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Elife Travel - Europe Tours - Estonia Tours - Estonia (Northern) Tours - Explorer Tours - In-depth Cultural Tours - Historic Baltic Republics
Explore Historic Baltic Republics for 15 days with Explore! and discover unforgettable experiences - Photo 2

Historic Baltic Republics

-5%

Country:

Estonia

Flight:

Not included

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Tour type:

Tour id:

124661

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  • Operator:

    Explore!

  • Length:

    15 days

  • Group size:

    18 pax

  • Age:

    16 to 85

  • Difficulty:

    Difficulty levels:
    • Relaxing
    • Easy
    • Moderate
    • Serious
    • Heart-pumping
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Journey through the capitals and countryside of the Baltic states on this two-week tour of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. From charming palaces to ancient castles, and UNESCO-listed Old Towns to sprawling national parks, witness the Baltics' fairytale charm. Spot wooden windmills on Estonia's largest island, step inside the opulent Rundale Palace, and walk along the rolling dunes of the Curonian Spit, while you learn about the history and culture of these fascinating states.

Explore the Baltic capitals - Wander through the enchanting capital cities: Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.

Walk the Curonian Spit National Park - Uncover the vast sand dunes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get closer to history on Saaremaa - Discover timeworn windmills, medieval churches, and juniper groves on Estonia's largest island.

Tour program

Day 1

Join trip in Tallinn, Estonia

Our tour of the Baltics starts in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. The city itself is something of fairytale wonder, perched on a hill overlooking the sea and with a charming medieval old town that's earned itself UNESCO World Heritage status. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting followed by the option to go for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive at any time. If you would like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Tallinn Airport (TLL), around a 10-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the meeting, our tour leader will catch you up ASAP. Tallinn is a walkable city so if your flight arrives earlier, you might like to stretch your legs and explore. Take a stroll down the cobbled streets that lead to the bustling town square and marvel at the 14th-century town hall.

Start point

Toompuiestee 37, 10133 Tallinn, Estonia

18:00

Today, we'll spend some time uncovering the enchanting streets of Tallinn. Less than 100 kilometres across the water from Helsinki and midway between St Petersburg and Stockholm, Tallinn has fallen under a multitude of cultural influences over the centuries. In 1561, it was seized by the Swedes and held until the Russians overtook it, industrialising much of the medieval town. The town itself is something of fairytale wonder, perched on a hill overlooking the sea. We'll begin to explore it on foot, starting in the picturesque Old Town. Walking through the cobbled streets, the colourful houses show off influence from the German, Scandinavian and Russian periods of Tallinn's history, we'll pass by them and wander towards the old merchants' quarter and the busy town square, which is always bustling with tourists and locals sipping coffee or beer at the many pavement cafes. We'll tick off all the highlights, from the Gothic town hall to the pink Parliament buildings and the Toompea Castle and yellow Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This afternoon is free for you to explore more at your own pace.
Today, we'll drive toward the Gulf of Riga before heading for the largest of the offshore islands, Saaremaa, by ferry. En-route, we'll stop off on Muhu Island where there'll be the option to visit the Koguva Museum - an open-air museum that offers a fascinating look at the old way of life. Once we arrive on Saaremaa, we'll stop at the Karja Church with its rich medieval stone sculptured decoration and photogenic Angla Windmills. We'll also visit the 4000-year-old Kaali Crater, which was created by a meteorite with an impact comparable to the Hiroshima bomb, incinerating the forests around it. Please note, between mid-September and mid-April, the Koguva Museum is closed on Mondays so our optional visit will take place on day four.
We'll spend today on Saaremaa, taking in the relaxed atmosphere and landscape strewn with windmills, churches, and juniper groves. The main town on the island is Kuressaare and we'll spend some time exploring the town hall and St Laurentius Church. In your free time, there'll be the option to visit Bishop's Palace, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Today, we'll take a short ferry ride back to the mainland before driving to Tartu, the oldest town in Estonia. On the way, we'll stop at the old town of Parnu for lunch and to stretch our legs. Then, this evening, we'll have free time to explore the vibrant university city of Tartu.
This morning, we'll have another opportunity to explore the 18th-century architecture of this cultural city on a walking tour. We'll head to Raekoja Plats (the town square) with its famous kissing students statue before visiting Toomemagi Cathedral Hill, a 5th-century stronghold come university. Later, there'll be more free time to uncover the beautiful city further. If your feet need a rest, you might like to try one of the restaurants in the main square.
Today we'll journey to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Along the way, we'll pass through an area that has many protestant links - one of the legacies left from the days of the Crusaders. On their return from the Holy Wars in the 13th century, the Knights of the Sword were sent to convert the pagan Baltic people. As well as being rich in history, northwest Latvia offers abundant scenery, too. The area is dotted with quaint villages, forests, and lakes. We'll make a stop at Cesis in the Gauja National Park, where there'll be the chance to visit the ruins of the 13th-century Order of Knight's Castle, as well as the Church of St. John. Before arriving in Riga, we'll also visit Turaida Castle. The medieval castle sits on the banks of the Gauja River, and its redbrick structure is imposing amongst the trees.
Today, we'll explore Riga's enchanting, cobbled streets. Though one-third of Lativa's population lives in the capital, the must-see sites are in a small area, so they are easy to see on foot. We'll take a walking tour of the old city, sitting on the banks of the Daugava River, it's one of the most picturesque places in the Baltics and it's easy to see why it's graced many a travel guide front cover. Our walk will take us via all the highlights, from the Freedom Monument to Gunpowder Tower and St. Jacob's Church to the cathedral. In this area, gothic buildings are juxtaposed with baroque architecture and there are art nouveau masterpieces at every turn. Riga also has a lively market, located in several disused Zeppelin hangers, with stalls upon stalls of local produce, including smoked fish, sauerkraut, pickled garlic, and crusty cheeses. It's a great spot to get a flavour of the local cuisine.
As Riga is such a charming spot, we have left today free for you to explore more of it at your own pace. You might choose to relax with a long lunch at one of the traditional restaurants. Latvian cooking, as in all Baltic states, is wholesome with a focus on soups, stews, cheese, and meat-stuffed pastries. There are plenty of street cafes, too, if you fancy a spot of people watching while you sip a locally brewed dark beer. Alternatively, you might like to visit Jurmala, a series of coastal villages with long sandy beaches and pretty cottages.
Heading south this morning, we'll visit Rundale Palace. This 18th-century palace was commissioned by Anna, the Empress of Russia, for her lover, Count Biron and designed by the very same architect who built the Hermitage in St Petersburg. With its 138 rooms, furnished with exquisite art and furniture, it's a classic example of the fusion of German and Russian society. After our visit, we'll cross into Lithuania. The largest of the three countries is distinguished from its neighbours by its Catholicism. Although Lithuania converted to Christianity almost 200 years later than its northern neighbours, the church retained its power and even today most people are devoutly religious. We'll stop at the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, where a vast number of rosaries and crosses adorn a small hill. In the past, both German and Soviet troops have tried to destroy the monument, but each time, thousands of crosses and images of the Virgin reappear. Eventually, we'll journey on to Klaipeda, a major port and the third-largest city in Lithuania, where we'll spend the night.
We'll spend this morning exploring the area around Curonian Spit National Park, where the forests are inhabited by moose, wild boar and many bird species. While there, we'll also visit the wooden sculptures at the Hill of Witches and the little fishing town of Nida. Situated on drifting sand dunes, Nida is constantly shifting, meaning the community has had to move with nature over the centuries. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk along the beach for amber, which is often found here after a storm. Depending on the weather, we'll either spend more time at the beach or drive back to Klaipeda to explore more of the city.
Today we'll journey to Kaunas, which was the country's capital between 1920 and 1939, while Vilnius was annexed by the Poles. The city is situated right in the heart of Lithuania and is home to centuries\ old buildings that date back to the Gothic period and the 17th century. After a tour of the town, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace.
On the way to Vilnius today, we'll stop at the Pazaislis Monastery, the largest monastic complex in the country and a great example of baroque architecture. We'll also visit Trakai, the former home of the Grand Duchy, and its 14th-century castle set on its own island. Once we reach the capital, Vilnius, we'll have the evening free to explore.
Today, we'll set about ticking off all of the capital's must-sees. The catholic influence in the city is evident from the numerous baroque churches and we'll take a tour to see some of them. We'll also visit the ancient university - founded by the Jesuits. Another highlight is the Gates of the Dawn chapel, which is home to the Madonna of the Gates of Dawn. This afternoon is left free to explore at your own pace.
Our tour of the Baltic capitals ends at our hotel in Vilnius. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Vilnius International Airport (VNO), around a ten-minute drive from the hotel.

End point

8, Slucko g., Vilnius 09312, Lithuania

09:00

Tour Details

accommodation

  • 14 nights standard hotel

Our comfortable, mid- range accommodation offers a good level of service, often with amenities such as, restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool. Rooms generally have en-suite facilities.

Bus, Ferry

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered.

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. 



Tallinn: Maritime Museum Seaplane Harbour €15.00 per person plus €85.00 for a local guide per group; Bastion Tunnels €7.00 including local guide 


 Kuressaare: Bishop's Palace €5.00; visit to a local farmhouse with food tasting €40.00.


 Tartu: Estonia National Museum of History €12.00.


 Riga: Castle Complex €6.00; observation deck at the Academy of Science €4.00; KGB Museum free admission and from €3.50 for a guided tour; Riga Canal Boat Tour €18.00 for one hour including audio guide; excursion by local train to Jurmala €15.00 for 10 participates or more including a guide and train tickets.


 Kaunas: Holocaust Memorial €3.00 with local guide; Sugihara House €3.00. 


 Vilnius: Amber Museum free entrance; TV Tower €10.00 including audio guide; KGB Museum €5.00 or €20.00 for a guided tour.


 In Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, it may be possible to attend an evening performance at the ballet, opera or a concert (except during July and August when the majority of the companies are on tour abroad); please check with your Explore Leader on arrival and allow €60.00 per performance. 


International flights not included in the tour cost
All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price.  

You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options



14 Breakfasts

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader's ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Good to know

Currency

Estonia

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Plug type C

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Plug type E

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Plug type F

Customer reviews

Overall

4.3

Itinerary

4.6

Guide

4.8

Transport

4.3

Accommodation

3.6

Food

3.7

Operator

4.5

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?
You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.
Which payment options are available?
We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.
Can I change or cancel my reservation?
Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.
What documents are required to participate in the tour?
You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.

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