Finland & the Baltic Capitals

Day 1 – Fly to Lithuania

Fly from London to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, for a 2-night stay.

Day 2 – Vilnius at Leisure

Enjoy a free day exploring the city and the Old Town which features Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.

Day 3 – On to Riga

A morning train takes us to Latvia in just over 4 hours for a 3-night stay in the capital. The trains are modern and feature comfortable seats, free WiFi and air conditioning. Sit back and watch the Lithuanian and Latvian countryside unfold.

Day 4 – Riga’s Old Town

Time to explore the Old Town which is nestled on the Daugava River and is famous for its Medieval cobbled streets, colourful buildings, Gothic churches and landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads. We also have a guided tour of Riga Railway Museum.

Day 5 – Riverboat to Jurmala

Board a riverboat for a cruise to Jurmala on the coast this morning. This route combines the vibrant life of Riga’s port with a tranquil journey through some of Latvia’s most scenic waterways. Lunchtime arrival and free time to explore Jurmala before we return to Riga on an afternoon train.

Day 6 – Continue to Tallinn

A leisurely start before a day’s travel by rail to Estonia. The Estonian trains are also air conditioned, comfortable and offer free WiFi. We have a 3-night stay in the vibrant capital with a 48-hour Tallinn Card included for free entry to many attractions and unlimited use of public transport.

Days 7 & 8 – Tallinn at Leisure

The UNESCO Old Town has a stunning Medieval heart with Toompea (Upper Town) and All-linn (Lower Town), featuring cobbled alleys, painted merchant houses, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. There is the option to visit Kiek in de Kök tower, Kadriorg Palace, and numerous museums and theatres. Tallinn is also known for its diverse food scene – featuring Nordic cuisine, craft breweries, and street food.

Day 9 – Ferry to Finland

We take a morning ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the capital, Helsinki, for a 1-night stay close to the railway station. After free time for lunch, we will regroup for a private walking tour of the main city sights.

Day 10 – On To Turku

A morning train takes us west to Turku, which will be our base for the next 2 nights. A lunchtime arrival allows for an afternoon at leisure. Stroll along the riverbank of the Aura River from Turku Cathedral to Turku Castle to explore the heart and soul of the city. Forum Marinum, the maritime museum, is also well worth a visit.

Day 11 – Jokioinen Museum Railway

Enjoy a leisurely morning before we take an afternoon train out to Humppila. Here we find the Jokioinen Museum Railway, which is the only remaining continuously operated narrow gauge railway in Finland. After a return steam-hauled journey to Minkiö, we return to Turku by rail.

Day 12 – Rail to Tampere

Depart on a northbound train to Tampere, arriving late morning for a 1-night stay. The city is located in a scenic spot between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is famous for its long-spanning industrial history which is still visible today in the city's architecture, as well as its numerous public saunas and the only Moomin museum in the world.

Day 13 – Return to Helsinki

A short rail journey takes us back to the capital for a 2-night stay. We have a 48-hour Helsinki Card for use during our stay, giving us free entry to many of the city’s museums and unlimited use of the public transport network.

Day 14 – Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Travel by ferry over to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 18th Century on a small archipelago, this fortress has a rich history and we have the opportunity to explore it all on foot.

Day 15 – Homeward Bound

We take the airport train to Helsinki Airport for a direct flight back to London.