Baltic Experience

Trip Type: Explorer
Finland | 12 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 4,104.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

Experience the Baltic states on this 12-day adventurous journey through Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From the medieval spires of Tallinn...

Baltic Experience

Experience the Baltic states on this 12-day adventurous journey through Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From the medieval spires of Tallinn and the funky bars of Riga to the Baroque-styled quirks of Vilnius, hidden delights await at every turn. Visit colourful markets, be immersed in art and architecture and kayak on Lithuanian lakes. Hike through forest, learn about the layered history here and indulge in homecooked meals with friendly hosts. Join a trip with likeminded travellers and discover the rich history and fascinating customs of this region on our journey from Helsinki to Vilnius.

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure kicks off in Helsinki with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe check out the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Senate Square or catch a performance at the National Theatre. You may want to consider purchasing the Helsinki Card – which is both an economical way to travel on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) services and free admission to the main Helsinki sights and nearly 50 museums. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your group.

Leave Helsinki after breakfast and catch a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital of Tallinn. Arrive mid-afternoon, check into your hotel and head out for a short orientation walk through the city. The rest of your day is then free to enjoy this exceptionally preserved medieval city and all it has to offer. Perhaps head out and enjoy some of the region's culinary specialties or stop for a drink and people watching on the main square. With its steep red roofs, spires, pastel-coloured buildings and new restaurants and bars, Estonia's capital is a real treat to explore. Seeing the vibrant streets of Tallinn now, it's difficult to fathom that Soviet occupation only ended in 1991.

Today is free to do as you wish, but an exploration of the Old Town is recommended – home to the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe, Old Thomas as well as the Raapteek, which has housed a pharmacy since the 15th century. You can also see St Olaf Church. Maybe head to Upper Tallinn, home to the noble families, to see amazing views of Lower Tallinn and the medieval spires of the town walls. The 13th-century Toompea Castle, where the Estonian Parliament sits, and the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are some of the main attractions. Alternatively, head to Pirita to chill out at Tallinn's most popular beach, or visit Kadriorg Palace – a palace built by czar Peter the Great for his second wife Catherine I.

Depart by bus after breakfast, cross the border and arrive in the Latvian capital of Riga in the early evening. Riga is renowned for its welcoming locals and a fascinating art nouveau heritage. Tonight, perhaps grab a drink at one of the many bars in the Old Town after you’ve settled into your lodgings.

Travel by public transport to Sigulda – a pretty town with medieval history that backs onto Gauja National Park. Take the cable car across the river to Turaida Castle, which began construction in 1214 and is made from striking red bricks. Take a guided tour, then explore the castle grounds which feature sculptures set in evergreen woodland. Take a hike along the winding Gauja River with your leader, taking in the clear air and thick Latvian forest. Return to Riga for a free evening.

Today, you’ll get the chance to explore Riga. Take an orientation tour and see the Doma Cathedral, St Peter's Basilica, House of Blackheads, the Swedish Gate, The Great Guild & Small Guild and the Cat House. There is nothing scheduled for the rest of the day, so you are free to explore at your own pace. Perhaps pay a visit to The Museum of Occupation of Latvia, which offers insight into the hardships suffered by Latvians during its occupation by, the Germans and the Soviets. The Central Market Halls are a great place to haggle for supplies for a picnic lunch if it takes your fancy. Make sure you give the (bitter but reputedly healthy) Riga Black Balsam a try. The recipe is secret, but it contains rare ingredients such as Valerian, Wormwood, Black Pepper, Ginger, Gentian and Linden flower.

Set off by private bus after breakfast and cross the border into Lithuania. After a stop at the famous Hill of Crosses at Siauliai, continue onto the former Prussian city of Klaipeda, the city of sculptures and jazz. Klaipeda used to be a member of the Hanseatic League and is the gateway to the Curonian Spit – a long and narrow sand dune peninsula separating the Curonian lagoon from the Baltic Sea. When you arrive, check into your hotel, then head out to the waterfront and explore the Old Town centre, which features 18th-century wooden buildings and other historic monuments.

Today, take a day trip to explore the unique World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park – the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. This area is full of beaches, sand dunes and forested areas. The peninsula is only 400 m wide in parts but 98 km long. It formed only 5000 years ago by strong winds and currents which constantly change the shape of the landscape to this day. Only recently a whole village was swallowed by the inexorable sand. According to legend, the spit was formed by the girl giant Neringa, who poured sand into the Baltic Sea to protect the bay from storms and create an embankment for fishermen to live. Explore the tiny village of Nida and the surrounding beaches by bike and look in the distance to see the Russian border. Then for lunch, maybe try the smoked pike for which the spit is famous.

After breakfast, travel by bus, train and car to the town of Ignalina, then on to Aukstaitija (pronounced owk-sty-chee-ah) National Park and the charming village of Ginuciai – your home stay for the night. As one of the best 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, you’ll take a guided kayak ride through the lakes and rivers, past villages and through forests, to an ancient pagan site on top of a hill with a wishing tree. The top affords great views across the surrounding forests and lakes. 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. You can hike to lookouts, fish, swim in the lake or river rapids, or relax. Perhaps ask your host family to fire up the sauna for the ultimate relaxation and cleansing experience.

Continue your journey today by local train to the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius. Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France and Russia, each occupier has left its mark in some way. Vilnius offers a different picture of the Baltics than Riga and Tallinn, but it’s every bit as interesting. Take an orientation walk with your leader when you arrive, seeing Cathedral Square and its free-standing belfry and the length of pedestrianised Pilies Gatve, lined by baroque churches. The rest of the day is free. Maybe visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, previously called the Museum of Genocide Victims and better known under the name KGB Museum, as it is located in the former KGB headquarters of Vilnius. If you’d like a break from Vilnius’ historic monuments, maybe take a walk through some of the charming gardens around the city.

Your adventure comes to an end today. There are no more activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after you check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
11 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 2 Dinner(s)

Transport
Public bus , Ferry , Canoe , Private vehicle , Train , Tram , Cable car

Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Tallinn - Leader led orientation walk
  • Sigulda - Gauja River Cable Car
  • Sigulda - Day Trip
  • Sigulda - Turaida Castle Guided Tour
  • Riga - Leader led orientation walk
  • Siauliai - Hill of Crosses
  • Curonian Spit - Bike Ride
  • Curonian Spit - Full Day Trip to the National Park
  • Aukstaitija National Park - Guided Kayak Trip
  • Walk through the perfectly preserved medieval wall and watchtowers of Tallinn's Old Town, a great place to explore on foot.
  • Explore the 13th-century Turaida Castle on a guided tour, then wander through pristine woodlands and along the winding Guaja River.
  • Visit Aukstaitija National Park, which offers unique opportunities for both action and relaxation. Kayak across the lakes, indulge in home-cooked meals or cleanse yourself in a traditional sauna.
  • Cycle along the endless dunes and stunning beaches of Lithuania's Curonian Spit National Park on a full-day bike tour, making a visit to Nida village along the way.
  • See the ornate architecture of Riga’s Old Town, where the narrow and pastel-coloured buildings house bars and restaurants.
  • Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to have the best value holiday in Scandinavia. Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Occasionally bathrooms will be shared with other guests. Many hotel rooms in Europe are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. This trip is designed to give you a fair amount of free time so you can explore each destination at your own pace. We will, however, take you on regular orientation walks, so you'll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries. We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations, ferry ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available. Make sure to check the weather for the time of year you wish to visit, as it can vary significantly depending on season. There are a few long days of travel by public transport (up to 7 hours), as you'll be covering a lot of ground. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates. If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in either Copenhagen or Oslo. Check out our trips 'Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit' and 'Oslo to Vilnius'.

Departing

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Availability

Price: NZD 4,790.00

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Price: NZD 5,170.00

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Price: NZD 5,170.00

Price: NZD 5,170.00

Price: NZD 4,975.00

Price: NZD 4,975.00

Price: NZD 4,975.00

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NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

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NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

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NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

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NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

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NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

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NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

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NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price: NZD 4,560.00

Price:
NZD 4,740.00 NZD 4,266.00

Price:
NZD 4,925.00 NZD 4,433.00

Price:
NZD 4,560.00 NZD 4,104.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
BMSE
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Helsinki, Finland
Trip Finishes:
Vilnius, Lithuania
Countries Visited:
Estonia
Finland
Latvia
Lithuania
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Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Finland | 12 Days | 1 - 12 People