Baltic Capitals – Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn with Two-night Helsinki Extension

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Fly to Vilnius - Kick your holiday off with a flight to Lithuania’s majestic capital city, Vilnius, enjoy a warm welcome from your tour manager and transfer to your centrally located hotel. From here, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore independently or find dinner (on your account).  
• Day 2
  Included tour of Vilnius and visit to Trakai Castle - Spend your first full day in the Baltics with a tour of Vilnius’ elegant Baroque highlights. First on your list will be Vilnius Cathedral, famous for its exquisite decor and Roman-inspired facades. You’ll then continue to Pilies Street, the oldest of its kind in the city, which is flanked by an impressive collection of 14th-century buildings. As you pass along Pilies Street, you can browse the charming nearby stores for authentic Lithuanian trinkets and treats.   The next stops on your tour will be three of the city’s most impressive churches, St. Anne’s, St. Bernadine’s, and St. Michael’s, which will provide further insight into Lithuania’s rich religious heritage. You’ll then make a brief stop at the 16th-century Gates of Dawn, part of the city’s original fortifications, before visiting the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of historic Russian influence in Lithuania. Take a moment to appreciate the building’s vibrant interiors, and its equally colourful history, before reconvening in Vilnius’ town centre which remains a lively hub for Vilnian locals.  The final point of interest on today’s excursion will be Vilnius University, a leading research centre featuring 13 courtyards and lush botanical gardens. Round out the tour at Trakai Castle, an island fortress on an island in the middle of Lake Galvé. Located just a short distance from Vilnius’ city centre, the castle held immense strategic importance throughout its history as both a military fortress and later a diplomatic residence for Lithuania’s reigning dukes. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the region’s colourful history with a tour of the castle’s museum and expansive grounds.  
• Day 3
  Travel to Riga via Rundāle Palace and the Hill of Crosses - Have breakfast this morning and trade Vilnius for the Latvian capital, Riga. On the way, you’ll stop in the quiet town of Siauliai for a call at the Hill of Crosses, a sacred landmark which sees millions of crosses and rosaries placed on two hills by native Lithuanians and visiting pilgrims. As a symbol of sacrifice and Lithuania’s enduring religious faith in the face of persecution, this sobering monument has remained one of the most widely recognised sites in the country. Despite its eerie atmosphere, the site has previously been blessed by Pope John Paul II and is still visited by thousands of pilgrims each day. While here, take a moment to listen to the sound of the rosaries blowing in the wind and pay your respects, before heading back into town for an included lunch at a local restaurant.   Back on the road this afternoon, you’ll visit the exquisite 18th-century Rundāle Palace, Latvia’s most famous baroque landmark. An extravagant stately home, Rundāle was originally the summer residence of the region’s Duke, Ernst Johann Biron but has since been repurposed as a public museum. From here, you’ll join a tour of the palace complex, created by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who would go on to design St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, with an expert local guide. With its regal main building, inner courtyards and a canal-side formal park, Rundāle Palace offers truly rewarding exploration. You can also visit the palace’s museum which offers a glimpse into the lives of the dukes and duchesses that used to rule Courland, from 18th-century fashion and a rich collection of tapestries to archaeological finds in the basement.   This afternoon, you’ll arrive at your Riga hotel for check in and the rest of the day at leisure.  
• Day 4
  Included tour of Riga - Once you’ve had breakfast this morning, head off on a guided tour of the Latvian capital. Start by walking to the Romanesque-style Riga Cathedral, the biggest medieval church and one of the oldest religious buildings in Latvia. Here, you can admire its gilded red-brick design and enjoy the views from the tower’s galleries. Continue on to the Church of St. Peter, which was recreated after World War II and features an ornate façade, intricate interiors, and a baroque tower.   Riga Castle, which has dominated the Daugava riverfront since the 15th century and now houses the Latvian government, will be your penultimate stop today before you draw the morning’s walking tour to a close at the city’s Swedish Gate. Built during the Swedish empire’s century-long rule of the city, this gate is the only original building in the city’s old quarter still intact after numerous restoration projects.    Having explored Riga’s old town this morning, you’ll now explore its modern attractions as you board a coach for a driving tour of its central boulevards. Enjoy the incredible art nouveau architecture that characterises the Latvian capital, with over one-third of all buildings designed in the style, as you cruise along Alberta Street and witness the widespread restoration of the city’s most famous avenues.    After a busy morning’s exploration of Riga, spend time under your own steam before finding dinner in the city this evening.   
• Day 5
  Day at leisure in Riga with optional canal cruise - Enjoy a relaxed morning today with breakfast at the hotel and spend the rest of the day as you see fit with time at leisure. The curious can head back into Riga for some more self-guided exploration, and you’ll also have the chance to see the city from a different perspective with an optional canal cruise.   With an expert local guide at the helm, you’ll sail from Bastejkalns Park, a green oasis in the heart of the Latvian capital, along a route that takes in some of the old town’s most impressive sights. Marvel at the Freedom Monument, which commemorate the 3,000 men who gave their lives for Latvia’s independence after WWI and pass the grand Latvian National Opera house. You’ll also see Riga’s Central Market, before continuing along the Daugava River, which offers a striking panorama of the city across the water.   The second part of your cruise takes you back along the canals, this time gliding through Kronvalda Park, with its Chinese Pagoda and manicured gardens. A few final sights await on this final stretch, including the Latvian National Theatre, and you’ll step ashore back where you started after a memorable few hours on the water.   This evening, you’ll be free to find dinner locally before returning to the hotel.  
• Day 6
  Travel to Tallinn via Pärnu - Have breakfast in Riga this morning and board a coach for the onward journey, stopping in Pärnu, the ‘Summer Capital of Estonia’ on the way.   This delightful resort town, which is most popular for its white-sand beach and shallow waters, is a hidden gem on Estonia’s Baltic Coast and was a hub of thermal spas and wellness centre in the 19th century. You’ll have the chance to stretch your legs here, perhaps with a wander along the seafront, before settling in at a local restaurant for an included lunch.   Afterwards, keep driving north to Tallinn, Estonia’s exquisite medieval capital, where you’ll spend the next two nights.  
• Day 7
  Included Tallinn city tour - Get ready with breakfast at the hotel and venture on a guided walking tour of Tallinn this morning. Starting with the lower town, which was a thriving commercial hub throughout the medieval period, you’ll see the historic guild houses and warehouses around Raekoja Plats, the town’s main square. Here, you’ll come across Tallinn’s impressive Gothic town hall, the oldest of its kind in Europe, adorned with intricate wood carvings and murals.    Continue to Tallinn’s upper town which sits atop Toompea, a limestone hill. Witness Toompea castle, formerly the seat of the city’s ruling German nobles and now repurposed to house the Estonian government. You can also see the Pikk Hermann Tower before a visit to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Tallinn’s largest Eastern Orthodox church. Still actively used today, the cathedral boasts an extravagant gothic design and onion domed roofs symbolic of Russia’s historic influence over Estonia throughout the 19th century. This grand building also has a collection of ornate family crests belonging to German nobility that once resided here. Before making your way back down Toompea, you can take in the spectacular views of the city skyline from any of the area’s three viewing platforms   You’ll head to the park and the seafront area with a visit to Kadriorg Palace, an 18th-century landmark founded by Tsar Peter the Great and ringed by beautiful gardens. Having been repurposed as a cultural centre, this majestic baroque palace now houses a vast collection of foreign artworks. The neighbouring Kadriorg Park often hosts festivals in its huge outdoor arena dating back to the 19th century.    The afternoon will then be free for exploration before returning to the hotel this evening.    
• Day 8
  Take the ferry to Helsinki - This morning, after a final breakfast in Tallinn, you’ll head to the seaport for a two-hour ferry crossing to Helsinki, the colourful Finnish capital. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer to your city-centre hotel, where you’ll be free to spend the first of two days at leisure however you see fit.   Waste no time in exploring the city’s cultural highlights, from the historic island fortress of Suomenlinna to marvellous Helsinki Cathedral. For a more relaxing day, why not set out in search of a thermal spa for an authentic taste of Finland’s famous sauna culture?
• Day 9
  Day at leisure in Helsinki - This morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be free to explore Helsinki under your own steam.  For an introduction to Finland’s political epicentre, take a stroll through the city’s Esplanade to the impressive Presidential Palace, the seat of the country’s government. Nearby, you can also find the charming island neighbourhood of Katajanokka, home to elegant coastal parks and the impressive Uspenski Cathedral.   If you’d prefer a more culture-focused day’s activity, you’ll find plenty of world-class museums and historic landmarks available to explore. The innovative Sibelius Monument, built to honour the Finnish composer of the same name, and Temppeliaukio Church, a unique Lutheran building carved out of solid rock, are amongst the city’s top highlights.   This evening, find dinner in the city (on your account) and enjoy a final few hours in the Finnish capital. 
• Day 10
  Return flight to the UK - Enjoy one last morning in Helsinki before heading to the airport for your flight back to the UK.