Baltic tours, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania & Russia
| country: | Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 13 Sep 2009: 23 May, 27 Jun, 18 Jul, 22 Aug, 12 Sep |
| price: | From £1375 (15 days) excluding flights. Local payment €330. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A fantastic opportunity to visit the Baltic’s intoxicating highlights of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Russia.
We will explore enchanting medieval towns, atmospheric cities, beautiful scenery and the fabulous walking trails which this spectacular region has to offer.
Group size is maximum 15 people. Activities include extensive walking in towns. Accommodation is 13 nights tourist class hotels and 1 night sleeper train, and we use local and private transport - trains and buses. An airport transfer to the hotel on day 1 is included. Meals are included as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner) and entrance fees are included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary.
This trip is fully escorted by our tour leader on days 2-15.
We will explore enchanting medieval towns, atmospheric cities, beautiful scenery and the fabulous walking trails which this spectacular region has to offer.
Group size is maximum 15 people. Activities include extensive walking in towns. Accommodation is 13 nights tourist class hotels and 1 night sleeper train, and we use local and private transport - trains and buses. An airport transfer to the hotel on day 1 is included. Meals are included as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner) and entrance fees are included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary.
This trip is fully escorted by our tour leader on days 2-15.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Vilnius. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. |
| Day 2: | Vilnius. After breakfast we have a walking tour of the delightful old town with its winding streets, narrow alleys and many old churches. The city boasts the largest old quarter in Europe which was constructed over many centuries and as a result is a unique hotchpotch of architectural styles. Rather bizarrely you can also find a statue of the American rock musician Frank Zappa. (B) |
| Day 3: | Klaipeda. After breakfast we take a train to Klaipeda, our base for visiting the Curonian Spit. (B) |
| Day 4: | Klaipeda. Today we have a guided tour of Curonian Spit, an enormous peninsula dominated by impressive sand dunes and forests, split between Russia and Lithuania and recognised by UNESCO as an area of outstanding natural beauty. (B) |
| Day 5: | Riga. Travel by bus to Riga in Latvia. (B) |
| Day 6: | Riga. We have a morning walking tour of Latvia’s cosmopolitan capital city, with the afternoon free to explore further. There is plenty to occupy the eye, and it is easy to see why the old quarter has been recognised as a World Heritage site with a stunning collection of Art Nouveau architecture on offer. (B) |
| Day 7: | Sigulda. After breakfast we have a short bus ride to Sigulda, situated at the edge of a beautiful forested valley with many hiking trails. We have nearly a full day to enjoy the area. (B) |
| Day 8: | Sigulda - Tallinn. In the morning we have time to explore more in the nearby National Park. In the afternoon we transfer by bus to Tallinn. (B) |
| Day 9: | Tallinn. Morning walking tour of the impressive old city. Afternoon is free. (B) |
| Day 10: | Tallinn - St Petersburg. Today we have free time before taking a train or bus to St Petersburg. (B). |
| Day 11: | St Petersburg. Today we have a guided tour of this awe inspiring city. Home to some of the most splendid architecture in the world it is awash with stunning buildings, exceptional museums and opulent palaces. Its numerous canals and waterways have led it to be known as the ‘Venice of the North’. (B) |
| Day 12: | St Petersburg. Free day for further exploration in St. Petersburg before taking the overnight train to Moscow. (B) |
| Day 13: | Moscow. On arrival we enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Kremlin, Red Square and Tretyakov Gallery. |
| Day 14: | Moscow. Free day in Moscow to take in further highlights of this atmospheric city. Must see sights include the iconic Saint Basil’s Cathedral, synonymous with Moscow’s landscape. (B) |
| Day 15: | Moscow. Tour ends after breakfast. (B) |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
This tour visits Estonia, a country with a very small tourism industry although this provides a valuable source of income to a wide sector of the community. We visit smaller less tourist frequented towns as well as the major cities. We use local guides and drivers throughout the course of the tour and endeavour to avoid large tourist agencies, arranging as much as we can with local people.
Our use of overnight trains on this tour offers a far more environmentally sustainable way of travel between our destinations where totally environmentally-friendly guided walking tours are scheduled rather than the use of private motor transport. We use family-run accommodation providing a direct income to local people and our clients are encouraged to use locally-owned restaurants and cafes rather than international or chain establishments. Our tour leaders advise all clients of our responsible travel policy and give them the necessary guidance on local customs and traditions, reminding them of the need to take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints whilst visiting the nature reserves and historic sites included in the tour. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |