UNESCO Heritage in the Baltics & FInland

Unique Uzupis

Take the opportunity to explore one of Vilnius’ most colorful neighborhoods, Uzupis. It goes back to 1995, when a group of artists erected a statue of Frank Zappa in the area and declared Uzupis an independent republic. Soon flags were being created and the energy of the place seemed to attract eccentrics from all over the country. Today the mayor of Vilnius actively supports the republic and often takes part in the many activities going on there. There’s plenty to do in the neighborhood, so don’t be afraid to explore, here you’re bound to find some very photogenic people and places.

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.

Trakai Private Tour

Trakai, a string of lakes within forests, is Lithuania's ancient capital, and the medieval home of its Grand Dukes, who ran a kingdom extending from the Baltic to the Black Sea. The town still draws visitors thanks to its picturesque castle on its own island, unique Karaite community (Crimean Tatars following their own form of Judaism), and its famous Kibinai meat pies. Explore this unusual combination with a walking tour, followed by sailing around a lake, exploring the castle, or learning to make your own Kibinai.

Kaunas Private Day Trip

Don't limit your Lithuanian adventure to Vilnius. Branch out and discover the country's second largest city, Kaunas. A 90-minute drive from Vilnius, this city is a center of Lithuania's economic, academic and cultural life, and was its early 20th century capital. Your tour will start at Kaunas Castle and St. George's Church before continuing on to City Hall. Churches, historic architectural styles (especially during the city's early 20th century zenith), plus a vibrant atmosphere give Kaunas a distinct flavor that contrasts nicely with Vilnius' old-style charms. On the way to or from Kaunas you can stop at the Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Conquer the Curonian Spit

Today you'll be venturing with a driver guide to the Curonian Spit, a 100-kilometer sandbar stretching to Russia, whose beaches are the source of most of the world's amber. There, you will visit the scenic town of Nida, next to the tallest drifting sand dune in Europe, which provides a stunning vista of the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon, and Russia. Nearby is the Hill of Witches, which features wooden statues and WWII trenches. The town itself has had an artist's colony since the 19th century, which attracted Germany's brightest, including Thomas Mann, whose house you will be able to visit. This visit will also feature a stroll along a section of beach known for its amber. Who knows, you might find a unique souvenir!

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.

Art Nouveau Private Tour

Here's your chance to see why Riga is world-famous for its incredible Art Nouveau architecture. Put the medieval churches and Old Town to one side and have a look at what was happening at the beginning of the 20th century. Riga was at its peak, rich merchants were showing off their power and wealth, and the city was expanding at an alarming rate. The result was a phenomenal building boom that coincided with the growth of the Art Nouveau style across the world. No place in the world has more examples of Art Nouveau architecture than Riga, as you'll see for yourself on this delightful tour.

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.

Go Bohemian in Kalamaja

Of all the neighborhoods in Tallinn, Kalamaja is one of the most exciting. This fast-growing area between Old Town and the scenic coast is known for its hip selection of cafes, shops, restaurants and bars. Once a closed-off Soviet border zone, it has seen a renaissance of development in recent years. Seaplane Harbour, the Estonian Maritime Museum, is very modern and quite interesting. It’s just one of the things worth seeing around here.

Discover Medieval Wonders

Baroque History: Kadriorg Palace and Park

Lahemaa National Park Private Tour

Lahemaa National Park is renowned for its diversity. It is home to the most beautiful manors in Estonia, unique, traditional fishing villages, and some of the country's most pristine natural landscapes. You'll visit everything from the country's largest natural waterfall, to hidden old manor homes in Kolga and Sagadi, from mesmerizing forests to romantic little coastal villages like Käsmu and Altja. Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to hike (or in summer even swim) through the Viru bog, on a 3.5 km boardwalk. Ethereal places full of berries, dark waters, and stunted trees, bogs occupy a strong place in Estonian folklore for a reason.

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.

Coastal Cliffs and Soviet Paldiski Group Tour

Discover hidden wonders amidst the wilderness along the coast west of Tallinn, including the Soviet Union's main naval training base. On this tour, you'll see Estonia's most romantic waterfall, coastal cliffs, the former garrison town of Paldiski, the otherworldly prison quarry of Rummu, and much more, such as the interior of a Soviet aircraft. You'll find places and stories you'd never stumble across on your own while learning what it's like to grow up in this area.

Matsalu National Park and Haapsalu Private Day Tour

Enjoy a beautiful journey down Estonia's picturesque coast to the historic resort town of Haapsalu (a favorite of the czars). Along the way, you'll pass through towering pine forests, and visit mysterious castle ruins, finding stories and places you'd never stumble across on your own. You'll learn about the Coastal Swedes at Noarootsi, and discover Estonia's medieval history amid the ruins of the Padise Monastery. You'll better understand the Soviet era's influences by visiting Ungru, where an abandoned manor and air base sit side-by-side. You'll visit several other manor homes, some restored and offering drinks, some offering hidden stories instead. Haapsalu itself is probably Estonia's most romantic city, with its ruined medieval castle in the center, next to unique wooden villas, and a charming seaside promenade and quiet coastline. Before leaving, you'll visit the local train museum, and the world's longest covered platform, built to keep the czar's entire retinue dry as they disembarked from his personal train during summer visits.

Welcome to Helsinki

Taste of Helsinki and Suomenlinna Private Tour

You'll have a lot of fun getting to know Helsinki on this informative tour. You'll learn about the unique history that makes the place what it is today, and also have the chance to taste characteristic local dishes. And of course you'll see the city from a new point of view, the UNESCO-listed fortified archipelago of Suomenlinna, the whole reason Helsinki exists. There's no better way to get the lay of the land, especially if this is your first time in Helsinki.

Porvoo Group Tour

Less than an hour from Helsinki, Porvoo is a popular place for day trips, with its winding, narrow streets lined with cafes, eateries, and museums. The town's center is composed of brightly painted historical wooden buildings, many of which line the riverbanks. This guided tour will help you come to understand life in Finland's second-oldest town. You'll be introduced to the best restaurants, as well as the town's chocolate workshop.