Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Helsinki, capital of Finland
Upon your arrival in Helsinki, you will be transferred to your Hotel. Hotel Check-in. 

At 3 pm, join the Helsinki City Walking Group tour to see the center of Helsinki with its main attractions and enjoy the spirit of the young capital in just a couple of hours.

Helsinki is the youngest of the European capitals, founded in 1550 and located on a cape surrounded by sea. Nowadays it is one of the most modern and culturally progressive cities in the world and is famous for its design and architecture. Take full advantage of this opportunity to discover beautiful Helsinki. During this 2-hours excursion. you will have the chance to visit: Senate Square and Lutheran Cathedral, the elegant Uspenski Cathedral, the famous fish market the famous church in the Temppeliaukio rock, and much more.

Overnight in Helsinki

Day 2:  Travel to St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of  Russia
Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel Check-out.

At leisure - plenty of time to explore & discover on your own the cosmopolitan jewel of Finland. Visit the open-air markets, the Rock Church, browse through the array of designer boutiques before setting sail on the Baltic cruise (visa-free) from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. Transfer to the ferry terminal on your own.  The cruise-ferry departs at 6:00 pm from Helsinki Sea Port, aboard M/S Princess Anastasia. Enjoy the dining and entertainment facilities onboard, as you sail across the Gulf of Finland towards Russia.

Check-in: from 3:00 pm, West Terminal 1, West Harbour, Helsinki
Dinner and overnight on board the ferry (B, D)

Day 3:  Discover St Petersburg – Venice of the North
Buffet breakfast on board. Arrive in St. Petersburg at 9:00 am.  Disembarking, passport, and border control will take around an hour, your guide will meet you outside the customs the exit of the ferry terminal for your panoramic tour of the beautiful city of St Petersburg.

City sightseeing includes a panoramic driving tour of the city – Nevsky Prospect, Admiralty Building, Kazan Cathedral, Strelka with Rostral Columns, Canal Griboyedova, Fontanka, the Palace Square with Winter Palace, and other historic sights & landmarks. The tour includes visits to Spilled Blood Church, Peter-and-Paul Fortress, and Faberge Museum.

The Peter and Paul Fortress – founded by Peter the Great in 1703, this citadel was the first building in St Petersburg. It is now the central part of the State Museum of Saint Petersburg History.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - as it marks the spot where Alexander II was fatally wounded in an assassination attempt on March 1, 1881. the Church of the Resurrection provides a stark contrast to its surroundings of Baroque, Classical, and Modernist architecture.  Both the interior and exterior of the church are decorated with incredibly detailed mosaics.

Famous Faberge Museum at the lavish 18th-century Shuvalov Palace holds the world’s largest collection of Faberge eggs. Those in the collection were commissioned by the last Russian Emperors Alexander III and Nicholas II. At that time European society considered Russia unparalleled in silver and gold decorative arts.

After a delicious Russian cuisine meal at the local restaurant, you will get to the hotel. Hotel Check-in

 Overnight in St. Petersburg (B, D)

Day 4: Hermitage Grandeur & Peterhof Fountains
Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to The Peterhof – the world's most famous palace-park ensembles and regarded as the capital of fountains. The Grand Cascade with its gilded statues is the centerpiece of the park. Stroll around the Lower Park and Upper Gardens dotted with sparkling fountains*. (*opened  May-Sep)

Visit the State Hermitage Museum, a remarkable art museum – the second largest in the world. Feast your eyes on masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, and Matisse to name just a few, across a complex of six historic buildings on the Palace Embankment.

 Overnight in St. Petersburg (B)

Day 5: Travel to Tallinn, capital of  Estonia
Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel Check-out.

Drive to Pushkin to visit the famous Catherine Palace with its legendary Amber Room. Designed by the Italian architect Bartholomeo Rastrelli, it is one of the top St. Petersburg landmarks and on a scale to rival Versailles. Drive back to the ferry terminal to board the overnight ferry to Tallinn. Departure is at 7:00 pm.

Check-in: from 4:40 pm, Morskoy Slavy square 1, Vasilievsky Island, St. Petersburg
Dinner and overnight on board the ferry (B, D)

Day 6:  Discover Tallinn  
Buffet breakfast on board. Arrive in Tallinn at 9:00 am or 12:30 pm.  Disembarking, passport, and border control will take around an hour, your driver will meet you at the pier and transfer you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, meet your guide at the hotel lobby for a Walking Tour around one of the most beautiful Gothic cities of Europe – Tallinn. The spirit of tales surrounds us, while we roam the tortuous streets of Upper and Lower Towns with tall medieval buildings that feature weathercocks on their red brick roofs. St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Parliament, Tall Hermann tower, Dominican Monastery, Town Hall Square, Great Coastal Gate, Fat Margaret, St. Olaf's Church (12th century), the Church of the Holy Ghost (14th century), Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. You will be lost in admiration of the beauty of architecture and the charm of the Old Town, which is overflowed with medieval legends.

Optional: In the afternoon an excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to Kumu Art Museum. 

Overnight in Tallinn (B)

Day 7: Travel to Riga, capital of  Latvia
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Tallinn to Riga Private Tour with Seaside Pärnu & Sigulda Castle Visits – Following your pick-up in Tallinn, begin your guided tour & transfer through the beautiful scenic countryside and historic sites on the way, we drive to the summer capital of Estonia. The city of Pärnu offers a small-town charm paired with the liveliness of a seaside resort. After touring the long beach promenade and old town center, we will be continuing towards Riga. We will admire the panoramic Baltic sea coast before arriving at the Sigulda Castle, built by the legendary medieval order of Livonian Brothers of the Sword. Gauja National Park is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia, characterized by an eye-catching variety of landforms, sandstone hills, picturesque views, and a unique atmosphere.

After lunch, we will explore the castle ruins located on the edge of the ancient Gauja river valley offering dramatic views of the steep slopes below. Gutmanis Cave, the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries at the bottom of the valley is also the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia with wall inscriptions dating to the 17th century. Continue with a short drive to arrive in Riga. Hotel Check-in. At Leisure to explore large shopping centers or boutiques of Riga.

Optional: a visit to a tavern in the Old Town with a broad selection of national dishes.

Overnight in Riga (B, L)

Day 8: Discover Riga & Travel to Vilnius, capital of  Lithuania
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. 

Riga Private Old Town Walking Tour – The guided tour includes a magnificent walk along the Medieval Hanseatic Old Town streets whilst enjoying the beauty of the Dome Cathedral, Old Guild house as well as the Riga Castle. One of the most famous buildings located across the Town Hall is the magnificent Gothic House of the Blackheads. The tour also provides an opportunity to see such famous points of interest as St. Peter's Church, Swedish Gates, and Powder Tower.

Riga to Vilnius Private Day Trip with Rundale Palace & Hill of Crosses –After your pick-up in Riga, enjoy an introduction to the Latvian culture and history while continuing towards Rundale Palace. This mighty royal residence built for the Dukes of Courland is in grand condition boasting a French-style park with a rose garden, fine arts, and lavish halls with marble staircases. A rewarding visit to the palace grounds ends with a lovely 2-course lunch. Continue driving towards one of the most unique sites of prayer, the Hill of Crosses, before arriving in Vilnius. Hotel Check-in. 

Overnight in Vilnius (B, L)

Day 9: Discover Vilnius
Breakfast at the hotel

Vilnius walking tour & Trip to Trakai – During the tour, you will see St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Hill of Three Crosses, the Cathedral Square. In the Old Town, we will visit the Vilnius University ensemble, the Town Hall Square, St. Anne’s Church, the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Gate of the Dawn.

Trakai – The old capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The town is situated among the lakes. The Gothic towers of the castle, which is surrounded by a fortress wall and used to be the main residence of Vytautas the Great, rise above the waters of Galvė Lake. Nowadays this is the only insular castle in Central Europe with an operating historical museum and an exposition of works of applied arts. Drive back to the capital city of Vilnius.

** Transfer to the railway station or the airport for travelers having evening flights to their next destination. 

Overnight in Vilnius (B)

Day 10: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Individual Check-out.
You will be picked up at your hotel & transferred to the airport/train station/port as per your own schedule.