Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga

Helsinki - Helsinki is a beautiful, bustling capital city – an idyllic archipelago nestled on the Gulf of Finland and boasting over 300 islands. Surrounded by lush forests and vast, picturesque parks, both Central Park and Kaivopuisto Park offer stunning views overlooking the sea, just two of the city’s tranquil spots that provide us with an uplifting breath of fresh air.Our morning tour takes us around many of Helsinki’s highlights, including its striking Railway Station and the sculptural Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes. During the afternoon, we’re free to explore the city’s vastly varied sights.

Suomenlinna Fortress - Today, prepare to be transported back in time as we take a short ferry ride from the mainland to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna Fortress. Despite a tumultuous history, the fortress is now the epitome of peace and tranquillity.Our expert guide will bring the fort’s history back to life as we explore Suomenlinna’s four bastions, as well as a wealth of other attractions within the fortress walls, including deep and eerie connecting tunnels, a turquoise-topped dual use church/lighthouse, the ominous canons, lakes, gardens and even a beach. Outside of the crumbling fortress walls, we meander through the cobbled streets, across connecting bridges and in between old wooden buildings now home to quaint restaurants and artists’ workshops.In the afternoon you’ll have some free time where you may choose to head back to Helsinki or stay on Suomenlinna.

Kadriorg Palace - Today, we leave Finland in our wake and cross the Gulf from Scandinavia to Estonia. We dock in the port of Tallinn and drive east along the coast until we arrive at picturesque Kadriorg Palace. Built in the 18th century by Russian Emperor Peter the Great as a gift to his wife Catherine, this sweeping confection of a building now houses one of the country’s best art collections. Here, we take a guided tour of its intricate interior, taking in the exquisite and mesmerising ceiling in the main hall, as well as the impressive, manicured gardens and fountains that the palace overlooks.After this most regal outing we continue to Tallinn to settle into our hotel before heading out for dinner in a local restaurant. You will stay for two nights at the four-star Nordic Forum Hotel.

Tallinn - Estonia’s capital Tallinn is, quite simply, a time warp. Its fairy tale UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, a rabbit-warren of atmospheric streets neatly situated below an impressive hilltop Upper Town, offers endless discovery: an ancient castle, a pastel-coloured baroque Parliament building, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. As you enter Tallinn’s Old Town through its landmark 14th century Viru Gate, you’re immediately struck by the heady fragrance of fresh blooms from the plethora of flower shops that line the road ahead. Sitting in the shadows of the church steeples, castle walls and grand cathedrals you’ll happen across a hotchpotch of winding streets and alleyways, colourful buildings and traditional traders. Stroll through Catherine’s Passage, an atmospheric hidden alleyway lined with all manner of artists’ workshops.Before time at leisure, we will stop at the Town Hall Pharmacy, which can be compared to a modern café where people can enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of claret. The oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe, Raeapteek has operated in the same building for over 600 years. Interestingly, back then marzipan was regarded as a health aid so, what better place to taste marzipan and claret to get a traditional flavour of historical Tallinn (2027 only).Once we’ve enjoyed our morning walking tour of the upper and lower Old Town with a local guide, there’s time to seek out various local treasures, wander through the shadows of the city walls, or maybe just a short stop to sip a coffee and watch the world go by.

Journey from Tallinn to Riga - After breakfast we leave the city of Tallinn behind with fond memories and begin our journey towards Latvia. Travelling from one country to the next means that today will see the longest coach journey of the trip so after a few days exploring, take this time to relax as we travel through the countryside passing rich farmland, traditional wooden barns and dense forests. We will ensure to include a comfort stop allowing you to wander one of Estonia’s local towns and enjoy lunch at leisure. We later arrive in Riga, capital of Latvia, where we’ll settle into our hotel before heading out for the evening to sample some local cuisine in a nearby restaurant.

Riga - Today, we visit beautiful Riga, largest of the Baltic State cities. Situated at the mouth of the River Daugava, this charming, cosmopolitan city offers a real mix of architectural styles. Spires of dark, gothic churches tower above the shadowy cobblestone streets below.During our morning walking tour, we explore these hidden delights and the medieval maze that makes up the Old Town, including the striking foliage-covered Powder Tower - home to the Latvian War Museum, and the central Dome Square - the heart of seven atmospheric streets. Stand on the marked spot on the square and you can see all three golden cockerels on top of the Old Town church spires.During the afternoon, you’re free to explore the city as you wish, a stroll through Riga’s famously vast Central Market, five pavilions of old Zeppelin hangars so iconic that it’s included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with the city’s Old Town.

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