Accommodation

7 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.

Meals

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 7 Breakfasts 4 Dinners

Transport

Bus

Guide

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.

Others

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.

Not included:

Others

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.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Vilnius, Lithuania
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip In Vilnius, Lithuania

Our tour begins in Lithuania’s vibrant capital, Vilnius. With its blend of medieval and baroque architecture and its cosmopolitan nightlife, the city gives you a taste of the duality of the Baltic capitals. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner for those who fancy it. There are no activities planned today, so you re free to arrive at any time. Should you miss the meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If you d like an airport transfer, you’ll need to arrive into Vilnius International Airport (VNO), around a ten-minute drive away from our hotel. Arriving earlier in the day? You might like to get acquainted with Vilnius Old Town, with its network of quaint, cobbled streets, or head for lunch in the trendy Naujamiestis (Uptown) neighbourhood. Food in the Baltic States is traditionally hearty, influenced by Russia and Germany, and favours comforting soups and casseroles. The capital cities are known for their thriving food and drink scenes, offering up dishes from around the world. There’s a focus on homegrown cooking, using local produce, which doesn’t stop at the food - you’ll stumble upon locally brewed beer at every turn, too.
Day 2 Day 2: Walking Tour Of Vilnius And Visit To The Kgb Museum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Walking Tour Of Vilnius And Visit To The Kgb Museum

Today, we’ll get acquainted with the capital on a walking tour of its cobbled streets. The city has Catholic and Jewish heritage, which is evident in its architecture. Our walk will take us via the old university which was founded by the Jesuits and was at the centre of the counter reformation. We’ll also stop by the cathedral - Vilnius crown jewel - and the Gate of the Dawn chapel, home of the Black Madonna. Leaving the Old Town behind, we’ll wander on to the city’s cosmopolitan heart and its main shopping street, which houses the opera house, parliament building, and plenty of bustling cafes. Later in the afternoon, we’ll delve into the darker side of Vilnius history with a visit to the KGB Museum. Located in the former KGB Headquarters, the museum offers a sombre look at the city’s past Soviet rule, documenting the crimes that were planned and committed in the very same spot.
Day 3 Day 3: Drive To Pakruojis Manor Via Trakai Castle And Kaunas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Drive To Pakruojis Manor Via Trakai Castle And Kaunas

We have a full day’s journey ahead of us today as we drive to Pakruojis. We’ll make the most of it, with plenty of stops along the way. First, we’ll stop and seeTrakai Castle, set on an island in Lake Galve, the 14th-century Gothic castle was built by the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The interior is currently undergoing rennovation so we’ll marvel at the stunning architecture and unique setting from the outside only. We’ll then continue to Kaunas for lunch. Kaunas was Lithuania’s capital for 19 years, between 1920 and 1939, while Vilnius was annexed by the Poles. Right in the heart of the country, it’s often regarded as Lithuania’s most characteristic city with buildings dating back to the 17th century. Finally, in the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Pakruojis Manor, our base for tonight. The manor is a living museum consisting of 34 buildings including a main house, stable block, mill, and perfumery, all set within a stunning park. It gives us a glimpse of how the residents and staff would have lived and worked in the 19th century. We’ll have the opportunity to explore before sitting down to a traditional dinner followed by a tasting session of the beers that are brewed onsite.
Day 4 Day 4: Visit The Hill Of Crosses And Walking Tour Of Riga, Latvia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Visit The Hill Of Crosses And Walking Tour Of Riga, Latvia

Before leaving Lithuania today, 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. This afternoon, we’ll continue to Latvia’s capital, Riga. On arrival, we’ll take a walking tour to get acquainted with the city. Riga is a very walkable destination, with most of its must-sees in one area - we’ll take advantage of this and tick off the Freedom Monument, Gunpowder Tower, Saint Jacob’s Church and the cathedral along the way.
Day 5 Day 5: Visit Riga Central Market And The Christmas Market
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit Riga Central Market And The Christmas Market

This morning, we’ll head into Riga’s Central Market. The unique structure - a cluster of former Zeppelin hangers - sits on the banks of the River Daugava and houses stalls upon stalls of local produce such as smoked fish, sauerkraut, pickled garlic and crusty cheeses. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. You might want to spend some time taking in the picturesque skyline - arguably one of the best in the Baltics - strewn with spires and towers. The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and Riga Castle are well worth a visit, and there are plenty of local restaurants in the old town to dig into a long lunch, washed down with a glass of Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur. There’s no better place to spend Christmas Eve than in Riga, where the tradition of trimming the tree began. We’ll head to the spot where the very first decorated Christmas tree once stood, way back in the 16th century. Once we ve soaked up some Christmas spirit there, our tour leader will take us to the Riga Christmas Market, where you can purchase last-minute presents and enjoy a hot drink to keep you warm. Tonight, we’ll sit down to a three-course meal at a local restaurant.
Day 6 Day 6: Drive To Tallinn, Estonia Via The Seaside City Of Parnu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Drive To Tallinn, Estonia Via The Seaside City Of Parnu

On Christmas morning, we’ll wave goodbye to Latvia and head for Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, around a five-hour drive away. After we ve crossed the border, we’ll stop in the seaside town of Parnu on the Gulf of Lavonia. This Baltic coast spa resort has been popular with tourists since the 1830s with people flocking to revitalise in the Parnu Mud Baths. After time here for lunch, we’ll continue to Tallinn. The compact capital of Estonia is easy to explore on foot. From the Gothic town hall to the Kiek in de Kok (the 15th-century defence tower), Tallinn has charm and wonder at every turn. It’s famed for its Medieval architecture and Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic city centres in the world. There’s a lively food and drink scene with plenty of modern as well as traditional eateries and wine bars. We’ll celebrate Christmas together with a three-course meal.
Day 7 Day 7: Walking Tour Of Tallinn And Visit To The Bastion Tunnels
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Walking Tour Of Tallinn And Visit To The Bastion Tunnels

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 has a sense 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, we’ll visit the Bastion Tunnels beneath the city. Constructed in the 1670s, these were used by the military as defensive tunnels. They lay unused until the start of World War II, when they were renovated to be used as bomb shelters. Please note that occasionally, if an event is taking place at the tunnels, we might have to alter our itinerary. Instead, we’ll visit the Dominican Monastery to learn about the influence of the Dominican religious order in the Middle Ages. A monk at the monastery will take us on a candlelit tour and, of course, we’ll have a chance to try the traditional monastery liqueur.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends In Tallinn, Estonia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Ends In Tallinn, Estonia

Our tour of the Baltic capitals ends at our hotel in Tallinn. There are no activities planned today, so you re free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you d like a hotel transfer, you’ll need to depart from Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL), around a ten-minute drive from the hotel.

8 days tour

Baltic Capital Cities (Christmas)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Baltic Capital Cities (Christmas)

Day 1: Join Trip In Vilnius, Lithuania

Day 2: Walking Tour Of Vilnius And Visit To The Kgb Museum

Day 3: Drive To Pakruojis Manor Via Trakai Castle And Kaunas

Day 4: Visit The Hill Of Crosses And Walking Tour Of Riga, Latvia

Day 5: Visit Riga Central Market And The Christmas Market

Day 6: Drive To Tallinn, Estonia Via The Seaside City Of Parnu

Day 7: Walking Tour Of Tallinn And Visit To The Bastion Tunnels

Day 8: Trip Ends In Tallinn, Estonia

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