Baltic Christmas Markets Escape with Helsinki

Welcome to Vilnius! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Deck the Halls Start your festive adventure this morning with a sightseeing tour to get acquainted with Vilnius’s UNESCO listed Old Town. Follow your Local Guide through the narrow winding streets, visit Cathedral Square and view important landmarks including the University, the castle, and Gediminas Tower. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to experience Vilnius’ magical Christmas markets. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT FESTIVE STATUS Vilnius is well known for its commitment to creating special festive moments. Leading up to Christmas, the city transforms itself, creating a magical atmosphere to delight all who visit. Its uniquely artistic and unconventional Christmas trees are just one reason why the city was nominated as the European Christmas Capital in 2025.

Baltic Pearl Enjoy a morning scenic drive, cross the border into Latvia, and continue to the charming, historic city of Riga, located on the Baltic coast. This afternoon and evening enjoy free time to start getting acquainted with this historic and charming city. (B) 186 miles / 300 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE With an abundance of Art Nouveau architecture in its center, Riga has gained a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On top of this it still has well-preserved medieval buildings and can be considered a cultural hub having been influenced by its Hanseatic, Swedish, and Russian rulers.

Festive Firsts This morning, join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour, enjoy views of the Freedom Monument and Art Nouveau District, plus a walking tour along the cobbled lanes in the Old Town. This afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to visit Riga’s Christmas Markets, and watch the city transform under the sparkling festive illuminations as you sample local gingerbread and sip karstvîn (mulled wine). (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT BRANCHING OUT Locals claim that the first public decorated Christmas Tree was displayed in Riga’s town square in 1510. It is said that a guild of young, unmarried merchants, known as the Brotherhood of Blackheads, decorated the tree with apples and roses, before dancing around it and then setting it alight to symbolize good riddance to past failures and good luck for the future!

City of Spires Start your day with a scenic drive along the Gulf of Riga before crossing the border into Estonia, the most northern Baltic country, and reach Tallinn, its capital city, with its stunning skyline of spires. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, strolling the charming streets, browsing the Christmas market in the Town Hall Square, admiring the Christmas tree, and sampling local specialties. (B) 196 miles / 315 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT INNOVATION & CHARM Behind the beautiful facade of this medieval, coastal gem, lies an entrepreneurial and pioneering society. Combining an exciting mix of old and new, Tallinn is the capital city of one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world and has gained the accolade of being the “Silicon Valley of Europe” due to its thriving technological businesses.

Festive Flavors Follow your Local Guide this morning, to discover the Hanseatic Old Town of Tallinn. Admire the Lühike Jalg Gate, the merchant houses, the medieval walls, and the Town Hall. Visit the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Free time this afternoon, to continue your discovery of Tallinn’s Christmas markets, browse the stalls of local handicrafts, pick up some traditional holiday gifts and decorations, and sample some festive specialties. This evening, join your travel companions for dinner. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LOCAL SPECIALTIES Glögi (mulled wine) is a traditional Christmas drink, a warm, spiced wine. Special to Estonia is the traditional Vana Tallinn Glögli, which includes a shot of the local rum-based Vana Tallinn liqueur. Alternatively choose a non-alcoholic version or a comforting hot chocolate. As you browse around the Christmas market stalls, look out for those who offer traditional commemorative mugs with your drink, and take one home as a souvenir!

Friendly Finland Today, board a ferry and cross the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, Finland’s capital city. Meet your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour to discover Helsinki’s main highlights, including the City Hall, Presidential Palace, Lutheran Cathedral, Sibelius Monument, and open-air market. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Finland has often been voted the happiest country in the world, due to its affinity with nature and a strong social support system. The capital city, Helsinki is situated in the south of the country poised on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Though it is the coldest capital in the Nordic region, its striking architecture and Nordic cuisine don’t fail to give visitors a warm welcome.

Finnish Festivities Enjoy a free day in Helsinki to discover more art and culture in one of the museums, soak up the Christmas atmosphere as you browse the Tuomaan Markkinat (Christmas market, and sample local specialties at one of the stalls or in one of the many cafes. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Discover Yuletide cheer and head to Senate Square for Helsinki’s oldest Christmas Market, featuring an impressive Christmas tree, a vintage carousel, and over one hundred stalls featuring local products, gifts, handicrafts, and Christmas ornaments. Inhale the aromas of the festive food as you sample local specialties such as baked Finnish ham, Joulutorttu (star shaped pastries with plum jam), and pipari (gingerbread cookies).

Safe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)