Discover the Baltics

Begin your adventure in the medieval city of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, where centuries-old architecture meets a modern tech scene and Baltic history. Around 6pm, say tere (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Estonian welcome by arranging a group dinner together. Want to explore Tallinn further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Today we explore vibrant Tallinn, the largest city in Estonia. The Old Town, framed by ancient city walls, is full of architectural wonders. In the morning, we have a guided tour of the city taking in some of the main attractions, including the Toompea palace and castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Dome Church and St Nicholas church. We then have a free afternoon to explore the picturesque Old Town, which happily lacks an invasion of modern architecture. Dive into the past as you explore cobblestone alleys with spluttering torches and secret stairways; the old town holds new surprises around every corner, even for residents. We overnight in Tallinn old town.

In the morning, we leave Tallinn and journey to Tartu, stopping at Lahemaa, the largest national park in Estonia. It’s a popular tourist destination with sandy beaches, waterfalls and mossy pine forests; it also has a variety of cultural sites, including Palmse Manor and the 400-year-old fisherman’s village of Altja. After lunch, we transfer to Tartu for a guided tour. Tartu, the capital of southern Estonia, is the second-largest town in the country, with lots of local culture, including festivals, concerts and theatre exhibitions. We spend the night in a hotel in the centre of Tartu.

Historic Cesis, on the Gauja River valley, is now a celebrated art-and-culture hub. However, it’s also home to one of the finest old towns in Latvia, where red-roofed buildings with restored facades line cobbled streets. The star attraction here is undoubtedly the Medieval castle, a partly preserved fortification knocked down and rebuilt in various forms. There will be option to visit the museum in the morning. We then transfer to Gauja National Park, a region known as Latvian Switzerland. After, we transfer to Riga.

This morning, the magnificent old town of Riga awaits. We will have a guided city tour taking in winding alleys, elegant boulevards and 800 renovated art nouveau buildings. We then have a free afternoon to soak up the romantic atmosphere of the city and enjoy a relaxing lunch before exploring some of the great shops.

In the morning, we transfer by train to Jurmala, the largest seaside and spa resort in the Baltic states and known for its unique natural resources, including healing mineral waters, pine forests and dunes. The town is also home to unique wooden art nouveau architecture. After exploring the town, we will transfer back to Riga for the night.

Firstly, we visit the 18th-century Rundale Palace, which was designed for the Duke of Courland by Italian architect Rastrelli, who also designed the winter palace in St Petersburg. Today, the palace is the most magnificent piece of architecture in the Baltic states, surrounded by impressive gardens. We then cross the border to Lithuania and have time to explore the Hill of Crosses before transferring to Klaipeda Port for a short tour around the small old town taking in reconstructed merchant houses and the remains of Klaipeda Castle.