The Baltics

Essential Baltics

Photo credit: Jaak Nilson

Duration
7 Days
Price
From $3,495
Trip Type
Private
Group Size
Your choice
Activity Level
12345
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Flexible Private Trip — Book Your Dates for You & Yours

The Best of Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia

Overview

Take an overland survey of the Baltic capitals – Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn – and explore their UNESCO-listed Old Towns featuring cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs. Visit important rural sites such as Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses and Latvia’s baroque Rundale Castle, and enjoy a stop in Sigulda, the gateway to the Gauja National Park.

  • This itinerary can also be done in reverse, starting in Tallinn and ending in Vilnius.

Travels to: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Map

Essential Baltics-Map

Itinerary

  • 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.

    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
    • 14th century Trakai Castle, the Brick Gothic residence of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes
  • 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.

    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
  • 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.

    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

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.
Land Tour Price, Per Person. Based on double occupancy.
  • 2024 Dates
    Available: January - December
    Tour, double occupancy
    $3,495
    Single supplement
    $595
  • 2025 Dates
    Available: January - December
    Tour, double occupancy
    $3,595
    Single supplement
    $625

What's Included

  • 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.
  • 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.

 

Traveler Reviews

  • "Overall impression of the tour was that it was excellent exposure to the Baltics, including historical, cultural, and natural aspects."

    B. & M. Amon

    Portland, OR

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