Discover the Baltics

Adventure through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania over 12 highlight-filled days

The countryside, national parks and coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are varied and stunning, adding a touch of wilderness to the history and culture of the cities and towns we visit on our journey from Tallinn to Vilnius. With street art, sculpture, incredible architecture and fascinating historical sites, this trip will undoubtedly satisfy your hunger for culture. However, wild, open settings and picturesque landscapes will also feed your imagination.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
• This trip includes visits to historical sites, museums, guided park and city tours by local guides where the profits generated from entrance fees and tours not only contributes to the upkeep of the place, but also provides job opportunities to those living in the surrounding communities.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
  
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• Some departures of this trip provide the opportunity for you to collect water samples for the International eBioAtlas initiative which collects vital DNA information to assist in essential conservation initiatives.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us and the eBioAtlas.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• On entering the Curonian Spit, we have to pay ecological fees for our vehicle where the money goes to support the municipality of the area.
• Going on this trip supports the Beaver Ben Camp Charity Project organized by our local partner. It is a 10-day ecological summer camp to the Curonian Spit National Park for children from disadvantaged families. Through the camp, it aims to raise awareness on the environmental issues faced due to mass tourism and other human caused impacts. This provides a chance for the children to play a part in protecting the nature park and to let them know that they have the responsibility to protect the environment and minimise the negative impacts caused by humans.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
• Take the train: Consider taking the train to this trip. Not only will it significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday vs. flying, it also extends your adventure! Read more about which train journeys we can book, or how to book your own, here.
  

Visa

Estonia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Estonia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/estonia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/estonia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/estonia/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Estonia.html

Latvia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Latvia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/latvia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/latviawww.travel.gc.ca/destinations/latvia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/latvia/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Latvia.html

Lithuania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Lithuania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/lithuania
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/lithuania
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lithuania/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Lithuania.html

Vaccination

Estonia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Latvia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Lithuania

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

There will be buffet breakfasts in the hotels offering plenty of choice including cold meats, cheese, eggs, bread, jams, juice and coffee.

Lunches will be a mixture of picnics bought from local shops and cafe stops.

Dinners will be taken in the hotel restaurants or in local restaurants and will be hearty meals. Cuisine in this area is often centred around pork, veal, fish, potatoes, sauerkraut, and soups such as borsch (beetroot soup – in Lithuania this is also served cold). Dumplings are also popular and in Trakai, large and delicious baked dumplings called kibinai are traditionally served.

Weather

The climate is largely influenced by the Baltic Sea. The summers see temperatures from 20C to 30C (68F to 86F). In the evenings, the temperatures will not drop too much. There is little rain in the summer but, of course, it is always a possibility, so come prepared. The days will be long, with 19 hours of daylight. In spring and autumn, there is the possibility of light rain and temperatures can be cool. Estonia is the furthest north we travel and therefore the coldest, although the temperature range described applies. Lithuania is the furthest south, which makes it the warmest country of the three. Estonia is often described as the more Scandinavian country than the other two.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely).

It has quite a busy itinerary based around sightseeing in the Baltic states. There is a fair amount of walking around towns, cities and parks, but all on good paths, mainly wooden boarded and sometimes cobbled streets in the old towns. The walks are suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness; you will just need a good pair of trainers to be comfortable. To visit all the highlights of the three countries, there are some long bus journeys.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.