100% customisable travel idea
Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn The soul of the Baltic capitals
Lithuania - Latvia - Estonia
To the east of the Baltic
Your journey
These three short consecutive stays called for clever accommodation: well located, practical and comfortable. With a bit of spirit if possible. It seems to us that we have fulfilled the prerequisite for you. British spirit in Vilnius; grand Art Nouveau in Riga; relaxed modernity in Tallinn. You’ll be comfortable and ready to get started. In each city, the scheduled meeting with a local puts you in touch with the ways the inhabitants do and see things. Your guides have long been familiar with the area, the language (including yours), and local customs. The information you gather there will be useful throughout your journey. And if you would also like to visit a fortified castle, a specific museum, or even try your hand at making Estonian-style truffles, just let us know. Transfers are made by private car with a driver - simple and quick. And if an off-the-cuff wish or a minor setback arises along the way, you have the contact details for our on-site Concierge service who will assist you.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Transfer. Enjoy a three-night stay on a quiet street in the old town. It has a baroque façade and old England interior. The rooms do not deny the building’s 19th-century origins, but also reflect something of the world of the writers they are associated with. So you can stay in the Voltaire room, the Maironis room, the Joyce room, and so on. The bar and dining room are absolutely charming - you’ll feel as if you are in a Trollope novel. With its clubs, full English breakfast and afternoon tea, and its impressive selection of whiskies, the room takes British inspiration to its peak; in the dining room, the cuisine draws inspiration from here and elsewhere.
Vilnius is a green city, overflowing with parks and gardens. And whatever the sky looks like, people here always find time for a walk. Even a shy, hesitant sun prompts them to fill a picnic basket with food, which they carry through the cobbled streets to a patch of grass. Even though skyscrapers now rise on the horizon of the Grand Dukes’ Palace, the city still keeps a manageable and walkable size. This does not stop it from adopting the ways and values of the time. Creatives, bohemians and hipsters set the tone here. Art galleries, cafés, restaurants and trendy boutiques fill the historic district.
Already scheduled - Vilnius through the eyes of a local. The now widely recognised artistic wealth of Vilnius, along with the equally acknowledged impenetrability of the Baltic languages to outsiders, more than justifies, if any justification were needed, this outing in the company of a local friend. Very knowledgeable about everything happening in the city, he will make you feel like a local in just half a day. There’s no set plan - instead, a meeting and a discussion about expectations, wishes and passions. With a better idea of our surroundings, you’ll set out to put them to the test - in Lithuanian fashion. This lets you get straight to what interests you and pick up useful advice for the rest of your trip.
Optional - Trakai Castle in private.
Transfer to Riga. Enjoy a three-night stay just a few minutes from the old town. The building has operated as a hotel since 1901. The décor today strikes a balance between the original décor - with mouldings, wood panelling, and stained glass - and a simple, warm, modern cosiness. In the rooms: parquet floors, carpets, red and white bedding, flawless amenities. Overall, the atmosphere evokes Eastern hygge. At the restaurant, you'll find cuisine that would be called bistro in Paris. In the attic, there’s a well-equipped gym with machines to help you stay in shape. A place that, blending tradition with a contemporary urban spirit, best reflects the Latvian spirit.
Already scheduled - Riga through the eyes of a local. The principle is the same as in Vilnius. Here, your companion for the day is a friend. She has all the necessary qualities: a contagious passion for the city, architecture and the arts; a knack for finding charming spots; flexibility and a practical mindset. So you’re happy to follow her lead on foot. To get to the left bank of the Daugava, for example, where the new National Library - triangular and gleaming - has prompted some grumbling from the owners of the old wooden houses. Or the Rigas Centraltirgus, the central market, a cornucopia set up in former zeppelin hangars. Producers from all over Latvia offer meat pies, soups, honey, pig snouts, black bread, kvass and more here. Faced with all this, you’ll be able to confirm that Latvians eat very well.
Going from the most recent to the oldest, you will of course first find brand new buildings and Soviet-era constructions, such as the Palace of Culture and Science, built between 1951 and 1958. Then came Art Nouveau, whose rediscovery here so amazed Western Europeans. The father of filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein was an architect in this style, and he built along Albert, Strelniaku and Elizabetes streets. Neoclassicism and the domes also evoke the era of the tsars. Finally, the Dutch Renaissance and German Gothic houses, which form the heart of the city, recall its Hanseatic past. Among the attractions Latvians hold especially dear are St Peter’s Lutheran Church (13th-20th centuries), the House of the Blackheads (16th-20th centuries) and the Freedom Monument by Karlis Zale (1935). Along the edges of the squares and cobblestone streets, cafés, galleries and shops catch the eye of passers-by.
Optional - the Art Nouveau district.
Transfer to Tallinn. Stay for two nights in the western part of the old town. The hotel's façade, decidedly modern, is easy to spot by contrast. Inside, Nordic design and dominant greys are brightened by touches of mauve, cobalt, apple green and canary yellow. The rooms are in line, suitably equipped, comfortable and practical. On site, a restaurant serves international cuisine, often with a briny tang from the sea. A cornerstone of the art of living in the Baltic countries, the sauna has its natural place in the home.
Already scheduled - Talinn through the eyes of a local. You are now familiar with the formula. In Tallinn, once again: meet up, discuss and onward! Craving continuity? There is also a House of the Blackheads here, dating from the late 16th century, which was the local branch of the same merchants’ guild as in Riga. Would you like to check again whether Estonia has long been part of European culture? In the Church of Saint Nicholas, there is a famous Danse Macabre - Bernt Nokte, 15th century - a thought-provoking motif that originated in Paris, at the Cemetery of the Innocents. Would you like to try Tallinn’s version of street food? You’ll find food trucks in the Kalamaja and Pelgulinn districts that will surprise you. Slender spires, streets lined with houses that together form a book of architecture, an old town firmly enclosed within its ramparts: the Estonian capital has a certain clear and elegant charm that belongs to it alone. The artistic heritage stands out for its quality and careful upkeep. This does not doom Tallinn to conservatism, nor does it stop the city from fully embracing the present.
Optional - The medieval town with a private guide; chocolate truffle workshop.
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Vilnius - Trakai Castle in private
About 30 km (19 miles) west of Vilnius, Trakai is a former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Rising with its red brick walls on an island in Lake Galve, the main castle is truly impressive. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, it has experienced the turbulent history of key fortresses, passing from one sword to another as military operations unfolded. Heavily damaged in the 17th century, it was left to decay. Restoration projects emerged in the 19th century, and a major construction effort between 1951 and 1961 shaped what we see today: a dream of late medieval military architecture.Riga, Art Nouveau capital
The enthusiasm with which Latvians embraced Art Nouveau has made their capital a sister to Vienna and Brussels. Two architects have particularly distinguished themselves on the banks of the Daugava: Konstantins Pekšens and Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of the Soviet film director. The first-floor apartment, where an Art Nouveau museum has been set up, is one of the must-see stops on the visit. Accompanied by a private guide, you quickly spot the buildings in this style with their often-exuberant ornamentation, even though there are some variations. The post-communist period saw the restoration of this heritage, which, like others, demonstrates Latvia’s European roots.Tallinn: a medieval city
A UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing both the upper and lower towns, Tallinn’s historic centre stands out for its cobbled streets, ramparts, beautiful Hanseatic houses and aristocratic residences. Tallinn can also take pride in its truly remarkable museums, which are wonderful opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of Estonian history and art. On the itinerary: a walking tour of the upper part of the city, followed by a visit to the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Toompea Castle - currently home to the Estonian Parliament - as well as the old limestone fortress walls of Toompea, and then the Dome Cathedral, St Nicholas’ Church (13th century), which houses a unique collection of silverware and paintings by Hans Memling, Hermen Rode and other artists who belonged to the Tallinn guilds, and finally the House of the Blackheads.Tallinn - Chocolate Truffle Workshop
For Estonians, Kalev is synonymous with chocolate. And this chocolatier does not keep their expertise to themselves. Well, maybe some of it. In the shop in the Rotermann district (which, by the way, allows you to explore the business district), there is a workshop where you can learn how to make traditional chocolate truffles. Some might think that truffles are already well known. However, with an expert and following the local recipe, there’s a good chance your treats will be all the better, and the Estonian method will earn you the appreciation of your friends.Optional Extra - Half-day.
Why visit Estonia with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Estonia
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
Why visit Latvia with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Latvia
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
Why visit Lithuania with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Lithuania
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
