Baltics & Finland Walking Journey

We begin in Vilnius and our tour starts at the hotel. If you arrive in good time, you can wander the baroque old town – said to be the largest of its kind in eastern Europe. This evening we meet the tour leader and fellow travellers to hear more about the journey ahead, then we share a welcome dinner together. If you would like extra time in the city, you can arrange additional nights before the tour through your sales representative.

We start with a guided tour of Vilnius, taking in the old town and its main churches, the Gates of Dawn, Vilnius University – the oldest in Lithuania – and Cathedral Square. There is free time for lunch in the city, after which we transfer for approximately 50 minutes to Kernavė, a place of myths and legends with five hill forts and fine views of the winding Neris River. We walk the White Hill Educational Trail, beginning at the observation platform on White Hill for sweeping river vistas, then continue by the water to a resting area and through beautiful forest towards the hill forts. We finish the day in Trakai to admire the fairytale island castle on Lake Galvė, before returning to Vilnius.

We travel about 185mi (300km) – approximately four hours – to Žemaitija National Park for a walk to Plokštinė, a former Soviet missile base now housing the Cold War Museum. Here we explore underground bunkers and learn about the Cold War in the Baltics. After our visit, we cross into Latvia and continue to the port city of Liepaja for the night.

This morning we drive to Kuldīga, often considered the prettiest town in Latvia. We visit the broad Venta Rapid and enjoy a walk along its width, with views from the impressive 1874 brick bridge – in spring and autumn you may even see fish leaping the cascade. We then transfer for about an hour to a vineyard for a guided wine and cider tasting, including a visit to the cellar and an introduction to local winemaking – cheeses and snacks are served, and juices are available for non‑drinkers. Later we drive to Riga for a walking tour, taking in riverside Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral, late medieval fortifications, the Latvian parliament and a district rich in art nouveau architecture.

We explore Riga at a gentler pace today on a guided walk of around 2hr 30min–3hr through the Art Nouveau district. Along Alberta Street and nearby avenues we pause to admire sculpted façades, mythological figures and finely worked floral and geometric details, and learn how the Jugendstil movement helped shape the city. With one of Europe’s largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings, the area offers real insight into Riga’s cultural story. The afternoon is free – you can unwind in the parks, linger in a café or browse shops in the city centre.

We depart for Estonia, travelling to Saaremaa – the largest of more than 2,200 islands – with approximately five hours by road and about 30 minutes by ferry. En route, roughly 28mi (45km) from Riga, we stop at Saulkrasti for a seaside boardwalk stroll across dunes, and if the weather is kind we may extend the walk. We then pause for lunch in the coastal resort of Parnu before continuing to Kuressaare, where we stay overnight.

Today we explore Hiiumaa, Estonia’s second largest island and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with minimal noise and light pollution. After a one‑hour ferry crossing and a short drive, we follow the trail along Sääretirp, a slender headland edged with honeysuckle, alder buckthorn, sea kale and snowball trees – if you fancy a swim, the stony shore makes water shoes useful. We continue to the tranquil town of Kardla, set within an ancient meteorite crater, then walk to two lighthouses: Tahkuna, at 140ft (42m) the tallest in Estonia, and Kopu, among the oldest still operating – we climb the latter for panoramic views. We return to Saaremaa in the evening.

Before heading to Tallinn, we delve into Saaremaa’s highlights: the Kaali Crater formed by a meteorite about 7,500 years ago, the Angla Windmill Park with its historic Dutch‑style mill from 1927, the 13th‑century Karja Church and the Kuressaare Episcopal Castle, emblem of the island. We then transfer approximately 4hr 30min to Tallinn, with free time for lunch en route. We arrive in the afternoon, leaving time to relax or explore, and you can seek out a delicious Estonian dinner. If you wish to continue exploring, you can browse Viru Street’s shops, visit the Seaplane Harbour museum or sample the Old Town nightlife.

This morning we walk through medieval Tallinn, where towers, church spires and winding streets preserve the spirit of the 14th and 15th centuries. Our tour includes Toompea Palace and Castle, Town Hall Square and the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. We then explore the colourful wooden houses and bohemian character of the Kalamaja district, continuing to Balti Jaama market to browse local produce and crafts – you might like to look for Vana Tallinn liqueur, Kalev chocolates and marzipan treats, Estonian craft beers, smoked Võru cheese, Baltic amber jewellery, bogwood carvings, wild‑mushroom specialities and juniper‑inspired goods. There is free time for lunch, and you may also wish to visit Fotografiska Tallinn or the elegant Kadriorg Palace and Park.

We transfer about 15 minutes to the ferry and cross the Baltic Sea to Helsinki in roughly 2hr 10min. From the port we continue for about an hour to Sipoonkorpi National Park to walk the Fiskträsk circular trail, passing canyons and Ice Age rock formations and a stretch of thick primeval forest – there may be an option to extend the route. Afterwards we drive to Porvoo, 18mi (30km) away, to feel the atmosphere of Finland’s second oldest city on a short stroll, before continuing about 37mi (60km) back to Helsinki.

This morning we take a city sightseeing tour by public transport – ticket included – passing the harbours, the centre of Mannerheim Street, the Parliament Building, Finland Hall, Market Square, the Sibelius Monument, the Rock Church and the striking glass, steel and wood structure of the Oodi Library. The afternoon is free to relax as you wish. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Market Square to the UNESCO‑listed Suomenlinna Fortress and explore at your own pace, with museums, historic buildings, parkland and sea views to enjoy.

After breakfast we check out and begin our journeys home. If you would like more time to discover Helsinki, you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.