Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

So many highlights: the Curonian Spit was a lovely day excursion, all of the capital cities are charming and picturesque, especially comparing the different examples of Art Nouveau architecture, many fascinating museums and so many opportunities to sample local cuisine in each country. A memorable highlight was getting a much better insight into each nation's experiences of wars and occupation and the lengthy struggles for independence. Other highlights included the Latvian National Ballet and the Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's 9th with a full choir; an unforgettable highlight for us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Margarita is an amazing tour leader with a broad and detailed knowledge of the relevant history and culture of each country. She went out of her way to share her expertise and ensured that our group of 17 soon became a friendly team of co-travellers, enjoying the company of Margarita and of each other. Margarita also worked hard to give us the opportunity to book tickets to at least three fabulous musical events (one in each capital).

Advice for Potential Travellers

We started with 4 days in Helsinki before the trip, making the pleasant two-hour ferry journey across to Tallinn to join the start of the tour. We followed the tour with four days in Stockholm, a short flight away. We also booked an extra night in the same hotels before and after the tour, which gave us a bit more time to explore Tallinn and Vilnius at our leisure. The tour is quite fast paced and involves some walking every day, average of 7-10km daily, but our group of (mainly) retirees managed it well. In September, we needed umbrellas two or three times but the showers soon cleared and the weather was mostly very favourable.

Most Inspirational Moment

When we visited the Hill of Crosses and saw everyone leaving their petitions, hopes, or wishes, hoping they would come true, it made me realize that so many of us were sharing that trip, each carrying our own vulnerable situations. It was a truly moving moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew made the Baltics come alive for us!!!! Guiding us through history, culture, and hidden gems with passion and care, he really loves what he does. A huge thanks to Andrew, who not only showed us the best of Baltics but also made the entire trip fun and unforgettable!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring cash for small markets or rural stops, weather changes quickly even in summer, Umbrella and Comfy shoes are musts, this trip includes cobblestone streets, stairs, long walks with may be challenging for those with limited mobility, even though it’s a category level 1"Walking Tour", there’s a lot of walking around 10,000 to 17,000 steps a day and an approximate budget of 50–65 euros per day for meals. Lunch (based on the restaurants we visited) ranges between 20–35 euros including a drink (soda, water, juice, or a beer; wine increases the daily cost). Dinner is roughly the same amount, sometimes even more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose! But the visits to the disused Soviet missile base at Plokstine, the KGB museum in Vilnius, and the Great Dune at Nida with it's view of Kaliningrad were all vital parts of the journey. On a lighter note, the Latvian Ballet in Riga was delightful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius Marzimas was truly outstanding, even by Exodus's high standards. His knowledge and love of the Baltics was deep, and he shared this generously wth his dry wit and willingness to talk in depth. He included all group members, and arranged great social meals and events, such as sampling local beverages and food, also Jazz and Folk music evenings. Andrius made this trip memorable and great fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check what's on at the Riga Opera House for reasonably priced tickets to great opera and ballet. Don't miss the KGB/ occupation museums in Riga or Vilnius. However, be prepared for the emotional impact there. And - pack your own sink plug - strangely absent from several hotels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius Mazimas was the best. well organised, huge amounts of interesting info. great sense of humour, overall good guy. I recommend him for leader of the year.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most eye-opening moments came when we learned just how challenging and dangerous life was under Soviet control. Our visits to the KGB Museum and occupational museums were sobering. That and hearing first-hand accounts made us realize how precious it is to live freely, and what is currently at stake in the US.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What truly made this trip unforgettable was our leader, Andrius Mazrimas. I have been on many tours and I can say without hesitation he was the best guide I’ve ever had. Andrius combined deep local knowledge, boundless energy, and a fantastic sense of humor to keep the group engaged and inspired. His stories brought the landscape to life, and his kindness made everyone feel at home. By the end, we saw him as a good friend—someone whose enthusiasm enriched every moment and whose passion for his homeland was completely contagious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all the walks and adventures suggested.

Most Inspirational Moment

The short walk through the Hill of Witches; The visit to the decommissioned nuclear missile silo; The visit to the KGB HQ;

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Andrius Mazrimas was excellent. Probably the best we have ever had and we have been on over 20 Exodus trips! He was very knowledgeable and helpful. He had a great sense of humour and and made the trip very enjoyable. He clearly loved his job and imparted his enthusiasm on everyone. We all finished the trip considering him a good friend and it would be great to see him again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some hotels lacked washbasin plugs, take a rubber sink plug with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Almost too many to mention! Tallin was a beautifully preserved old town. Riga an exciting and busy city. Hill of crosses was very moving . The vsits to the sea / lagoon were invigorating and a great break from the cities. The history of the region was so interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was the perfect guide! He kept us entertained throughout with his amazing knowledge of everything to do with the region. Passionate about the history and nature of each of the countries we visited. Kept our group (15) organised and punctual throughout, and took a personal interest in each of us. And then there were the jokes...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for all weathers. We had a range from 30+ degrees to heavy rain over the trip. Good walking shoes for the tours/trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say; there were so many of them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Without a doubt, Andreius was the best tour guide we have ever had on any tour. He was very well informed, great attention to detail and very easy to get on with. Not only did he make sure we were given every feasible opportunity to learn and feel what it is like to live in those countries and what it was like to live in them when they were part of the Soviet Union, but he also generated cohesion among the group so that everybody became friends, with no exceptions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure Andreius is the guide on your trip

Most Inspirational Moment

The spirit of the local people we met, despite having gone through some very bad times they had a great sense of humour and seemed genuinely pleased to greet tourists from all over the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was a perfect group leader. He was well organised with a great sense of humour and very patient with us all. He was always ready to help and obviously has a wealth of knowledge and first hand experience of what it was like to live under Soviet rule. He chose restaurants for our evening meals which offered local cuisine to add to our experience and we were lucky to have him as our guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a selection of warm and summer clothes as the weather from country to country changes. Also, good, comfortable walking shoes.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was wonderful to see how these countries, and in particular the cities, have recovered from an oppressive state during the Soviet domination, in such a short time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was a great organiser and really encouraged us to explore us much of the culture as we could in the short time we had. Local food was well explained so we could willingly try it. Andrius had a great sense of humour, and really held the group together. His passion for these countries is clearly seen. It was also very interesting to hear if his life during Soviet times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good walking shoes to ease your way around the cobblestones. Be prepared for busy days, and sudden weather changes.