STOCKHOLM – RIGA – TALLINN – HELSINKI
6 days / 5 nights
DETAILED PROGRAM
DAY 1 / STOCKHOLM (ARRIVAL)
Arrival to Stockholm.
Transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 2 / STOCKHOLM – RIGA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Panoramic tour of Stockholm. Stockholm is an architectural jewel and natural marvel: it is wedged between land and sea on an archipelago of 14 interconnected islands. Its historical center is one of the most beautiful in Europe and one that perfectly blends in with the magical surrounding landscapes.
The historical capital of Sweden, Stockholm was founded in 1250. Its name means “islet of logs,” probably because of its primary location as a wood trading center. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League, something that greatly contributed to its early development, while during the 17th century Sweden took its place as a major European power. Its military and commercial expansion throughout Scandinavia, the whole Baltic region, and Russia multiplied the population of Stockholm, which became a cultural, trading, and political metropolis. All this ended in 1709 at the Battle of Poltava, when Russia defeated the Swedish armies and captured its king. It was a military and economic blow to the country and its capital, and as a result Sweden lost its international status and Stockholm fell into a long period of stagnation. That lasted until the late 19th century, when industrialization arrived and the city flourished again, while today Stockholm is a major economic center and one of the most beautiful, sustainable, and dynamic cities in the world. The city stretches across the Stockholm Archipelago, occupying 14 islands, including the 13th century Old Town, or Gamla Stan, with its beautiful maze of narrow streets and medieval buildings. Further inland Stockholm melts into the lakes, rivers, and forests that surround the city.
Our short bus tour will start at a place called Fjallgatan, an overlook that offers a view of the city and its archipelago. It is located in Stadsgarden, an old port area that was recently restored. Our tour will feature some of the islands that make up the city, and we will enjoy picturesque views of Stockholm and the Baltic Sea. We will pass by the Concert Hall building, where the Nobel Prize award ceremony takes place every year, after which we will head for the elegant Ostermalms district. We will then reach Djurgarden Island, home to the magnificent gardens of the same name and one of the favourite places for the city’s inhabitants to go strolling during the summer. It also houses Skansen, an open-air museum, and the famous Vasa Museum that hosts the Vasa, a warship that sank in 1638. We will end our tour at Gamla Stan in Stockholm’s historical center.
Most of Stockholm’s landmarks are located inside Gamla Stan, the Old Town, so we can easily discover them on foot. It is a real pleasure to stroll along this bunch of narrow and paved streets, discovering the old houses and historical buildings. We will see here the Swedish Parliament and a bit farther the House of the Nobility, or Riddarhuset. The neighbouring islet is home to 13th century Riddarholmen Church, one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm and the burial place of the Swedish kings. Across the bay, known as Riddarfjarden, at the tip of Kungsholmen Island, is imposing Town Hall. Inside its Blue Hall the award ceremony banquet for the Nobel Prize takes place every year. Back at Gamla Stan, we will discover the Royal Palace or Kungliga Slottet, the official residence of the Royal Swedish family. Boasting 608 rooms, it is the largest palace used by an acting royal family anywhere in the world. In front of it is the Royal Opera building, following which we will visit the Cathedral of Stockholm, or Storkyrkan, dedicated to St. Nicholas. It is the oldest building in Stockholm, and a magnificent example of Baltic Gothic, or Brick Gothic style. It also hosts many ceremonies involving the royal family, while across from it is the Stockholm Stock Exchange building, which hosts the Nobel Museum and Library, and the Swedish Academy. After heading down Slottsbacken Street, we will walk towards Stotorget, the main square in the historical center, and the world-renowned colourful facades of its old merchant houses. We will then proceed along elegant Skeppsbron Avenue, while the small island we will then see in front of us hosts most of the city museums.
Lunch in the restaurant.
Transfer to the ferry port.
Ferry to Riga.
Night on board.
Dinner on board.
DAY 3 / RIGA
Breakfast on board.
Arrival to Riga.
Complete panoramic tour of Riga. Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the biggest and the most cosmopolitan of the three Baltic capitals. Situated on the banks of the Daugava, or Dvina River and 10 kilometres from the Baltic Sea, Riga was an important trading post of the Vikings and then again of German merchants. By the 12th century some German missionaries arrived, and soon the Pope declared a crusade against the Baltic tribes in order to convert them to Christianity by force. The Christian army was commanded by Albert Von Buxhoeveden, Archbishop of Bremen, who arrived in 1201. He fortified Riga, which under his rule became a city that minted its own money and in 1221 signed its own constitution. After Albert’s death, Riga continued its development and in 1281 became a member of the Hanseatic League, while the German nobility continued to rule the city under Polish, then Swedish, and finally Russian domination. After its annexation by Peter the Great in 1721, Riga experienced a great economic boom, becoming the fourth city in the Russian Empire after St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Warsaw, and its most important port. Between 1920 and 1940 it became the capital of newly independent Latvia, and after World War II, Riga and all of Latvia, along with the other Baltic republics, was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union. The capital of newly independent Latvia since 1991, the city is regaining its old splendour, and its historical centre is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, with Riga declared European Cultural Capital in 2014.
The centre of Riga is richly decorated with an incredible variety of architectural styles, including gothic, renaissance, baroque, classicism, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, and national romanticism. In the modern section, the Art Nouveau buildings and their fantastic decorative elements are extraordinary and unrivalled, while the wooden buildings of the 19th century that still survive are also unique. We will enjoy a panoramic walking tour around the historical centre, with its perfectly preserved paved streets and charming medieval atmosphere in which we will admire the magnificent buildings that belonged to the rich merchants of the Hansa. We will start our tour with a view of Riga Castle, built in 1330, one of the most well-preserved castles in Northern Europe, and now the official residence of the President of Latvia and home to the National History Museum of Latvia. We will then visit some parts of the old city walls, including the Swedish Gate and Powder Tower, after which we will continue our visit through the old Nunnery and Hospital of the Holy Spirit. We will admire some of the city’s most ancient civil buildings, such as the House of The Three Brothers, the oldest residence in Riga; the House of the Black Heads, which was the seat of the famous brotherhood of captains and Hanseatic merchants; and the more recently built Small and Great Guild Halls, which were the cultural centres of the craftsmen and merchants, respectively. We will also visit the most important religious buildings in Riga: St. James’ Cathedral, St. John’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, and the Dome, or Riga Cathedral. We will finish our walk in old Market Square in front of the town hall.
Visit to Riga Central Market. It is the largest market in the Baltic States and one of the biggest markets on the European continent. Inaugurated in 1930, its five pavilions were designed to be zeppelin hangars, though they were eventually converted into the central market. Located in the centre of Riga and constructed in the Art Nouveau style, it was the largest construction project in pre-war Latvia. The main function of the central market has not changed since, as it is still the largest and most popular shopping and trading location in the city. Its pavilions and the market’s open area see farmers from all over the country offering their wares: vegetables, berries, fruits, fish, meat, and dairy products, as well as other agricultural produce—a pleasure for the senses!
Exterior visit to St. Peter’s Church. A beautiful gothic building that dates back to 1209, it was carefully renovated after being damaged by fire due to bombings during World War II.
Visit to the Dome (Riga Cathedral). The biggest church in the Baltic countries and a gothic pearl built in 1211 near the Daugava River, it also incorporates elements of many other styles, including Romanesque, baroque, and even Art Nouveau. Dedicated to the Protestant cult, its austere interior gives an impression of solidity, with some of its walls more than two meters thick. It is famous due to its spectacular organ, one that is the greatest in Europe and was inaugurated in 1844 with four keyboards and more than 6,700 pipes.
Lunch in the restaurant.
Departure to Rundale.
Visit to Rundale Palace. This was the summer residence of the Duke of Courland-Semigallia, Ernest Johann Von Biron. Von Biron was born to a family of servants in the Kettler dynasty, the dukes of Courland-Semigallia, and later entered the service of Bestuzhev, the Russian ambassador, one of the most powerful men in the duchy, and the Russian princess Anna Ivanovna’s lover. A handsome man, Von Biron managed to replace his master as the princess’ lover, and when she became empress (tsarina) in 1730, Ernst Johann Von Biron was rewarded with estates, money, and titles. He followed her to Russia and quickly expanded his influence in the court, becoming the most powerful man in the Russian Empire. When the last Duke of Courland-Semigallia from the Kettler dynasty died without an heir in 1737, Empress Anna Ivanovna managed to secure the duchy for her protégé and lover. Von Biron then returned to his homeland as duke, where he lived a life of opulence and extravagance. Shortly after arriving, he ordered that two luxurious palaces be built by the most famous architect in St. Petersburg, Bartolomeo Rastrelli: Jelgava Palace as his main residence and Rundale Palace as his summer residence. Rastrelli built in Rundale a beautiful baroque, Italian-inspired palace with harmonious proportions, lavish stucco decorations, and beautiful French gardens. After the duke’s death, the palace changed hands several times, including becoming the property of the Shuvalov family and even the Soviet authorities. It has been recently restored and nowadays is used by the Latvian authorities to house the most important visitors of the country and heads of foreign states. Its most stunning halls are the Golden Living Room, the White Living Room, and the Great Gallery, as well as the duke’s private rooms, all of them decorated in the rococo style.
Return to Riga.
Transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 4 / RIGA – TALLINN
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Tallinn.
Arrival to Tallinn.
Lunch in the restaurant.
Complete panoramic tour of Tallinn. Tallinn is situated on the northern coast of Estonia across from Helsinki on the Gulf of Finland. Although there are remains of human settlements from the fifth millennium B.C., and the city’s fortress already existed in 1050, Tallinn is officially considered to have been founded in 1219 by Danish crusaders. This explains the origin of its name, which in Estonian means “Danish City.” The city was rapidly fortified and developed, and in 1285 it became the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League. The Danish were followed by Teutonic knights, whose descendants made up the majority of the population until the 19th century and called the city by its German name: Reval. Despite the fact that it was part of Sweden beginning in 1561 and a part of Russia beginning in 1710, the majority of the population remained Germanic, something that greatly influenced the city’s historical architecture. After Estonia gained independence in 1991, Tallinn’s centre was carefully restored, and today it is one of the most beautiful European capitals. The city fascinates with its old houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and bell towers and spires reaching for the sky. Tallinn is a member of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and was declared European Cultural Capital in 2011.
As part of a bus tour we will visit the coastal neighbourhood of Pirita and the Russalka Memorial that is situated on the seafront. We will also catch a glimpse of the front of the ruins of St. Bridget’s (Birgitta) Convent, after which we will enjoy views of Kadriorg Park, enjoying the sharp contrast between the baroque buildings of Kadriorg Palace and the ultramodern Kumu Museum of Modern Art.
Visit to the Kadriorg District. Located not far from Tallinn’s centre, the area features a beautiful park and several buildings of interest: imposing Kadriorg Palace (18th century), the old summer residence of Peter the Great; Weizenberg Palace; the current Estonian Presidential Palace; and numerous villas and mansions inhabited by the local middle class and constructed for the most part in the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Kadriorg Park offers footpaths and splendid gardens decorated with numerous statues and furrowed by streams and canals. Here we will also find some of the most important museums in Estonia, such as the Kumu Museum of Modern Art and the Mikkel Museum, with its collections of Russian icons and Chinese porcelains.
Exterior visit to Kadriorg Palace. After Peter the Great’s victory over Sweden, Russia annexed Estonia in 1710. In 1718, the Tsar ordered Italian architect Nicolo Michetti to construct this gorgeous palace. It was built in the baroque style in the centre of a French-inspired park and intended as a sumptuous summer residence far from the agitation of St. Petersburg. The palace was named Catherinenthal, or Kadriorg in Estonian, which means “Valley of Catherine,” in honour of his wife, Catherine I. Today the building is a museum in which we can admire the collections exhibited in its sumptuous halls, as well as its lavish outer architecture and the harmony of its gardens. It is also possible to see the house from which the Tsar kept an eye on the construction.
Short walk through Kalamaja quartier. Next to the Old Town, but closer to the sea, Kalamaja has always been the traditional opening of Tallinn to the Baltic Sea. This neighbourhood along the Bay of Tallinn always housed fishermen, fish-sellers and boat-builders. Its name, meaning “House of Fish” is a witness of its marine past, along with its streets’ names, such as “Koie” (Rope) or “Kalaranna” (Fish Beach). Kalamaja’s houses are mostly made of wood, preserving a village-like ambiance. Within this district we can find the old fortress and soviet prison of Patarei, the Maritime Museum -formerly a hangar for Seaplanes- and the Noblessner port -that hosted a submarine factory- forming the “Kultuurikilomeeter”, or “Kilometer of Culture”. We will walk along its calm, village-feeling, cobbled streets, seeing the colourful facades of its wooden houses. At the end of Kalamaja lies the ancient industrial complex of Telliskivi, that has become the trendiest, main creative spot of Tallinn, and the renovated Balti Jaama Market.
Short walk through Telliskivi quarter. This Tallinn neighbourhood is located next to the charming Kalamaja’s wooden houses, separated from the Old Town by the railway tracks. Telliskivi was the Kalinin Factory during the Soviet times, an industrial plant producing locomotives and mechanics for the whole Soviet Union. After Estonia’s independence in 1991, the area became derelict and half-abandoned. In 2009 a group of young Estonian creators opened there “Telliskivi Loomelinnak” or Creative City, slowly attracting many designers and artists to this alternative community. Today, its still industrial-like territory hosts dozens of artists’ galleries, vintage shops and hipster cafés, start-ups offices and co-working spaces, innovative theatres, a modern Photography museum, and even a popular flea market on Saturdays.
Stop at the Balti Jaama Market. The history of this market is closely linked to the adjacent train station. The station was inaugurated in 1870, when Tallin was part of the Russian Empire, along the new railway to St. Petersburg, the imperial capital. Several industrial buildings were erected in the area, among them those that house the market today. Their limestone bricks and metal beams imported from the United Kingdom are original from that time. The vicinity of the halls suffered bombings during World War II but they survived it and, at the end of the Soviet times, started housing dubious sellers and vendors of all kind of produce. It became known as the “Russian Market” and in 2017, after a successful reconstruction, the Balti Jaama Turg (Baltic Station Market) reopened. It is an amazing place, housing more than 300 merchants and shops in 3 different levels. There are also open-air sellers, along with a street-food area with more than 20 eateries. We can admire the farmers’ fresh produce of fish, meat, groceries, pickles, bakery and dairy and also have a look at local handcraft and second-hand clothes in the upper level.
We will have a walking tour through the charming medieval streets of the historical center. Tallinn’s old town is divided into two main parts: Toompea, or “Cathedral Hill,” and All Linn, or the “Lower Town.” Estonia has always been ruled from Toompea, where we will appreciate Toompea Castle, where the Estonian Parliament meets, and the Stenbock House, the official seat of the Estonian government. This spot also features the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Mary’s Cathedral, and we will also visit the belvedere to enjoy stunning views of the city. Afterward we will head to All Line, or Tallinn’s lower town, where renaissance and baroque facades alternate with world-renowned hanseatic architecture, also called the Brick Gothic Style. The oldest cobblestone streets and buildings here were built in the 13th century, while along Muurivahe Street we will see several bastions and towers from the old city walls, the most remarkable being the Powder Tower, also called Kiek in de Kok. We will then walk past the Dominican Monastery of St. Catherine and the Cistercian Nunnery of St. Michael. The most notable landmarks of the Lower Town are the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads—a guild of young and single merchants—the Church of the Holy Ghost, St. Nicholas’ Church, and St. Olaf’s Church, whose spire was the highest building in the world from 1549 to 1625. We will finish our tour at impressive Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square), where we will find the town hall building that was built in 1404, and the Great Guild, built in 1410, whose gothic hall used to be the meeting place for the city’s merchants. On the opposite side of the square sits Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy), the oldest working pharmacy in Europe, which has been open since the early 15th century.
Visit to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This large, richly decorated temple is the most important Orthodox church in Tallinn. Built on Toompea Hill in 1900 when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire, the church is dedicated to Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Novgorod, and was erected by the Russians in place of a statue of Martin Luther. It boasts Tallinn’s most powerful church bell ensemble, consisting of eleven bells made in St. Petersburg, including one that weighs 15 tons and is the largest in Tallinn. You can hear the entire bell ensemble playing before church services. The interior features several icons and beautiful decorative mosaics, along with a massive central cupola.
Visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral. This cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Tallinn. It was built shortly after the arrival of the Danish crusaders in Tallinn in the early 13th century, while the original wooden church was soon replaced by a gothic stone cathedral. It had to be rebuilt several times, which is why its architecture is a menagerie of styles, the most obvious being gothic and baroque. The cathedral was the burial place for local nobility over the centuries: the Cathedral’s floor is paved with tombstones and its walls are covered with heraldic reliefs of the German Baltic community. There is a magnificent carved wooden pulpit, and the cathedral is also famous for its unique 1914 organ.
Panoramic walking tour of the historical centre, Lower Town.
Transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 5 / TALLINN – HELSINKI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the ferry port.
Ferry to Helsinki.
Arrival to Helsinki.
Helsinki. Helsinki is the youngest capital city in the Baltic area. It was founded in 1550 by Gustaf I of Sweden and remained a small, wooden town until the Swedes, who ruled Finland for centuries, built the Suomenlinna fortress here in 1748. At that point the city began to grow and prosper, and in 1809 Finland was annexed by Russia, with Helsinki becoming the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous entity inside the Russian Empire, in 1812. The country obtained its independence in 1917, and nowadays Finland is regularly at the top of global rankings of the most sustainable and successful countries. Helsinki is a modern and vibrant city in its own right and was the European Capital of Culture in 2000 and the World Design Capital in 2012. Northern minimalism and finesse are the typical features of the city’s architecture, which boasts entire quartiers in the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau styles. Most of the city’s landmarks are located in the center and easily reachable by foot.
Lunch in the restaurant.
Panoramic bus tour of Helsinki. Our panoramic tour will take us first to the Kaivopuisto neighbourhood, which is next to the sea and a popular recreational area for the city’s inhabitants during the summer. It is also home to many embassies, as well as the German church and St. Michael’s Church. We will continue along the central streets of Helsinki towards the original Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Church of the Rock, after which we will proceed to the Monument to Sibelius, the famous Finnish composer. After that stop, we will pass the modern Finnish Opera, the National Museum, and the Parliament of Finland before arriving at Railway Square, the busiest point in the city. We will then go through Senate Square and the North Harbour to the Katanajokka neighbourhood with its beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and Uspenski Cathedral.
Panoramic walking tour of the city center of Helsinki. We will start our visit in the Old Port, which houses Market Square, a picturesque food market where you can find many local delicacies such as forest berries, mushrooms, sausages, and smoked fish. We will then head along Esplanadi Boulevard and its elegant terraces, boutiques, and cafes before crossing Alexander Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that is the busiest area of Helsinki, arriving in front of the Central Railway Station, one of the most beautiful in the world and built in 1919 from granite in the Art Nouveau, National-romantic style. Next to it is located the National Theatre of Finland and the Athenaeum. We will then head along the oldest streets of Helsinki and check out the Art Nouveau building that is home to the Stock Exchange. At that point we will arrive at Senate Square, an imposing neoclassical ensemble presided over by a statue of Tsar Alexander II, who gave considerable autonomy to the Finns. There we will find some of Helsinki’s most prominent buildings, including the Senate building, or Government Palace, which houses the Prime Minister’s office. Sederholm House is the oldest building in Helsinki, dating back to 1757. The National Library and the main University building are also located on Senate Square, but its most visited monument is neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral. We will then cross the North Port bay to reach the Katanajokka neighbourhood, which features a stunning number of Art Nouveau buildings including Uspenski Cathedral. From there we will admire a beautiful panorama of Helsinki, its port, and the Gulf of Finland.
Visit to Helsinki Cathedral. The cathedral is located right in the city’s heart on Senate Square. A symbol of Helsinki and its most visited landmark, it was built between 1830 and 1852, a time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire. Built at the same time as St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, both cathedrals have many similarities in their external appearance. Originally Helsinki Cathedral bore the name of St. Nicholas as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I, who was personally involved in the cathedral’s construction and at whose direct instruction twelve statues of the apostles were placed on the roof. The cathedral is part of the unique architectural neoclassical ensemble of Senate Square.
Visit to Uspenski Cathedral. Uspenski Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. It was built in 1868 from red brick topped with thirteen golden domes and stands next to the center of Helsinki on a rocky hill dominating the city and its port. From the area surrounding the cathedral you can enjoy a wide panoramic view of the city.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 6 / HELSINKI (DEPARTURE)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
The order of visits is subject to change at any time due to operational reasons and museums schedules.
HOTELS
STOCKHOLM
3* Sup.: Central, or similar
4* Sup.: Clarion Stockholm, Scandic Malmen, or similar
RIGA
3* Sup.: Rija Port, Rija VEF, or similar
4* Sup.: Islande, Bellevue, or similar
TALLINN
3* Sup.: Go Shnelli, Hestia Susi, or similar
4* Sup.: Park Inn Central, Tallink, Hestia, Ulemiste, or similar
HELSINKI
3* Sup.: Arthur, Helka, or similar
4* Sup.: Scandic Grand Marina, Scandic Park, or similar
