16 Day Tastes of Latvia, Finland & Estonia

16-Day Northern Europe Explorer: Latvia, Finland & Estonia

Experience the best of the Baltic capitals and Finnish charm on this 16-day Stay & Explore Tour. Stay in centrally located first-class hotels, enjoy expert local guides, and customize your journey with optional excursions to create your perfect adventure. From historic palaces to scenic landscapes and UNESCO heritage sites, this journey blends culture, history, and relaxation.

DAY 1, Tuesday – Depart for Latvia

Depart for the vibrant Baltic nation of Latvia, where centuries of history and culture await.

DAY 2, Wednesday – Arrive in Riga

Arrive in Riga, the Latvian capital at the mouth of the Daugava River. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Attend an evening orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at 6 PM, followed by a welcome reception.

Overnight: Riga

DAY 3, Thursday – Riga Walking Tour

Explore Riga’s architectural gems with your guide:

• Riga Castle (1440s)

• St. Jacobs Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church

• Freedom Monument, a symbol of Latvia’s independence
  Stroll the charming streets, taking in Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical facades. Afternoon free to explore at your own pace.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Friday – Hill of Crosses & Jelgava Palace

Cross into Lithuania to visit the Hill of Crosses, a sacred pilgrimage site adorned with thousands of crosses. Return to Latvia and stop at Jelgava Palace, a Baroque masterpiece by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli and former residence of the Dukes of Courland. Explore the palace’s grand halls and learn about Latvian history. Return to Riga in the afternoon.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Saturday – Free Day / Optional Cesis Medieval Castle with Lunch

Enjoy Riga at leisure or join the optional Cesis Medieval Castle Tour:

• Stop at Sigulda Bobsleigh Track

• Explore the 13th-century Cesis Castle ruins

• Savor a medieval-style lunch with traditional Latvian dishes

Return to Riga in the afternoon.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Sunday – Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle, and Beer Tasting

Drive south to Rundale Palace, an 18th-century Baroque marvel. Tour its Throne Room, White Hall, and Golden Hall, then stroll the gardens. Continue to Bauska Castle, perched between two rivers, followed by a visit to a local craft brewery for a guided tour and tasting. Return to Riga in the evening.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Monday – Free Day / Optional Historical Memorial Tour

Optional day to explore Latvia’s WWII history:

• Salaspils Labor Camp Memorial

• Rumbula Holocaust Memorial

• Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Return to Riga in the afternoon and enjoy time at leisure.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Tuesday – Free Day / Optional Jurmala Walking Tour & Inner Light Gallery

Optional trip to Jurmala, a seaside town with wooden Art Nouveau villas. Visit the Inner Light Gallery to see Vitaliy Yermolayev’s luminous paintings, then stroll Jomas Street with shops and cafes. Return to Riga for a farewell dinner with your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Riga | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Wednesday – Flight to Helsinki, Finland

Fly to Helsinki and transfer to your hotel. Evening orientation with your Finnish Tour Manager.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Thursday – Helsinki City Tour

Explore Helsinki’s landmarks:

• Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, Esplanade Park

• Uspenski Cathedral, Eastern Orthodox heritage

• Oodi Library, modern architectural icon

Afternoon at leisure to shop or explore museums.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Friday – Porvoo Walking Tour

Excursion to Porvoo:

• Cobblestone streets and colorful wooden houses

• 15th-century Porvoo Cathedral

• Artisan boutiques and local galleries

Return to Helsinki in the afternoon.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Saturday – Free Day / Optional Turku & Naantali Tour

Optional full-day excursion to Turku, Finland’s oldest city, and coastal Naantali. Tour Turku Castle, Old Town, and enjoy the scenic waterfront in Naantali before returning to Helsinki.

Overnight: Helsinki | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Sunday – Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia & City Tour

Take a scenic ferry to Tallinn. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town:

• Toompea Castle, Gothic Town Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

• Cobblestone streets, medieval churches, and the Song Festival Grounds

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Monday – Free Day / Optional Lahemaa National Park & Altja Excursion

Optional visit to Lahemaa National Park, including:

• Viru Bog Nature Trail

• Palmse Manor with lunch

• Altja fishing village along the Baltic coast

Return to Tallinn in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Tuesday – Free Day / Optional West Estonia Discovery

Optional excursion to West Estonia:

• Turisalu Clifftop, Keila Waterfall, Keila-Joa Manor

• Former Soviet naval base at Paldiski

• Rummu Quarry & Prison, a flooded labor camp

Farewell dinner with your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Tallinn | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16, Wednesday – Depart Estonia

Transfer to Tallinn Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay & Explore Package Highlights

• Flights: New York–Riga / Tallinn–New York (other departure cities available)

• Intra-flight: Riga–Helsinki | Ferry: Helsinki–Tallinn

• 14 nights First-Class accommodations: 7 nights Riga | 4 nights Helsinki | 3 nights Tallinn

• 16 meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 dinners

• Hotel taxes, fees, and porterage included

• Sightseeing via modern air-conditioned motor coach

• Services of English-speaking Tour Manager and local guides

• Wireless earphones for enhanced touring

• Optional Tours: Castles, palaces, national parks, memorials, cultural experiences

• Flexible, customizable itinerary with a balance of included and optional excursions