DAY 1: Arrive in Helsinki
![Arrive in Helsinki]()
Welcome to Finland! Start in Helsinki, a vibrant seaside city known for its beautiful islands and great green parks. Settle in at your harbourside hotel and meet up with your tour leader for an orientation chat. Meet up with your tour mates this evening for a welcome dinner so you can all get acquainted in the lead-up to your epic adventure.
Experiences
This evening you meet up with your tour mates over a welcome dinner at the hotel. This is the ideal time to get acquainted with your fellow travellers.
DAY 2: Helsinki
![Helsinki]()
Join your Expat Explore tour leader on a walking tour of Helsinki that will introduce you to some of the city's most famous sights. This includes the likes of the Havis Amanda, as well as the Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Not to mention Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market! The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Helsinki: Visit the Havis Amanda, the famous art nouveau fountain features a lady in the nude. It is said to symbolise the birth of the city of Helsinki. Also explore the famous Senate Square and its buildings, a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. In the city’s historic centre, visit Helsinki Cathedral - Finland's most photographed building and yet another neoclassical marvel. Set foot in Uspenski Cathedral, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Finish with a walk through Kauppatori Market, the ideal place to pick up some keepsakes and well-priced Finnish crafts.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel
Optional Excursions
- Helsinki Canal Cruise i €25
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 3: Helsinki - Tallinn
![Helsinki - Tallinn]()
Today we take this Baltic States group tour across the Gulf of Finland. Travel to the port and board the Helsinki to Tallinn ferry with your group. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an included lunch in a local restaurant close to our hotel. After checking our bags in, your tour leader will be ready to introduce you to your local guide. A guided tour of Tallinn will introduce you to the city's major sights, including Tall Hermann Tower and St Olav's church. After the guided tour you'll have some free time to enjoy the delights of the Estonian capital.
Experiences
Helsinki to Tallinn ferry crossing:. Hop aboard the ferry from Finland to Estonia across the Gulf of Finland. The crossing takes between 2 and 3 hours, with lovely views and plenty of time to take in the scenery.
Guided tour of Tallinn: The proud European capital of Tallinn is a photographer's dream. Think medieval churches, cobbled walkways and a vibrant, contemporary culture that draws you in from the moment you set foot in the city. Our walking tour of Tallinn takes in some of its best-loved highlights. This will include St Olav's church, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tall Hermann Tower, Town Hall Square & more.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Metropol
DAY 4: Tallinn - Parnu - Latvian War Cemetery - Riga
![Tallinn - Parnu - Latvian War Cemetery - Riga]()
Off to Riga in Latvia! Stop over in the resort city of Parnu in Estonia to sightsee and shop; and enjoy the beach in Saulkrasti after we've crossed the border into Latvia. Upon arrival in Riga, explore the Brothers' War Cemetery before check in. Once settled in, it's time for an orientation tour of the old town and its popular attractions. This could include Riga Dom Cathedral, the Old City Wall & more.
Experiences
See Saulkrasti. The seaside town of Saulkrasti is a great place to drink in the beauty of the Latvian shoreline without huge crowds. This is where the locals head when they go to the beach.
Latvian War Cemetery. Also called the Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren, the Latvian War Cemetery is a national monument that commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who gave their lives for their country during 1915 - 1920, fighting in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.
Orientation tour of Riga. Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that makes for wonderful exploration. Take a walking tour that introduces you to some of its most popular attractions. This includes Riga Dom Cathedral, the Three Brothers, Parliament House and the Old City Wall.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hestia Hotel Jugend
DAY 5: Riga - Hill of Crosses - Vilnius
![Riga - Hill of Crosses - Vilnius]()
After a bright and early start cross the border to a country that very few people know of - Lithuania, a beautiful Baltic state in northern Europe. First stop is a chance to explore a famous religious sight, the Hill of Crosses. Then continue onwards to the capital of Lithuania - Vilnius. Upon arrival this afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour of the beautiful baroque city. The attractions will include iconic sights like the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Vilnius Cathedral and the Church of St. Anne. After the tour, take some free time to explore and then meet up with your fellow travellers for dinner.
Experiences
Hill of Crosses tour. The Kryziu Kalnas Hill of Crosses in Lithuania has been one of the world’s most singular expressions of human faith and sacrifice for over 100 years. Religious pilgrims have flocked here for centuries, but the tradition of leaving crosses only started in 1831. This is when the Russian tsar was put down and relatives of rebels who lost their lives in the fighting left crosses on the hill to honour the fallen. Today there are 200,000+ crosses carvings and shrines all over this hill of hope.
Orientation tour of Vilnius. The city of Vilnius is a place of true authenticity. It proudly displays its battle scars and honours its turbulent history with museums and monuments dedicated to the losses its people suffered during the Holocaust and KGB regime. Yet, it's also beautiful - 40% of the city is given over to green spaces and its wonderful old buildings now house contemporary cafes, boutiques and galleries. Our sightseeing tour will include attractions such as the Vilnius Town Hall, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Adam Mickiewicz statue and Vilnius Cathedral.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Green Park Hotel Vilnius
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 6: Vilnius - Minsk
![Vilnius - Minsk]()
Spend this morning discovering Vilnius. It’s one of the largest medieval towns in Eastern Europe and is often referred to as the baroque capital of Europe. There is plenty of landmarks and attractions to see including two botanical gardens, several churches and, of course, the Old Town. Depart for Minsk this afternoon, arriving in time for a tour of the city with a local guide. See sights such as Independence Square and the Palace of the Republic. This afternoon, take some free time to wander around Minsk by yourself. Dinner is enjoyed as a group.
Experiences
Guided tour of Minsk. The capital of Belarus is perhaps best-known for its impressive Stalinist architecture. Yet, although it shoulders the heavy burden of a turbulent history, the city is progressive and modern with fashionable eateries, clubs and shopping destinations. Our guided tour will include forays to attractions such as Independence Square, the Church of Saints Simon and Helen, the Palace of Republic, and Victory Square.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Belarus
DAY 7: Minsk: Free Day
![Minsk: Free Day]()
Today you have the full day to explore Minsk at your leisure. Visit the Red Church - the Roman Catholic center of faith in Belarus. Seek out the Lenin statue outside of the Minsk Government House and find other Soviet sculptures, juxtaposed against the contemporary cityscape. See if you can catch a matinee at the National Academic Bolshoi Opera & Ballet Theatre. Explore the fascinating rhombicuboctahedron architecture of the National Library, or simply find a green space to relax and do some people-watching. The choice is yours!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Belarus
Optional Excursions
- Minsk National Lunch and Folklore Show i €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 8: Minsk - Brest
![Minsk - Brest]()
Onward to Brest! Leave Minsk behind and travel to the border city on the cusp of Belarus and Poland. Visit Brest Hero Fortress Complex with a local guide. Check in and then enjoy some free time to explore the rest of the city as you wish.
Experiences
Brest Hero Fortress Complex. This place is about as impressive as it gets. The sheer size and scope of the monuments and living museum installations you'll find here is mind-blowing. The Brest Fortress has existed in some shape and form for at least a 1,000 years, but it's really known for its association with World War II. When the current structure was built in 1833 the entire population of Brest had to move 2km to the east! The memorial complex was opened in 1971, after nearly 15 years of research on the part of the main historians involved with the project.
DAY 9: Brest - Warsaw
![Brest - Warsaw]()
Cross the border into Poland and make your way to the fascinating city of Warsaw, which played a pivotal role in World War II. A local guide is on hand to escort you on a walking & driving tour of Warsaw that features some of the city's foremost attractions. Warsaw's architecture pays testament to the gritty historical tapestry that shaped it. Gaze in wonderment at Gothic churches sidled up to neoclassical palaces and stark Soviet-era apartment blocks, juxtaposed against a tangle of modern skyscrapers. Explore by yourself this afternoon, before we meet for our final dinner.
Experiences
Local-guided tour of Warsaw. Explore the city in the slipstream of a seasoned Warsaw travel guide. From the Royal Castle with its incredible museum, to the verdant Lazienki Park, the Palace of Culture and Science and the UNESCO-accredited Old Town that was rebuilt after the war based on 18th century paintings by Italian artist Canaletto, there are plenty of attractions to keep you mesmerised for an entire afternoon (and more!).
Farewell dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Warsaw this evening, the last night of the tour.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Radisson Blu Sobieski
DAY 10: End of tour in Warsaw
![End of tour in Warsaw]()
Today is the final day of your small-group Baltic States tour and vacation in Warsaw. Enjoy a final breakfast with your tour group and get ready to head back home. We hope you to see you back on an Expat Explore coach very soon!
Experiences
The tour ends after breakfast. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether.