Experience Overview
Looking for a European trip that's a bit out of the ordinary? The Baltics are packed with spectacular surprises around every corner. This one swings you from Tallinn to Vilnius through some Baltic highlights, with plenty of breweries, gothic castles, street art, gorgeous coastlines and buzzing uni towns along the way. History buffs - this one's for you; but it's fair to say it's got a little something for everyone.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
FAQs
- London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
- Tallinn: Get to know your new Contiki fam over a welcome dinner and drinks in arty Telliskivi.
- Valmiermuiza: Get together with the Contiki crew for a tour, tasting and lunch at this Latvian brew-house.
- Cesis: Take a jaunt around this medieval Latvian castle with an expert. And learn more about the Livonian Order that built it.
- Riga: Take an orientation around the colourful streets of the Latvian capital. We’ll show you the highlights and the best places for a night out.
- Jurgaiciai: It’s not every day you see a hill blanketed with over 200,000 wooden crosses. Don’t forget your camera for this Lithuanian landmark.
- Trakai Island Castle: This 14th century Lithuanian castle on an island in Lake Galve is so picturesque it’s almost not real. Pics or it didn’t happen!
- Vilnius: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER EXPERIENCE®, we'll pay a visit to Pirmas Blynhas - a cafe that provides employment and empowerment for people with disabilities.
Trip Details
Product Code: 18858
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator: Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 413.1842A
Starts: Tallinn (Estonia), Estonia
Finishes: Vilnius, Lithuania
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,260 ($282 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Tallinn, Estonia's elegant capital. After meeting your group, we'll explore this beautiful Baltic city on an orientation tour given by our TM, followed by a local dinner at F HOONE, with its sharing menu of healthy but seriously delicious local delicacies.
Accommodation: Ibis Tallinn Center (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Tallinn is all yours for the day, so go and find out what makes this place so special. One of Europe's hidden gems, this early medieval era creation is now a fascinating mix of old and new. From bike tours to cooking classes - you've got loads of optional experiences to pick from. If not, stop by the Estonian Open-Air Museum or take a walk to Toompea Hill for a chance to see the Old Town in all its splendour.
Accommodation: Ibis Tallinn Center (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we're setting our sights on Tartu... A town known for its upbeat nightlife, bunting-clad town square, its wealth of cultural activities, and its 17th Century university, Tartu is an Estonian hidden gem. Take the day to explore every nook and cranny alongside your new pals and Trip Manager (or join us for a street art tour!). We'll meet back in the evening for a locally prepared meal full of cultural specialties.
Accommodation: Hotel Tartu (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tartu, it's been emotional, but today we're heading for Latvia. An iconic tour, tasting & lunch awaits at Valmiermuiža Brewery, where we'll become acquainted with the cornerstones of brewing beer. Next, we'll stop by to visit the Cēsis Castle, one of the most iconic and best preserved castles in Latvia. Here we are in Riga! After a quick tour of the city with your Trip Manager, you have a free evening around Latvia's capital, resting quietly on the Baltic Sea. Sitting at the border between tradition and cutting edge modernism, this city will no doubt charm you with its art nouveau architecture and vibrant nightlife.
Accommodation: Ibis Riga Centre (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
You've got beautiful Riga all to yourself today, so make the most of it! Take a stroll through the Old Town and discover the House of the Black Heads (a 14th century landmark). Or check out some of the many shops and restaurants that fill the cobblestoned streets. Need a quiet escape from the city side chaos? There's also an optional bogshoe hike on the agenda.
Accommodation: Ibis Riga Centre (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
...and we're on the road again. Today we're visiting the Hill of Crosses, an epic pilgrimage site which boasts a collection of over 200,000 ornate crosses, statues and effigies erected on a small hill in Northern Lithuania. Well hello, Kaunas! Here in this southern Lithuanian gem, we'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to river views and impressive cathedrals. Don't miss Kaunas Castle or the epic 9th Fort.
Accommodation: Moxy Kaunas Center (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
So long, Kaunas. We’re making our way to our next awesome destination today, and it’s none other than vibrant Vilnius! Welcome to Trakai Castle, a 14th century fortress built on an island on the glittering Lake Galve. This place looks just like a fairy tale, so cameras at the ready… Our journey ends here in Vilnius but not without a tour of the stunning baroque architecture that'll inspire you to remodel your own home. Take advantage of the street art lining the cobblestone streets, grab pancakes with your crew and say your farewells over dinner. Time to lock in your next adventure!
Accommodation: Ibis Vilnius Centre (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
...and this is where our journey sadly ends. Exchange contact information with your fellow travellers, who have now probably become friends. Time to lock in your next adventure!
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, December 2024
The entire trip was fantastic and well-organised, and was the perfect tour manager! I loved that the itinerary took us to places other than just the capital cities, meaning we saw lots of Baltics! The inclusions and added extras were also really worthwhile and there was a good balance between organised activities and free time to explore. The trip was definitely value for money and I’d highly recommend it to anyone wishing to travel to the Baltics. Really easy to book online and update details via the online portal. I didn’t need any additional assistance, but if I did, I’d have been able to easily contact contiki for help.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2024
Connor - Traveled, December 2024
Great value, and excellent use of time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/22/2024
Jenny - Traveled, October 2024
I loved the charm of the Baltics as well as being able to meet everyone and make friends traveling. While traveling in winter meant that it was cold, it also felt more special going to these destinations during off-peak times because it did feel that we were maybe the only tourists there.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Ashley - Traveled, September 2024
All places that I don’t think I would have travelled to in one go without Contiki! Lots of interesting stops and cultural/historical locations in the three countries with plenty to do in each of the cities when you want to explore or just go for drinks. Easy and straightforward as always :)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2024
Eleanor - Traveled, June 2024
Deep diving into Baltic history and soaking up the culture. We visited castles, toured historic city centres and learned about different periods of history across each of the three countries. Very easy to book and pay in installments!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
The trip was well planned and we were given several locations to explore on our own during our free time. They also planned for extra activities to ensure we had the best experience. The trip was very easy to book with Contiki taking care of all logistical operations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
Midsommars eve in Tallinn was a real special moment.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
The trip was brilliant. Pretty much three city breaks rolled into one so lots of sightseeing and history tours! Our trip manager was great and really knowledgeable about the countries (and seeing as it was contikis first time doing this trip, he did amazing). If there were any issues he was always on hand to help, you could tell he was really experienced. The local guides were superb, so friendly and happy to talk about their countries. Not a lot of tourists but the locals were so nice and happy to help with directions or recommendations. Would highly recommend this trip if you’re interested in history or just want a break from the normal destinations! I booked directly with contiki and if I had any issues they would email back within a day. I had never booked with them before but found the process smooth and easy. I received the welcome email and documents in plenty of time and knew if I had any problems I could contact them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/30/2024
Aaron - Traveled, February 2024
Overall a great trip, you get to see the highlights of three countries in just over a week. The accommodation is the best you’ll get for a Europe Contiki trip with nice 3 / 3.5 star hotels everywhere. The trip had a reasonable amount of included experiences which was nice, and our trip manager made sure they all ran smoothly. Overall definitely a trip worth doing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/27/2024
Annelise - Traveled, December 2024
Incredible trip - loved it all. The pace of the trip was perfect, giving you enough time to explore each city/town. All the accom was great and in the perfect location. Couldn’t rate our guide and group higher. Don’t hesitate to book this trip! Highly recommended booking over Christmas period as the Christmas decoration in the Baltics were so beautiful!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2024
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