Discover the Baltics

Name: Discover the Baltics
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.5 (79 reviews)

Offer :

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12 Days Excluding Flights From

12 Days from

£ 1999

4.5/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

5 - 18

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AVV

Carbon Footprint :

18kg CO2e per person per day

Experience the very best of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, from cultural hotspots to scenic national parks

Centuries-old castles, Cold War history, fascinating cities and wild landscapes. The Baltics are packed with intrigue and beauty – ideal for a cultural adventure. On this small-group trip, we explore the very best spots in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, visiting all three capitals, historic old towns and the once-secret Soviet missile base in Plokstine forest. We enjoy the natural beauty too, spending plenty of time in the scenic national parks and coastal hotspots. It’s the perfect balance of cultural and natural wonders and a fascinating introduction to the Baltics.

Highlights

Experience the best of the Baltics: ancient castles, Cold War history and wild landscapes
Unwrap the history and culture of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the help of our expert tour leader
Explore the pine forests, waterfalls and sandy beaches of Lahemaa National Park
Visit the Plokstine Cold War Museum in a once-secret Soviet Union missile base
Discover the Hill of Crosses, a unique and mysterious pilgrimage site
Marvel at the magical fairytale island castle of Trakai

Key Information

Accommodation: 11 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by bus and ferry
Group normally 5 to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

What's Included

All breakfasts
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

TRIP

AVV - Discover the Baltics

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Tallinn Vilnius

The tour starts at our hotel in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. There’s a welcome briefing with our leader in the evening and free time to explore the city after. There will also be an optional welcome group meal, a great chance to get to know the group.

Of course, if you’d prefer a little time to settle into the adventure, you can speak to us about booking pre-tour nights in Tallinn.

Accommodation: Go Shnelli Hotel (or similar)

Today we explore vibrant Tallinn, the largest city in Estonia. The Old Town, framed by ancient city walls, is full of architectural wonders. In the morning, we have a guided tour of the city taking in some of the main attractions, including the Toompea palace and castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Dome Church and St Nicholas church. We then have a free afternoon to explore the picturesque Old Town, which happily lacks an invasion of modern architecture. Dive into the past as you explore cobblestone alleys with spluttering torches and secret stairways; the old town holds new surprises around every corner, even for residents. We overnight in Tallinn old town.

Accommodation: Go Shnelli Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, we leave Tallinn and journey to Tartu, stopping at Lahemaa, the largest national park in Estonia. It’s a popular tourist destination with sandy beaches, waterfalls and mossy pine forests; it also has a variety of cultural sites, including Palmse Manor and the 400-year-old fisherman’s village of Altja. After lunch, we transfer to Tartu for a guided tour. Tartu, the capital of southern Estonia, is the second-largest town in the country, with lots of local culture, including festivals, concerts and theatre exhibitions. We spend the night in a hotel in the centre of Tartu.

Accommodation: Hotel Tartu (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Historic Cesis, on the Gauja River valley, is now a celebrated art-and-culture hub. However, it’s also home to one of the finest old towns in Latvia, where red-roofed buildings with restored facades line cobbled streets. The star attraction here is undoubtedly the Medieval castle, a partly preserved fortification knocked down and rebuilt in various forms. There will be option to visit the museum in the morning.

We then transfer to Gauja National Park, a region known as Latvian Switzerland. After, we transfer to Riga.

Accommodation: Islande Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, the magnificent old town of Riga awaits. We will have a guided city tour taking in winding alleys, elegant boulevards and 800 renovated art nouveau buildings. We then have a free afternoon to soak up the romantic atmosphere of the city and enjoy a relaxing lunch before exploring some of the great shops.

Accommodation: Islande Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, we transfer by train to Jurmala, the largest seaside and spa resort in the Baltic states and known for its unique natural resources, including healing mineral waters, pine forests and dunes. The town is also home to unique wooden art nouveau architecture. After exploring the town, we will transfer back to Riga for the night.

Accommodation: Islande Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Firstly, we visit the 18th-century Rundale Palace, which was designed for the Duke of Courland by Italian architect Rastrelli, who also designed the winter palace in St Petersburg. Today, the palace is the most magnificent piece of architecture in the Baltic states, surrounded by impressive gardens.
We then cross the border to Lithuania and have time to explore the Hill of Crosses before transferring to Klaipeda Port for a short tour around the small old town taking in reconstructed merchant houses and the remains of Klaipeda Castle.

Accommodation: Old Mill Hotel or Memel Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We start the day with a short ferry ride across the lagoon to the Curonian Spit, a Unesco World Heritage site between the Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea. Here, we have the day to explore the largest drifting dunes in Europe. We will also visit the Hill of Witches and the Lithuanian sea resort of Nida to climb the Great Dune for the views. We transfer back to Klaipeda where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Old Mill Hotel or Memel Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We transfer to the Plokstine forest and visit the Cold War Museum, which is housed in a once-secret Soviet Union missile base. We can view the internal control facility, see decommissioned missiles, and learn more about the five-decade-long period. We then travel to the town of Kaunas, and take a walking tour of the beautiful old town, which includes the 13th-century castle, old town hall, Cathedral Basilica and Church of St Francis Xavier. We stay overnight in Kaunas.

Accommodation: Best Western Santaka Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We stop in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here we will go on a tour around the incredible 14th-century castle, which occupies a small island in the middle of the lake. We then transfer to Vilnius where we stay the night.

Accommodation: Comfort Hotel LT – Rock’n’Roll Vilnius (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We have the whole day to explore Vilnius. There is a guided city tour in the morning and then plenty of time to explore at your own pace. The city was developed around its Town Hall and there is a great deal of diverse architecture to see. There are many narrow streets that lead to intimate courtyards, plus the larger landmarks of the castle complex, cathedral square and Royal Palace. There are also plenty of museums to dip into. We overnight in Vilnius.

Accommodation: Comfort Hotel LT – Rock’n’Roll Vilnius (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Vilnius. Begin your return trip home or, if you’d like a bit more time to explore this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

It has quite a busy itinerary based around sightseeing in the Baltic states. There is a fair amount of walking around towns, cities and parks, but all on good paths, mainly wooden boarded and sometimes cobbled streets in the old towns. The walks are suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness; you will just need a good pair of sports shoes to be comfortable. To visit all the highlights of the three countries, there are some long bus journeys.

Renovations: Trakai Castle is currently undergoing renovation work, which may mean you see some scaffolding on the outside of the building.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: GO Shnelli, Toompuiestee 37, 10133 Tallinn
Phone: +372 631 0100
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Tallinn Airport (TLL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 25-minute drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

You can book a private transfer, which costs approximately €37 (payable before departure), with your sales representative. Please ensure you provide us with all relevant information at least two weeks before departure. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Vilnius Airport (VNO) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Tallinn
Location end: Vilnius

Vaccinations and Health

Estonia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Latvia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Lithuania

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

Estonia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Estonia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/estonia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/estonia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/estonia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Estonia.html

Latvia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Latvia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Lithuania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Lithuania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/lithuania
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/lithuania
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lithuania/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Lithuania.html

Food & Drink

There will be buffet breakfasts in the hotels offering plenty of choice including cold meats, cheese, eggs, bread, jams, juice and coffee.

Lunches will be a mixture of picnics bought from local shops and cafe stops.

Dinners will be taken in the hotel restaurants or in local restaurants and will be hearty meals. Cuisine in this area is often centred around pork, veal, fish, potatoes, sauerkraut, and soups such as borsch (beetroot soup – in Lithuania this is also served cold). Dumplings are also popular and in Trakai, large and delicious baked dumplings called kibinai are traditionally served.

Weather

The climate is largely influenced by the Baltic Sea. The summers see temperatures from 20C to 30C (68F to 86F). In the evenings, the temperatures will not drop too much. There is little rain in the summer but, of course, it is always a possibility, so come prepared. The days will be long, with 19 hours of daylight. In spring and autumn, there is the possibility of light rain and temperatures can be cool. Estonia is the furthest north we travel and therefore the coldest, although the temperature range described applies. Lithuania is the furthest south, which makes it the warmest country of the three. Estonia is often described as the more Scandinavian country than the other two.

TRIP

AVV - Discover the Baltics

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

A selection of three-star hotels

On this trip, we stay in three-star hotels, ideally located for access to the key sites. Below are the properties we typically use.

Tallinn: Go Shnelli Hotel (nights 1-2)

Discover the Baltics

We begin our adventure by staying near to the medieval old town of Tallinn and Balti Jaam Market. When you’re not out exploring, the first-floor hotel restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows with views over both and serves breakfast plus an à la carte dinner menu.

Tartu: Hotel Tartu (night 3)

Discover the Baltics

In the city centre, Hotel Tartu is within walking distance of the old town and the Vanemuine Theatre (the oldest theatre in Estonia). It also has a 70-seat cafe on the ground floor plus a sauna centre (additional cost) with Finnish and steam saunas. If you plan on using the sauna centre, you need to bring flip flops (or purchase them from the hotel for €3).

Riga: Islande Hotel (nights 4-6)

Discover the Baltics

Near the Daugava River, the Islande has a magnificent panoramic view of Riga Old Town. It’s located in a green area of Ķīpsala island, a 12-minute walk from the Old City, and offers a wide range of amenities, including a bowling alley, sauna, gym, two restaurants and a summer terrace.

Klaipeda: Old Mill Hotel or Memel Hotel (nights 7-8)

Discover the Baltics

In the port city of Klaipeda, we stay at either the Old Mill Hotel or Memel Hotel(above), which are both ideally located for our ferry ride to the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit. The former was once the biggest rice mill in Lithuania, before being converted into a 32-room hotel in 2008. The latter takes over a property built in 1876, and offers 50 comfortable rooms.

Kaunas: Best Western Santaka Hotel (night 9)

Discover the Baltics

Our night in Kaunas is spent in the 92-room Santaka Hotel. It’s located between the city centre and old town and, if you have time, there’s a sauna to enjoy.

Vilnius: Comfort Hotel LT – Rock’n’Roll Vilnius (nights 10-11)

Discover the Baltics

With an industrial style and music theme, our Vilnius hotel has plenty of personality. The 80 rooms are all air conditioned with underfloor heating in the bathroom, plus the Mellow restaurant serves a menu packed with local produce. Other nice additions are a free-to-use gym and a lobby shop selling beers, snacks, sandwiches and more.

Worth knowing

If you opt for the single supplement, please note that in some hotels, this may mean having a room with a single bed.

TRIP

AVV - Discover the Baltics

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Raquel Quiros

Reviewed October 2024

Fascinating Tour of the Baltics

This is my 8th Exodus trip since 2017. I appreciate the variety in the cultural tours, such as Discover the Baltics. Over the 12-day period, we visited all three capitals of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, explored historic towns (Tartu, Kaunas, Cesis, and Klaipeda), learned about architecture (Art Nouveau in Riga and Jarmala), trekked in national parks, visited famous churches, took a crash course on Soviet occupation at famous museums, and enjoyed free time to explore on our own. The pace is brisk. Be prepared to board your bus at 9 am each day to begin your tour. There are several long days on the bus as we typically visited two venues. I highly recommend this tour.

Exodus should replace two of the hotels used. They were poor. I did not like being assigned a tiny room with a twin bed.

My Top 12 Memories of the Baltic Republics

1. Meandering the cobblestone streets of Old Town Tallinn, Estonia
2. Foraging for berries in Tartu National Park
3. Riding a giant adult swing between Estonia and Latvia
4. Admiring the red roofed homes of historic Cesis
5. Roaming in the sculpture garden at Gauja National Park
6. Visiting the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga, Latvia
7. Admiring the colorful wooden houses in Jurmala, a 19th century seaside village
8. Learning the etiquette of “fan flirtation” at 18th-century Rundale Palace
9. Walking the trail of tears at the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
10. Searching for seaside stones at the Curonian Spit, a Unesco World Heritage site between the Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea
11. Taking a boat ride on the lake in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
12. Discovering Vilnius’ old town with our Exodus Travel guide

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved our time spent trekking in the national parks, particularly Lahemaa National Park (outdoor sculpture garden), the Curonian Spit (seacoast and Hill of Witches), and Gauja. I was deeply moved by the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. I found it grim (but educational) to visit the Cold War Museum in Plokstine Forest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius Mazrimas was a fantastic leader. He taught us so much about the history of the three Baltic countries we visited, from medieval times to today. Since he grew up in Lithuania during the Soviet occupation, he provided much insight about how life improved after Lithuania restored its sovereignty in 1990-1991. We were a large group (18) but he managed to facilitate all the problems, including lost luggage and medical issues. I so appreciated his humor and joking. He also handpicked our restaurants each evening so we could sample local cuisine, such as smoked fish, zeppelins, potato pancakes, and beetroot soup. You will be lucky if you get Andrius as your guide! I appreciate that Exodus hired knowledgeable local guides for our city walking tours. Our two bus drivers kept us safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack a raincoat and umbrella for the inevitable rainy days. You need good sneakers for walking on the cobblestone streets in the medieval cities. If you are a vegetarian, pack snacks such as nuts and protein bars. Bring a power charge because you will run down your mobile phone each day because you take so many photos! Finally, the tour is rated a Level 1, but you should be prepared to walk up to 18,000-20,000 steps a day.

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Discover the Baltics

4.5/5 from

12 Days Excluding Flights From

12 Days from

£ 1999

Discover the Baltics

Experience the very best of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, from cultural hotspots to scenic national parks

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Our Big Gift to You!

Itinerary

Tallinn Vilnius

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Passport

Visa

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

A selection of three-star hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Trip Experts

Lukas Misiunas

Andrius Mažrimas

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

DISCOVER THE BALTICS

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

An Excellent visit to the Baltic States

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Discover the Baltics

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Very interesting and informative trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous experience!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Review of Baltics Tour 25 June to 6 July 2025

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Excellent Holiday Discovering the Baltics

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous experience

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fascinating Tour of the Baltics

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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