Active in the Natural Wonders of the Baltics

Outdoor Art

Nature lovers might want to trade the city's charms for a day in the great outdoors, and if so we've got the perfect suggestion. Just outside of Vilnius, Europos Parkas combines a lush park with an outdoor art gallery in the geographic center of the European continent, as declared by the French National Geographic Institute in 1989. Founded in 1991 by Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas, the sculpture exhibition is spread over 55 hectares of pristine parkland dotted with natural springs, woodlands, grasslands, and hills. It's beautiful in any season. We'd recommend taking one of the inexpensive local taxis to get there.

Discover the Best of Vilnius

Today you’ll be getting in touch with the real Vilnius, with help from an expert local guide. Your guide will show you the ins and outs of the city, regaling you with stories from the past and present. You’ll learn more about Vilnius’ Jewish, Polish, Russian and Lithuanian heritage while discovering the city’s most impressive sites, including Old Town, St. Stanislovas and Vladislovas Cathedral, Vilnius University, the Presidential Palace and more. Your guide will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation, or can suggest areas for further exploration after your tour concludes.

Soviet Vilnius and the KGB Museum

Communism is an important part of Lithuania’s history, even if it was a dark time. If you’re interested in learning more about this aspect of Lithuania’s recent past, the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is a place you need to see. Today we recommend exploring it, combined with a 3-hour private walking tour led by a local guide who will show you the main places relevant to communism. You’ll get a better idea of what it was like to live under communism as the past comes alive for you. Your guide will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation.

Dzūkija National Park Private Adventure

Discover the beautiful nature and carefully preserved history of Lithuania's oldest national park. Ancient wooden villages, picturesque rivers, birdwatching vistas, and interesting stories await! This tour ends with a tasting of the region's traditional, authentic dishes.

Neris River Regional Park Private Adventure

This tour is most suitable for those who don‘t want to walk too much, but still want to see and get to know as much as possible about Lithuania's nature and its ancient culture. You will visit one of the country's most magnificent preserves and will get acquainted with its facts and myths. At the end of the tour, you'll visit a rural home to taste seasonal historical dishes, meals with herbs picked in meadows, and learn a few secrets for wild foraging. Expect pleasant surprises along the way!

Trakai Group Hot Air Balloon Flight

This is a unique excursion that's both beautiful and adventurous. There's nothing like hot air ballooning at sunrise or sunset when the light is just magical and the Lithuanian countryside reveals itself. We went hot air ballooning in May 2015 as part of the #JayWayBaltics blogger trip and made a short video of the experience. Because of the variability of weather conditions and the need for filling spaces in the balloon, you will need to be flexible in terms of the time and day for this activity.

Vilnius Group Hot Air Balloon Flight

This is a unique excursion that's both beautiful and adventurous. There's nothing like hot air ballooning at sunrise or sunset, when the light is just magical and the Lithuanian capital reveals itself. Vilnius is one of few cities in the EU that allows hot air balloons to soar directly above it. A good geographic location and friendly flight controllers at the nearby airport allows rides over the city as often as the weather permits. There are several main balloon take-off sites in Vilnius. We always choose the site that best allows flights over Vilnius' Old Town, according to the wind direction. Occasionally, flights may be postponed, or moved to nearby Trakai, because of weather conditions.

Cycle The Curonian Spit Private Tour

The Curonian Spit is an absolute must-see when you're in Klaipeda. Explore this UNESCO-listed national park from atop a bike, with the help of a guide. With your trekking bike or e-bike, you'll cover up to 60 kilometers, with stops en route at the Hill of Witches, Amber Gallery, and Europe's largest san dunes, plus a swimming opportunity or two!

Riga From On High

What better way to start your visit to a new city than admiring the view from above? From St. Peter's Church in the old town, the Stalinist Latvian Academy of Sciences, mountainous National Library (also known as the Mountain of Light), or the Riga Radio and TV Tower (the tallest structure in the EU), extraordinary views of Riga and even the sea are easy to find. If you'd like to accompany great views with excellent drinks, we can recommend the best rooftop bar in the city so you can kick back with cocktails.

Introducing Riga

Today you’ll be exploring the beautiful city of Riga and its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Historically an important trading port on the Baltic Sea, Riga had a strategic advantage for invaders, which resulted in periods of Polish, German, Swedish and Soviet rule all leaving their mark. You’ll walk through the winding streets of the Old Town to take in the sublime architecture as your guide makes the past come alive for you with stories. Your guide will meet you at your accommodation for this 2-hour tour, and will bring you back to your accommodation, or suggest places for further exploration.

Riga Canal Boat Group Tour

Back in the old days, before the Daugava rider was bridged, small boats used to transport locals across the river, and Riga's smaller waterways. The larger boats made up the "river tramway," while the smaller ones were "river taxis." Step aboard one of these historic vessels, and see boulevards, parks, squares, fountains, bridges, markets, and the old harbor as you cruise the canal that once formed the city's moat. For the tour's climax, you'll head down the river, taking in majestic panoramas of Old Riga’s spires and the modern and Soviet buildings of the left bank.

Funky Bike Private Tour

This tour offers a relaxing but eye-opening ride around Riga, giving you an overview of the city from a historical and cultural viewpoint. It’s also a great way to have fun and see the sights of Riga over the handlebars of a bike. You won’t be bombarded with historical facts and dates, but you will learn the history of the city as you ride through the suburban streets and listen to interesting tales. You'll escape the touristy areas and experience some of the more unique parts of the city.

Rundale Palace Private Day Trip

One of Latvia’s hidden gems is the Baroque Rundale Palace. This is one of the most stunning buildings in the Baltic States, and makes a fantastic day trip from Riga. Your guide will drive you to the palace, where you'll have plenty of time to explore the palace and its beautiful gardens. On the way back, you'll have the opportunity to stop in one of the nearby towns. The tour will take around six hours in total, so an early start is recommended. For more info on Rundale, read our blog post.

Gauja River Private Canoe Tour

Easily Latvia's most beautiful river, the Gauja lies within a picturesque valley, featuring sandstone outcrops. This is a calm river, with just a few small rapids. This tour begins with a short drive to Janaramis, where you'll canoe with a guide for 1.5 hours, followed by a half hour break at the Erglu Cliffs, which you can explore on foot. Afterwards, you'll continue on to Lencupe for another 1.5 hours, although you can also continue on to Cesis.

Get a Bird's-Eye View

Discover Medieval Wonders

Baroque History: Kadriorg Palace and Park

Bog-shoe Hiking Private Tour

For something a bit more unusual, walk across one of Estonia's largest bogs with special bog-shoes (otherwise, you would sink right in!) Bogs are very dear to Estonians, and have always been part of its culture, so a visit to Estonia is incomplete without a bog walk. Visiting an Estonian bog is a strangely unworldly experience, with their calm pools of black (but drinkable!) water, stunted trees, and endless berry bushes. With the help of equipment akin to snowshoes, you'll visit otherwise inaccessible places. This tour will take you beyond the boardwalks and observation towers to normally inaccessible areas, home to more wildlife. Have an unforgettable adventure in Estonia and come to a bog-shoe hike in the picturesque Kõnnu Suursoo, less than an hour east of Tallinn. This tour is available year-round, as the bog has a different face to show every season.

Outdoor Adventures: Rivers, Adventure Parks, and Bike Tours

There are numerous outdoor adventures awaiting you in Tallinn and the surrounding areas. On the Pirita River, you can rent boats and kayaks, which makes for a perfect excursion. The adventure parks in Nomme and Pirita allow you to enjoy some high-flying action on wire courses strung way up in the trees. For something more unusual, take a cab or bus to the TV tower, where you can walk along the ledge that sticks out from the tower 600 feet up, while safely harnessed to the tower. From here, you can get the best views, and when conditions are right, get a glimpse of Finland! There’s also a good mix of activities for the whole family that involve staying closer to the ground. If that doesn't sound like something for you rent a bike or join one of our bike tours to get out of the Old Town and explore local lives.