Baltic Adventure | September 2026
Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travelers. 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.
Non-Refundable Deposit + Map + Single Supplement + Physical Rating
Non-Refundable Deposit: $750
Single Supplement: $899
Physical Rating: 2 - Light: Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Sunday September 13
Vilnius
Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this charming city. I'm happy to help book pre-nights in our start hotel.
Depending on everyone's arrival time, our welcome meeting will be this evening or tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel LT Rock'N'Roll Vilnius (or similar)
No meals included
Monday September 14
Vilnius
Enjoy a visit to Trakai Castle, about 45 mins out of town by bus, built in the late 14th century. Getting out of the capital and visiting this historic treasure is a great way to experience a little more of Lithuania.
Enjoy optional activities in the afternoon, 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 the 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.
Optional Activities - Extra Cost
Frank Zappa Monument Visit, Free: Visit the statue that pays tribute to the musician Frank Zappa, who's much loved in Lithuania.
Gediminas Tower Visit, 2EUR per person: Visit Gediminas Tower to learn more about this symbolic place in Lithuania.
KGB Museum Visit, 3EUR per person: The KGB Museum is the unofficial name for the Museum of Genocide Victims currently housed in the former KGB headquarters. The fascinating museum brings to light the atrocities of war and the suffering the people of Lithuania and the other Baltic countries. On display are documents and artifacts related to the 50 year occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union.
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel LT Rock'N'Roll Vilnius (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Tuesday September 15
Vilnius/Klaipėda
Travel by private vehicle to Klaipeda, one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. (5h-6h, 349km, with comfort stops)
Set out on a guided orientation walk, visiting famous sights, and seeing up close the many interesting sculptures that make Klaipeda unique, like the Black Ghost. 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.
Accommodation: Dange Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Wednesday September 16
Full day tour of Nida from Klaipeda
We'll spend the whole day exploring the peninsula known as the Curonian Spit, located between Klaipeda and Nida. The tour will start in the morning and includes the 25 minute ferry ride to the Curonian Spit. After arriving, we'll drive up to Nida along the peninsula, making brief visits to Amber Bay, the Grey Herons and Cormorants Colony, and the Dead Dunes before arriving in Nida.
We'll visit the Hill of Witches, Lithuania’s outdoor sculpture trail of wooden folk art that will take us on a trip through the most well-known legends and stories in Lithuanian folk history. Later in the day, we'll visit the Parnidis Dune and Sun Clock in Nida and 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 dunes, 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.
There will be stops in both directions for photo opportunities. The tour will last for 7 hours and includes 3 hours total of driving time.
Full Day Tour of Nida, 7h
Optional Activities:
Ethnographic Fisherman's Museum, 1.50EUR per person: Take a wander through this restored 19th century fishing cottage, now exhibiting relics and tools from the fishing trade.
Nida Lighthouse, Free: Make your way to the Nida Lighthouse, one of the tallest along the Lithuanian coast. Built in the 1800s, its classic red and white stripes are an iconic lighthouse feature. Last renovated in 2016, it's still in use today.
Accommodation: Dange Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Thursday September 17
Klaipėda/Riga
Today, we cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga, stopping at the Hill of Crosses along the way. (4h30m-5h30m, with comfort stops, 278km)
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.
Optional Activities:
Saint Peter's Church, 7EUR per person: Ascend the spire of this church by lift for a fantastic view over the city.
Andrejsala Artists' District, Free: The Andrejsala neighborhood is an industrial port area just outside the city. Recently it has developed into a cultural hub with art and entertainment areas, workshops, galleries, and cafés. Explore all it has to offer.
Accommodation: A1 Hotel Riga (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Friday September 18
Riga
Enjoy a guided tour (2-3h), visiting some of the neighborhoods and sights around Riga, and learn about the history of this 800-year-old city. Visit the central market and pick up some delicacies for lunch.
Spend a free afternoon exploring the city.
Optional Activities:
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia Visit: The museum is dedicated to portraying what life was like in Latvia during the three periods of occupation. Learn about life under Soviet and Nazi rule and how Latvians regained their freedom in 1991.
Riga Art Nouveau Center Visit, 5-20EUR per person: RIga is one of the few places where Art Nouveau architecture has survived in great numbers. Visit the center to learn more.
Riga Castle Visit, 3EUR per person: First built in the 1440s on the banks of Daugava River, Riga Castle is now the home of the President of Latvia and the National History Museum. Enjoy a visit here and explore the castle.
The Tower of the Academy of Sciences, 6EUR per person: Head to the top of the Latvian Academy of Sciences observation deck and witness breathtaking views of Riga's Old Town and the Daugava River. Stand atop the building's 17th-floor balcony at the height of 65 meters.
Accommodation: A1 Hotel Riga (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Saturday September 19
Riga/Kuressaare
Today, we'll cross the border into Estonia (ferry and car, 3h30m-4h) and get the local experience with three nights on a farm in Saaremaa, a remote island in the Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape.
In the area, there is canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, and island visits.
Over the next three nights, we'll savor farm-to-table dinners specially prepared by our host family.
Accommodation: Jurna Farmhouse (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Sunday September 20
Kuressaare
Enjoy a tour of Saaremaa (4-5h) including a visit to the Kaali meteorite lake, bakeries, and windmills. Opt to visit the local breweries.
In the area, you'll find a naturally growing oak forest with rare flora (like orchids) and a bird watching platform.
Optional Activities:
Vilsandi National Park, Free: Vilsandi National Park is made up of 150 small yet incredibly biodiverse islets along the western shores of Saaremaa Island. Opt to hike along the park's many trails, visit a farm, or simply enjoy nature in a tranquil rural setting.
Kuressaare Castle, 10EUR per person: Visit the Baltic region's best preserved medieval castle - surrounded by a real moat, no less! Today, Kuressaare Castle houses the Saaremaa Museum and its collections on local history, nature and culture. While there's a fee to enter the museum, walking through the castle grounds is free, and a lovely way to experience the majesty of Estonia.
Accommodation: Jurna Farmhouse (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Monday September 21
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.
Optional Activities:
Sightseeing Saaremaa, Free: Visit some of the churches, some dating back as far as the 1300s and others boasting ancient wall frescoes still intact. Natural sites include the lake, the Panga Cliff, and the Pühatu Springs.
Kuressaare Castle, 10EUR per person: Visit the Baltic region's best preserved medieval castle - surrounded by a real moat, no less! Today, Kuressaare Castle houses the Saaremaa Museum and its collections on local history, nature and culture. While there's a fee to enter the museum, walking through the castle grounds is free, and a lovely way to experience the majesty of Estonia.
Pühatu Springs: Visit the beautiful Pühatu Springs. "Pühatu" resembles the word "bottomless" in the Estonian language, and describes the seemingly bottomlessness of this vibrant green spring. Locals have been visiting this site for hundreds of years, throwing coins into the pool as offerings for good health and fortune.
Panga Cliff: Take a walk to these vast slate cliffs, stretching about 2.5 km long.
Vilsandi National Park, Free: Vilsandi National Park is made up of 150 small yet incredibly biodiverse islets along the western shores of Saaremaa Island. Opt to hike along the park's many trails, visit a farm, or simply enjoy nature in a tranquil rural setting.
Jurna Farmhouse (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Tuesday September 22
Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia (4h). Fall in love with this medieval town.
Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace. Named for Peter the Great's wife, Catherine, the Kadriorg Palace served as the Russian czar's summer residence. Designed by an Italian architect, much of the palace's architecture is distinctly Baroque in style. Today, it's also home to collections from the Estonian Art Museum.
Optional Activities:
Bike tour around Tallinn, 20-25EUR per person: Hop on two wheels and explore Estonia's capital by bike.
Peter the Great Museum: Visit the house that Peter the Great and his wife Catherine stayed in on their visits to Tallinn.
Accommodation: Rixwell Viru Square Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Tuesday September 22
Kuressaare/Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia (4h). Fall in love with this medieval town.
Enjoy an included visit to Kadriorg Palace. Named for Peter the Great's wife, Catherine, the Kadriorg Palace served as the Russian czar's summer residence. Designed by an Italian architect, much of the palace's architecture is distinctly Baroque in style. Today, it's also home to collections from the Estonian Art Museum.
Optional Activities:
Bike tour around Tallinn, 20-25EUR per person: Hop on two wheels and explore Estonia's capital by bike.
Peter the Great Museum: Visit the house that Peter the Great and his wife Catherine stayed in on their visits to Tallinn.
Accommodation: Rixwell Viru Square Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Wednesday September 23
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.
Optional Activities:
Kadriorg Palace Visit, 6.50EUR per person: Named for Peter the Great's wife, Catherine, the Kadriorg Palace served as the Russian czar's summer residence. Designed by an Italian architect, much of the palace's architecture is distinctly Baroque in style. Today, it's also home to collections from the Estonian Art Museum.
Sea Kayaking, 33EUR per person: Head out to sea by kayak to get a new perspective of the area.
Occupation Museum Visit, 5EUR per person: Visit the Museum of the Occupations to learn more about life under the Soviet and Nazi regimes, then head to the ex-KGB headquarters.
Dome Church and Toompea Hill Visit, 2-6EUR per person: Enjoy a visit to the Dome Church, or St Mary's Cathedral, located on Toompea Hill. it's the oldest church in Tallinn, built in the 13th century.
Old Town Visit, Free: Wander the Old Town, soaking in the 15th to 17th century feel, and visit the Raekoja Plats where you can check out cafés and restaurants lining this square. It's absolutely a must-see.
Bike tour around Tallinn, 20-25EUR per person: Hop on two wheels and explore Estonia's capital by bike.
Peter the Great Museum: Visit the house that Peter the Great and his wife Catherine stayed in on their visits to Tallinn.
Accommodation: Rixwell Viru Square Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Thursday September 24
Tallinn/Helsinki
Travel by ferry (2h-2h30m) to the charming capital city of Helsinki. Enjoy an afternoon in the Scandinavian city with an orientation walk (30m-1h) and free time.
Optional Activities:
Ateneum Art Museum, 20EUR per person: Visit Finland's best-known art museum, considered the home of Finnish art. Located in Helsinki's city centre, the Ateneum Art Museum was first opened in 1888. With over 20,000 works on display, spend a few hours getting acquainted with the landscapes, portraits, still-lifes, and abstract art of this unique Nordic region.
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, 9EUR per person: After wandering through Helsinki's chic design district, see another side of Finland on Seurasaari Island. Hop on a bus or tram to visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and experience what rural Finnish life was like over a hundred years ago. Each of the island's 87 cottages, cabins, farmsteads and manors are unique to a region of Finland - in fact many were transported here from their original locations, and are complete with traditional objects, furniture, and dress.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, 3EUR per person: The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is one of Finland's most popular attractions for a reason. Built in 1748 as a military fortress to protect Helsinki - first as a part of Sweden, then Russia, and finally, Finland - this UNESCO World Heritage site stretches over six islands and is easily accessible from the Helsinki harbour by ferry (€3/person for 15 minute ride). Opt for a guided tour to further explore the tunnels, dockyard, museums and local history of this fascinating fortress.
Bike Tour of Helsinki, 60-70EUR per person: Experience Helsinki on two wheels with a guided bike tour of the city. Helsinki Bike Tours take you to off-the-beaten-path attractions and local favourites around town, while learning what life in contemporary Finland is like today with fun, knowledgeable guides.
Accommodation: Hotel Arthur Helsinki (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Friday September 25
Helsinki
Depart at any time.
Let me know if you'd like to extend your visit!
Meals included: Breakfast
Want to learn more about how you can join this extraordinary experience?