Highlights Of Helsinki & The Baltics
Highlights Of Helsinki & The Baltics
$1815
Highlights Of Helsinki & The Baltics
9 Days Starting in Hotel in Helsinki and ending in Hotel in Vilnius
Visiting: Helsinki, Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Hill of Crosses, Trakai, Vilnius
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on one of the best Baltic tour packages! This 9-day Highlights of Helsinki & The Baltics tour visits all three Baltic capitals as well as Helsinki, Finland's capital. For the ultimate blend of included experiences and free time, this journey through some of Northern Europe's must-visit destinations and hidden gems explores top travel attractions with enough time to enjoy them. Discover Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius on guided tours. Marvel at Trakai Island Castle, Pärnu and Saulkrasti at the coast. Uncover captivating history, remarkable cultures, enchanting cities and much more!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Helsinki
Location: Helsinki
Meals Included: Dinner
Today, this epic 9-day journey discovering the Highlights of Helsinki and the Baltics begins! After arriving in Helsinki, Finland's capital, head to the hotel to meet up with the group and your tour leader. Head out on a guided drive and walk through Helsinki after a brief introduction at the hotel. Tick Helsinki’s top attractions off your bucket list, including Senate Square, the Uspenski Cathedral, the Havis Amanda and Kauppatori Market! On the way, make note of highlights you wish to explore in more detail on tomorrow's free day. Join the group for an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Helsinki, Finland’s capital
Day 2: Helsinki: Free Day
Location: Helsinki
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say "hei" to Helsinki this morning and get ready for a full free day to explore and experience this modern city known for its art as well as for being one of the most liveable and happiest cities in the world. Why not enjoy a local experience at one of the many relaxing saunas before this afternoon's optional excursion? Join the journey to Suomenlinna Fortress and enjoy a guided tour, a ferry ride, a light meal and entrance to the museum. Next, marvel at more of the city's highlights on the Evening in Helsinki optional excursion, including the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church and Sibelius Monument, before enjoying a delicious Finnish dinner accompanied by breathtaking ocean views!
Day 3: Helsinki - Tallinn
Location: Helsinki, Tallinn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
It's time to begin the Baltic adventure as the tour leaves Helsinki's shores in exchange for a ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland. Upon arrival in Tallinn, Estonia's captivating capital city, sit down and enjoy lunch at a historic restaurant in the city's Old Town. Next, head out on a locally guided walking tour to see some of Tallinn's wonders. Set foot on the cobbled streets and marvel at medieval architecture as the informative guided tour continues. Enjoy some free time this evening to spend as you wish, whether it's a relaxing night at the hotel or a chance to explore more of the city!
Catch a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
Enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn
Discover Tallinn with a local guide
Day 4: Tallinn: Free Day
Location: Tallinn
Meals Included: Breakfast
While yesterday provided an overview of the city's top attractions, a full free day in Tallinn is the perfect way to get immersed in this captivating capital. This city might be small and compact but that just makes it so much easier to explore on foot! Visit the Old Town and admire the 12th Century St. Olaf‘s Church which has survived through 10 lightning strikes and three devastating fires. As you explore, be sure to check out some of the city's green spaces that landed it the title of Europe's Green Capital in 2023. Or, head to the TV Tower for incredible panoramic views. Today, you choose!
Day 5: Tallinn - Pärnu - Latvian Military Cemetery - Riga
Location: Tallinn, Pärnu, Pärnu, Riga
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid Tallinn farewell before continuing the journey to the next Baltic country! Visit the coastal resort town of Pärnu on the way to the Latvian border. Here, explore this beloved summer holiday destination for Estonians before hopping back on the coach towards the scenic seaside town of Saulkrasti, the first stop in Latvia. Later, arrive in Riga, Latvia’s capital, and visit the Latvian Military Cemetery to pay your respects. Then, check into the hotel and head out to Riga's Old Town for a glimpse into the city's Art Nouveau and Gothic architectural marvels on an orientation walk. This evening is free to enjoy this lively city as you wish!
Sightsee in Pärnu; a resort city in Estonia
Visit Saulkrasti; a Latvian seaside town
Learn about Latvian history at the Latvian War Cemetery
Discover Riga; Latvia’s vibrant capital
Day 6: Riga: Free Day
Location: Riga
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore all that Riga has to offer on today's free day. Riga is the largest capital in the Baltics and is filled with over 800 years of rich history. The mix of architectural marvels, lush greenery and fine cuisine found in this city is sure to please any type of traveller. Marvel at the UNESCO-protected Old Town and admire breathtaking landmarks such as the House of the Black Heads and the Riga Dom Cathedral. The city is also home to a variety of incredible restaurants, so be sure to indulge in some local delights. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities and a myriad of museums and galleries. You can't go wrong, whichever way you spend the day.
Day 7: Riga - Hill Of Crosses - Trakai - Vilnius
Location: Riga, Hill of Crosses, Trakai, Vilnius
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After an early start, wave Riga goodbye as today is filled with amazing sights and experiences! Cross the border into Lithuania, a country saturated with mysterious and historic sights. Stop by the Hill of Crosses, a UNESCO-listed religious site filled with more crosses than you can count. Next, continue the journey towards Trakai, a charming town home to the Trakai Island Castle, which seems straight out of a fairytale! Take as many photos as possible before the coach continues to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. Arrive and head out on a guided tour to see the top sights, including the Vilnius Cathedral, Church of St Anne and Gediminas Tower. Take some free time before joining the group for an included dinner.
Visit the famous Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
Marvel at Trakai Island Castle
Explore Vilnius; capital of Lithuania
Day 8: Vilnius: Free Day
Location: Vilnius
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say "labas rytas" to Vilnius! The Lithuanian capital is a reflection of the country's turbulent past and fight against occupation, which is best displayed in street art and museums. Locals also love to honour the city's freedom and distinct culture, which fills Vilnius with life and colour. Hop on the funicular or walk up Gediminas Tower, explore one of the largest old towns in Europe, or soak up the city at a local café. Choose to join the Vilnius+ optional excursion and tour an incredible events space that was once a political prison, visit the self-proclaimed republic of Užupis, explore an Amber Museum, and enjoy a delicious local lunch! This free day fully offers you the choice.
Day 9: End Of Tour In Vilnius
Location: Vilnius
Meals Included: Breakfast
After the last group breakfast this morning, your ultimate 9-day exploration of Helsinki and the Baltics concludes. Enjoy the last moments with your new travel friends from around the world, and don't forget to exchange contact details so you can stay in touch. We wish you safe and life-changing travels ahead!
What's Included
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Accommodation
8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Experiences
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Helsinki, Finland’s capital
Catch a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
Enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn
Discover Tallinn with a local guide
Sightsee in Pärnu; a resort city in Estonia
Visit Saulkrasti; a Latvian seaside town
Learn about Latvian history at the Latvian War Cemetery
Discover Riga; Latvia’s vibrant capital
Visit the famous Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
Marvel at Trakai Island Castle
Explore Vilnius; capital of Lithuania
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.