Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania
8 nights 9 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookFour countries, four capitals, and seven centuries of architectural styles, in their street-scenes and monuments, form the focus of this intriguing Baltics tour, as we travel to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and take the ferry across the Gulf for a final day in Finland
Starting in the southernmost of the states, the tour is immediately immersed in the easy tempo and assorted architecture of Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. Renaissance and neo-classical façades are teamed with 20th century buildings set on Gothic cellars, and the big Baroque Old Town is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a detour to Trakai’s Island Castle, its round towers reflected in the waters of Lake Galvé, the tour makes its way across the Latvian border to Riga. The largest city of the Baltics, it straddles the Daugava River with cobbled lanes and soaring spires in its medieval Old Town, a stunning spread of art-nouveau architecture in its city centre, and monuments recalling its uneasy past. From here, the route continues into Estonia to Tallinn, on the north shore. The busy port city of Soviet-style buildings turns into a fairytale at Toompea Hill, the heart and soul of the capital. This is its medieval town, oozing old-world charm from its city walls to its Baroque splendour, colour-washed houses, and skyline of turrets and domes. Crossing the Gulf of Finland to its compact capital, Helsinki completes the tour where urban melds with nature, and neo-classical grandeur meets cutting-edge design.
Fly from London to Vilnius via Helsinki, and transfer to the 4-star Hotel Vilnia for a three-night stay.
A morning tour of Vilnius includes a visit to the Palace of the Great Dukes of Lithuania, now the National Museum, sharing Cathedral Square with the church and bell tower; and to the 16th century courtyards of Vilnius University, among the oldest and most renowned in northern Europe. Afternoon free to explore Europe's largest Old Town.
(B)
Travel to Kaunas, the second largest city of Lithuania, served as the temporary capital between two World Wars. The visit of Kaunas includes a walk around the old town viewing Kaunas castle, the Town Hall, known locally as ‘White Swan’, the Church of Vytautas, and Perkūnas House. We will stroll along Laisves Aleja pedestrian avenue (the Avenue of Liberty) – the main shopping and dining street of Kaunas observing some samples of the architecture of Optimism (built between the First and Second World Wars) which in 2023 was included in the UNESCO heritage list. On the return to Vilnius, we will stop in Trakai to visit the medieval castle complex on one of the many islets in Lake Galvé. Built in the 14th-15th centuries, it was home to all the Grand Dukes and now hosts festivals and foreign dignitaries.
(B)
Drive (4 hrs) across the Latvia border to Rundale Palace for a tour of the palace. Rundale Palace is an interlude of opulence in its immaculately manicured gardens. The 18th century Baroque palace, built for the Dukes of Courland, aspired to match St. Petersburg's grandeur and was designed by Rastrelli, the architect of the Winter Palace. Continue to Riga, for two nights at the 4-star Wellton Riverside Hotel.
(B, L)
The elegance of Riga's art-nouveau architecture prompts its epithet 'the Paris of the Baltics'. A morning tour of the city visits the Museum of Occupation Of Latvia and the Dome Cathedral, where the 19th-century organ boasts 6,718 pipes. Enjoy a short organ concert at the cathedral (May-Sept) or visit the Art Nouveau Museum (Apr/Oct). Later, enjoy a cocktail at the Riga Black Magic Bar.
(B)
Departure to Tallinn with a short stop in Sigulda (photo stop). Continue to Ligatne for a visit of Ligatne bunker, constructed 9 meters beneath the ground and was intended to serve as a shelter for Latvia’s Communist elite in case of hypothetical nuclear war. Enjoy lunch at Zipari farm. Travel across the Estonia border and north to Tallinn (4hrs). Two nights at the 4-star Nordic Forum.
(B, L)
Visit the beautiful, Roman-Baroque, Kadriorg (Catherine) Palace, in formal gardens of topiary, fountains and flowers, modelled on Versailles, and founded, in honour of his wife, by Peter the Great. Continue with a walking tour of the medieval Old Town where little has changed since its heyday. The tour of the UNESCO-listed town visits the sumptuously lavish Nevsky Cathedral in the (upper) Toompea Hill enclave and finishes with the visit of Niguliste Museum which has Tallinn’s most famous artwork, a fragment of Bernt Notke's painting the Danse Macabre (the 'Dance of Death') and a 360° view of the Old Town from the church tower.
(B)
In the morning, enjoy a walking tour of Telliskivi, a complex of former warehouses turned into a creative city, ending the tour with a tasting of Vana Tallinn. Leave the Baltics behind and travel by ferry (2hrs) to Helsinki. On a walking tour of the city centre and South Harbour area, view Senate Square, the Esplanade, City Hall, the Presidential Palace, and the railway station, where urban legend has it that the clock on its tower is set a minute fast, so that travellers are on time for trains; and visit the Oodi, the city’s ‘new era’ library, designed as a vibrant meeting place with dedicated spaces for events, concerts, quiet learning and lively activities. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Lilla Roberts.
(B)
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.
(B)
This tour involves carrying luggage on and off a ferry.
For April & October departures Day 4 and 5 will be reversed.
Visit the Riga Black Magic Bar with its 18th century apothecary interior. In the basement Abraham Kunze developed, 250 years ago, Riga Black Balsam according to his secret recipe. The dark and astringent elixir is made out of 24 herbs – enjoy a cocktail based on the liqueur with a slice of cake!
Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.
A charming 4-star hotel in a 19th-century building, opposite the Bernardine Garden and in Vilnius’s Old Town. Restaurant, bar and WiFi (free). 79 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A modern 4-star hotel, close to the House of the Blackheads in Riga’s Old Town. Breakfast area, bar, gym, WiFi (free) and pool and sauna (chargeable). 222 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A modern 4-star hotel, close to the Old Town and by the Viru Gates. Restaurant, bar, indoor pool, gym, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 267 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A 4-star hotel in Helsinki’s old police station. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 130 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
The Crossroads of Europe & Asia
11 Jun 25,9 Jul 25 and 2 more
Surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Georgia and Armenia, explore the capitals, countryside and cultural heritage of the Caucasus. Sandwiched between the Black and Caspian Seas, this is where Asia and Europe seep into each other in a rich tapestry of traditions
From £2895 pp
incl Flight
Coasts, Lakes & Capitals
15 May 25,5 Sep 25 and 1 more
Crossing Croatia and Slovenia, from convivial Zagreb to elegant Ljubljana, this is a tour of capital cities, coastal towns, and natural wonders; where a Roman theatre, medieval churches, and modern resorts share the bill with magnificent lakes and mythical caves
From £2225 pp
incl FlightWe need to check availability for this departure date. Please proceed with the reservation, and we will get in touch within 72 hours to confirm and take payment.
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
| Date | Two sharing | Solo traveller | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1675pp £1925pp | £2100pp £2350pp | Book now |
| 09 May 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1825pp £1975pp | £2280pp £2430pp | Book now |
| 23 May 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1845pp £1945pp | £2270pp £2370pp | Book now |
| 06 Jun 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1875pp £1975pp | £2330pp £2430pp | Book now |
| 04 Jul 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1895pp £1995pp | £2320pp £2420pp | Book now |
| 08 Aug 25 (8 nights) | £2045pp | £2480pp | Book now | |
| 22 Aug 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1895pp £2025pp | £2330pp £2460pp | Book now |
| 05 Sep 25 (8 nights) | Offer Ends 1 January | £1895pp £1995pp | £2350pp £2450pp | Book now |
| 19 Sep 25 (8 nights) | Solo Group Departure | £2295pp | £2295pp | Book now |
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, overseas departure taxes, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory changes introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Hotel Vilnia
(per night) £62
Single supplement £42
Arrival transfer £35
Hotel Lilla Roberts
(per night)
Apr/July/Oct £105
May/Jun/Sep/Aug £130
Single supplement
Apr/Jul/Oct £90
May/Jun/Sep/Aug £100
Departure transfer add £88