Nordic & Baltic Escape

Look forward to a free day to discover the highlights of Helsinki at your own pace. To truly immerse yourself in local Finnish culture, be sure to pay a visit to Oodi, the Central Library which offers a wide array of free activities, or sweat it out at a sauna! Alternatively, choose to join the Suomenlinna Fortress optional and experience the fascinating history of this island with a guided tour. This excursion also included entrance to the Helsinki City Museum and a visit to a local café renowned for its chocolate.

Wave farewell to Finland as the tour makes its way to the first of the Baltic States today! Enjoy a comfortable ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital city! Arrive in Tallinn and soak up the city’s incomparable medieval charm at a local restaurant in the Old Town Square. Then, join an expert local guide on a walking tour of the UNESCO-protected Old Town. Be enchanted by the towering spires and well-preserved medieval architecture. Later, enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace.

• Catch a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn

• Enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn

• Discover Tallinn with a local guide

Take your time in Tallinn today with a whole free day to explore at your own pace. The Old Town’s cobblestone streets are full of captivating sights. Why not climb up St. Olav’s church tower or the Kiek in de Kök Tower for panoramic views? Or, experience the more modern side of Tallinn with a visit to the ultra-hip Telliskivi Creative City. However you choose to spend this free day, Tallinn is sure to capture your heart with its blend of unique cultural highlights and age-old charm.

The next Baltic capital is on the cards today as the tour travels from Tallinn to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Before crossing the border, enjoy a stop in the quaint Estonian resort city of Pärnu. Then, it’s on to Latvia! First stop is the seaside town of Saulkrasti on the Gulf of Riga. After soaking up some ocean air, depart for Riga. Arrive and pay a visit to the Latvian Military to learn about the country’s history. After checking into the hotel, set off on an orientation walking tour of Riga’s UNESCO-listed Old Town which is famed for its exceptional Art Nouveau architecture!

• Sightsee in Pärnu; a resort city in Estonia

• Visit Saulkrasti; a Latvian seaside town

• Learn about Latvian history at the Latvian War Cemetery

• Discover Riga; Latvia’s vibrant capital

Today offers a full free day to roam through Riga! For an authentic taste of local cuisine and culture, don’t miss out on a visit to the Central Market. This is Europe’s largest indoor market and you could spend hours wandering through its stalls and tasting local and international treats. Riga is also home to a number of fascinating museums such as the renowned House of the Blackheads or the informative Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Take your time to stroll through the Old Town, grab a coffee at a café or wander through one of the city’s impressive green spaces.

Tick off the last (but certainly not least) of the three Baltic capitals today and head to Vilnius! After breakfast, hop on the coach and cross the border into Lithuania. Today’s first stop is the mysterious Hill of Cross, a religious pilgrimage site full of thousands of crosses and religious figures. Next stop is the dreamy town of Trakai, home to the fairytale Trakai Island Castle! Finally, arrive in Lithuania’s vibrant capital, Vilnius. Embark on a guided tour through some of the city’s top sights including the Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower, the Palace of the Grand Dukes and the Church of St. Anner. Enjoy some free time to explore on your own before sitting down for an included dinner.

• Visit the famous Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

• Marvel at Trakai Island Castle

• Explore Vilnius; capital of Lithuania

Experience the many hidden gems and highlights of Vilnius during your free day today. For a full-day exploration of the city, join the Vilnius+ optional excursion. Set off on a tour of the quirky, self-proclaimed artists republic of Užupis, enjoy a delicious local lunch, explore a former prison-turned-event-venue and visit an Amber Museum! Alternatively, wander through the city at your own pace. Tick off the many Baroque architectural delights of the Old Town, take a stroll through the lush Bernardine Gardens or find a cute café to relax in.

Today, experience more Lithuanian highlights before leaving the Baltics behind. This morning, head to Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city. Learn more about this fascinating city which was, at one point, the country’s temporary capital. Enjoy some free time to admire the Kaunas Castle and grab lunch. This afternoon, hop back on the coach towards Klaipeda, a charming port city. Arrive and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town which is known for its unique 18th-century wooden houses. Then, take some time to visit the Lithuanian Sea Museum which is housed in a 19th-century fort! This evening, climb aboard an overnight ferry to Karlshamn, Sweden!

• Experience the rich culture of Kaunas

• Discover the quaint port city of Klaipėda

Enjoy breakfast on the ferry this morning before arriving in Karlshamn. Arrive and hop back on the coach for a scenic journey towards the coastal city of Malmö. Discover this cosmopolitan city, which is Sweden’s third-largest, on an orientation tour. Then, enjoy some free time for lunch. Swedish meatballs, anyone? Afterwards, head to Copenhagen and keep your eyes peeled for the impressive Øresund Bridge on the way! Arrive in Denmark’s captivating capital city with some free time to spare before tonight’s optional farewell dinner. This is the perfect way to say goodbye after an unforgettable trip!

• Marvel at the stunning Swedish coastal city of Malmö

• Visit Copenhagen, capital of Denmark

This memorable Scandinavian and Baltic group tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Be sure to exchange contact details with your new travel buddies before saying goodbye! Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onward and hopes to see you on tour with us again soon.