Compare Baltic Adventure by G Adventures vs St. Petersburg & the Baltic Capitals by Odysseys Unlimited
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 2,294 | $ 3,998 |
| Price Per Day | $ 176 | $ 286 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners |
12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
| Description |
Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travellers. We’re not complaining, though; more mystery means fewer crowds and an easier time getting to know these fantastic countries. Beginning in charming cobblestoned Vilnius and ending in beautiful Helsinki, this two-week trip gets to the very heart of the region. Get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art district, experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of Tallinn before crossing to Finland by ferry. |
The curtain opened, and finally we could see what lay behind ... now, sophisticated travelers are drawn to witness a world transformed. Visiting four distinct nations, four thriving capitals and their provincial outskirts, we discover for ourselves the fascinating heritage and stimulating contemporary life of this remarkable and diverse region. |
Day 1 Vilnius
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this charming city. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2 Vilnius
Visit Trakai Castle. Enjoy optional activities like the Frank Zappa monument, the breakaway Republic of Uzupis, a giant egg statue, the Gediminas tower and castle museum, and the KGB Museum.
Spend free time walking through charming old town or searching out artist havens and modern statues. Multi-faceted, puzzling, a heady mix of old and new, Vilnius has all the glories of a royal past, the troubling reminders of wartime and Communist atrocities and a vibrant forward-looking outlook.
Day 3 Vilnius/Klaipėda
Travel by private vehicle to Klaipeda, one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk, visiting famous sights, and seeing up close the many interesting sculptures that make Klaipeda unique. Make brief stops at Theatre Square, in the heart of the old town, to see the sculpture of Ann from Tharau in the square’s centre fountain. Then walk by Klaipeda Castle, first mentioned in written sources as early as 1252. The orientation walk will finish at a local gastropub with a local beer, where afterwards you can opt to grab some dinner on your own.
Day 4 Full day tour of Nida from Klaipeda
You will spend the whole day exploring the peninsula known as the Curonian Spit, located between Klaipeda and Nida. You will visit the Hill of Witches, Lithuania’s outdoor sculpture trail of wooden folk art that will take you on a trip through the most well-known legends and stories in Lithuanian folk history. Later in the day visit the Parnidis Dune and Sun Clock in Nida. Stop for some free time in Nida where you can grab some lunch on your own and opt to see the Fisherman museum and Nida Lighthouse if time allows. Arrive back in Klaipeda in the evening.
The Curonian Spit is a long, thin sand bar, dotted with dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This spit is shared by Lithuania and Kalingrad, Russia's western most oblast. The forested hills, known as Hill of Witches used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now, the hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists, depicting witches, dragons, and the elements. Some of the statues tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings.
Day 5 Klaipėda/Riga
Cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga. Options for this charming city include visiting the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the Andrejsala artists' district, or just wandering the cobblestone streets.
Explore the narrow streets on foot and get better acquainted with the city known as "the Paris of the East". Opt to visit St Peter's Church, where we ascend the spire by lift, for a fantastic view over the city.
Day 6 Riga
Enjoy a guided tour and a lunch of treats from the Central Market. Spend a free afternoon exploring the city.
Day 7 Riga/Kuressaare
Cross the border to Estonia and get the local experience with three nights on a farm in Saaremaa. In the area there is canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, and island visits. Over the next three nights, savour farm-to-table dinners specially prepared by your host family.
Saaremaa is a remote island in the Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape. Enjoy three nights on a farm outside the main city of Kuressaare.
Day 8 Kuressaare
Enjoy a tour of Saaremaa including a visit to the Kaali meteorite lake, bakeries, and windmills. Opt to visit the local breweries.
Day 9 Kuressaare
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit some of the ancient churches or natural sites like the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Day 10 Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Fall in love with this medieval town. Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace.
Day 11 Tallinn
Spend a free day exploring this medieval city. Use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the Dome Church, the open air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches, or relax in a sauna.
Day 12 Tallinn/Helsinki
Travel by ferry to the charming capital city of Helsinki. Enjoy an afternoon in the Scandinavian city with an orientation walk and free time.
Day 13 Helsinki
Depart at any time.
Day 1
Depart U.S. for Vilnius, Lithuania
Day 2
Meals: Dinner
Arrive Vilnius After connecting in Europe, a short flight this morning brings us to Vilnius, the attractive Lithuanian capital with Baroque architecture, numerous churches, medieval towers and fortifications, and one of Eastern Europe’s oldest “Old Towns.” Our afternoon in this historic city is at leisure before tonight’s dinner at our hotel.
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast
Vilnius We see the highlights of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on this morning’s tour, including Cathedral Square, Gedimino Tower, Vilnius University, and the President’s Palace. We also tour the fascinating KGB Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps to relax at one of the many outdoor cafés; explore the old Jewish Quarter and ghetto; or admire the city’s architectural diversity.
Day 4
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Vilnius/Trakai Today we travel about 20 miles outside Vilnius to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania set in a resort village surrounded by five lakes. Here we tour 15th-century Trakai Castle, with exhibits commemorating the days when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched all the way from the Baltic to the Black Sea. After a turbulent history of Russian rule, in 1991 Lithuania became one of the first of the Soviet Union’s breakaway republics and today, again, is a sovereign democratic nation.
Day 5
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Vilnius/Riga We leave this morning for Riga, the Latvian capital. En route we stop for lunch in Siauliai where we visit the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site and symbol of Lithuanian nationalism. After crossing the border into Latvia, we travel through gentle countryside to the restored 18th-century Baroque palace of Rundale. Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale’s construction took more than 30 years and 1,500 workers. From here we continue on to surprisingly sophisticated Riga, once known as the “little Paris of the North.” We dine tonight at our hotel.
Day 6
Meals: Breakfast
Riga This morning’s city tour reveals the special treasures of this Baltic gem, once Russia’s coveted warm-water port and the largest of the Baltic capitals. Riga boasts lovingly restored architecture ranging from medieval to art nouveau; a well-preserved Old Town; magnificent churches, including St. Mary’s Cathedral (the Dom), with its 6,789-pipe organ; and a lively arts scene. The afternoon is free; our well-located hotel offers easy access to Riga’s attractions.
Day 7
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Riga/Sigulda Today we travel east of Riga to Sigulda to visit Gauja National Park, Latvia’s premier nature preserve. Our excursion includes a visit to Gutmanis’ Cave, a 35-foot cavern bubbling with fresh spring water believed to have curative powers; and the ruins of Turaida Castle, whose round red brick tower rises above the forest canopy. We return to Riga mid-day and dine together tonight.
Day 8
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Riga/Parnu/Tallinn En route to the Estonian capital of Tallinn, we stop for lunch in seaside Parnu, Estonia’s “summer capital.” We reach Tallinn late this afternoon; dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 9
Meals: Breakfast
Tallinn This northernmost Baltic capital has endured a history similar to that of its cousins: a favored port location often coveted by its more powerful neighbors; centuries of war with brief periods of independence; 20th-century annexing by Russia; and finally, again, independence. We see layers of Tallinn’s tumultuous history on this morning’s city tour featuring the surprisingly well-preserved medieval Old Town. Then the remainder of the day is free to enjoy this 800-year-old city as we wish. Green spaces abound, including vast Kadriorg Park, surrounding the palace and featuring a Japanese tea garden.
Day 10
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Tallinn This morning we visit the Estonian Open-Air Museum at Rocca-al-Mare, where 18th- and 19th-century life is recreated with authentic wooden farm houses, churches, and other structures from rural Estonia. We enjoy lunch together then have an afternoon at leisure to explore Tallinn independently. This evening is at leisure to dine on our own in this city with restaurants ranging from "nouveau Estonian" to American.
Day 11
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tallinn/St. Petersburg We depart this morning by coach for St. Petersburg. After arriving late this afternoon we enjoy dinner together tonight.
Day 12
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
St. Petersburg Czar Peter the Great’s “window on the West,” St. Petersburg was built in the early 1700s on 44 islands, mostly swampland – a feat that took the lives of millions of workers. Today it is a beautiful city, laced with canals, graceful bridges, and Empire-style buildings. Our daylong tour includes a visit to awe-inspiring St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose construction took more than 40 years. We see the Peter & Paul Fortress, the Bronze Horseman statue of city founder Peter the Great, and the main thoroughfare of Nevsky Prospekt. Then for a fascinating window on Russian life, we join a local family for lunch and conversation. This afternoon we take a guided tour of the world-renowned Hermitage Museum founded by Catherine the Great in 1764 and housing one of the world’s greatest fine arts collections. Dinner tonight is on our own.
Day 13
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
St. Petersburg/Peterhof This morning we travel to Peterhof, one of the many royal “summer” palaces built by the Romanovs during the last two centuries of their rule. Most of these palaces were virtually destroyed by retreating Germans during World War II and later rebuilt to their original designs, complete with gilding. Known for its elaborate fountains with gold statues and 142 jets, Peterhof sits in a huge park with a formal 18th-century garden. Our tour includes both the Grand Royal Palace and the Upper and Lower gardens. Tonight we gather for dinner to bid “da svidniya” to St. Petersburg.
Day 14
Meals: Breakfast
Depart for U.S. We depart this morning for our connecting flight to the United States.
