention indulging in the wide array of quirky coffee shops and excellent restaurants offering delicious local and international cuisine. You’ll truly be spoilt for choice on this free day.

After 9 days of discovering the top attractions in Helsinki and the many Baltic travel highlights, this unforgettable trip from Helsinki to Vilnius comes to an end this morning. Enjoy one final breakfast with your newfound travel buddies and be sure to swap contact details before going your separate ways. Wishing you a safe journey onwards!