Baltic Highlights including Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn

8 Night Holiday
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Visit three extraordinary countries Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia tour each with their own unique culture and history on our Baltic Highlights tour.

Discover the fascinating capitals of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn on a guided tour, where each city has a UNESCO Listed Old Town.

Once named the “Jerusalem of the North” by Napoleon for its strong Jewish influence, Vilnius has been shaped by its fascinating history, including time under Poland and Russia. On your journey to Riga you will see the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Lithuania.

Riga is the largest city of the Baltic States, where you'll find many iconic sights like the House of Blackheads, Powder Tower and the Latvian Academy of Sciences building, a symbol of the Soviet Union era known to locals as "Stalin's Birthday Cake."

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is strikingly located on the Gulf of Finland and has plenty of shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Tallinn’s Old Town has the best preserved medieval walled city in all of Northern Europe.

Enjoy a Baltic adventure and discover these three diverse and fascinating countries.

Currency:
Euro (€)
Local Time:
Irish and UK time +2 hours
Flight Duration:
To Vilnius: Approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes. From Tallinn: Approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Airport:
Journey time from Vilnius airport to the city centre is approx. 20 mins and from Tallinn airport to the city centre it's approx. 25 mins
Passport:
A valid passport is required for this holiday. EU citizens do not need a visa however on-EU citizens should check requirements.
Climate:
Lithuania has a pleasant and sunny temperatures during summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and occasional rain. Latvia has pleasant, sunny summers and cold winters. Estonia has a temperate, transitional climate and weather is generally pleasant and sunny during summer and cold during winter.
Average Prices for Region
Coffee: €2 A typical beer: €2.50 Glass of wine: €3-€4 Soft Drink: €2 Bottled Water: €1.50 - €2
Packing List We advise you to bring:
Your valid passport A 220v plug adaptor Warm coat A small backpack Comfortable shoes Camera
Recommended Reading
Vilnius, City of Strangers by Laimonas Briedis The Free World by David Bezmozgis Estonian Life Stories by Tiina Kirss

Vilnius Old Town
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the historic centre of Vilnius is home to charming narrow streets, old palaces and churches, as well as many impressive Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings. Acting as the political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th to the end of the 18th century, these days you’ll find plenty of excellent cafés and street markets to help pass the time in this fascinating and charming area.
Vilnius: St. Anne's Church
Located on the right bank of the Vilnia River, St. Anne’s Church is a celebrated example of Flamboyant Gothic and Brick Gothic architecture and one of the Old Town’s most distinguished landmarks. Built from eye-catching red brick, the church’s elaborate façade is a sight to behold, with its elegant arches and sharply pointed steeples.
Vilnius: Gediminas Castle
A national symbol of Lithuania, Gediminas Castle occupies a prominent hilltop position at the junction of the Neris and Vilnia Rivers. Named for the Grand Duke of Lithuania, legend has it Gediminas built the first wooden fortifications on the site after a prophetic dream. The first brick castle was completed in 1409, and the iconic tower can be reached by taking a funicular or a short climb to the top of the hill, and now houses a museum of archaeological artefacts from the surrounding area.
Riga: St. Peter’s Church Tower
Located in the Old Town, a climb to the top of the tower will reward those with a head for heights with an incredible bird’s eye view of the city. Over 40% of Riga’s city centre is built in Art Nouveau and has been included in UNESCO’s world heritage list
Riga: Art Nouveau Quarter & Museum
Architecture and history enthusiasts will be spoilt with one of the biggest displays of Art Nouveau in the world. The Art Nouveau Museum is located in the incredible apartment where the Latvian architect Konstantins Peksens lived and displays one of the most impressive staircases in all of Latvia. The city canal runs for 3.2km and is bordered by incredible plantings, walkways and gardens.
Riga: City Canals
You can choose to take a boat that winds lazy along and allows you to take in the pretty views along the way. Those who choose to explore on foot will discover lush parks and gardens that are perfect to relax in if the weather is permitting!
Tallinn: Tallinn Old Town
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and a perfect holiday destination if you want to combine the comforts of the modern world with a rich cultural scene in a local historical setting. Tallinn is an exciting mix of old and new. Tallinn Old Town is one of the best preserved Hanseatic town centres in the world. Once a home to wealthy merchants settling from Germany, Denmark and beyond, Tallinn Old Town today is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, with restaurants, bars, museums and galleries bringing life to this historical city centre. Spend a day in an authentic medieval milieu and you will soon realise why so many visitors have described Tallinn Old Town as mystical, mesmerising and addictive. Unlike many other capital cities in Europe, Tallinn has managed to wholly preserve its structure of medieval and Hanseatic origin. Here you'll find original cobblestone streets dotted with medieval churches and grandiose merchant houses, barns and warehouses many of which date back to the Middle Ages.
Tallinn: St. Nicholas Church
This beautiful Classicist building was designed by the St. Petersburg architect Luigi Rusca and was constructed between 1820–1827. The church has valuable iconostas, which can compete with the famous Zarudnõi iconostas in the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The church is administered by an orthodox congregation that belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate. Services are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Vilnius Old Town

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the historic centre of Vilnius is home to charming narrow streets, old palaces and churches, as well as many impressive Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings. Acting as the political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th to the end of the 18th century, these days you’ll find plenty of excellent cafés and street markets to help pass the time in this fascinating and charming area.

Vilnius: St. Anne's Church

Located on the right bank of the Vilnia River, St. Anne’s Church is a celebrated example of Flamboyant Gothic and Brick Gothic architecture and one of the Old Town’s most distinguished landmarks. Built from eye-catching red brick, the church’s elaborate façade is a sight to behold, with its elegant arches and sharply pointed steeples.

Vilnius: Gediminas Castle

A national symbol of Lithuania, Gediminas Castle occupies a prominent hilltop position at the junction of the Neris and Vilnia Rivers. Named for the Grand Duke of Lithuania, legend has it Gediminas built the first wooden fortifications on the site after a prophetic dream. The first brick castle was completed in 1409, and the iconic tower can be reached by taking a funicular or a short climb to the top of the hill, and now houses a museum of archaeological artefacts from the surrounding area.

Riga: St. Peter’s Church Tower

Located in the Old Town, a climb to the top of the tower will reward those with a head for heights with an incredible bird’s eye view of the city. Over 40% of Riga’s city centre is built in Art Nouveau and has been included in UNESCO’s world heritage list

Riga: Art Nouveau Quarter & Museum

Architecture and history enthusiasts will be spoilt with one of the biggest displays of Art Nouveau in the world. The Art Nouveau Museum is located in the incredible apartment where the Latvian architect Konstantins Peksens lived and displays one of the most impressive staircases in all of Latvia. The city canal runs for 3.2km and is bordered by incredible plantings, walkways and gardens.

Riga: City Canals

You can choose to take a boat that winds lazy along and allows you to take in the pretty views along the way. Those who choose to explore on foot will discover lush parks and gardens that are perfect to relax in if the weather is permitting!

Tallinn: Tallinn Old Town

Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and a perfect holiday destination if you want to combine the comforts of the modern world with a rich cultural scene in a local historical setting. Tallinn is an exciting mix of old and new. Tallinn Old Town is one of the best preserved Hanseatic town centres in the world. Once a home to wealthy merchants settling from Germany, Denmark and beyond, Tallinn Old Town today is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, with restaurants, bars, museums and galleries bringing life to this historical city centre. Spend a day in an authentic medieval milieu and you will soon realise why so many visitors have described Tallinn Old Town as mystical, mesmerising and addictive. Unlike many other capital cities in Europe, Tallinn has managed to wholly preserve its structure of medieval and Hanseatic origin. Here you'll find original cobblestone streets dotted with medieval churches and grandiose merchant houses, barns and warehouses many of which date back to the Middle Ages.

Tallinn: St. Nicholas Church

This beautiful Classicist building was designed by the St. Petersburg architect Luigi Rusca and was constructed between 1820–1827. The church has valuable iconostas, which can compete with the famous Zarudnõi iconostas in the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The church is administered by an orthodox congregation that belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate. Services are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Trip Itinerary - Day by day

Currency:
Euro (€)
Local Time:
Irish and UK time +2 hours
Flight Duration:
To Vilnius: Approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes. From Tallinn: Approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Airport:
Journey time from Vilnius airport to the city centre is approx. 20 mins and from Tallinn airport to the city centre it's approx. 25 mins
Passport:
A valid passport is required for this holiday. EU citizens do not need a visa however on-EU citizens should check requirements.
Climate:
Lithuania has a pleasant and sunny temperatures during summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and occasional rain. Latvia has pleasant, sunny summers and cold winters. Estonia has a temperate, transitional climate and weather is generally pleasant and sunny during summer and cold during winter.
Average Prices for Region
Coffee: €2 A typical beer: €2.50 Glass of wine: €3-€4 Soft Drink: €2 Bottled Water: €1.50 - €2
Packing List We advise you to bring:
Your valid passport A 220v plug adaptor Warm coat A small backpack Comfortable shoes Camera
Recommended Reading
Vilnius, City of Strangers by Laimonas Briedis The Free World by David Bezmozgis Estonian Life Stories by Tiina Kirss

Day 1 – Travel to Lithuania

Evening

Travel to Lithuania

Upon arrival in Vilnius, you will be met by our local representative at the airport before being transferred to your hotel. Your guide will share some information about the local region.

Day 2 – Half Day Walking Tour of Vilnius Old Town & Visit to Trakai Castle

Morning

Half Day City Tour of Vilnius

After breakfast begin your holiday with a walking tour around Vilnius Old Town, famous for its historic building and Gothic churches. Highlights you will witness include Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St Anne’s Church, Vilnius University, the Jewish Quarter, the Bohemian Uzupis District and the Gates of Dawn famed for its image of the Virgin Mary above the only remaining gate from the city’s original walls.

Afternoon

Visit to Trakai Castle

Drive to the picturesque town of Trakai, where a guided tour of the Castle is included. You will have some free time to enjoy the surroundings at your leisure before returning to your hotel.

Day 3 – Travel to Riga

Full day

Depart for Riga

After breakfast, travel by coach from Vilnius to Riga. There will be stops on route in the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania, and the Rundale Palace to include a guided tour. On arrival to Riga, you will have the evening to relax and explore the surroundings of your hotel. Total driving time approx. 5 hours

Day 4 – City Tour of Riga

Morning

City Tour of Riga

After breakfast, your local guide will take you on a tour to view the highlights of this charming city. You will visit the Old Town, the remains of the old city walls and the Dome Cathedral. Next you will visit St. Peter’s Church as well as taking in panoramic views of Riga canal, Daugava River and the city skyline. Finally, you will explore the Art Nouveau quarter at the Alberta Street on foot with a visit to the Art Nouveau Museum included.

Day 5 – At Leisure

Full day

At Leisure

You can spend today shopping and sightseeing at your own pace. We would recommend visiting the Central Market where over 1200 vendors peddle their wares daily or visit one of the many galleries or museums throughout the city. Simply walking around the city and stopping in one of the many cafés or bars is a lovely way to spend the day.

Day 6 – Travel to Tallinn

Full day

Travel to Tallinn

Today, you will travel by coach, with your guide, from Riga to Tallinn. En route, you will visit Gauja National Park, Latvia’s largest & oldest national park to include a guided visit of the Turaida Museum Reserve. In the afternoon you will also enjoy a stop in the Estonian summer resort of Parnu with some time at leisure, before continuing your scenic drive onwards to Tallinn. Total driving time approx. 5.5 hours

Day 7 – Tallinn City Tour

Morning

Tallinn City Tour

Following breakfast, depart by coach to begin your walking tour of Tallinn Old Town. As you stroll through the city you’ll see many highlights including Toompea Castle, the Lutheran Dome Church (St Mary’s Cathedral), the Church of the Holy Ghost, the Gothic Town Hall and Town Hall Square. You will also pay a visit to St. Nicholas Church with entrance included.

Day 8 – At Leisure

Full day

At Leisure

You will have today at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. Your guide will be delighted to recommend places to see and visit.

Day 9 – Return Home

Morning

Return Home

After breakfast at your hotel, you will have some free time to say goodbye to this charming city. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Tallinn airport for your flight home with guide assistance.

* Please note that the order of your excursions on the itinerary above is provisional and subject to change

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Baltic Highlights including Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn

Practical Information for this holiday

Holiday highlights

Practical Information for this holiday

Trip Itinerary - Day by day

Day 1 – Travel to Lithuania

Travel to Lithuania

Day 2 – Half Day Walking Tour of Vilnius Old Town & Visit to Trakai Castle

Half Day City Tour of Vilnius

Visit to Trakai Castle

Day 3 – Travel to Riga

Depart for Riga

Day 4 – City Tour of Riga

City Tour of Riga

Day 5 – At Leisure

At Leisure

Day 6 – Travel to Tallinn

Travel to Tallinn

Day 7 – Tallinn City Tour

Tallinn City Tour

Day 8 – At Leisure

At Leisure

Day 9 – Return Home

Return Home

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Hotel & accommodation available for this trip

Hotel Vilnia 4

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Tallink Hotel Riga 4

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Tallinn Hotel Euroopa 4

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