Fully-Guided Journey through the Baltics - Christmas

Fully-Guided Journey through the Baltics - Christmas

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Fully-Guided Journey through the Baltics - Christmas

8 Days Starting and ending in UK/Ireland

Visiting: Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

Tour operator:

Exoticca

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 30

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English

Tour Overview

Embark on a magical Fully-Guided Journey through the Baltics - Christmas edition, where the spirit of the festive season comes alive in the enchanting capitals of the Baltic states. This cultural tour highlights the rich history, art, and architecture of Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and includes visits to the mesmerizing Hill of Crosses and the picturesque Trakai. Wander through the Valley of the Gauja river, and immerse yourself in the medieval charm and baroque beauty of Vilnius. Experience the unique traditions and sights of these historic cities, with their cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and vibrant Christmas markets. This journey is perfect for those interested in cultural exploration, history, and the arts, offering an unforgettable sightseeing and walking experience through the heart of the Baltics during the most wonderful time of the year.

Highlights

  • Riga

  • Tallinn

  • The Hill of Crosses

  • Trakai

  • Valley of the Gauja river

  • Vilnius

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Uk/Ireland - Vilnius

Location: Vilnius

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Neringa Hotel

It's time to pack your bags ready for your trip to the enchanting Baltic Capitals. Arrive at your departure airport, ready to take a flight to Vilnius*, the capital of Lithuania. Arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, known for its substantial amount of medieval buildings (over 1200!) and 48 churches. Self-transfer** to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you see fit; take this time to explore the city, its medieval old town and its magnificent baroque architecture. Overnight stay in Vilnius. *If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day. **Optional private transfer available in the next step of the booking process.

Day 2 : Vilnius

Location: Vilnius

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Neringa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a walking tour of Vilnius where you will become acquainted with the Old Town and immerse yourself in the history of centuries past. Walk along Vilnius’ winding streets and visit the most exciting architectural and historic monuments, including the Vilnius Cathedral, a nearby Gediminas Castle, the 16th century St. Anne’s Church, the Vilnius University, the Town Hall, the Jewish Quarter and the iconic Dawn Gate.You will also be visiting the bohemian and artistic district, Užupis, self-proclaimed as being the ‘Republic of the Old Town’ as it has its own anthem, constitution, president, bishop and its own guardian known as The Bronze Angel of Užupis. Today its thriving creative community hosts regular fashion festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and poetry evenings. From here, enjoy leisurely time to grab some lunch.Upon completing the walking tour, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure; take this time further explore the beauty of the Christmas markets the city of Vilnius has to offer. Alternatively, take part in our optional excursion to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania*. Overnight stay in Vilnius. * Optional Excursion to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: Situated in the Cathedral square right in the heart of Vilnius, get to know more about the history of Vilnius as you explore its many halls and rooms reflecting the gothic, renaissance and baroque styles of the times. Please note: This optional package and all optional excursions for this trip requires a minimum of 5 participants in order for it to operate. If there are not enough participants, the optional excursion will be canceled and you will be refunded for it when you return from your trip.

Day 3 : Vilnius

Location: Vilnius

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the entire day at your leisure; take this time to further explore the second largest city of the Baltic states. Why not get to know the Bernardine Garden or visit the array of fascinating museums scattered throughout the city, like the National Museum of Lithuania or the Amber Museum? Take advantage of this free time to immerse yourself in the spirit of the festive season as you explore the culinary delights offered during this time of the year. Try Lithuania's classic kūčiukai (small pastries with poppy seeds made from leavened dough) to treat your tastebuds to an explosion of flavors. Alternatively, we recommend you take part in our optional excursion to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania*. Overnight stay in Vilnius. *Optional Excursion to Trakai: Make your way to the Trakai Castle, situated on an island in the middle of Lake Galve. The castle today houses a fascinating museum with artifacts dating back to the times of the Grand Duke Vytautas. Enjoy a panoramic boat ride around the castle and later, explore the quaint and charming town of Trakai at your leisure.Please note: The boat trip is only available from May to September and it is subject to weather conditions.

Day 4 : Vilnius - Hill Of Crosses - Rundale Palace - Riga

Location: Riga

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to Riga, the capital of Latvia. En route, stop by the famous Hill of Crosses, a uniquely historic place in the world considered to be the best place to get acquainted with cross-making, a branch of Lithuanian folk art, inscribed on the UNESCO Non-material and Verbal Heritage Masterpiece List.Today, more than 100 000 crosses have been put up to plead for grace or to express gratitude since ancient times. Later, enjoy some free time for lunch. After crossing the border of Latvia, you will visit the Rundale Palace, an 18th century Baroque monument designed by the Italian-Russian architect Rastrelli also known for designing the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Sights to behold include, the Golden Hall, the White Hall and private quarters of the Duke of Courland Johan Ernst Biron. Arrive at your hotel for check-in. If time permits, get a head start getting to know the Christmas-themed markets of this area, one of the most visited in all of the continent. Overnight stay in Riga.

Day 5 : Riga

Location: Riga

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a walking tour of the Old Town of Riga where you’ll get to explore the city’s medieval and art nouveau architecture. Stops you will be visiting include: Riga's Castle, the Swedish Gate, the Monument of Liberty, the Art Nouveau district, Riga Dome Cathedral and Riga’s Central Market to discover one of Europe’s largest markets and food bazaars. In the market, you will sample some delicious Latvian produce, such as homemade cheeses and smoked chicken and eel and baked goods. Enjoy free time for lunch and then the rest of the day is at your leisure. Use this time to get to know the magical Old Riga Christmas Market where festive decorations and Christmas carols light the entire city with festive energy. Alternatively, we recommend you take part in our optional excursion to Jurmala*. Overnight stay in Riga. *Optional excursion to Jurmala: Visit the largest seaside and spa resort in the Baltic States. The town is known for its mineral waters, said to have healing properties, pine forests, sand dunes and unique architecture mixing classicism, Art Nouveau and National Romantic.

Day 6 : Riga - Siguld - Parnu - Tallin

Location: Tallinn

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Centennial

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. En route, stop by the Gauja National Park in Sigulda, often referred to as the Latvian Switzerland. This national park is home to the Gauja River Valley known for its stunning landscape thanks to its 500 archaeological monuments and charming architecture dating back to the 11th century. Visit the 13th century Turaida Castle, today housing a small History Museum, and relax walking in the adjacent Sculpture Park, featuring works of iconic Latvian sculptors. Later, stop by the Gutman Cave, the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries. Your final stop will be in the Estonian summer resort of Parnu before arriving at Tallinn where you will check-in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Use this time to acquaint yourself with the holiday spirit the city of Tallinn has to offer, a true Christmas wonderland with gorgeous Christmas trees placed on the squares, streets and parks decorated with Christmas lights and a gleeful feeling of excitement in the air. Overnight stay in Tallinn.

Day 7 : Tallinn

Location: Tallinn

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Centennial

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, take part in a walking tour of medieval Tallinn, where you will gaze in awe at the 14th and 15th century-style maze, walls and towers, soaring church spires and winding streets. Visit the city’s main attractions, including: Toompea Palace and Castle, Town Hall Square, the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn Dome Church and the Great Guild Hall, among others. Continue your journey visiting the Balti Jaama market, an excellent opportunity to acquaint yourself with the products of the region. From here, make your way to the Kalamaja district, a very trendy area of the city, known for its colorful wooden houses, bohemian charm, industrial heritage and once the city’s main fishing port during the Middle Ages. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you see fit. Why not take a stroll through the Tallinn Christmas Market held annually at the Town Hall Square and become enchanted with the magic of the festive season?. Overnight stay in Tallinn.

Day 8 : Tallinn - Uk/Ireland

Location: Tallinn

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for your flight back to the UK/Ireland. Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Optional private transfer available in the next step of the booking process

What's Included

  • Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.

  • International flights: UK/Ireland - Vilnius, Tallinn - UK/Ireland.

  • 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.

  • 7 breakfasts.

  • Transfers in air conditioned vehicle. *

  • Entrances to Old University in Vilnius, Rundale Palace in Riga, Turaida castle and Tallin Dome in Tallin.

  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.

  • Walking tours of Vilnius, Riga & Tallin. Visits to Rundale Palace, Hill of Crosses, Gauja National Park & Turaida Castle.

  • ATOL Protection.

What's Not Included

  • Airport Transfers

    Airport transfers are not included but are available as an optional extra during the booking process.

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions such as the visit to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Trakai, and Jurmala are not included and require an additional fee.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and guests are advised to obtain coverage prior to the trip.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals outside of those specified, and other incidental costs are not covered.

Mode of Transport

Travelers will be transported in style in an air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring comfort throughout their journey. International flights from main UK/Ireland airports to Vilnius and from Tallinn back to UK/Ireland are included, along with all air taxes and fuel surcharge.

Accommodation

Guests will enjoy 7 nights in Superior category hotels, offering a blend of comfort and luxury to enhance their stay. Each hotel has been carefully selected to provide a relaxing atmosphere after a day of exploration.

Meals Included

7 breakfasts.

Check out our Q&As

  • What are the highlights of the Fully-Guided Journey through the Baltics - Christmas tour?

    The highlights of the tour include Riga, Tallinn, The Hill of Crosses, Trakai, Valley of the Gauja river, and Vilnius.

  • What type of activities does the tour include?

    The tour includes activities related to Cultural, History, Art Galleries & Museums, Sightseeing, and Walking.

  • How many nights of accommodation are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.

  • Are meals included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes 7 breakfasts.

  • What are the inclusions of the tour?

    The tour inclusions are departures from main UK/Ireland airports, international flights: UK/Ireland - Vilnius, Tallinn - UK/Ireland, 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels, 7 breakfasts, transfers in air-conditioned vehicle, entrances to Old University in Vilnius, Rundale Palace in Riga, Turaida castle and Tallin Dome in Tallin, all air taxes and fuel surcharge, walking tours of Vilnius, Riga & Tallin, visits to Rundale Palace, Hill of Crosses, Gauja National Park & Turaida Castle, and ATOL Protection.

  • What are the exclusions of the tour?

    The exclusions of the tour are airport transfers (available as an optional extra), optional excursions such as the visit to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Trakai, and Jurmala (require an additional fee), travel insurance, and personal expenses like souvenirs, additional meals outside of those specified, and other incidental costs.

  • Is there an option for private transfers?

    Yes, airport transfers are not included but are available as an optional extra during the booking process.

  • Where can I check the latest Travel Restrictions?

    It is the traveler's responsibility to verify and comply with the passport, visa, and travel requirements applicable to your itinerary. It is also the responsibility of the traveler to verify and comply with the health requirements, proof of testing, and vaccination applicable to your itinerary both at the destinations and for, if applicable, countries where you have a connecting flight. Requirements change quickly and you should check the updated guidance well in advance of departure as well as shortly before departure. You should check the requirements for your own specific circumstances with the corresponding government embassies and/or consulates as appropriate.

  • What recommendations should I follow before traveling?

    Passport validity: It is the traveler's responsibility to verify and comply with the passport, visa, and travel requirements applicable to your itinerary. You should check the requirements for your own specific circumstances with the corresponding embassies and/or consulates as appropriate. Requirements change so please check the up-to-date requirements in advance of your departure date. In many cases, countries now require that passports are valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure from their borders.

  • How can I upgrade my flight?

    If you would like to make an upgrade to your flight or ask for a quotation, please contact us with all the information. Our customer success agents will answer your request as soon as possible.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Changes of flights and related services are not permitted after the booking is confirmed. If you wish to make any significant amendment affecting the flights, you will need to cancel it as per the terms & conditions applicable to your booking and make a new booking. If you require more information about your cancellations policy please go to the relevant Terms and Conditions for your booking (See Cancellation Policy section). If you would like to proceed with the cancellation or require assistance please contact us.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    The COVID-19 pandemic not only created an unparalleled impact on health and economy globally, but it has also changed fundamental behaviors with regards to traveling. In response to such changes, Exoticca provides extra peace of mind for all reservations made from 18th January, 2022 onwards by including Covid 19 Protection. Testing positive for COVID-19: If you or anyone else traveling with you on your booking cannot travel due to testing positive for COVID-19 you will be given the option to reschedule your trip or receive 100% of the trip value in Exoticca travel credit. **Proof of infection must be provided in the form of an official COVID-19 positive test result. For more information on the details of the Covid 19 Protection Policy, please go to the relevant Terms and Conditions for your booking (See Cancellation Policy section).

  • Travelling to the USA or Canada?

    Traveling to the United States: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA is an online application system, developed by the United States government to pre-screen travelers before authorizing them to board a plane or ship bound for the United States. Starting on the 12th of January 2009, any person entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must have an approved ESTA travel authorization. This includes travelers who travel to the United States to catch a connecting flight. An ESTA does not guarantee entry to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials determine the admissibility of travelers upon arrival. For more information click here. If a traveler is found to have visited a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (09.11.2022, Countries: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria), the traveler is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Wavier Program and must apply for a visa to enter the United States. Traveling to Canada: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling to Canada by air. This includes travelers who travel to Canada to catch a connecting flight. An eTA is linked electronically to the traveler's passport and is valid for a maximum of five years or until the passport expires, depending on which of these two scenarios occurs first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA. An eTA does not guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents to determine whether you are admissible to enter Canada. For more information click here. Traveling to a Schengen member country (Europe): Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) The ETIAS travel authorization will be needed to enter a Schengen member country by air, land, or sea. From November 2023, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe will be able to register with ETIAS. ETIAS will become a mandatory entry requirement. The ETIAS for Europe will grant travelers authorization to visit the ETIAS countries that are all members that compose the Schengen zone. The ETIAS visa waiver has been designed for short-term stays of up to 90 days. For more information click here.

  • COVID-19 vaccination recommendations and other vaccines?

    It is the responsibility of the traveler to verify and comply with the health requirements, proof of testing, and vaccination applicable to your itinerary both at the destinations and for, if applicable, countries where you have a connecting flight. Requirements change quickly and you should check the updated guidance well in advance of departure as well as shortly before departure. Check with the migration and health authorities for the country of origin, destination, and stopover to learn more about vaccination requirements.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Once your purchase is complete, you will receive confirmation by email and all your travel documents will be uploaded on to your booking and the Exoticca customer account (which you'll be provided details of). These will include: transport details, hotels, itinerary, important notes, and insurance policy (if applicable).

Reviews of this operator

Nigel Curtis (Google Reviewer)  

This is the first time...

26-Mar-2023

This is the first time that we have used Exoticca and we were not disappointed. The holiday was well planned and we felt looked after at every stage of our South American adventure. The guides were knowledgeable, cheerful and friendly. They were able to answer all our questions with ease and good humour. The hotels were of a high standard and offered excellent food and comfort. Our travel group was well matched and we always had plenty of room in the vehicles selected for each stage of our journey. We will no hesitation in booking with Exoticca again in the future.

Jane S  

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Most of the time we were travelling as a couple although we kept bumping into others in a simialr situation. Wherever we went there was someone there to welcome us and take us to our hotel, tell us about arrangements for the next few days and to generally look after us. Guides always turned up as expected and were all of a very high standard. We never felt concerned about what was due to happen the next day - it always did! Tours were always of interest. Accommodation which was charm class was perfectly acceptable and if not in the centre of town, taxis were always easy to use and safe whether a white pick up van in the Galapagos or a tuk tuk in Peru. I had a slight accident while there and I have to say that Exoticca guides etc could not have been more helpful. I would not hesitate to recommend Exoticca to anyone thinking of using them. We had an amazing experience in Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos.

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Diana Gwynn  

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S A (Google Reviewer)  

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Exoticca was a great experience. Very well planned itinerary and our tour driver Leo was excellent. We were lucky to get good weather for the most parts and were given good guidance about local attractions. The hotels were well located and of a good quality. Overall a very pleasant experience. We will travel with Exoticca again.

Kimberly Penna (Google Reviewer)  

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exoticca allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exoticca, 0 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exoticca requires a minimum deposit of 60% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exoticca charges.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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