Baltic Capitals & Helsinki Group Tour 2023

Day 1 - Arrival to Vilnius

(Sunday)

Welcome to Vilnius! Optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva**** or similar, check-in & welcome meeting.

Day 2 - Vilnius

(Monday)

Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne's Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele.

Day 3 - Vilnius to Riga

(Tuesday)

Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija**** or similar.

Day 4 - Riga

(Wednesday)

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Day 5 - Riga

(Thursday)

After we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Riga Motor Museum which has an impressive collection of vintage cars including a very unique collection of old Soviet limousines from the Kremlin Garage. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Forest.

Day 6 - Riga to Tallinn

(Friday)

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.

Day 7 - Tallinn

(Saturday)

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and a visit to KUMU, the award-winning Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack.

Day 8 - Tallinn to Helsinki

(Sunday)

This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Seaside**** or similar.

Day 9 - Helsinki

(Monday)

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure whose construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors.

Day 10 - Departure from Helsinki

(Tuesday)

You can choose to book a transfer to the airport. The end of your Baltic tour!

• 1068 EUR per person = based on two people sharing a double/twin room
• 1507 EUR per person = staying in a single room
• Half board at hotels (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea): EUR 325.00 pp

• 20th August - 29th August 2023
• 27th August - 5th September 2023
• 3rd September - 12th September 2023
• 10th September - 19th September 2023
• 17th September - 26th September 2023
• 24th September - 3rd October 2023
• 1st October - 10th October 2023

• 9 nights at centrally located 4 star hotels
• 9 x buffet breakfast
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
• Personalised welcome package
• Entrances to Peter and Paul Church in Vilnius, Rundale Palace, medieval Great Guild Hall in Tallinn and Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki
• Service of English-speaking tour escort on all tours
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary
• Ferry ticket Tallinn-Helsinki
  
• Portage at hotels

• Please note flights are NOT included in this package. If you wish to add flights to your booking please contact us, or you are welcome to book them yourself.
• If required, we can book additional nights at the start or end of your tour, or arrange an add-on pre/post tour to any of our other destinations.
• The tour is guaranteed (min 2 people) and the maximum group size is 31 people.
• This tour is operated by our local partners ViaHansa and is called Baltic Metropoles.