The Baltic Renaissance - Pre-reservation

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia & Finland

The Baltic Renaissance - Pre-reservation 2025

July 2025 (10 Days / 9 Nights)
This tour starts in Vilnius and ends in Tallinn

We are currently in the process of planning this tour. Once we have all the activities, dates, hotels and other details confirmed, and the pricing finalized, we will post a complete itinerary, including the price. If you would like to be notified of this tour's availability when the planning process is completed, please complete the pre-reservation form.

PRE-RESERVATION FORM

Framed by the Baltic Sea to the north and west and their former Russian rulers to the east, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have cast off the shadows of the past and embraced a brilliant spirit of independence, honoring their rich history and heritage while looking ahead to a prosperous future. The capital cities of Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn sit amid spectacular Nordic landscapes and offer a unique insight into Northern Europe that is like taking a trip back in time, walking down peaceful lanes, where the locals are friendly, the food is hearty, and beauty is found around every corner. From medieval towns to the splendid Art Nouveau showcases, from magnificent fairy-tale castles to seaside resorts, and from meticulously restored palaces to wide spaces filled with canola flowers and birch forests, there is a wealth of art, culture, and the natural beauty in the region that makes these hidden gems shine like no place else.

During the Baltic Renaissance tour, history will come to life as we tour impressive castles and soaring cathedrals, beautiful palaces surrounded by elaborate gardens, enjoy the Estonian sauna traditions and spa treatments and a day spent at an old fashioned beach resort. We’ll start with Vilnius, home to over 1,200 medieval buildings as well as splendid churches and palaces constructed in Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles; in Riga, “the Paris of the Baltics”, we’ll marvel at the Renaissance buildings lining the cobble-stone streets, see the city from the perspective of its canals and admire the elegant Art Nouveau architecture; we’ll end our journey in Tallinn, where the grandeur and serenity of the city’s medieval layout complements the urban growth and vibrant culture of modern Estonia.

HIGHLIGHTS: Old Town of Vilnius ● Views from the top of Vilnius University Tower ● Boat cruise around Trakai Castle Island ● Medieval Trakai Castle ● Lithuanian Open-Air Museum ● Hill of Crosses ● Baroque Rundale Palace ● Art Nouveau tour of Riga ● Medieval tour of Riga ● Canal boat tour of Riga ● Sigulda and Turaida Castles ● Seaside resort town of Parnu ● Hanseatic League city of Tallinn ● Helsinki, the Nordic capital of Finland

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Testimonials

It was a great tour, and I learned so much. We also had a great time and saw many lovely sights, the beautiful cities, countryside, and learned about the history of the Baltic nations. - Jane from Texas

An excellent overview of the three Baltic nations. This tour hit all the highlights. The guides were great sources of information about history and politics. The best experience during the tour was hearing from the city guides about the rebuilding of their society post-Soviet era. One major reason I took this tour was to learn about how the people rebuilt after 1993. The guides in all three cities were very open about their experiences under Soviet occupation and were willing to answer all our questions. - Patricia from California

The Baltics and St. Petersburg were beautiful, clean and an amazing tour! The hotels we stayed in were fantastic, and S&S tour leaders are the best!!! A very upscale trip. The local guides, the bus drivers, and the airport transfers were perfect. The office was also very helpful with obtaining my Russian Visa. – Risa from New Jersey

As this was my first time traveling with Sights & Soul, I was pleasantly surprised at the luxury feel of the hotels and restaurants. I enjoyed traveling with the group, as well as having a little free time some days. – Jonelle from Illinois

The best experience during the trip had to be the guide we had in Latvia. She was fabulous and struck just the right note with our group. She had so many whimsical stories to tell us. She covered history and legend, as well as touching lightly on the politics of the region. Also, we were enchanted with our luncheon at the local manor house. As our bus pulled up, two waiters were waiting on the grounds to serve our lunch. Tables were set under the trees and the food was not only delicious, but also beautifully presented. The Baltics are such a beautiful area of Europe which is not inundated with tourists. I suggest that people visit before it becomes a more popular cruise destination. – Linda from California

It was very special being one of the 1st participants of The Baltics tour. Each destination was fascinating and learning about the 3 countries history and current living was absorbing. Loved the balance between city walks, historical sites, and walking through heritage villages. It was a great time of year to travel prior to busy season. We had great hotels and of course to die for food. Finally Marta is a professional and nurturing tour director and she and my co explorers were the best; friendly, lots of laughs and great connections. Looking forward to my next destination. – Gaye from New South Wales, Australia.

All the hotels and their locations were fantastic! Love, love, loved the guides in Lithuania and St. Petersburg. – Karen from New York