Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga

Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga

A journey rich in atmosphere and architectural variety, this tour showcases some of Northern Europe’s most captivating capitals, each with its own distinct character and a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage treasures. We begin with three nights in Helsinki, a city that perfectly balances leafy Scandinavian charm with vibrant culture, education and innovation. Then it’s just a short sail across on the Tallink Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital, where medieval streets and fairytale spires await. Finally, we travel onwards to Latvia's capital, Riga, a city of grand boulevards, striking Art Nouveau architecture and a lively café scene. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will discover the very best on offer from this hidden-gem corner of Europe made up of Finland, Estonia and Latvia.

What's Included:

• 7 nights in four-star accommodation
• Return flights & transfers
• 7 included experiences
• Daily breakfast & 3 dinners
• Expert Tour Manager
• Checked luggage
• All additional taxes
• Maximum 36 guests on all Classic tours

Highlights:

• Guided tour of the Finnish capital Helsinki, a melting pot of Scandinavian and Russian influences, and explore the Suomenlinna Fortress, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site straddled across six of Helsinki’s islands, with a local guide.
• Visit to the Latvian capital Riga, with a guided walking tour of the riverside Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage gem boasting a mix of gothic and Art Nouveau architecture.
• Explore the Estonian capital Tallinn on a guided walking tour, featuring the charming Medieval Lower Town and the hilltop Upper Town, and visit Kadriorg Park.
• Enjoy a relaxing countryside drive from Tallinn to Estonia’s cultural capital Tartu, with time to enjoy the impressive museums, university-town atmosphere and Old Town.
• Journey across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia aboard a modern, comfortable ship.

Operator: Riviera Travel

Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki

Fly to Helsinki and transfer to your hotel, where you'll stay in the four-star Scandic Grand Marina. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner to get to know your fellow travellers better.

Accomodation: Stay at Scandic Grand Marina

Day 2: Helsinki

Explore Finland's beautiful, bustling capital, Helsinki, on a guided tour before an afternoon at leisure. 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.

Day 3: Suomenlinna Fortress

Bring history to life on a guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress before time at leisure to explore the fort further or head back to Helsinki. 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.

What's included:

• Guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress
• Free time at Suomenlinna Fortress or in Helsinki

Day 4: Kadriorg Palace

Leave Finland and cross the Gulf to Estonia. Arriving in Tallinn, we head east for a guided tour of 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.

What's included:

• Cruise from Finland to Estonia
• Guided tour of Kadriorg Palace and gardens
• Stay at Nordic Forum Hotel

Day 5: Tallinn

Enjoy a morning walking tour of Tallinn's upper and lower old town. Later, there's time to explore independently. 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

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.

What's included:

• Guided walking tour of Tallinn
• Free afternoon in Tallinn

Day 6: Tartu

Visit Estonia's cultural capital, Tartu, then continue on to Riga, capital of Latvia. After breakfast we continue our tour to Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city and its cultural capital, home to the country’s most renowned university. On our arrival we’ll have time to enjoy lunch and explore the picturesque city centre.

The Old Town Square is the perfect place to people watch and take in the views of the Emajogi River, the Kissing Students Fountain, the pretty pink Town Hall and the curious Leaning House – home to the Tartu Art Museum. Not only has that, but the medieval St John’s Church, boasted some of the best views over the Old Town from its belfry.

We set off again mid-afternoon on our journey to 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.

What's included:

• Visit Tartu

Accomodation: Stay at The Wellton Hotel & Spa

Day 7: Riga

Wander through the medieval maze of Riga's old town on a guided tour, then spend the afternoon at leisure. 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.

Free afternoon

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.

Day 8: Return home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.