Not exactly east or central Europe nor Scandinavia, the Baltics hold a unique charm and character for you to enjoy. The three capital cities, all under UNESCO protection, are themselves worthy of extended exploration. This tour makes sure you’ll have that with our knowledgeable guides and in-depth itineraries.
But there’s a life outside the city too and you’ll receive an up-close and intimate view of centuries old traditions, crafts, architecture and food. Invitations to local kitchens, houses and workshops along the way are all a signature of a Roads Less Traveled tour. Guests will get to be "hands-on" here not just an observer. You’ll be a guest in the Baltics, not a tourist.
Our team of guides are specialists in their respective cities. They are there for you to help in recommending dining, sightseeing and excursion options as well as event planning such as concerts, theater and special festivals.
Please note: You must have a group of 4-8 persons to sign up for this tour. This tour cannot be run for only 1-3 people.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Tallinn, Estonia
Your tour begins with an evening walking tour around Tallinn's center. You'll explore both the upper and lower towns of Tallinn, learn both its history and legends and be shown many places of interest to explore on your own in the days ahead. Afterwards you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with our tour leader and dine on traditional Estonian cuisine. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in the old town.
Day 2: Tallinn, Estonia
All day at your leisure to explore the Hanseatic city of Tallinn, whose towers, ramparts and steeples scream out medieval. Take a stroll to the upper town overlooking the city to see the Parliament building, Pikk Herman tower and the Orthodox cathedral Nevski.
The lower town is packed with worthwhile museums, cafes hidden in tiny alleyways and some stunning churches. Perhaps a visit to Katariina Guild to watch and purchase items by master craftsmen followed with dinner by candlelight at Olde Hansa restaurant (wonderfully atmospheric place despite the hordes of tourists).
Day 3: Tallinn, Estonia
Full day excursion to the Estonia’s Lahemaa National Park on the Baltic Sea. Lahemaa means the “Land of Bays” and just the stunning coastline and quaint fishing villages makes it worth a visit. Walking across marshy bogs is an essential Estonian experience.
The peaceful natural surroundings of pine forests isn’t the only highlight. You’ll also visit several beautiful manor homes with lunch included in one of these historic houses. Transfer back to Tallinn.
Day 4: Tallinn, Estonia
Spend the morning getting acquainted with the less-touristic side of Tallinn on a communist tour of the area. See the remnants of the Soviet influence and gain a better understanding how life under communism was like.
Afternoon at your leisure back in Tallinn. Consider a visit KUMU, the city’s modern art museum or visit the old door ethnographic museum to see how Estonians lived through the ages. Our team can help with tickets to concerts and theatre events. Estonia is known for its mesmerizing classical chamber choirs.
Day 5: Tartu, Estonia
Transfer to the university town of Tartu nestled in the south-eastern part of the country. It's a gateway to some of Estonia's most beautiful landscape that contains rolling hills, small villages and ancient cultures. On the way there you'll stop off at a few castles and manor houses. Upon arriving in Tartu, there will be a guided tour of the town's historic district followed by a real treat, group dinner at a wonderful Georgian restaurant (one of the few nice hold-overs from the Soviet times).
Overnight at private apartments in the old town.
Day 6: Tartu, Estonia
All day excursion to Setumaa region. Here you’ll find an interesting mixture of Estonian and Russian cultures inhabited by native Setus who speak their own dialect. Helen is our specialist from this region and she'll take you on a full day of sightseeing: Seto museum and traditional lunch, Piusa sand caves, a cemetery located in the middle of the forest and a ceramics shop.
In the evening you'll enjoy a unique experience of traditional dancing, music, singing and dinner at a local couple's house. Dressed in colorful Setu costumes with massive silver trappings, our hosts will provide you with a special opportunity to hear a traditional style of singing called leelo.
Day 7: Tartu, Estonia
An active day in both the outdoors and in the city as Helen will take you to some picturesque nature. You can choose to go for a bike ride or a walk around lakes, rolling hills, valleys, and forest covered meadows.
Head back to Tartu in the afternoon and visit St. Anthony's Craftsmen Guild, which has been employing craftsmen since 1449. Get a hands-on experience here with a three hour workshop where you can choose from many crafts including stained glass works, bead jewelry, leather medallions and more.
Day 8: Riga, Latvia
Morning transfer to Latvia's capital, Riga. Walking tour of Riga's highlights, including its beautifully preserved art nouveau architecture. Our guide will also take to a few places off the tourist path to give you a better appreciation of this capital city.
Overnight at a centrally located 3-star hotel.
Day 9: Riga, Latvia
All day in Riga at your leisure. Our guide in Riga can arrange outdoor activities for those interested or suggest side trips, such as Sigulda Castle.
Day 10: Riga, Latvia
Hop on a local train to the Jurmala coast, a summer playground area of Balts for the past two centuries. Life along the Baltic Sea means fishing for many people. You'll get a chance to visit a unique outdoor museum to see what life's been like for those who've made their living from the sea.
Day 11: Riga, Latvia
Morning at your leisure before a guided visit to Riga's Central Market - the largest market in Europe. The entire market is laid out in former zeppelin hangers. This is where many locals come to shop for dinner. You'll have the chance to peruse the stalls and do a walking food tasting around the market. In the afternoon, you'll visit a local artisan’s workshop with an opportunity to participate.
Day 12: Vilnius, Lithuania
Morning bus to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital. This is Europe's largest collection of baroque buildings and might have the most beautiful churches per square kilometer as well. You'll have a lengthy walking tour with people who know this town quite well, students from the university. Vilnius has one of the oldest universities in Central/Eastern Europe. Group dinner to follow. Make sure to taste cepelinai, the ubiquitous Lithuanian potato dumpling. Overnight at a cosy B&B in the old town.
Day 13: Vilnius, Lithuania
All day at your leisure to explore Vilnius. Get out of the old town for part the day and visit the self-proclaimed "Republic of Uzupis" located on the other side of the river. This district hosts many art galleries, craft workshops and coffee-shops and is known as the 'Montmartre of Vilnius'.
For art lovers, we can arrange a contemporary art tour where you'll get to visit artists’ studios, galleries and some "underground" places.
Day 14: Vilnius, Lithuania
The tour’s last but most encompassing day excursion. Visit to three very historic places: a stunningly situated castle in Trakai, the inter-war capital of Kaunas and the archeological village at Kernave, once the medieval capital of Lithuania’s Grand Duchy.
Trakai is a castle built on a small island that once protected against marauding Teutonic Knights. Don't miss out on a ‘Kibinai’ pastry for lunch, brought here by the Karaites, who came here all the way from Crimea and Baghdad. In Kaunas, you’ll visit the Devil’s museum and see reminders of WWII at the 9th Fort.
Day 15: Vilnius, Lithuania
Morning at your leisure followed by an afternoon to eat and drink like the locals! Start off with a cooking class to create your own lunch. You’ll learn the art of the Cepelinai (the ubiquitous Lithuanian potato dumpling).
No better way of following up on your own hand-crafted lunch than with some hand-crafted microbrews at a local pub in the funky Uzupis district. Farewell group dinner. Transfer to airport on the following morning.
END OF TOUR
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Guides,
- Lodging in B&B's and 3-star hotels,
- Transport,
- Transfers,
- All sights and excursions listed in itinerary,
- 5 dinners, 2 lunches, all breakfasts, various cooking and crafts workshops.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Crafts Tours
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