Day 1 : DAY 1: Start of tour in Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki and the start of this Nordic & Baltic Escape tour! Meet your tour leader at the hotel before embarking on a driving and walking tour. Explore the vibrant seaside capital city of Finland, known for its beautiful islands and lush green spaces. See iconic sights such as the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Marvel at Uspenski Cathedral and delve into the Kauppatori Market. After a day brimming with discovery, enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.
Day 2 : DAY 2: Helsinki: Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience Helsinki your way today! Wander the streets of this diverse city, discover its charm and delicious Finnish fare, and admire the architectural innovations and natural spaces. Why not choose to join this afternoon’s optional excursion and visit the 18th-century Suomenlinna Fortress? Discover centuries-old artillery and defensive walls spread across 6 linked islands on a historical trip. Embark on a guided tour and marvel at the Ehrensvärd Museum. This evening, join the An Evening in Helsinki optional excursion to witness Helsinki’s awe-inspiring landmarks, including the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church, and Sibelius Monument. Take in the spectacular sights and architecture before enjoying a local dinner with an ocean view!
Day 3 : DAY 3: Helsinki - Tallinn
Today, the tour travels onwards to the first of three Baltic States for some Baltic travel highlights! Board a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn in Estonia. Upon arrival in Estonia’s beautiful capital, enjoy an included lunch at a medieval restaurant located in the vibrant Old Town Square. Next, embark on a walking tour led by an expert local guide to discover the city’s highlights and historic sites, including St. Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure before settling in for the night.
Day 4 : DAY 4: Tallinn: Free Day
Make the most out of a free day in Estonia's charming capital today! Explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and wander through its cobbled streets that wind past cafés, shops, and medieval marvels like the Kiek in de Kök Tower and the Gothic Town Hall. Beyond the walls, Estonia's cultural hub boasts a vibrant tech scene, innovative eateries, and Soviet-era architecture that’ll have tech heads, foodies, and history buffs enthralled!
Day 5 : DAY 5: Tallinn - Pärnu - Latvian Military Cemetery - Riga
Today, bid farewell to Tallinn as the tour journeys to Riga in Latvia. En route, make a stop in Estonia’s resort city of Pärnu for some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Next, cross the border into Latvia and soak in the seaside charm of Saulkrasti on the Gulf of Riga. Upon arrival in Latvia’s capital, experience the Brothers’ Cemetery before checking into the hotel. Once settled, join an orientation walking tour of Riga’s Old Town and see the city’s highlights such as the Riga Dom Cathedral, the Old City Wall and more!
Day 6 : DAY 6: Riga: Free Day
Enjoy a free day in Riga to relax and explore as you wish! Visit the city’s numerous museums, browse the local markets, stroll the streets and admire the city’s famed wooden buildings and art nouveau architecture. The pedestrian-only Old Town houses a variety of shops and restaurants as well as the busy Livu Square that’ll give you an authentic taste of this captivating capital!
Day 7 : DAY 7: Riga - Hill of Crosses - Trakai - Vilnius
Lithuania awaits! Get an early start today as the tour journeys to another hidden gem in the Baltic region. Start with a visit to the Hill of Crosses, a renowned religious site before continuing on to Trakai which is famed for its captivating island castle! Enjoy free time here for lunch. Next, arrive in Vilnius, the historical capital of Lithuania and embark on a guided tour. Discover the beautiful Baroque architecture and iconic landmarks such as the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and the Church of St. Anne. Afterwards, enjoy free time to further explore at your leisure before an included group dinner tonight!
Day 8 : DAY 8: Vilnius: Free Day
Enjoy a free day in this fascinating and eclectic city and dive deeper into the history and culture of Lithuania’s enchanting capital! Known for its Baroque architecture that makes up the Old Town, Vilnius also boasts diverse styles of buildings from a range of eras. This adds to the city’s unique charm which you can admire while wandering its winding streets. For a full day of highlights, join the Vilnius+ optional excursion which includes tours of Uzupis and a former prison as well as a visit to an Amber Museum and a tasty local lunch! The choice is yours.
Day 9 : DAY 9: Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipeda - Overnight Ferry
After breakfast, depart from Vilnius and travel towards Kaunas. Arrive and join your tour leader for a guided tour of the city. Enjoy some free time before journeying onwards to Klaipeda this afternoon. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour in this port city where the Baltic Sea meets the Dane River. Discover the old town which features German-style, 18th-century wood-framed buildings that are a sight to behold! Afterwards, make the most out of free time by exploring the waterside Lithuanian Sea Museum which includes dolphin shows and maritime exhibits in a 19th-century fort. Tonight, board an overnight ferry and cruise towards Karlshamn.
Day 10 : DAY 10: Karlshamn - Malmö - Copenhagen
Start the day with breakfast on board the ferry before arriving in Karlshamn. Afterward, take a scenic drive to Malmö, a coastal city in southern Sweden where an orientation tour awaits. Admire Sweden’s third-largest and most cosmopolitan city before enjoying free time for lunch. Next, travel from Malmö to Copenhagen and witness the iconic Øresund Bridge along the way. Arrive at the hotel in Copenhagen and enjoy free time before the optional group dinner tonight.
Day 11 : DAY 11: End of tour in Copenhagen
Enjoy a final breakfast with the group before this Scandinavian and Baltic group tour concludes. Don’t forget to swap contact details with your newfound travel friends before parting ways. We hope you enjoyed this Nordic & Baltic Escape and leave with lasting memories. Safe travels onwards!