Original
Explorer
Baltic Experience
12 days • 4.7
4.5
Excellent
83 reviews
12 days
Start
Helsinki, Finland
Finish
Vilnius, Lithuania
Trip Code
BMSE
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Public bus, Ferry, Canoe, Private vehicle, Train, Tram, Cable car
Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
From £1,988(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Walk through the perfectly preserved medieval wall and watchtowers of Tallinn's Old Town, a great place to explore on foot.
Explore the 13th-century Turaida Castle on a guided tour, then wander through pristine woodlands and along the winding Guaja River.
Visit Aukstaitija National Park, which offers unique opportunities for both action and relaxation. Kayak across the lakes, indulge in home-cooked meals or cleanse yourself in a traditional sauna.
Cycle along the endless dunes and stunning beaches of Lithuania's Curonian Spit National Park on a full-day bike tour, making a visit to Nida village along the way.
See the ornate architecture of Riga’s Old Town, where the narrow and pastel-coloured buildings house bars and restaurants.
Is this trip right for you?
Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to have the best value holiday in Scandinavia.
Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Occasionally bathrooms will be shared with other guests.
Many hotel rooms in Europe are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
This trip is designed to give you a fair amount of free time so you can explore each destination at your own pace. We will, however, take you on regular orientation walks, so you'll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries.
We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations, ferry ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
Make sure to check the weather for the time of year you wish to visit, as it can vary significantly depending on season.
There are a few long days of travel by public transport (up to 7 hours), as you'll be covering a lot of ground. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in either Copenhagen or Oslo. Check out our trips 'Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit' and 'Oslo to Vilnius'.
Itinerary
Discover diverse delights in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Experience the Baltic states on this 12-day adventurous journey through Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From the medieval spires of Tallinn and the funky bars of Riga to the Baroque-styled quirks of Vilnius, hidden delights await at every turn. Visit colourful markets, be immersed in art and architecture and kayak on Lithuanian lakes. Hike through forest, learn about the layered history here and indulge in homecooked meals with friendly hosts. Join a trip with likeminded travellers and discover the rich history and fascinating customs of this region on our journey from Helsinki to Vilnius.
Inclusions
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Public bus, Ferry, Canoe, Private vehicle, Train, Tram, Cable car
Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
Included activities
Tallinn - Leader led orientation walk
Sigulda - Gauja River Cable Car
Sigulda - Day Trip
Sigulda - Turaida Castle Guided Tour
Riga - Leader led orientation walk
Siauliai - Hill of Crosses
Curonian Spit - Bike Ride
Curonian Spit - Full Day Trip to the National Park
Aukstaitija National Park - Guided Kayak Trip
Optional activities
Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum - EUR22
Helsinki - Cathedral - EUR10
Helsinki - City Museum - Free
Helsinki - Design Museum - EUR20
Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum - EUR14
Helsinki - Open-Air Museum Seurasaari - EUR18
Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR22
Helsinki - Rock Church - EUR8
Tallinn - Estonian History Museum - EUR13
Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace - EUR13
Tallinn - Peter The Great Museum - EUR5
Tallinn - City Bike Tour - EUR28
Tallinn - City Museum - EUR8
Tallinn - Kiek in de Kök Tower Museum - EUR12
Tallinn - TV Tower - EUR16
Tallinn - The Estonian Maritime Museum - EUR30
Tallin - Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom - EUR14
Riga - Riverboat Cruise - EUR20
Riga - St Peter's Tower - EUR9
Riga - Central Market Halls - Free
Riga - Museum of Occupation of Latvia - EUR8
Riga - Beer Spa - EUR151
Riga - Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum - EUR5
Riga - Riga Art Nouveau Center - EUR9
Riga - Panorama Observation deck of the Latvian Academy of Science - EUR8
Nida - Fisherman Ethnographic Museum - EUR2
Aukstaitija National Park - Sauna - EUR80
Aukstaitija National Park - Bike Hire - EUR20
Aukstaitija National Park - Beekeeping Museum - EUR6
Vilnius - Trakai Island Castle - EUR12
Vilnius - TV Tower - EUR16
Vilnius - Gediminas Castle Tower - EUR8
Vilnius - University Museum - EUR3
Vilnius - National Museum - EUR6
Vilnius - Museum Of Occupations And Freedom Fights - EUR6
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Days 9 and 10 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for ferry tickets. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
Reviews (79)
5 stars
64
4 stars
11
3 stars
1
2 stars
2
1 star
1
Carolyn
May 14, 2025
This tour was one of the best I have ever experienced. Our guide Ance is a real credit to Intrepid and her people skills are exceptional, and her knowledge of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania extensive. Everything was well organised and we had a cohesive and happy group as a result of her enthusiasm, energy and kindness. There was a great balance between city tours and time enjoying nature and partaking in outdoor activities.
Rochele
Oct 15, 2024
The Baltic Experience tour was amazing! I highly recommend this tour. Gundega, my guide was fantastic! The Baltics are wonderful places to explore. As a solo traveller I always felt safe!
Jolene
Sep 30, 2024
This is an excellent itinerary, combining the best of some of the world’s loveliest cities and some places more off the beaten path. I loved all the stops and was fortunate to have Peter as guide.
Gerhard
Sep 25, 2024
Amazing tour, I would totally recommend
Deborah
Sep 25, 2024
The Baltic Experience truly was a fabulous experience. Peter our tour leader was excellent and really helped make our trip an unforgettable one. I would definitely recommend
John
Sep 23, 2024
Baltic states were extremely interesting. Mixture of cities and rural areas was big plus. Enough free time in Tallinn and Riga, including a chance to attend English language church service in Riga. Tour leader excellent.
Stephen
Sep 05, 2024
We loved this trip! It was 4 new countries for us, each with its own culture and flavor. Our trip leader was great, with fun activities and good recommendations for food and our free time. It was worth the extra days to get out of the cities and off the beaten track.
Elly
Aug 28, 2024
A fantastic trip with Agata who has a fantastic sense of humour and a great knowledge of the Baltic states. Totally recommend!
David
Aug 28, 2024
I was very impressed with the overall experience. Our guide was amazing.
Anna
Aug 28, 2024
The Baltic Experience trip is a fantastic opportunity to see an amazing part of the world. Great and knowledgeable guides and amazing opportunity to learn about somewhere in the world that I knew so little about. Thanks
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