Highlights of the Baltic States & Finland

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Vilnius, Riga, Muhu Island, Tallinn, Helsinki

This private luxury tour of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland features the best of this beautiful and historically rich region along the Baltic Sea. It includes flexible private touring of the top cities and cultural sites, opportunities to shop for fine local handicrafts and modern designs, options for specialized activities such as visiting Jewish heritage sites, and accommodation at the top hotels and resorts in the region.

Begin in Vilnius, the beautiful capital of Lithuania. During private touring with your expert local guide, explore the historic town center, an atmospheric UNESCO World Heritage Site of well-preserved architecture. Walk medieval backstreets, and see landmarks such as Vilnius Cathedral and St. Anne’s Church. Browse small shops for handmade linen and amber products, and visit a local food market. Take in panoramic views from the top of Castle Hill. Relax in leafy riverside parks. Walk around the historic buildings of Vilnius University. Tour the Jewish Quarter, and visit museums and other important sites related to the Jewish history of Vilnius. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange excursions to the beautiful lake resort region of Trakai Historical National Park, as well as in-depth cultural and Jewish touring in the city of Kaunas.

Next, transfer to Riga, Latvia. En route, visit the Hill of Crosses, an unusual pilgrimage site covered in thousands of religious artifacts. Also stop to tour Rundale Palace, an 18th-century Baroque palace with beautiful interiors and formal gardens in the Latvian countryside.

During private touring in Riga, visit the highlights of Latvia’s bustling capital. Explore neighborhoods filled with grand Art Nouveau buildings. See a mix of architecture from medieval to modern along the cobblestone streets of the historic center. See what’s in season at the expansive Central Market. Venture to the top of St. Peter’s Church for panoramic views over the city and the Daugava River. Learn about local Jewish history. Shop for traditional Latvian woven products in local shops and markets. Perhaps visit the Museum of the Occupation and other cultural institutions.

Continue north to Estonia. En route, perhaps pass through Gauja National Park, a wonderland of forested hills and riverside cliffs, and drive along the edge of the Gulf of Riga. Time permitting, also stop in Parnu, a historic Estonian resort town on the Baltic Sea.

Venture to rural Muhu Island, and stay two nights at luxurious Padaste Manor, the finest resort in the region. During private touring, experience traditional Estonian life and culture in the villages and countryside around Muhu and neighboring Saaremaa Island. Also enjoy the hotel’s expansive grounds, excellent food and postcard views of the Baltic Sea.

Continue to Tallinn, the enchanting capital of Estonia. Enjoy private touring of the fairy-tale Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a local insider, walk the narrow streets, admire ancient churches and merchant houses, gaze up at the imposing city walls, and take in spectacular views over the walled city and waterfront from Toompea hill. Also explore the open-air market, browse for beautiful Estonian textiles and crafts, and visit the city’s fashionable cafes and boutiques. Venture outside the Old Town to see the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. Also explore leafy Kadriorg Park, a favorite area for locals that includes Kadriorg Palace, historic wooden houses, the Kumu Art Museum and other sights.

Continue by ferry across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki to experience the lively culture, interesting architecture and excellent museums in Finland’s dynamic waterfront capital. Visit Temppeliaukio, the famed “Rock Church” hewn from solid stone. Tour outdoor markets, indoor food halls, historic squares and the Kamppi Chapel of Silence, and see landmark buildings such as Finlandia Hall, the Railway Station and the Olympic Stadium. Drive along the coast to see beautiful historic villas and the impressive Sibelius Monument, which is dedicated to Finland’s most beloved composer. Artisans of Leisure will arrange for you to have a private tour of the Alvar Aalto House, the home of the most important Finnish architect of the 20th century. If desired, also visit the nearby Studio Aalto. There will also be time to visit renowned cafes and Finnish design shops along Esplanadi Park in central Helsinki. Other touring options include the Arabia porcelain factory, the Design District, art museums such as Kiasma and Ateneum, Kaivopuisto Park, Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and Suomenlinna.

This tour can be fully customized according to your interests. It can also be easily extended to include top destinations in Poland, Russia and Scandinavia.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world