The Baltic States

Day 1

ARRIVE VILNIUS, LITHUANIA (D)

Upon arrival at the Vilnius International Airport, a representative of Walking Adventures will help you arrange a transfer to our hotel on the edge of one of Europe's largest Old Towns. We'll rendezvous later this evening for a Get Acquainted dinner.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES IN VILNIUS (B,D)
Delights of Vilnius Walk 8 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

Our walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vilnius offers captivating medieval and baroque architecture, winding cobblestone lanes, and a plethora of stately old churches. This afternoon, we encounter a sadder chapter in Lithuania's past at the Museum of Genocide Victims..

Day 3

ACTIVITIES IN VILNIUS (B,L)
Trakai Lakeside Walk 6 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

A pretty, reed-lined trail takes us into the fairytale town of Trakai. In the Trakai Castle Museum, dramatically situated on an island, we'll learn how the story of Trakai is deeply entwined with that of Lithuania. After lunch together in the village, we'll return for our final evening in Vilnius.

Day 4

VILNIUS–RIGA, LATVIA (B,L,D)
Tervete Nature Park Walk 10 km, rating not available

Pastoral Lithuanian panoramas mark today's drive towards Kryziu Kalnas, the incredible Hill of Crosses where Lithuanians defied Soviet overlords by planting thousands of Christian crosses. Following lunch in Tervete, we'll join our Latvian walking friends for a nature walk past ancient castle mounds built by indigenous Livonian tribes.

Day 5

ACTIVITIES IN RIGA (B,D)
Riga Old Town Walk 10 km, rated 1+

The largest of the Baltic capitals, Riga's history is linked to the German Hanseatic League, and shares the common Baltic theme of 20th century Nazi and Soviet oppression. Our walk with the local club includes a lovely greenbelt and the Old Town, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 6

RIGA–CESIS, LATVIA (B,D)
Baltic Seacoast Walk 10 km, rating not available

Today's walk is a nature trail along the Gulf of Riga. After saying farewell to our new Latvian walking pals, we'll continue inland to charming Cesis, which makes the believable claim of being the most Latvian town in Latvia. Our hotel is in the heart of this small picturesque community, giving you ample opportunity to stroll its cobblestone lanes and lovely parks.

Day 7

CESIS–TARTU, ESTONIA (B,D)
Tartu Riverside Trail 10 km, rating not available

Following a drive through more bucolic Baltic countryside, we'll meet our Estonian walking friends for a riverside nature walk along the well-known Jänese Track. Later this evening, we'll enjoy the ambiance of the medieval university city of Tartu from our hotel strategically situated in the Old Town.

Day 8

TARTU–TALLINN, ESTONIA (B,L,D)
Pedassaar Island Walk 10 km, rating not available

The forested Baltic island of Pedassaar in Kolga Bay is the setting for today's nature walk. Following lunch with our Estonian walking friends, we'll continue to the Estonian capital of Tallinn for a two-night stay in a hotel located just a stone's throw from the walls of the Old Town.

Day 9

ACTIVITIES FROM TALLINN (B,D)
Tallinn Old Town Walk 10 km, rated 1+

The final day of our Baltics Adventure begins with a guided walking tour of Tallinn. With names hinting at the character and charm of this wonderfully walkable Baltic capital, Tall Hermann and Fat Margaret are just a few of the medieval towers standing guard over Tallinn's impressive city walls. Explore on your own after the walk, then join us this evening for a time of reminiscing at our Farewell Dinner.

Day 10

TALLINN–USA (B)

Our exploration of this storied corner of Europe ends today with a drive to the Tallinn International Airport. We return home with a new admiration for the brave heritage of these three nations, and fond memories of new walking friends made during our visit. Travelers continuing on to Russia–Land of the Czars will travel by bus today to St. Petersburg, Russia.