Baltic Capitals – Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrive in Tallin, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, where you’ll be met by your tour manager and driven to your centrally located hotel. Once you’ve checked in, you’re free to relax or perhaps venture out into the city’s walled old town to explore.
• Day 2
  Following breakfast, you’ll venture on a guided walking tour of Tallin, starting with the lower town, which was a thriving commercial hub throughout the medieval period. You’ll learn about its trading history as you walk past the guild houses and warehouses to Raekoja Plats, the town’s main square. Here, you’ll come across Tallinn’s impressive Gothic town hall, the oldest of its kind in Europe, adorned with intricate wood carvings and murals. Continue to Tallinn’s upper town which sits atop Toompea, a limestone hill. Witness Toompea castle, formerly the seat of the city’s ruling German nobles and now repurposed to house the Estonian government. You can also see the Pikk Hermann Tower before a visit to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Tallinn’s largest Eastern Orthodox church. Still actively used today, the cathedral boasts an extravagant gothic design and onion domed roofs symbolic of Russia’s historic influence over Estonia throughout the 19th century. This grand building also has a collection of ornate family crests belonging to German nobility that once resided here. Before making your way back down Toompea, you can take in the spectacular views of the city skyline from any of the area’s three viewing platforms You’ll head to the park and the seafront area and view the majestic exteriors of Kadriorg Palace, an 18th-century landmark founded by Tsar Peter the Great and ringed by beautiful gardens. Having been repurposed as a cultural centre, this majestic baroque palace now houses a vast collection of foreign artworks. The neighbouring Kadriorg Park often hosts festivals in its huge outdoor arena dating back to the 19th century. The afternoon will then be free for exploration before returning to the hotel this evening.
• Day 3
  Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll travel through the forested Estonian countryside to Tartu, home to the nation’s most renowned university and recently voted one of 2024’s European Capital of Culture. One of the country’s oldest cities, Tartu has earned the nickname ‘Athens-upon-Emajogi’, owing to its elegant, pillared buildings which emulate ancient Greek architecture. This academic hub has drawn tourists and students alike since the 17th century with its university ranking amongst the oldest and most renowned on the continent. You’ll be led to the old town, which is constructed around the university’s neoclassic main building, and the Town Hall Square. Here, you’ll see a grand 18th-century town hall and the well-known Suudelvag Tudenig (Kissing Students) statue. Also of interest is a museum of the university’s history, set in the ruins of the former Dome church, as well as Estonia’s National Museum which highlights Estonian culture and folk art. During this excursion, you’ll take a short walk up to Toomemäe Hill Park and view the university and city from above, too. Return this evening to the hotel.
• Day 4
  Have breakfast before journeying south to Latvia’s dramatic alpine landscapes. On the way, you’ll call at the expansive Gauja National Park, with its striking rock formations and biodiverse ecosystems. You can admire Latvia’s natural beauty as you pass through the park’s lush greenery and keep an eye out for the native elk, European bison, and brown bears. You’ll then continue through Gauja River Valley and stop at Sigulda, surrounded by wilderness for lunch at a local restaurant. On the edge of this town, a 13th-century castle can also be seen, which was originally the home of warrior monks and Gutmanala, the largest sandstone grotto in the Baltic region. The day will conclude in Riga, Latvia’s metropolitan capital, where you’ll check into the next hotel.
• Day 5
  Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll head off on a guided tour of the city's cobblestone streets, set on the banks of the Daugava River. Start by walking to the Romanesque-style Riga Cathedral with its domed roof, the biggest medieval church and one of the oldest religious buildings in Latvia. Observe its gilded red-brick design and enjoy the views from the tower’s galleries. Continue on to the Church of St. Peter, which was recreated after World War II and features an ornate façade, intricate interiors, and a baroque tower. Riga Castle, which has dominated the Daugava riverfront since the 15th century and now houses the Latvian government, will be your penultimate stop today before you draw the morning’s walking tour to a close at the city’s Swedish Gate. Built during the Swedish empire’s century-long rule of the city, this gate is the only original building in the city’s old quarter still intact after numerous restoration projects. Having explored Riga’s old town this morning, you’ll now explore its modern attractions as you board a coach for a driving tour of its central boulevards. Enjoy the incredible art nouveau architecture that characterises the Latvian capital, with over one-third of all buildings designed in the style, as you cruise along Alberta Street and witness the widespread restoration of the city’s most famous avenues. After a busy morning’s exploration of Riga, spend time under your own steam before finding dinner in the city this evening.
• Day 6
  Have breakfast and depart for the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. On the way, you’ll call at the exquisite 18th-century Rundāle Palace, Latvia’s most famous baroque landmark. An extravagant stately home, Rundāle was originally the summer residence of the region’s Duke, Ernst Johann Biron but has since been repurposed as a public museum. From here, you’ll join a tour of the palace complex, created by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who would go on to design St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, with an expert local guide. With its regal main building, inner courtyards and a canal-side formal park, Rundāle Palace offers truly rewarding exploration. You can also visit the palace’s museum which offers a glimpse into the lives of the dukes and duchesses that used to rule Courland, from 18th-century fashion and a rich collection of tapestries to archaeological finds in the basement. You’ll then stop at Siauliai’s Hill of Crosses, a sacred landmark, which sees millions of crosses and rosaries placed on two hills by native Lithuanians and visiting pilgrims. A symbol of sacrifice and Lithuania’s enduring religious faith in the face of persecution, this sobering monument has remained one of the most widely recognised sites in the country often accompanied by the haunting sound of rosaries being blown in the wind. Despite its eerie atmosphere, the site has previously been blessed by Pope John Paul II and is still visited by thousands of pilgrims each day. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Vilnius before checking into your hotel.
• Day 7
  Spend your final day in elegant Vilnius, a city with a rich religious heritage. First on your list will be the intricately designed Vilnius Cathedral, famous for its imposing columned cloisters and a separate tower. You’ll then continue to Pilies Street, the oldest of its kind in the city, which is flanked by an impressive collection of 14th-century buildings. As you pass along Pilies Street, you can browse the charming nearby stores for authentic Lithuanian trinkets and treats. The next stops on your tour today will be a collection of churches, St. Anne’s, St. Bernadine’s, and St. Michael, which provide stunning views of the city ahead of a brief stop at the 16th-century Gates of Dawn, part of the city’s original fortifications. You’ll then visit the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of historic Russian influence in Lithuania, which houses the bodies of three martyred saints, Anthony, Ivan and Eustacius. Take a moment to appreciate the building’s vibrant interiors, and its equally colourful history, before reconvening in Vilnius’ town centre which remains a lively hub for Vilnian locals. Lastly, you’ll call at Vilnius University, a leading research centre featuring 13 courtyards and lush botanical gardens. Round out today’s excursion with a stop at Trakai Castle, an island fortress on an island in the middle of Lake Galvé. Located just a short distance from Vilnius’ city centre, the castle held immense strategic importance throughout its history as both a military fortress and later a diplomatic residence for Lithuania’s reigning dukes. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in Lithuania’s archaeological treasures and the region’s history with a tour of the castle’s museum and expansive grounds. This evening, bring your final day in the Baltics to a close with time at leisure to spend under your steam.
• Day 8
  Have breakfast before you travel to Vilnius airport for your morning flight back to the UK.