Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Cabin (1 night)

Others

Vilnius - Walking Tour with Local Guide Riga - Central Market Visit Riga - Leader-led orientation walk Tallinn - Kadriorg Palace Art Museum

Guide

All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

PRIVATE VEHICLES: Our private vehicles are locally sourced and are air conditioned and comfortable, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it. PUBLIC BUSES: This trip covers some distances by public buses. Buses in the Baltic States can range from high standard coaches with reclining seats and air-conditioning to Soviet era vehicles for shorter distances. But half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, and that’s why we like to travel the local way wherever feasible. Private vehicle , Ferry , Public bus

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Vilnius
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Vilnius

Labas! Welcome to Lithuania. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Vilnius with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at the hotel. If you arrive early, spend some time getting to know the city, home to lots of hip bars, cool cafes and street art. After the meeting, you’ll have the option to join your leader and new travel companions for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Vilnius
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Vilnius

This morning, join the group for a leader-led orientation walk through the city. You’ll pass through Cathedral Square and the UNESCO-listed Old Town, learning about the legend of Vilnius’ creation and the prestigious history of Vilnius University. Continue to Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn – a famed painting of the Virgin Mary that adorns the 16th-century city gates. You’ll then have some free time to maybe hike to Gediminas Castle Tower or check out the views from the lofty TV tower – Lithuania’s tallest building and the location of where Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union. This afternoon, visit Trakai Island Castle – sitting on an island in Lake Galve, the construction of this stone castle began in the 14th century by Kestutis. Around 1409, major works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great, who died in this castle in 1430.
Day 3 Day 3: Riga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Riga

Hop aboard a comfortable public bus to Riga, Latvia. When you arrive, transfer to the hotel, just a short walk from the symbolic Freedom Monument – or, as she’s affectionately known to the locals, Milda. Head out on a guided walk with your leader, navigating the narrow, cobbled streets to discover the key sights of the Old Town. You’ll stop for lunch at the sprawling Central Market, housed within five repurposed Zeppelin hangars. The stalls feature everything from local pastries and traditional Latvian soups to tempura and fried chicken. Maybe try a few of the local specialities – such as Riga black balsam (an herbal liqueur) – before digging into a meal made from fresh, seasonal Latvian produce.
Day 4 Day 4: Riga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Riga

Today is a free day to get to know Riga at your own pace. Most of the Art Nouveau architecture the city is known for can be found in the neighbourhood known as ’the quiet centre’. You could stroll along the canal that intersects the city’s central park or visit one of the many museums. Maybe take in views of the city with a drink at a rooftop cafe (your leader will be able to make some recommendations) or, if the weather is right, make the trip to the popular beach resort town of Jurmala.
Day 5 Day 5: Saaremaa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Saaremaa

Rise early for the trip to Saaremaa Island – the largest island in Estonia. This heavily forested island is known among Estonians as the perfect place to relax in nature, and you’ll see why. Arrive in the island’s south by the late afternoon and transfer to your accommodation for the evening. You’ll stay in a cosy locally-owned property, surrounded by forest, in a log cabin. You may like to take a walk in the woods and work up an appetite for dinner tonight, which will feature some hearty local favourites like Baltic herrings and potatoes with dill.
Day 6 Day 6: Tallinn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Tallinn

After breakfast, head to the biggest town on the island – Kuressaare. One of the biggest draws here is Kuressaare Castle – one of Estonia’s best preserved fortresses, complete with terracotta conical spires and a shimmering moat. Spend some time exploring the castle grounds and accompanying museum to learn more about life on Saaremaa throughout the ages. Then, hop on a public bus to the Estonian capital of Tallinn – now a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its historic Old Town. When you arrive, maybe explore the streets of the Old Town at your own pace and ask your leader for the best spots for some local cuisine.
Day 7 Day 7: Tallinn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Tallinn

Get you acquainted with the key sights of Tallinn on an orientation walk. Then, head to a marzipan (a sweet made of almonds and powdered sugar) workshop in one of the oldest coffee shops in the city. Marzipan is one of the oldest sweets made in Estonia and locals are convinced that the honour of inventing marzipan belongs to them! During the workshop, you’ll paint your own marzipan figurine under the guidance of your local instructor as you learn about the history of marzipan. This afternoon, maybe hire a bike for some active sightseeing. Tonight, you might like to head out with the group for one last meal together, washed down with a glass of kali (a fizzy drink made from boiled rye bread).
Day 8 Day 8: Tallinn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Tallinn

Time to say farewell to your fellow travellers – your trip ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned for today, but Tallinn has a lot to offer and there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few more days. If you’d like the extend your time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

8 days tour

Classic Baltics

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Classic Baltics

Day 1: Vilnius

Day 2: Vilnius

Day 3: Riga

Day 4: Riga

Day 5: Saaremaa

Day 6: Tallinn

Day 7: Tallinn

Day 8: Tallinn

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