Experience Overview
Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travellers. We’re not complaining, though; more mystery means fewer crowds and an easier time getting to know these fantastic countries. Beginning in charming cobblestoned Vilnius and ending in beautiful Helsinki, this two-week trip gets to the very heart of the region. Get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art district, experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of Tallinn before crossing to Finland by ferry.
Highlights
- Explore the charming and enigmatic Baltic countries
- Ride a bike around the coastal dunes of Lithuania's Curonian Spit
- Picnic in beautiful Riga
- Live like a local on a farm in Estonia
- Wander the charming streets of Helsinki
Trip Details
Product Code: 2449
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Ferry, public bus. walking, bike, private vehicle.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Supplier Code: EXVS
Starts: Vilnius, Lithuania
Finishes: Helsinki, Finland
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Trakai Castle visit (Vilnius)
- Curonian Spit visit
- CEO led orientation walk in Klaipeda
- Full day tour of Nida
- Riga city tour
- Farm-to-table dinners prepared by a local family
- Saaremaa guided village tour
- Kadriorg Palace visit (Tallinn)
- Orientation walk (Helsinki)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (9 nts), farm stay (3 nts).
- 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
- Ferry, public bus. walking, bike, private vehicle.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3199 (CAD 246 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Vilnius
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this charming city.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2: Vilnius
Visit Trakai Castle. Enjoy optional activities like the Frank Zappa monument, the breakaway Republic of Uzupis, a giant egg statue, the Gediminas tower and castle museum, and the KGB Museum.
Spend free time walking through charming old town or searching out artist havens and modern statues.
Multi-faceted, puzzling, a heady mix of old and new, Vilnius has all the glories of a royal past, the troubling reminders of wartime and Communist atrocities and a vibrant forward-looking outlook.
Day 3: Vilnius/Klaipėda
Travel by private vehicle to Klaipeda, one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk, visiting famous sights, and seeing up close the many interesting sculptures that make Klaipeda unique. Make brief stops at Theatre Square, in the heart of the old town, to see the sculpture of Ann from Tharau in the square's centre fountain. Then walk by Klaipeda Castle, first mentioned in written sources as early as 1252.
The orientation walk will finish at a local gastropub with a local beer, where afterwards you can opt to grab some dinner on your own.
Day 4: Full day tour of Nida from Klaipeda
You will spend the whole day exploring the peninsula known as the Curonian Spit, located between Klaipeda and Nida. You will visit the Hill of Witches, Lithuania's outdoor sculpture trail of wooden folk art that will take you on a trip through the most well-known legends and stories in Lithuanian folk history. Later in the day visit the Parnidis Dune and Sun Clock in Nida. Stop for some free time in Nida where you can grab some lunch on your own and opt to see the Fisherman museum and Nida Lighthouse if time allows. Arrive back in Klaipeda in the evening.
The Curonian Spit is a long, thin sand bar, dotted with dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This spit is shared by Lithuania and Kalingrad, Russia's western most oblast.
The forested hills, known as Hill of Witches used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now, the hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists, depicting witches, dragons, and the elements. Some of the statues tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings.
Day 5: Klaipėda/Riga
Cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga, stopping at the Hill of Crosses along the way. Options for this charming city include visiting the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the Andrejsala artists' district, or just wandering the cobblestone streets.
Explore the narrow streets on foot and get better acquainted with the city known as "the Paris of the East". Opt to visit St Peter's Church, where we ascend the spire by lift, for a fantastic view over the city.
Day 6: Riga
Enjoy a guided tour and a lunch of treats from the Central Market. Spend a free afternoon exploring the city.
Day 7: Riga/Kuressaare
Cross the border to Estonia and get the local experience with three nights on a farm in Saaremaa. In the area there is canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, and island visits. Over the next three nights, savour farm-to-table dinners specially prepared by your host family.
Saaremaa is a remote island in the Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape.
Enjoy three nights on a farm outside the main city of Kuressaare.
Day 8: Kuressaare
Enjoy a tour of Saaremaa including a visit to the Kaali meteorite lake, bakeries, and windmills. Opt to visit the local breweries.
Day 9: Kuressaare
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit some of the ancient churches or natural sites like the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Day 10: Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Fall in love with this medieval town. Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace.
Day 11: Tallinn
Spend a free day exploring this medieval city. Use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the Dome Church, the open air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches, or relax in a sauna.
Day 12: Tallinn/Helsinki
Travel by ferry to the charming capital city of Helsinki. Enjoy an afternoon in the Scandinavian city with an orientation walk and free time.
Day 13: Helsinki
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Jerry I. - Traveled, October 2023
Trips are well run. Although this trip was no as organized as past trips.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Emma C. - Traveled, September 2023
I enjoyed the tour, loved exploring Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Cassandra M. - Traveled, September 2023
The itinerary was good and the inclusions good for the price. The accommodation was mostly good however, Riga was not. I was such a low point of the tour. I don't mind basis hotels. However, this hotel was unclean and falling apart and not safe for customers. This was my second G trip and it was also disappointing to have yet another guide who has never been on this tour or is not a local for any of the countries visited.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Joan W. - Traveled, September 2023
I paid almost $1,000 extra for single supplement and so many of the rooms were well below the standard I expected. Apart from 2 hotel rooms, the allocated rooms were small, faced brick walls, and had very few ',comforts', Also the hotel in Riga was a huge disappointment. Having walked on a dirty carpet at the entrance, we were faced with difficult stairs to negotiate our cases etc. I was lucky to have had the support of some of the tour group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Judith M. - Traveled, September 2023
it's a great way to travel, but when you have time and Nerves to Plan it than you could do it cheaper yourself. But if don't have time and no own car is it a great option
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Amy K. - Traveled, September 2023
Because everyone's needs and expectations are different
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Debra T. - Traveled, September 2023
Fascinating countries. Very underrated
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Russell S. - Traveled, September 2023
Well managed small group tour
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Carolyn F. - Traveled, September 2023
We have done several trips with G, they are all fabulous.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Charles T. - Traveled, September 2023
This has been my 6th G trip. It was up to the standard I have come to expect but it was not perfect and small improvements could easily be made.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Ian M. - Traveled, September 2023
Good combination of food and things to do
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Kevin W. - Traveled, September 2023
We had a great time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Linda W. - Traveled, September 2023
I had an awesome time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Cindy W. - Traveled, September 2023
Small group, responsive to interests, just right.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
David S. - Traveled, September 2023
There was much of interest in the tour, but I could not give a 10 because I feel that two days of the itinerary were wasted on a minor attraction (the Estonian island). Though enjoyable, the entire group felt the time could have been better used.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Shannon G. - Traveled, September 2023
Small group size and excellent CEOs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Jennifer Y. - Traveled, August 2023
Well organized and stress free
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
Mary A. - Traveled, August 2023
Edvard was an excellent guide, caring, knowledgeable, willing to share information and great that he was from one of the countries we visited. The accommodations were clean and quiet and there was always hot water with excellent water pressure in the showers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
Stewart P. - Traveled, August 2023
Our G Adventures guide was excellent, the group was very compatible and everything went smoothly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
Ian C. - Traveled, August 2023
Amazing places, great tour manager and great experiences
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
Patricia K. - Traveled, August 2023
Great CEO. Knew his history.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
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