On this trip we explore the highlights of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in under two weeks.
The countryside, national parks and coastal areas of these countries are both varied and stunning, adding a touch of wilderness to the history, art, architecture and culture of the cities and towns that we visit as we journey from Tallinn to Vilnius.
With street art, sculpture, incredible architecture and fascinating historical sites, this trip will undoubtedly satisfy your cultural hunger. However, the wild and open settings and picturesque landscapes will also feed your imagination.
Cuisine in this area is often centred around pork, veal, fish, potatoes, sauerkraut and soups such as borsch (beetroot soup with meat; in Lithuania this is also served cold). Dumplings are also very popular and in Trakai, large baked dumplings called kibinai are traditionally served and are very good.
This is quite a busy itinerary based around sightseeing and exploring the Baltic States. There is a fair amount of walking around towns, cities and parks, these are all on good paths, mainly wooden boarded, so you will just need a pair of good trainers to be comfortable. The walks are suitable for anyone with a reasonable fitness. In order to visit all the highlights of the countries there are some long bus journeys.
After a transfer to our hotel we settle in.
You stay at a comfortable hotel
Today we will explore the vibrant city of Tallinn, Estonia's capital and largest city. The Old Town, framed by old city walls, is full of architectural gems. In the morning we will have a guided tour of the city taking in some of the main attractions like the Toompea Palace and Castle, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome Church and the St. Nicholas Church. You will then have a free afternoon to explore the picturesque Old Town. Unlike most European cities, Tallinn's Old Town is completely free from modern buildings. You can leave modern life behind as you explore the cobble stone alleys with spluttering torches and secret stairways; the Old Town holds new surprises around every corner, even for its old residents. Overnight in Tallinn's Old Town.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
In the morning we leave Tallinn and start the journey to Tartu stopping off at the Lahemaa National Park. This. is the largest in Estonia and is a popular tourist destination due to its untouched sandy beaches, waterfalls, cascades and mossy pine forests. The park offers a variety of cultural sights like Palmse Manor and the 400-year-old fisherman's village of Altja. After lunch we transfer to Tartu for a guided tour. Tartu is Estonia's second largest town and the capital of Southern Estonia. The town is rich with Estonian culture offering festivals, concerts and theatre exhibitions. We spend the night in a hotel in the centre of Tartu.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
Cesis is an old town with a long history and is now known as a centre of art and culture. Situated on the Gauja River valley, its old town is one of the finest in Latvia. Its cobbled streets have retained a timeless appearance since the Middle Ages, the fine buildings have kept their red tiled roofs and restored their facades, making this a charming place to while away some time. The city is famed for its mediaeval castle, a partly preserved fortification that has been knocked down and rebuilt in various forms. We will visit the castle and the museum in the morning and take a guided tour of the buildings. We transfer to the Gauja National Park where we will enjoy a guided walk of the park, here we will visit the Turaida Castle and its adjoining sculpture gardens before making our way to Riga, the Latvian capital. There will also be the option to take the cable car (5 euros paid locally) across the Gauja River so we can then walk down to the Gutmanis Cave.
You stay at the Hotel PK Riga (breakfast included)
This morning the magnificent Old Town of Riga awaits. We will have a guided tour of the city to discover its winding alleys, elegant boulevards and 800 renovated Art Nouveau buildings. You will then be free to soak up the charming and romantic atmosphere of the city and enjoy a relaxing lunch and explore some of the town's great shops.
You stay at the Hotel PK Riga (breakfast included)
In the morning we transfer from Riga to Jurmala; Jurmala is the largest seaside and spa resort in the Baltic States and is known for its unique natural resources such as its healing mineral waters, pine forests and sand dunes. The town is also famous for its unique wooden Art Nouveau architecture. After exploring the town we will transfer back to Riga for the night.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
Firstly we visit Rundale Palace; the palace was designed for the Duke of Courland in the C18 by Italian architect Rastrelli, who also designed the winter palace in St. Petersburg. Today the palace is the most magnificent piece of architecture in the Baltic States. We then cross the border to Lithuania and have some time to explore the famous Hill of Crosses before transferring to Klaipeda Port for a short tour around the small old town. The tour is a perfect chance to explore the old town with its reconstructed merchant houses and the magnificent ruins of Klaipeda Castle. We spend the night in the centre of Klaipeda, the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Castle and other attractions.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
We start the day with a short ferry ride across the lagoon to the Curonian Spit. Here we have the day to explore the largest drifting sand dunes in Europe - the Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. There will be a visit to the Hill of Witches and an excursion to the Lithuanian sea resort of Nida to climb the Great Dune for the spectacular views. We transfer back to Klaipeda where we spend the night.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
We transfer to the Plokstine forest and visit the Cold War Museum located in the former Soviet Union's complex of ballistic missile launch. Today this secret base is open to the public; you can view the internal control facility and see former missiles as well as listen to expositions about the five decades of the Cold War, one of the most famous and dangerous military conflicts in human history. We then travel to the town of Kaunas, here we take a walking tour around the beautiful Old Town. The Old Town of Kaunas has a collection of important monuments like the C13 castle, the old town hall, the Cathedral Basilica and the Church of St. Francis Xavier. We stay overnight in Kaunas.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
The first stop is the Church and Monastery of Pazaislis to see one of the most wonderful Baroque architectural masterpieces in north-eastern Europe. The monastery is located on the picturesque bank of the Kaunas Lagoon. We then stop in Trakai, the former capital of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here we will go for a tour around the amazing C14 castle. Situated on a small island in the middle of the lake it is known as the town on the water. We then transfer to Vilnius were we stay the night.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
Today we have the whole day to explore Vilnius. There is a guided tour of the city in the morning and then plenty of time to explore the city at your own pace. The city was developed around its Town Hall and there is a great deal of diverse architecture to explore. There are many narrow streets that lead to intimate courtyards, in addition to the larger landmarks of the castle complex, Cathedral Square and the Royal Palace. There are also plenty of museums to while away some hours. Overnight in Vilnius.
You stay at a comfortable hotel (breakfast included)
After breakfast we will leave Vilnius and fly home.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
There are some fantastic hotels on this trip. All are 3 or 4-star rated and ideally located for access to the key sights. A real highlight is the hotel in Kaunas where you have access to the pool and sauna.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback and pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. Below is a small selection of reviews we've received from our satisfied customers.
Andrew came across as competent, knowledgeable and pfriendly. He was able to answer questions that we put to him. He stated clearly what the next steps are as we booked our holiday. Very good service indeed.
Efficient , knowledgeable, helpful . All the things you need from a travel agent dealing with bespoke holidays .
I was pleased that Megan spotted the room I was being allocated was a double not a twin. I appreciated that she looked for the best deal on the flights. She was very friendly and helpful.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 11 night guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation
All breakfasts
Management by our sister company, Exodus
Services of an experienced walking guide
Standard group transfers from your final hotel (if booking inclusive flights)
Travel by bus and ferry
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Minimum group sizes
A minimum of 6 people (in total) are required for each departure.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.
Holiday type
Guided walking Managed by our sister company, Exodus.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Tallinn airport at 00:00, and back to Vilnius airport at 00:00.
If you choose to book your own flights please check with us first that your chosen departure date is definitely operating as our guided holidays are subject to minimum group sizes.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
