Baltic Experience

Welcome to the vibrant city of Helsinki, Finland! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, consider exploring the magnificent Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, the historic Senate Square, or catch a performance at the National Theatre. You may also want to consider purchasing the Helsinki Card for economical travel and free admission to the city's main sights and museums.

After breakfast, we'll leave Helsinki and take a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Arriving in the afternoon, we'll take a short orientation walk through this exceptionally preserved medieval city. Spend the rest of your day exploring at your leisure, perhaps sampling the region's culinary specialties or enjoying the vibrant streets and pastel-colored buildings.

Today, you have the whole day to explore Tallinn at your own pace. We recommend starting with the Old Town, where you'll find the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe, the 13th-century Toompea Castle, and the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. You could also visit Kadriorg Palace, built by czar Peter the Great for his second wife Catherine I, and spend some time in the beautiful gardens surrounding the palace.

Spend the morning in Tallinn, visiting any sites you missed the previous day. After lunch, we'll depart by bus to Riga, the capital of Latvia. The journey is a good chance to relax and enjoy the scenery. Upon arrival in the early evening, you'll have time to settle into your accommodations before perhaps heading out to explore the Old Town and its many bars.

Today, we'll travel by public transport to Sigulda, a town with a rich medieval history that backs onto Gauja National Park. Here, we'll take a cable car across the river to Turaida Castle, a striking red-brick structure that began construction in 1214. After a guided tour, you'll have time to explore the castle grounds and take a hike along the winding Gauja River. We'll return to Riga in the afternoon, where you can spend the rest of the day as you please.

Today, you'll have the chance to explore beautiful Riga. Take an orientation tour and see the Doma Cathedral, St Peter's Basilica, House of Blackheads, and more. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Consider visiting The Museum of Occupation of Latvia to gain insight into the hardships suffered by Latvians during its occupation by the Germans and Soviets.

After breakfast, we'll set off by private bus and cross the border into Lithuania. We'll stop at the famous Hill of Crosses at Siauliai before continuing onto Klaipeda, a city known for its sculptures and jazz. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and then head out to explore the Old Town center, which features 18th-century wooden buildings and other historic monuments.

Today, we'll take a day trip to the unique World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park. This spectacular landscape is full of beaches, sand dunes, and forested areas. We'll explore the tiny village of Nida and the surrounding beaches by bike. Look in the distance to see the Russian border, and learn about amber, which has been mined here since the 19th century.

After breakfast, we'll travel to the town of Ignalina and then on to Aukstaitija National Park and the charming village of Ginuciai. As one of the most delightful national parks in the Baltic states, Aukstaitija has 126 lakes, an abundance of waterways, hills, and woods. Enjoy the hospitality and home-cooking of our host family for the next two days.

This morning, take a guided kayak ride through the lakes and rivers of Aukstaitija National Park, past villages and through forests, to an ancient pagan site on top of a hill with a wishing tree. The rest of the day is free to visit some of the local attractions, such as the nearby villages that date from the 14th century and consist of traditional wooden houses and farmsteads. The 19th-century Ginuciai Watermill is another point of interest.

Today, we'll continue our journey by local train to the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. This picturesque city has been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France, and Russia, each leaving its mark in some way. Upon arrival, take an orientation walk that covers Cathedral Square and its free-standing belfry. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. Consider visiting the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, located in the former KGB headquarters of Vilnius.

Your Baltic Experience comes to an end today. If you have time, consider staying on to explore more of Vilnius. An Urban Adventure is the perfect way to see the city through local eyes.