The Baltics
Essential Baltics Christmas Markets
Photo credit: Kestutis Ambrozaitis
Holiday Traditions in Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia
Overview
The three Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn are magical places in winter, and especially during the holidays. From the end of November through the New Year, each Baltic capital plays host to charming and traditional Christmas Markets. Skip the crowds of Europe’s more famous markets, and opt instead for these wonderfully atmospheric old-world Baltic gems. During this private tour of the Christmas markets, walk historic, cobbled town squares grandly decorated with festive trees, plus explore baroque palaces and important rural sites that dot the landscapes in between the capitals as you are driven from city to city.
- This itinerary can also be done in reverse, starting in Tallinn and ending in Vilnius.
Map
Itinerary
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Days 1-2 Vilnius (Lithuania)
Admire the 16th century Gates of Dawn; wander Pilies Street, lined with artisans selling traditional wares; visit neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral; and descend into the cathedral crypts, where remnants of churches and pagan temples from centuries past have been found. Marvel at the increasingly elaborate decorations adorning the trees while strolling through charming Christmas markets like those found near the city’s cathedral, hall and train station.
HIGHLIGHTS
- UNESCO-listed Vilnius, capital of Lithuania and the largest baroque city north of the Alps
- Elegant St. Anne’s, a diminutive red brick church that represents the pinnacle of Gothic architecture in Lithuania
- Vilnius Christmas Market
- Lithuanian Dziugas cheese and wine tasting experience
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Days 3-4: Hill of Crosses, Riga (Latvia)
Investigate the Hill of Crosses, a powerful monument planted with crosses by local believers. In Latvia, tour Rundale Palace, designed by imperial architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, and explore Riga’s imaginative and decorative art nouveau architecture. Enjoy the elaborate Christmas trees on display and the lively Christmas markets of central Riga.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hill of Crosses, covered by a multitude of crosses, some of them treasured examples of folk art
- Castle of Rundale, designed in the early 18th century by Rastrelli, who also built St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace
- UNESCO-listed Old Town of Riga, capital of Latvia
- Riga’s section of ornamental art nouveau buildings, one of the finest collections in Europe
- Riga Christmas Markets
- Traditional Latvian Riga Balsams tasting
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Days 5-7: Gauja National Park, Tallinn (Estonia)
Visit the Livonian Knights’ 13th century Turaida Castle in Gauja National Park, and the Song Festival Grounds where Estonians defied the Soviet Union in 1988. Explore Kadriorg Park and Palace, built by Peter the Great, and explore Tallinn’s Old Town, the best-preserved medieval town center in Northern Europe. Soak up the wonderfully atmospheric old town, the Christmas markets, and learn about the city’s heritage as the first community to reportedly publicly display a Christmas tree.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Turaida Castle, originally founded in 1214 by the archbishops of Riga
- Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, whose winding cobbled streets, red roofs, and turreted fortress wall are on the UNESCO World Heritage List
- Song Festival Grounds, center of Estonia’s “Singing Revolution”
- One of the oldest continuously running pharmacies in Europe, which used to sell powdered unicorn horn in the Middle Ages
- Telliskivi Creative City
- Tallinn Christmas Market and festive tree displays
Dates & Prices
Please note:
- Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates.
- Listed prices below are based on double occupancy and a 2 traveler minimum.
- Hotel upgrades, additional nights, and solo traveler prices are available on request.
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2024 Dates
Available: DecemberTour, double occupancy$2,995Single supplement$350
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2025 Dates
Available: DecemberTour, double occupancy$3,095Single supplement$395
What's Included
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Tour Includes
- Accommodations as noted in itinerary. All room types, even in upgraded properties, are standard entry-level doubles or twins, please call for room category upgrade pricing and information.
- Meals, as noted in the itinerary: breakfast daily, beginning with Day 2. Lunches and dinners are left independent to allow independent exploration.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers and other staff in each city.
- One arrival and one departure airport transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers are available at additional cost.) MIR arranges for travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private van or car (type of vehicle depends on the size of your party).
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.
- Complete pre-departure electronic document that includes detailed packing suggestions, reading list links, country-specific information, maps, travel tips and more.
- Electronic final update bulletin, with any late news, updates and important information.
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Not Included
- International airfare or taxes/fuel surcharges.
- Meals not specified as included on the itinerary.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Single supplement charge, if requested or required.
- Items of a personal nature (phone calls, email, laundry, alcohol, excess baggage, etc).
- Baggage handling.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers.
- Visa/passport fees, airport departure fees.
- Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR’s control.
- Travel and trip cancellation insurance.
Activity Level
Level 2: Moderate, but Customizable
This ‘Essential’ itinerary in modern and cosmopolitan Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is designed for private travel and features long days walking and standing, and some possibly long days in the touring vehicle. Only those fit to travel and who accept the local conditions should consider joining this program.
There is a significant amount of touring on foot, and those travelers planning to take the program as written should be able to walk one to two miles a day comfortably. Footing can be an issue and travelers should be able to negotiate cobblestones, uneven surfaces (possibly steep and/or wet), and deal with situations without handrails or ramps. Some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases, and museums rarely have elevators.
Past travelers have also encountered challenges with plumbing, bureaucratic service, variety of locally available foods, and availability and quality of public restrooms.
Accommodations in the basic program are generally moderate, three star to four-star hotels. Upgrades may be available, please call for details.
Gallery
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1/12 Central Vilnius lit up for Christmas Kestutis Ambrozaitis -
2/12 Vilnius Christmas tree display Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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3/12 Local holiday treats for sale at the Riga Christmas Market Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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4/12 Estonia's ubiquitous, colorful red roofs. Vita Balckare
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5/12 Friendly vendor at Vilnius Christmas Market Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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6/12 Hill of Crosses in winter splendor Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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7/12 Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Jaak Kadak
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8/12 Stunning architecture in Riga’s renowned art nouveau district. Douglas Grimes
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9/12 Tallinn dressed up for the holiday markets Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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10/12 Rundale Palace after a snowfall Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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11/12 Care to sample some glogg? Kestutis Ambrozaitis
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12/12 Riga Christmas Market Kestutis Ambrozaitis
