Warsaw, The Baltics, & Helsinki

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

Remarkable Restorations Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to get you acquainted with Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. Walk through history when you visit the UNESCO-listed Stare Miasto (Old Town). As you marvel at the colorful facades look out for symbols of Syrenka, the mermaid warrior who vowed to protect the city. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more of the city. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Rebuilt almost entirely after World War II, when about 85% of it was destroyed, Warsaw’s Old Town is less a relic than a deliberate act of resilience. Using detailed 18th century paintings by Canaletto as guides, architects reconstructed its streets with striking precision. What stands today is not just a copy of the past, but a city pieced together from memory.

Shifting Views Sit back and relax for an interesting drive through Poland. Leave the Polish capital behind as you head into more rural areas. Cross the border into Lithuania, the largest of the three Baltic countries and continue to Vilnius. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Traveling between Poland and Lithuania reveals a subtle yet meaningful contrast shaped by history and identity. Once united under the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the two nations today express distinct cultural characters. As the landscape shifts from Poland’s broad plains to Lithuania’s forests and lakes, so too does the atmosphere, offering a quiet reflection of their shared past and individual evolution.

Baroque Masterpiece Start your 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, along the way view important landmarks including the castle and Gediminas Tower. Visit Cathedral Square and the Old University. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to experience more of Vilnius and try some local flavors. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Vilnius is renowned for its beautifully preserved Old Town, one of the largest in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering through its cobbled streets reveals a fascinating blend of architectural styles, reflecting the city’s rich cultural history and vibrant creative spirit. At its heart stands Vilnius University, one of the oldest in Central and Eastern Europe, whose historic courtyards and libraries add to the city’s unique intellectual and architectural charm.