Exploring by train and hiking in the heart of the Baltic States

Discover Vilnius's must-see sights on a walking tour : the Gate of Dawn, the Chapel of Mercy. The upper part of the city reveals the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church of St. Casimir, and the Church of St. Theresa. Stroll through Town Hall Square, home to the old merchants' guilds, and the adjacent Jewish Quarter, a testament to the rich history of Jews in Vilnius, who made up almost half the city's population before World War II.

Visit Vilnius University : study the famous Four Seasons fresco in magical realism, stroll through its ancient 16th-century courtyards, and admire the panoramic views of the UNESCO-listed district with its red-tiled roofs. And, of course, visit St. Anne's Church, a red-brick masterpiece of Northern Gothic architecture, as well as the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus. Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart for Trakai , the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, located in a national park dotted with 15 glacial lakes. It is a village inhabited by the Karaite minority, an eastern ethnic minority; only 60 descendants remain in the village.

Visit the historic quarter with its small wooden houses, and take a boat trip on the lake around the famous island castle. Free time for a pleasant stroll along the lake.

Return to Vilnius in the early evening.

Overnight stay in Vilnius, 3-star Panorama Hotel or similar.

This morning, board the train to Klaipėda . With five departures daily on a journey of approximately four hours, it's the only long-distance national railway in Lithuania. Spend the 376 km on the comfortable train, which offers hot drinks and snacks, while admiring the country's landscapes: meadows, hills, valleys, towns, and villages.

Upon arrival in Klaipėda, visit this port city formerly known as Memelburg, at the end of East Prussia: Stock Exchange Bridge, Meridien sailing ship, Theatre Square, half-timbered houses, Friedrich Alley, Castle site, John's Hill, and the quays of the Dangė River with the marina.

In the early evening, a ferry crossing of the lagoon to the Curonian Spit offers splendid views of the port cranes and large ships. A walk along the lagoon leads to the sea gates, then through the forest to the sandy beach of the Baltic Sea. A typical dinner is served on the spit .

Night in Klaipėda, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Memel or similar.

A day dedicated to discovering the Curonian Spit, a narrow strip of sand that separates the Baltic Sea from the Neman estuary: 98 km long and less than 2 km wide, this sandy peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the village of Juodkrante, discover 19th-century fishermen's houses , Prussian summer villas, and ornately decorated weathervanes . The mystical hike through Witch Hill , a forest path on ancient dunes, reveals over 100 wooden sculptures depicting local folklore—featuring fairytale characters, witches, and devils. Once in Nida, visit the old town with its colorful houses and have lunch at a fisherman's tavern to sample local smoked fish. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the lagoon: visit the Amber Museum , the Courland Native Cemetery, the Thomas Mann House, and take in the "Italian" view. In the late afternoon, climb the Parnidis Dune for a breathtaking panorama of the lagoon, the Baltic Sea, and the isthmus with its shifting dunes, forests, and red rooftops. Free time: stroll to the sea, explore amber sites, and visit the terraces.

Return to Klaipėda and free evening. For those who wish, we recommend extending the evening at a local brewery to taste local craft beer (Klaipėda is known for its beer) or enjoying a gourmet dinner aboard the splendid schooner Meridianas.

Night in Klaipėda, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Memel or similar.

This morning, take the train to Šiauliai, home to the Hill of Crosses (Kryžiu Kalnas). Two twin hills, covered in thousands of crosses, attract pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Originally erected in the late 19th century, with a few hundred crosses representing the belief in spiritual and physical healing, the site grew significantly during the Soviet era as a symbol of resistance against imposed atheism. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a family-run restaurant.

Continue to Rundale, known for its extravagant castle nestled amidst bucolic countryside. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle, designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, master architect to the imperial court and creator of the Winter Palace (the Hermitage). Discover the rooms of this Baroque-Rococo residence, including the throne room, the White Room, the galleries, the Duke's apartments, and the Duchess's boudoir. The former Duchy of Courland, which existed between 1561 and 1795, was wealthy from agriculture, possessed two overseas colonies, and gave birth to Dorothea of ​​Courland, Talleyrand's companion and heiress to his riches.

Last leg of the journey to Riga and free evening. The capital of Latvia and metropolis of the Baltic States, Riga has nearly 800,000 inhabitants. Founded in 1201, it preserves the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Garden Ring and elegant boulevards, the picturesque canal, and the Art Nouveau district.

Overnight stay in Riga, 3-star Opera Hotel or similar.

Walking tour of the old town discovering the essential sights: the house of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, the castle, the house of the 3 brothers, the Liberty monument, the National Opera, the old ramparts, the churches of St. Peter, St. James and St. John and the Cathedral of the Dome.

Explore the Art Nouveau district . This dominant architectural style in Riga boasts over 800 impressive facades. Enjoy a guided tour of the district and a visit to the Art Nouveau Museum , which preserves interiors with objects and furniture emblematic of Riga's style. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant during the tour.

Discover Riga's Central Market . It comprises five former Zeppelin hangars. This site, like Riga's Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hangars date back to 1930, and each hangar is dedicated to a specific specialty: meat, vegetables, and so on. A great opportunity to sample local delicacies! The rest of the afternoon is free for individual exploration.

Overnight stay in Riga, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Opera Hotel or similar.

Free day to deepen your cognitive experience on Riga: visit the Anatomy Museum or the Railway Museum, explore the typical neighborhoods of Agenskalns, Grizinkalns and Mezaparks, learn about the recent past at the Museum of Occupations, or take the train to the seaside!

Optional : Join the optional excursion to the magnificent Kemeri National Park by local electric train: admire the architecture of the stations. Hike in the national park on the Great Bog Trail to understand the complex ecosystem of this region and observe the flora and fauna. The Kemeri resort reveals dilapidated bathhouses and thermal baths. Lunch at a local restaurant and explore Jūrmala , a seaside resort located along 30 km of sandy beach. Stroll through the narrow streets admiring the wooden architecture and walk on the beach where you can also enjoy a swim if the weather permits.

Typical dinner with folk entertainment.

Overnight stay in Riga, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Opera Hotel or similar.

We leave Riga this morning, taking the local train to Sigulda (53 km, 1 hour), a small wellness town that serves as the gateway to Gauja National Park, a favorite among Latvians. A short hike through the park leads to the castle of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword . Panoramic views of the Gauja Valley await.

Continue by train to Valga , a border town divided in two: one half is in Latvia and the other in Estonia - change with the Estonian train to Tartu . Check into the hotel.

Guided walking tour of Tartu, the country's second largest city and a major academic center, known for its University founded in 1632 by King Gustav Adolf of Sweden: Oscar Wilde's bench, the Students' Fountain, the Town Hall, the university campus and the history of Struve, the Angel Bridge and the Devil's Bridge, the Cathedral and the main pedestrian street. Visit to the University of Tartu's botanical garden, which is over 220 years old!

Discover the authentic neighborhoods of Aparaaditehas and Karlova: walk and dinner .

Night in Tartu, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Dorpat or similar.

Explore the shores of Lake Peipus , a place steeped in history where the famous "Battle on the Ice" took place in 1242. Today, this peaceful region reveals a unique cultural heritage, marked by Old Believer traditions and a fascinating blend of Estonian and Russian influences. The route, known as the Onion Route, leads you through charming lakeside villages , with visits to a community center and an Old Believer museum. Along the way, be captivated by the lake views and complete this cultural immersion with a traditional lunch .

In the afternoon, take the train from Tartu to Tallinn, traveling through the meadows of central Estonia and the Aegviidu forests. Upon arrival in Tallinn, check into your hotel. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Tallinn is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, with its fortifications, steep, cobbled streets, numerous churches, and elegant houses. Over the centuries and through successive occupations, the city has acquired many monuments built in a multitude of different architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Classical, and more.

Suggestion: first individual walk to understand Tallinn : medieval ramparts, sea gates, winding alleyways, rehabilitated Rotermann district.

Night in Tallinn, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Shnelli or similar.

Explore the upper town , dominated by the Toompea Fortress, home to the Parliament, the Orthodox Cathedral, and beautiful historic houses. Visit the Dome Church with its collection of coats of arms and tombstones . As you ascend to higher ground, you can admire the views from the Patkuli and Kohtu viewpoints, including a breathtaking panorama of the city walls.

Continue your visit to the lower town , which has preserved its medieval character since the 13th century. Explore the Town Hall Square, lined with splendid medieval buildings and opulent Hanseatic mansions that bear witness to the prosperity of the city and its merchants of that era. Visit St. Catherine's Alley with its Estonian craft guilds.

Enjoy a free late afternoon for your own explorations – take a stroll through Tallinn's Old Town or visit the new Port Noblessner district by the sea with its creative architecture. Right next door, don't miss the Maritime Museum, housed in the former seaplane harbor – step aboard a submarine!

Join the group for the final evening of this magnificent trip : explore the Telliskivi Creative City district, a former industrial area now transformed into a creative hub with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the restaurant in the former brick factory.

Night in Tallinn, 3-star hotel in the city centre: Shnelli or similar.

Depending on your flight schedule, free morning/day (breakfast included).

End of service. Return home by plane, ferry and train via Stockholm and Hamburg, or extend your trip to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, just a 2-hour high-speed ferry ride away! Another idea for an extension – a stay on the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu – please contact us for a quote!