Baltic Heritage From Stockholm

Welcome to Stockholm, the elegant capital of Sweden. On arrival, make your own way to the hotel (private transfers can be pre-booked if preferred). After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city at your own pace.

Stockholm - Helsinki. After a buffet breakfast, we set out on a four-hour guided tour of Stockholm – an elegant, island-studded city surrounded by tranquil waterways, green parks and graceful squares. Known as the “city on the water”, Stockholm is rich in history and home to splendid old mansions and royal landmarks.

In the afternoon, we board our overnight cruise to Helsinki. As the ship departs, enjoy stunning views of the Stockholm archipelago before sailing into the Baltic Sea. This evening, make the most of the ship’s on-board entertainment and facilities as we journey towards Finland’s vibrant capital.

After breakfast on board, we arrive in Helsinki, Finland’s magnificent capital. Enjoy a three-hour guided sightseeing tour of the city, beginning at Senate Square, with its striking neoclassical architecture. Nearby, explore the bustling Market Square (Kauppatori), alive with colourful stalls, flowers and local produce.

We then visit Helsinki Cathedral, built in the 19th century and crowned by its distinctive green dome, and the extraordinary Temppeliaukio Church – carved directly into solid rock and renowned for its superb acoustics. Our final stop is the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral, a grand Orthodox church in neo-Byzantine style.

After check-in at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore Helsinki at your own pace.

Helsinki - Tallinn. After breakfast, we travel by ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, the charming capital of Estonia. Following lunch, we embark on a three-hour guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn’s beautifully preserved Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Old Town is divided between Toompea Hill, with its medieval castle and panoramic views, and the Lower Town centred around Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square). Highlights include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle (home to the Estonian Parliament), the 14th-century City Hall, and the striking churches of St. Olaf and Niguliste.

The rest of the day is at leisure to continue exploring, sample local cuisine or enjoy some shopping in this fairy-tale city.

Tallinn - Riga. After breakfast, enjoy a free morning to further explore Tallinn before we depart by coach for Riga, the capital of Latvia. En route, we stop briefly in Pärnu, a lively seaside resort known for its early 20th-century villas and long sandy beaches. Stroll along the promenade or try a local snack before continuing to Latvia.

Following breakfast, we enjoy a three-hour guided sightseeing tour of Riga, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the elegant Art Nouveau district, the cobbled streets of the Old Town and several of Riga’s medieval landmarks.

We drive along the city’s central boulevards, passing the Opera House, Bastion Hill and Riga Castle, before visiting highlights such as the Powder Tower, the Swedish Gate, the “Three Brothers” houses and the grand Dome Cathedral – home to one of Europe’s finest pipe organs. We also see the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church and the lively Central Market, built inside former zeppelin hangars.

The afternoon is free to continue exploring at your own pace or enjoy Riga’s thriving café and restaurant scene.

Riga - Vilnius. After breakfast, we travel south to Lithuania, stopping en route at the Hill of Crosses – a striking pilgrimage site adorned with thousands of crosses and a symbol of national faith and resilience.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Vilnius for a three-hour guided tour of the Lithuanian capital. Vilnius’s Old Town, one of the largest in Europe, reveals a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Highlights include Vilnius Cathedral and the exquisite St. Anne’s Church – a true masterpiece of Gothic design.

Today is free to enjoy Vilnius at your own pace. You may wish to explore more of the city’s Old Town, browse for souvenirs or sample Lithuanian cuisine. Optional excursions are available, such as a half-day tour to Trakai Castle with lunch or a hot air balloon experience over the countryside.

Vilnius - Masuria. After breakfast, we depart for Trakai, one of Lithuania’s ancient capitals. Once an important administrative and defensive centre, Trakai is famed for its beautiful island castle on Lake Galvė – the only castle on water in Eastern Europe. The restored red-brick fortress now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Lunch is at your own arrangement before we continue across the border into Poland, heading towards the scenic Masurian Lakes region.

Masuria - Gdansk. After breakfast, we travel to Malbork to visit Europe’s largest medieval fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the seat of the Teutonic Order, the vast brick complex includes the High Castle, Grand Master’s Palace, Golden Gate, and extensive fortifications.

After lunch (own arrangement), we continue to Gdańsk, a city rich in maritime history and Hanseatic charm.

Gdansk - Karlskrona. Following breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Gdańsk’s Old Town, including St. Nicholas Church, the Great Mill, and St. Brigid’s Church. We stroll along Long Street and the Long Market, lined with gabled houses, and visit the Town Hall, Golden House, Artus Court, and the majestic Basilica of Our Lady, home to Hans Memling’s masterpiece The Last Judgement.

After lunch (own arrangement), enjoy free time before transferring to the port of Gdynia for an overnight ferry crossing to Karlskrona in southern Sweden.

Karlskrona - Copenhagen. After breakfast on board, we disembark in Karlskrona and continue to Malmö, where our tour leader will guide a short city tour. After lunch, we cross the impressive Øresund Bridge linking Sweden and Denmark.

Arriving in Copenhagen around 15:00, check in at the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening marks the end of our coach services and the Tour Escort’s assistance.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your departure time, you may have some free time to explore more of Copenhagen before making your own way to the airport (private transfers can be pre-booked in advance).