Premium Baltics

Welcome to Tallinn! On arrival, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of town. With its steep red roofs, spires, pastel-coloured buildings and new restaurants and bars, Tallinn is a treat to explore. You may like to stretch your legs with a stroll around town before you join your local leader and small group for an important welcome meeting at 6pm. After the meeting, enjoy a welcome dinner in the historic Old Town which is filled with historic buildings. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is especially atmospheric at night. (D)

After breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour around the Estonian capital that was once home to knights, landlords and soldiers. With many of the original buildings still intact, it’s like taking a virtual trip back to medieval times. Discover the old city fortifications, the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe and St Olaf Church. Amazing views of Lower Tallinn and the spires of the town walls are also yours on this entertaining stroll. Along with seeing the 13th-century Toompea Castle, where Estonian Parliament sits, you’ll also tour the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, admire the spectacular view of the city from the viewing platform and browse the area’s artisan studios. This afternoon is yours to explore your way. Perhaps hire a bike or catch a tram and head out to Kardiorg park where many of the city’s museums are located. (B)

After breakfast, depart Tallin and travel to the village of Jõesuu located on the edge of Soomaa National Park. Here you’ll meet a family of cider makers who have returned to their ancestral lands to produce organic drinks and live more sustainably. Raise a glass of local cider or organic soft drink. From here, you’ll travel to Parnu which is famous for being Estonia's summer capital and a hub for beach goers, vibrant nightlife and a thriving art scene. On arrival, head out for an orientation walk with your tour leader then spend the rest of the day exploring Parnu your way or relax at one of the many spas in town. You’ll spend tonight in your atmospheric Feature Stay accommodation, a grand Art Nouveau boutique hotel that was once the home of a wealthy merchant. Everything from the building’s facade to the gracious trees outside your window are listed under national heritage protection. (B/L)

Today you’ll explore over 800 years of history in Cesis, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. It has remained almost unchanged despite the war and is famous for its medieval castle and park where summer concerts and festivals are held each year, its wooden architecture and brewery that dates back to 1590.

After exploring the town with your leader, continue to rural Ligatne to visit a once top-secret Soviet bunker. Built as shelter in case of nuclear war, it was so secret that locals were unaware of its existence for 30 years until the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Next, continue to the pretty town of Sigulda which backs onto Gauja National Park and is packed with history. Locals call Sigulda "the little Switzerland of Latvia" and it’s especially popular during the autumn months. From here you’ll continue to Riga, the largest of the Baltic’s three capital cities. Tonight, you may like to head out with your group for dinner at one of the restaurants in the Old Town. (B)

After breakfast, discover the fascinating history of Riga on a walking tour of the Old Town. See all the major sights such as Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics, St Peter`s church, the Swedish gates, and the Gunpowder tower. On the way to Riga market, one of the largest markets in Europe, you’ll pass the Freedom Monument which celebrates Latvia’s freedom, independence and sovereignty. Before you sit down for a traditional lunch, explore the market and taste a few local specialities like smoked fish and creamy Latvian cheese. After lunch, toast your trip with Riga Black Balsam, an herbal liqueur that locals believe can cure anything and everything. This afternoon, you can explore Riga your way. Maybe visit a local museum or head to the neighbourhood known as the Quiet Centre to discover its Art Nouveau architecture, cafes, restaurants, bookstores and more. (B/L)

Today you’ll raise a glass to the Guinness Book of World Records’ northernmost vineyard in the small town of Sabile which is a 2 hour drive from Riga. Before you visit the vineyard, stop in at a winery and sample unique local wines like sparkling apple wine, blackcurrant wine and cherry vermouth. From here, you’ll continue to Kuldiga which is known as Nordic Venice. Home to Europe`s widest waterfall, this town has some of the best gourmet restaurants in the country. Of course, we’ll stop here for lunch! After a day spent exploring Western Latvia, cross the border to Lithuania and spend a relaxing evening in Klaipeda. (B/L)

After breakfast, take a day trip to explore World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park – the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. After a quick ferry ride across the lagoon, spend your day exploring the quaint fisherman villages, spectacular sand dunes and forests - before it’s too late! Whole villages have been slowly swallowed by the constantly shifting sands. Each village has its own unique design. Today you’ll visit one of them - Juodkrante – which is famous for its lush forest filled with nearly 100 carved wooden sculptures that illustrate Lithuanian folk tales. Look in the distance to see the Russian border as you learn about the amber which has been mined in the National Park since the 19th century. Visit a local amber museum and discover the beauty of this culturally significant stone which locals believe has mystical properties as you learn how amber is processed and try an amber drink. After a day spent surrounded by nature, head back to Klaipeda for dinner at a local brewery and the chance to try a local brew. (B/D)

Leave the Baltic coast behind and travel across Lithuania to Trakai which is home to the impressive 14th century Trakai Island Castle. Set on a small island in the middle of Lake Galvė, this is the only castle in Eastern Europe that is built on an island. Your visit will get off to a delicious start as you learn how to make perfect kybyns, the traditional Lithuanian pastries the area is famous for. After filling up on the hearty pastries filled with mutton and onion, and a bowl of hearty soup, head over to the castle grounds for a guided tour. Afterwards you’ll continue to Vilnius and your hotel for the night. (B/L)

After breakfast, join an expert guide for a city tour of Vilnius. Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France and Russia, each country has influenced this picturesque city. Vilnius offers a different picture of the Baltics than Riga and Tallinn, but it’s every bit as interesting. Pass through Cathedral Square and the Old Town, and learn about the famous Grand Duke Gediminas, the legend of Vilnius' creation and the prestigious history of Vilnius University. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. Maybe take a visit to Museum of Occupation and Freedom fights, better known under the name KGB Museum, located in the former KGB quarters of Vilnius. Or admire the views from the lofty TV tower - Lithuania’s tallest building and the location of a history-making event on 13 January 1991, when Lithuania gained independence from the USSR. If you’d like a break from Vilnius’ historic monuments, you can take a walk through some of the charming gardens around the city. Perhaps visit a self proclaimed ‘republic’ of Uzupis, Vilnius's bohemian and artistic district. In the evening, join your local leader and group for dinner at an atmospheric local restaurant and raise a glass to the final night of your trip. (B/D)

After breakfast, your Baltic adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). (B)