The Baltic States 2027

This morning after breakfast, our local guide will take us on a city tour to see the sights of Helsinki, also known as “The Daughter of the Baltic Sea”. We’ll visit Senate Square, and the colorful Market Square by the sea at the end of Esplanade Park, where the sellers offer their fresh catch of the day. We’ll also visit the Sibelius Monument, the main railway station designed by famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, and much more, before pausing for some lunch. 

After lunch we’ll head out to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Suomenlinna fortress. Originally built by the Swedish in the mid-18th century as a maritime fortress to defend against Russian expansion, the fortress has served three different sovereignties – Swedish, Russian, and Finnish – and is now one of Finland’s most significant sites, blending rich history, scenic beauty, and local culture. It played key roles in nineteenth century conflicts like the Finnish War and the Crimean War and is still home to a small Finnish naval academy and garrison. You’ll have time to visit the Suomenlinna Museum for a history of the fortress and its builders, the Vesikko Submarine – a WWII-era vessel open to visitors, and the Toy Museum, Military Museum, and customs barracks, which all showcase local life and military legacy. The site includes cafés, artisan shops, bakeries, and even a brewery for a bit of afternoon tea before we return to the hotel.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. 

Overnight: Hotel Lilla Roberts, Helsinki (B, L)

This morning after a lazy breakfast and check out, we’ll board our private coach and transfer to the Sibelius Monument, a sculptural homage to the Finnish composer, for a brief stop before continuing to the port for our ferry departure across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. You’ll be able to put your luggage into secure storage so you can relax and enjoy the journey, and have some lunch at leisure on board.

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval history, modern innovation, and natural beauty. It’s the cultural, political, and technological heart of Estonia — a small Baltic nation with a rich past and a bright, digital-savvy future.

Upon arrival we’ll be met by our local guide, who’ll take us on a short introductory tour of the city before checking into our centrally located hotel. After some time to relax and perhaps get out and explore the nearby historic town square, we’ll gather for the short walk to a sumptuous dinner together in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn (B, D)

This morning after breakfast we embark on an exciting tour of the UNESCO World Heritage medieval city of Tallinn by private coach and foot. With its fortified walls, centuries-old buildings with red tile roofs, hidden courtyards and winding cobblestone streets, Tallinn’s Old Town is considered to be the best-preserved medieval town in Northern Europe. 

We’ll start with a visit to the splendid Kadriorg Palace, one of Tallinn’s most elegant and historically significant landmarks. Built in 1718 after being commissioned by Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I it is a grand Baroque architectural design, rarely seen in the Baltic region. The palace now also houses the famous Kadriorg Art Museum, featuring foreign art from the 16th to 20th centuries, including Dutch, Italian, Russian, and German masters. The richly decorated Great Hall, with its painted ceiling and stucco work, is a highlight in itself. Sprawling landscaped gardens surround the palace — a blend of formal French-style gardens, ponds, flower beds, and walking paths – and the cafe serves up great coffee.

We’ll return to the old town and spend the rest of the morning on foot, starting in the upper city, travelling through history at every turn including stops at the ancient Toompea Castle, built between 1767 and 1773, and now home to the Riigikogu (the Estonian parliament); Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of Tallinn’s most iconic landmarks and a powerful reminder of the country’s imperial past; and the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, also known as the Dome Church – a Lutheran church with gothic roots and the oldest church in Tallinn. 

We’ll then continue to the lower part of the city, walking on cobblestone streets among beautiful historic buildings until we reach the Town Hall Square, ending our morning with a visit to Tallinn’s Gothic-style Town Hall – a masterpiece of medieval civic architecture, its current form was completed in 1404, making it the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe. 

The rest of your afternoon and evening is yours to explore more of this wonderful city at your own pace and enjoy lunch and dinner at leisure in one of the numerous restaurants in and around the square. You might want to drop into Raeapteek, one of Europe’s oldest continuously operating pharmacies, located right next door to the Town Hall. It opened in 1422 (some historians say it was earlier) and offers a historical exhibit as well as your usual remedial requirements.

Overnight: Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn (B)

This morning after breakfast and check out we’ll board our private coach and make our way to Latvia and its capital, Riga, travelling through scenic forests and fields and passing through small Baltic towns. We’ll make a short stop in Parnu to visit the unique little railway museum based on one of the old forest narrow gauge railways, and after some time for lunch at leisure in this popular resort town we’ll continue down the coast. 

Upon our arrival in Riga, we’ll go directly to our centrally-located hotel and check in. There’ll be some time at leisure to relax and explore your surroundings before regrouping for dinner in a handy local restaurant.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Kempinski, Riga (B, D)

This morning after breakfast we’ll embark on a guided tour of Riga. Founded in 1201, the capital of Latvia is a vibrant and atmospheric city blending medieval charm, Art Nouveau grandeur, and a thriving contemporary culture. It’s the largest city in the Baltics and a major hub for travel, architecture, and gastronomy in Northern Europe. The Old Town, a wonderful maze of cobbled streets, mediaeval churches and colourful buildings, and the Art Nouveau District, one of the largest and best-preserved collection of Art Nouveau buildings in the world, are both UNESCO World Heritage sites

You’ll explore the narrow streets of the old town, almost unchanged since the 13th century, and marvel at over 150 monuments scattered throughout. Our expert guide will share local stories, legends, and history as we walk through the Powder Tower, the Swedish door, the House of Blackheads (the new town hall), the Cathedral, as well as St Peters Church and its tower, offering a breath-taking panoramic view of the red roofs of Old Town, the modern part of the city and the bay of Riga. 

The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Depending on availability, there may be the opportunity to dress up a bit and attend a Ballet or Opera at the Latvian National Opera House. 

Overnight: Grand Hotel Kempinski, Riga (B)

Enjoy a lazy morning before check-out, then visit the Riga Central Market to pick up some snacks for our journey south, travelling by train to the city of Daugavpils. 

Founded in 1275 (as Dinaburg) by the Livonian Order, the city has changed hands many times – Polish, Russian, German, and Soviet rulers have all left their mark on its architecture, the diversity of its residents, and its culture. Daugavpils, with Dinaburg Castle at its very heart, was a major industrial centre during the Russian Empire and Soviet times, known for its railway, munitions, and textile factories. Today, it’s slowly transforming with new creative spaces, startups, and urban revitalisation projects.

On arrival, we’ll spend some time exploring the city and visiting the iconic Daugavpils Fortress, a massive complex with ramparts, moats, and brick barracks, and the only early 19th century military fortification of its kind in Northern Europe that has been preserved without major alterations. The construction of the fortress began during Napoleon’s attack on the Russian Empire in 1810 and was resumed immediately after the War in 1812. The Fortress is also home to the Mark Rothko Art Centre — the only permanent display of original works by the famous artist born in Daugavpils in 1903.

We’ll then check in to our hotel for some time to relax before enjoying dinner together at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Biplan Hotel, Daugavpils (or similar) (B, D)

This morning after breakfast and checkout, we’ll transfer by private coach to the town of Anyksciai and board the historic Aukstaitijos narrow-gauge railway to Lake Rubikiai. Here, we’ll enjoy lunch by the lake before reboarding the train for the return journey. On arrival back in Anyksciai we’ll immerse ourselves in a guided visit of the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum. Situated in the original 19th-century station, the museum showcases the history of the railway which began operations in 1899 and played a significant role in regional development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Explore vintage steam locomotives, passenger carriages, and freight wagons that once traversed Lithuania’s narrow-gauge lines; experience operating a handcar or a railway tricycle; and discover signalling equipment, an antique rail scale capable of weighing an entire family, and other tools that highlight the technological advancements of the time. 

It’s then back on to our private coach to continue our journey to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. Upon arrival we’ll go directly to our centrally-located hotel and check in for some down time before regrouping to go for dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Vilnius, Vilnius (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, our local guide will take us on an exploration of Vilnius, founded in the thirteenth century and known as the Baroque capital of Eastern Europe. We’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town with its narrow streets and courtyards dating from the 15th century. Our tour incorporates all the significant elements of this magnificent city – the former Bishop’s Palace where Napoleon lived in 1812; Vilnius University, founded in 1579 by the Jesuits, and one of the oldest and most prestigious in Northern and Eastern Europe; the Bernardine Monastery, a historic and spiritual landmark located just next to the Bernardine Church and St. Anne’s Church, forming one of the most picturesque and architecturally rich complexes in the city; and pay a visit to Vilnius Cathedral – originally built in 1251 and officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus, it’s the most important Catholic church in Lithuania and a defining landmark of Vilnius Old Town. 

At the completion of our exploration of Vilnius’ history, we’ll catch the local train to Lake Galve and Trakai, one of Lithuania’s most enchanting and historically significant towns, best known for its fairy-tale island castle and picturesque lakeside setting. Upon arrival, we’ll board our private boat and enjoy lunch on board while marvelling at the views of the Gothic castle, built on the island of Lake Galve. 

The evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Vilnius, Vilnius (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and checkout, we’ll transfer to the railway station and make the short but delightful train journey to Lithuania’s lively second city, Kaunas.

On arrival, we’ll drop our luggage at the hotel and step straight into the city’s fascinating past with a visit to the medieval Kaunas Castle. From here, we’ll wander into the cobbled lanes of the old town to enjoy lunch in its charming surrounds, before embarking on a guided stroll through the city’s highlights — the soaring St Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica, the striking Gothic House of Perkūnas, and the grand tree-lined boulevard of Laisvės Alėja, the beating heart of Kaunas.

Later, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Radisson Hotel Kaunas (or similar) (B, L)

This morning, after breakfast and checkout, we’ll delve into the poignant history of the Ninth Fort Museum, followed by a fascinating tour of the extraordinary Atomic KGB Bunker Museum – an atmospheric reminder of the Cold War years. After some free time for lunch, we’ll continue to the railway station to board our early afternoon train for the 7-hour journey to Warsaw.

Settle in and watch the Lithuanian countryside roll by on a leisurely 7.5-hour journey across the Baltic plains into Poland. The initial part of the journey from Kaunas passes through picturesque Lithuanian landscapes, characterised by lush forests, rolling hills, and charming villages before entering the Suwałki Region and Masuria Lakes in northeastern Poland, considered by many as the most scenic part of the route. As the train approaches the Polish capital, you’ll notice the landscape gradually transition to flatter plains and more typical agricultural fields. 

Upon our arrival in Warsaw, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel, check in and enjoy dinner together in the hotel restaurant.  

Overnight: Hotel Intercontinental, Warsaw (B, D)

Warsaw, the seat of Poland’s government since the 16th century, is a city that embodies survival, creativity, and reinvention and offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity. Almost completely destroyed during World War II, as depicted in the famous movie The Pianist by Roman Polanski, Warsaw was rebuilt with great attention to detail and is now a thriving cultural, commercial and political centre.

This morning after breakfast we’ll set out with our expert local guide on a walking tour of the fascinating Old Town. Originally founded in the 13th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town was completely razed to the ground during WWII, and painstakingly rebuilt brick by brick. You’ll be charmed by its colourful townhouses and the exceptional atmosphere of its narrow streets. You’ll meet a mermaid, the official symbol of the city, pass through the Barbican, stop by the bell on Kanonia Street, walk along the old city walls and visit the Royal Castle, the former home of Polish monarchs completely reconstructed after its destruction during World War II. Our guided tour here includes a visit to the Kings’ apartments and chambers, heavily adorned with paintings of famous Polish historical events. 

We’ll return to our hotel to enjoy the afternoon and lunch at leisure before regrouping in the evening and heading out to a local restaurant for dinner.  

Overnight: Hotel Intercontinental, Warsaw (B, D)

After breakfast this morning, we’ll continue our exploration of Warsaw, starting with a visit to the world-renowned POLIN Museum, honouring the memory of the rich, thousand-year shared history of Poles and Jews – from its beginnings in the Middle Ages to the Holocaust and beyond. Poignantly located on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, this is not just a Holocaust museum – it’s a celebration of a vibrant community and a powerful reminder of resilience and identity. 

After enjoying lunch together, we’ll then make our way to one of Warsaw’s most beautiful and historically significant landmarks – Wilanów Palace, built between 1677–1696 as the summer retreat of King Jan III Sobieski. You’ll enjoy a guided tour here of the Palace and the spectacular gardens before returning to the hotel. 

Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Intercontinental, Warsaw (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll make our way to the Railway station and board the train to Krakow, one of Poland’s most beautiful and historic cities. Founded in the 7th century, and Poland’s royal capital until 1596, this beautiful city played a complex and tragic role as the administrative capital of Nazi-occupied Poland. While this meant the city itself avoided large-scale physical destruction, it was deeply marked by the Holocaust, German occupation, and the systematic persecution of its Jewish and Polish populations.

On arrival, we’ll be met by our local guide and go directly to our centrally-located hotel, our home for the next three nights. After checking in, there’ll be time for you to explore your surroundings and have lunch at leisure in the nearby town square before we regroup for a guided walking tour of ancient Krakow. 

Having escaped destruction during World War II, the Old Town retains its charming medieval shape, including the central Market Square, the largest mediaeval square in Europe. Most of the city’s architectural and cultural landmarks can be found in and around the square, so this is where our focus will be. We’ll visit The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the iconic 16th century centerpiece of the Main Square and one of the city’s most enduring symbols of medieval trade, culture, and craftsmanship; we’ll stop by St. Mary’s Basilica, a soaring Gothic church that dominates the Main Square and world-renowned for the largest and most remarkable Gothic altarpieces in Europe, carved by German sculptor Veit Stoss; and walk up the ‘Royal route’ to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wawel Castle and Cathedral, located majestically on Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River representing centuries of royal power, religious significance, and architectural splendor. 

You’ll have free time to explore the castle and Cathedral at your own pace and wander back to the hotel at your leisure before regrouping in the lobby for dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Stary, Krakow (B, D)

Today you have two options. You can stay in town and explore the numerous cafes, museums and galleries, and shops at your own pace, or you can join a fully included guided tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most infamous of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camps, and the the main site of the Final Solution, the Nazi plan to annihilate Europe’s Jews. Now the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a solemn reminder of the consequences of hatred, racism, and silence. Visiting it is often described as life-changing.

The preserved brick barracks now house museum exhibitions, including piles of victims’ belongings and detailed documentation of the Nazi system of persecution. You’ll also visit original cells and the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed, the original gallows and gas chamber with crematorium, the site of the selection platform where arrivals were sorted for labor or death, and see the haunting brick chimneys and wooden guard towers that remain in place. And you’ll learn the role the railway and trains played in this dark time in history – the International Monument to the Victims of Fascism sits at the end of the railway line that ended at the camp.

We transfer back to Krakow later in the day for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Stary, Krakow (B)

This morning after breakfast we’ll board our private coach and travel the short distance out of town to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Europe’s oldest functioning salt mine, and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. Dating back to the 13th century, and one of Poland’s most remarkable and surreal attractions, it comprises a vast underground world of salt-carved chambers, chapels, sculptures, and tunnels that stretches for over 300 kilometres. The mine descends to over 300 metres underground, with nine levels in total. 

The mine is still operating today and while only a small fraction is open to the public (we’ll explore the top 3 levels), what you’ll see is breathtaking—cathedrals carved in salt, glittering chandeliers made of rock salt crystals, and saline lakes, all underground. You’ll be amazed at the Chapel of St. Kinga, a massive underground cathedral carved entirely out of salt—including the altar, statues, floor tiles, and chandeliers, and the most famous attraction inside the mine. You’ll marvel at dozens of chambers featuring sculptures carved by miners, depicting biblical scenes, Polish legends, royalty, and historical figures – even Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” is recreated in salt.

After lunch at a nearby restaurant, we’ll visit the Kazimierz – The Jewish Quarter, a vibrant neighborhood near the former ghetto, now filled with synagogues, galleries, and bohemian cafés, and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, now a powerful museum on Nazi-occupied Kraków and Jewish resistance and part of the historical record made famous by the movie, Schindler’s List. 

We’ll return to our hotel later in the afternoon for some down time before gathering together to enjoy a folklore farewell dinner with typical Polish cuisine in one of the Old Town’s restaurants.

Overnight: Hotel Stary, Krakow (B, L, D)

Our epic adventure in Poland concludes today after breakfast. Make your own way to the airport or train station for onward travel – iIf you would like to book a private transfer this can be pre-organised at an additional cost. If you’d like to stay on at the hotel for an extra day or two, please contact our office to arrange your booking at the group rate. 

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