Riga, Tallinn & Helsinki Group Tour 2024

Day 1 - Arrival to Riga

(Tuesday)

Welcome to Riga! Optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Latvia**** or similar, check-in & welcome meeting.

Day 2 - Riga

(Wednesday)

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Day 3 - Riga

(Thursday)

After we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga.

The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographic Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th-century country life. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Kalku Varti.

Day 4 - Riga to Tallinn

(Friday)

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.

Day 5 - Tallinn

(Saturday)

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and a visit to KUMU, the award-winning Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

Day 6 - Tallinn to Helsinki

(Sunday)

This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th-century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum.

After a lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Glo Art**** or similar.

Day 7 - Helsinki

(Monday)

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure whose construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors.

Day 8 - Helsinki to Lappeenranta

(Tuesday)

In the morning we go to the railway station and depart with a train bound for Lappeenranta, where we arrive shortly after midday. Transfer to Hotel Scandic Patria**** or similar. Lappeenranta is beautifully set at the shores of Lake Saimaa and was an important Swedish fortress town in the 18th century. Nowadays it is an attractive and popular resort town. The afternoon walking tour of Lappeenranta takes us to the historical Old Town, the port area and Lappeenranta Fortress with its wooden and redbrick buildings, artisans' shops, museums, wooden Orthodox Mary the Virgin Church and cafes. Return to hotel and check-in.

Late afternoon we walk to the pier to embark on a spectacular evening cruise on Lake Saimaa and to the Saimaa Canal. The ship has a restaurant, where we can enjoy drinks and snacks or a full dinner while we are stunned by the views of the lake. After three hours we return to port and walk back to hotel.

Day 9 - Lappeenranta to Helsinki

(Wednesday)

The day offers the possibility to explore Lappeenranta resort town at leisure. The hotel is located between the Old Town and the port area and both are easily accessible on foot. Go shopping in the small boutiques of the Old Town, try Karelian cuisine, or enjoy the atmosphere and the views at the port. In the late afternoon transfer to the train station and departure by train back to Helsinki. Arrival in Helsinki early in the evening and transfer to Hotel Glo Art**** or similar, check in.

Day 10 - Departure from Helsinki

(Thursday)

You can choose to book a transfer to the airport. The end of your Baltic tour!

• 1,068 EUR per person = based on two people sharing a double/twin room
• 1,551 EUR per person = staying in a single room
• Half board at hotels (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea): EUR 395.00 pp

• 11th June - 20th June 2024
• 25th June - 4th July 2024
• 9th July - 18th July 2024
• 23rd July - 1st August 2024
• 6th August - 15th August 2024
• 13th August 22nd August 2024

• 9 nights at centrally located 4 star hotels
• 9 x buffet breakfast
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
• Personalised welcome package
• Entrances to medieval Great Guild Hall in Tallinn and Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki
• Service of English-speaking tour escort on all tours
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary
• Ferry ticket Tallinn-Helsinki
  
• Porterage at hotels

• Please note flights are NOT included in this package. If you wish to add flights to your booking please contact us, or you are welcome to book them yourself.
• If required, we can book additional nights at the start or end of your tour, or arrange an add-on pre/post tour to any of our other destinations.
• The tour is guaranteed (min 2 people) and the maximum group size is 31 people.
• This tour is operated by our local partners ViaHansa and is called Baltic Capitals.