A Baltic Christmas

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Tallinn

   A visit to Tallinn, the oldest capital city in Northern Europe, is a trip back in time. The cobblestone streets, UNESCO-listed medieval walls, and stunning church spires give it an Old World charm you’ll love exploring. But there are all the modern amenities here too, and today Tallinn is a truly unique destination with the best of the old and the new. You’ll also see influences of both the east and west in the architecture and cuisine, as Estonia is a short ferry ride from Helsinki. The restaurants, quaint cafes and chic boutiques are places you’ll love to linger, while the long coastline is ideal for strolling. There are so many different ways to see the city, because Tallinn is so rich in history. See how beer influenced local history, or explore the reminders of life under the Soviet regime. Take a walking tour of the beautiful Old Town, or a driving tour to see more of the city. There are distinct neighborhoods here and each one feels distinct. Tallinn is very tech-savvy, so the business district is always modern and bustling. The bohemian Kalamaja neighborhood is a great place to have a drink or a bite to eat. The picturesque Lahemaa National Park is one of the best day trips from Tallinn, and you’ll have fun wandering through nature here before returning to the city to find more of its charms.

   When you arrive, we'll have a driver waiting to greet you. You'll be taken to your accommodation in the photogenic medieval Old Town of Tallinn, the Estonian capital. The airport is very close so the journey should take less than 15 minutes.

   

   Get a Bird's-Eye View

   Get your bearings and a feeling for Tallinn by looking out from one of its highest vistas. The city follows the coastline, so you're never far from the sea. From its highest points, you can catch the sunset, watch ferries coming in, and see how the Old Town was once two separate cities, with Tallinn sitting beneath Toompea. Head to Kohtuotsa viewing platform or St. Olav's Church tower for amazing vistas or enjoy a nice dinner while admiring the views of Toompea castle from the Fotografiska rooftop restaurant.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Tallinn

   

   Discover Medieval Wonders

   Today you’ll be exploring the wonders of Tallinn with a local guide who knows all the city’s secrets. You’ll be picked up from your accommodations to walk through the UNESCO-listed center of Tallinn, home to many of the city's unusual historic treasures. From Old Town cobblestones to stunning views, you’ll get a vivid encapsulation of all the city has to offer, along with the unique insights of a knowledgeable native. There’s no better way to get your bearings and learn about the city at the same time.
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Europe's Best Christmas Market?

   Tallinn and Zagreb frequently trade places at the top of "best Christmas market" lists and polls, and we invite you to decide for yourself which you prefer. Tallinn's Christmas market is wonderfully atmospheric, as it sits at the center of the medieval old town, in front of its city hall. Tallinn invented the tradition of publicly displaying a Christmas tree. Accordingly, a particularly impressive specimen sits at the market's center, with colorful wooden stalls radiating outwards. Come hungry, as you’ll find candied nuts, sausages, and Nordic mulled wine (Glogg) and warm Vana Tallinn liqueur. This market excels in handicrafts, especially traditional hand-knit woollen winter wear such as mittens, socks, and hats.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Tallinn

   

   Bog-shoe Hiking Private Tour

   For something a bit more unusual, walk across one of Estonia's largest bogs with special bog-shoes (otherwise, you would sink right in!) Bogs are very dear to Estonians, and have always been part of its culture, so a visit to Estonia is incomplete without a bog walk. Visiting an Estonian bog is a strangely unworldly experience, with their calm pools of black (but drinkable!) water, stunted trees, and endless berry bushes. With the help of equipment akin to snowshoes, you'll visit otherwise inaccessible places. This tour will take you beyond the boardwalks and observation towers to normally inaccessible areas, home to more wildlife. Have an unforgettable adventure in Estonia and come to a bog-shoe hike in the picturesque Kõnnu Suursoo, less than an hour east of Tallinn. This tour is available year-round, as the bog has a different face to show every season.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 4-5 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Baroque History: Kadriorg Palace and Park

   One of the more regal sites in Tallinn is Kadriorg Palace, a Baroque palace built by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia. Today this stately palace, surrounded by well-kept gardens, houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, with foreign art from the 16th to the 20th century. There are a number of museums in the park, including Kumu (the Estonian Art Museum), Kadriorg Art Museum and the Mikkeli Museum, as well as monuments to such cultural figures as sculptor Amandus Adamson, author F. R. Kreutzwald, and artist Jaan Koort.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Riga by Private Transfer / Arrival in Riga

   

   The Latvian capital of Riga awaits you today, as well as the opportunity to explore more of Estonia. First, we'll arrange for a private car to pick you up at your accommodation in Tallinn and bring you to your centrally located Riga accommodation. Along the way you will be stopping at the southern part of Estonia and the charming university town of Tartu. Please keep in mind this is a non guided transfer and tickets to different attractions are not included! The whole journey including stops takes about 9 hours.
   The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class vehicle for an extra fee.

   Riga's story is one of resurrection. After being damaged by fighting in World War II, the city has returned to beautiful prominence after two decades of independence. Riga really has come a long way, earning UNESCO World Heritage status and being named the European Capital of Culture for 2014. This is a lovely city that takes art and culture seriously, with a packed classical music calendar and events held nightly. You’ll find plenty to enjoy in this Baltic capital. Exploring the city, you’ll have the largest market and bazaar in Europe on-hand, as well as the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. You could spend days wandering around admiring these beautiful buildings. But there’s more to do. The city is rich in museums, galleries and concert halls, so your cultural calendar will be full during your stay. And the nightlife is excellent too, with fine restaurants, boutique bars and cute cafes. Rundale and Sigulda are both gorgeous castles and palaces reachable for a day trip.

   Your driver will bring you directly to your accommodation in the center of Riga.

   Christmas Trees and a Bunny Kingdom

   Riga's Old Town is an ideal home for its best Christmas markets. We recommend visiting Esplenade Park's “Bunny Kingdom," populated by live rabbits. Vegetables are on hand so you can feed the inhabitants of this miniature walled city (complete with churches and towers). On Saturday, follow the locals and cross the river to the Kalnciems District's own Christmas market. Riga was the second city (after Tallinn) to display Christmas trees, although its tree was originally used for a bonfire. Today, it celebrates with creative trees, arranged along a route connecting many of the center’s landmarks.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Riga

   

   Introducing Riga

   Today you’ll be exploring the beautiful city of Riga and its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Historically an important trading port on the Baltic Sea, Riga had a strategic advantage for invaders, which resulted in periods of Polish, German, Swedish and Soviet rule all leaving their mark. You’ll walk through the winding streets of the Old Town to take in the sublime architecture as your guide makes the past come alive for you with stories. Your guide will meet you at your accommodation for this 2-hour tour, and will bring you back to your accommodation, or suggest places for further exploration.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   The Artists’ Neighborhood: Kalnciema Quarter

   One neighborhood in Riga you don’t want to miss is Kalnciema, an old part of the city that has unique wooden architecture. These days it’s one of the most creative parts of Riga. You’ll find markets, ateliers, great cafes and restaurants and more. The quarter has its own website, so be sure to check to see what’s happening before you visit. You can expect everything from concerts to food festivals.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   Central Market Private Tour

   Come and discover what Latvian food is all about, what the locals eat, and where they do so. This excursion will show you many local specialties, allowing you to taste and experience them. Find out about the history of the Riga Central Market (housed inside giant zeppelin hangars), with seasonal foods and more. This is a tasting tour, so be prepared to try quite new foods and beverages. The tour is a walking tour with tastings within the market, instead of gourmet restaurants, providing an authentic taste of Latvian food, with real locals.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

6. Day 6 Traveling to Vilnius by Private Transfer / Arrival in Vilnius

   

   A private driver will pick you up today for your trip to the intriguing Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. Along the way, there will be a couple of stops to break up the drive. First, you'll explore the impressively decadent Rundale Palace in Latvia. After entering Lithuania, you'll make a shorter stop at the UNESCO site known as the Hill of Crosses. Please keep in mind this is a non-guided transfer and tickets to different attractions are not included. Your driver will take you to your Vilnius accommodation at the end of the journey. The journey takes about 8 hours including stops. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   With one of the oldest surviving Old Town neighborhoods in Europe, as well as a collection of classic architecture from Baroque to Gothic and everything in between, Vilnius is sure to astound you. Walking around the city and marveling at the sites is a pleasure in itself, but there’s much more to do here because Vilnius is also a vibrant cultural epicenter, with concerts and art exhibitions happening regularly. There are also numerous outdoor activities and day trips to enjoy while you stay in the city. It might surprise you, but hot air balloons are a popular pastime in and around Vilnius, and the city is one of the few in Europe that allows hot air balloons to float directly over the city, so you’re guaranteed a spectacular view whether you opt for a flight over the city or nearby Trakai. There’s also a rich Jewish heritage to explore here, including the former synagogue and the larger and smaller ghetto. We’d also recommend delving into the darker areas of the city’s past and exploring the communist era and the history of the KGB in Vilnius at the KGB Museum. Don’t miss Uzupis, a bohemian neighborhood of galleries, restaurants, and cafes that doubles as a tongue-in-cheek sovereign state, complete with its own charming constitution, three-boat navy, and flags (one per season).

   Your driver will bring your directly to your accommodations in the centre of Vilnius.
   

   A Christmas Rivalry

   Vilnius and Kaunas’ rivalry takes many forms. Chief among them are its Christmas trees, which get more elaborate every year as the current and former capital try to prove their supremacy. The city's largest square, in front of the cathedral, naturally hosts the main Christmas market. This bazaar excels at pastries and candied nuts, as well as a surprising amount of herbal teas. The nearby city hall's market is a bit smaller and quieter, for those seeking something more atmospheric. For something different, head to the alternative Christmas market hosted by the train station at the other end of the old town. Here you're more likely to hear techno than choral carols, and can drink hot chocolate beer or eat fondue. Concerts are held for adults and children near food trucks.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Vilnius

   

   Vilnius Private Walking Tour

   You'll have the chance to really get in touch with the vibrant culture of Vilnius, not just its history and buildings, on this enjoyable walking tour. Your guide will show you the ins and outs of the real city, regaling you with stories from the past and present. Learn more about Vilnius' Jewish, Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian heritage while discovering the city's most impressive sites, including the Old Town, the St. Stanislovas and Vladislovas cathedrals, Vilnius University, the Presidential Palace and more. It's the perfect introduction to this charming destination.
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Unique Uzupis

   Take the opportunity to explore one of Vilnius’ most colorful neighborhoods, Uzupis. It goes back to 1995, when a group of artists erected a statue of Frank Zappa in the area and declared Uzupis an independent republic. Soon flags were being created and the energy of the place seemed to attract eccentrics from all over the country. Today the mayor of Vilnius actively supports the republic and often takes part in the many activities going on there. There’s plenty to do in the neighborhood, so don’t be afraid to explore, here you’re bound to find some very photogenic people and places.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your Second Full Day in Vilnius

   

   Trakai Private Tour

   Step back into Lithuania’s medieval past with a visit to Trakai, the enchanting lake town and former capital surrounded by forests. After a scenic 40-minute drive, explore the famous island castle, once home to Lithuania’s Grand Dukes. Stroll through the town and discover the unique Karaite community, the Crimean Tatars, with their Jewish traditions. You can also change up your visit with a boat ride around the castle or a hands-on kibinai-making class. Discuss your options with your guide on the day.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Flavors of Vilnius Private Walking Tour

   With a fascinating fusion of Jewish, Polish, Italian, and Russian influences, Vilnius is a cultural feast of architectural and culinary proportions. Get lost in the narrow streets of the Old Town Vilnius while sampling tasty treats and bold brews from specialty food shops, cafes, and bars along the way! Does it get any better than that?

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

9. Day 9 Departure Day

   Based on your flight time, we'll have a driver meet you at your accommodation and take you to the airport.