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Grand Baltic Explorer

From £2,074
Duration 10 Days
Departures from: May 2025 - Sept 2025
Book now
From £2,074
Duration 10 Days
Departures from: May 2025 - Sept 2025

Tour Overview

Discover five countries on this epic journey from Finland to Poland, travelling through the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Finnish capital of Helsinki is your first destination - a vibrant seaside city with sightseeing highlights including Senate Square, the Presidential Palace and the incredible Sibelius Monument. Your journey then continues to Tallinn in Estonia. Later enjoy a scenic drive to Latvia via Turaida Castle and the town of Sigulda, before arriving at the picturesque capital of Riga, where sightseeing highlights include a Riga Castle and the Dome Cathedral. Next is Vilnius in Lithuania, whose medieval Old Town is one of the largest in Europe. Your final destination is Warsaw and a two-night stay in Poland's capital gives you plenty of time to explore.

  • Classic Touring
  • All Breakfasts
  • Flight Choices

Your Holiday Includes

  • Return flights from London
  • 9 nights in 4-star hotels
  • 13 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners and welcome drink
  • Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
  • Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage

Included Holiday Highlights

  • Visit Helsinki and discover its historical centre
  • Explore Tallinn
  • Turaida Castle and the town of Sigulda
  • Latvia's capital Riga
  • Lunch experience at Riga central market
  • Discover Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses
  • Tour of Vilnius, Lithuania's historical capital
  • Grutas Park's sculptures
  • Guided tour of Polish capital Warsaw

Itinerary

Day 1 UK - Helsinki

Make your way to the airport for your flight to Helsinki. Upon arrival, you will have some free time to explore at your leisure and enjoy a welcome drink with your travelling companions before finding a spot for dinner to sample the local cuisine.

Day 2 Helsinki - Tallinn

Discover Helsinki today with a full day of exploration. After you've enjoyed breakfast, join your Holiday Director on a stroll around the city's historical centre. Notable sights include Senate Square, the Presidential Palace, the Parliament building and Finlandia Hall, home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dedicated to the famed composer, the Sibelius Monument is our next highlight, followed by the Temppeliaukio Church, carved into solid rock and crowned with a copper dome.
In the afternoon we'll take the ferry to Tallinn.

Meals included: B,D

Day 3 Tallinn

Enjoy a walking tour of Tallinn this morning, which will introduce you to districts dating back to the Middle Ages. Together we'll walk along narrow streets lined by Gothic-style merchants' houses to discover Toompea Castle, Town Hall Square and the Russian orthodox Alexander Nevskij Cathedral.
In the afternoon, there is an optional tour of the grand Kadriorg Palace, a gift from Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I in the 1720s.

Meals included: B

Day 4 Turaida Castle - Sigulda - Riga

The next leg of your journey takes you into Latvia, where you'll stay in Riga for two nights. Our drive here gives us the chance to enjoy further sightseeing, firstly with a stop at the reconstructed medieval Turaida Castle. Later, we can stretch our legs in the pretty town of Sigulda.

Meals included: B

Day 5 Riga

Explore Riga today on a walking tour with a Local Guide. Your sightseeing will include the Dome Cathedral, Riga Castle and St Peter's Cathedral. The tour ends at the famous Riga central market where we'll stop at a fish bar and enjoy a buffet of local specialities. Latvia has a strong fishing tradition and fish dishes feature prominently in Latvian cuisine. If you feel brave you could even do as the locals do and try sprats on bread with a shot of vodka. There's an optional afternoon visit to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-air Museum on the banks of Lake Jugla. Its ancient buildings have been brought from all over the country and give a fascinating insight into Latvia's culture and traditions.

Meals included: B,L

Day 6 Rundale Palace - Siauliai - Vilnius

We take to the road for a drive to Vilnius, where you stay for two nights. En route to Lithuania's capital we'll call at the pilgrimage site of the Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, as well as Rundale Palace. This masterpiece of Baroque architecture was created by Italian architect FB Rastrelli, who was responsible for many of St Petersburg's finest buildings, including the Winter Palace.

This evening, enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional restaurant and be entertained by a folk show performed by local musicians. In this restaurant, traditional dishes are prepared from the oldest recipes and corn bread is baked daily, a staple of Lithuanian cuisine that is not to be missed.

Meals included: B,D

Day 7 Vilnius

After breakfast it's time to discover Vilnius with a guided tour of its UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of the largest surviving medieval towns in Europe. You'll see St Anna's Church, St Peter's and Paul's Church, the cathedral and the Gate of Dawn, one of nine defensive gates built in Vilnius between 1503 and 1522. Following the guided tour, the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please, maybe to find a spot for lunch.

Meals included: B

Day 8 Druskininkai - Grutas Park - Warsaw

Today's journey by road takes us to Warsaw in Poland. On the way we'll stop off to explore the spa town of Druskininkai, which boasts many mineral springs and mud baths. Close by, we'll also visit Grutas Park, an extraordinary collection of Soviet-era sculptures that escaped destruction when Lithuania gained its independence in 1990-91. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a restaurant in Warsaw.

Meals included: B,D

Day 9 Warsaw

You'll discover the best of Warsaw as your Local Guide points out all the highlights on today's tour. There's Castle Square, which fronts the Royal Castle, Sigismund's Column – the city's most famous landmark, and St John's Cathedral. Together we'll stroll through the Market Square and stop to admire the Monument of Warsaw's Uprising.

Meals included: B

Day 10 Warsaw - UK

You'll head to the airport today for your flight back to the UK.

Meals included: B

Accommodation (as specified or similar)

Radisson Blu Aleksanteri Hotel

This 4 star hotel is located in the city centre of Helsinki, is close to the Alexander Theatre and the nearest station is Kamppi. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and a fitness centre/gym. All rooms are equipped with minibar, hairdryer, safe, ironing set and air conditioning.

This 4 star hotel is located in the city centre of Helsinki, is close to the Alexander Theatre and the nearest station is Kamppi. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and a fitness centre/gym. All rooms are equipped with minibar, hairdryer, safe, ironing set and air conditioning.

Park Inn by Radisson Meriton

Located in the heart of the capital, this modern Tallinn hotel offers easy access to the Old Town and the Parliament of Estonia. The well-appointed bedrooms include Wi-Fi and satellite TV, there is an indoor pool as well as a cafe and restaurant on site.


Located in the heart of the capital, this modern Tallinn hotel offers easy access to the Old Town and the Parliament of Estonia. The well-appointed bedrooms include Wi-Fi and satellite TV, there is an indoor pool as well as a cafe and restaurant on site.


Wellton Riga Hotel & Spa

The modern Wellton Riga Hotel is located in the centre of the old town. free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and spa centre with indoor pool is also at guests disposal. The rooms are furnished in a modern classic style, and include flat screen TV, toiletries and a hairdryer.

The modern Wellton Riga Hotel is located in the centre of the old town. free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and spa centre with indoor pool is also at guests disposal. The rooms are furnished in a modern classic style, and include flat screen TV, toiletries and a hairdryer.

Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva

The Radisson Blu Lietuva is in the heart of Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. Vilnius Cathedral and the old town, with its many shops and cobbled streets are nearby. Facilities include a restaurant, a top-floor Sky Bar, and fitness centre. The modern rooms include LCD TV, a safe and toiletries.

The Radisson Blu Lietuva is in the heart of Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. Vilnius Cathedral and the old town, with its many shops and cobbled streets are nearby. Facilities include a restaurant, a top-floor Sky Bar, and fitness centre. The modern rooms include LCD TV, a safe and toiletries.

Radisson Blu Sobieski

The Radisson Blu Sobieski is a 4-star hotel in the centre of Warsaw, located within walking distance of the city's most famous attractions. The elegant, well-appointed rooms include LCD satellite TV, a hairdryer and Wi-Fi. There is also a fitness centre on-site.

The Radisson Blu Sobieski is a 4-star hotel in the centre of Warsaw, located within walking distance of the city's most famous attractions. The elegant, well-appointed rooms include LCD satellite TV, a hairdryer and Wi-Fi. There is also a fitness centre on-site.

Optional Excursions

Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional experiences to your holiday before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour

Kadriorg Palace

Kadriorg Palace

The Kadriorg Palace and Park is a resplendent summer residence, built by Tsar Peter I in the 18th Century for his empress, Catherine with plenty of baroque splendour, stuccoed ceilings and landscaped gardens all round.
The Kadriorg Palace and Park is a resplendent summer residence, built by Tsar Peter I in the 18th Century for his empress, Catherine with plenty of baroque splendour, stuccoed ceil...

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Latvia - The open air museum in Riga

Latvia - The open air museum in Riga

Located on the banks of Lake Jugla, the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is one of the oldest outdoor museums in Europe. Founded in 1924, the museum displays 118 historical buildings from all four of Latvia’s provinces – Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgale. The buildings range in age, and most of them were originally constructed between the 17th century, all the way up until the 1930s. Our guided tour will give us a rich insight into the traditional Latvian farmstead and dwelling houses of farmers, craftsmen, and fishermen as well as historical churches. The exhibition hall holds artwork exhibitions from applied art studios and the museum's collection.
Located on the banks of Lake Jugla, the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is one of the oldest outdoor museums in Europe. Founded in 1924, the museum displays 118 historical b...

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Further Information

Average group size of our tours

Group sizes vary between tours - we have an average group size of 27. We endeavour to make sure the size of the group has a positive impact on each trip and our guests almost always say that the group was one of the highlights of the trip!

Deposit information

When you book a holiday, you will be asked to pay a deposit, this will be made clear at the time of booking. In most cases we will charge the following deposit amount;

  • European Holidays - £200 Per person
  • Worldwide Holidays - £250 or 10% whichever is the greater
  • Ocean Cruises - £250 or 10% whichever is the greater

On some holidays we may charge a slightly higher deposit, to cover any costs we have to pay immediately to secure your booking with our suppliers. This will be made clear at the time of booking.

If you choose a tour that is within 84 days of departure you will need to pay the full balance when you book.

Our cancellation policy

If you decide to cancel your confirmed booking you must notify us (or your travel agent) in writing, as soon as possible. Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below.

  • More than 75 days before departure - Loss of deposit only
  • 43 - 74 days - 50% of tour price
  • 29 - 42 days - 75% of tour price
  • 15 - 28 days - 90% of tour price
  • Day of Departure - 14 days - 100% of tour price

Our full cancellation policy can be found in our booking terms and conditions, section 8.

How do I find out Entry and Health Requirements for my holiday?

We have partnered with Sherpa, an on-line self service tool that allows you to search up-to-date information regarding travel entry requirements for all countries and also allows you to apply for eVisas or eTAs via their on-line portal. Just click on this link to find out more – Travel Requirements & Visa Service

You can also refer to the Foreign Travel Advice section on the gov.uk website: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Click on your destination and then click on 'Entry Requirements'. For Health Requirements, the Department of Health also offers travellers health advice on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, click on country information to locate your destination.

It is important to remember that passport, visa and health requirements can change before departure; therefore, we recommend you regularly familiarise yourself with the latest requirements before you travel. If you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements, we are unable to accept any responsibility.

For some destinations, it is not always discernable that a visa is required for entry at the border.  For example, for some customers, to travel to the United States, an ESTA may be required. For Canada, an ETA and to India, an e-visa may be needed. Please do check your requirements to avoid any unnecessary cost and delays.

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Prices shown are based on twin occupancy of a double or twin bedded room with private facilities unless otherwise stated. Single occupancy supplements will apply. Travelsphere have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the hotel images provided on this website and images of room types displayed may vary to those offered on your tour. Therefore due to the possibility of inadvertent errors we do not guarantee their accuracy. Accommodation, airlines used and flight times are subject to change and will be confirmed in your final documents.

Reasons to book with Travelsphere

  • 60 years of touring
  • Expert direction & local flavours
  • Carefully-crafted holidays
  • A service you can count on
  • Book with confidence

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All Travelsphere holidays are financially protected via ATOL (flight-inclusive holidays) and financial insurance (non-flight packages). Additionally, all customer money is held in a Trust Fund, governed by independent Trustees. This means your money is 100% protected no matter what.