You may have already discovered the beauty of Central Europe and, like most of us, are left pining for more, or perhaps you are drawn to places that offer cultural experiences that are a little more enchanting than the mainstream. Whatever the case may be, The Baltics definitely deserve to be on your list when making your next travel plans. This remarkable region has well and truly healed from its turbulent modern history and is shining through as a magical travel destination, filled with palaces, the most charming old towns, and breath-taking landscapes. It is literally a fairytale come to life.
Like with most places you visit, the best way to explore The Baltics is in small, organized groups and we love the itinerary that tour provider, Collette, offers. Ensuring that you get the most out of your trip, Collette’s guided holidays, labelled ‘Explorations’, are for small groups of 14-24 travellers, so not only will you see the main sights and attractions, you will also be granted access into places and experiences that don’t cater to large groups. Here are some of the beautiful places you will visit on Collette’s ‘The Baltics Revealed’ tour.
Lithuania
With its stunning national parks, magnificent cities, deep-seated traditions coupled with a fresh, modern outlook, Lithuania has everything a traveller could ask for. Dating back to the 13th Century, Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its cobbled-stoned old town is known to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. Filled with galleries and boutiques and plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy the white, summer nights, Vilnius is a baroque-styled city with a Bohemian soul and is a charming as it gets.
Getting out of the city, Trakai Island in the stunning Trakai National Park, was the residence of Lithuania’s rulers and is a place of legendary tales and history. Today this 14th Century gothic castle houses a museum with endless objects on display spelling out its history. The castle is also an incredible event venue hosting music festivals, performances and exhibitions as well as foreign delegations.
Latvia
Situated on the Baltic Sea, Latvia has a long history of foreign occupation, resulting in significant Germanic and Russian influence. Despite its history, Latvia has emerged into a high-income, advanced economy, which is evident in its beautiful and opulent capital city, Riga. With its medieval old town and art nouveau architecture, Riga has become a cultural centre and is home to museums, concert halls and some wonderful dining experiences.
Riga is grand, it’s gorgeous, and is full of surprises.
Estonia
To the north of Latvia, bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland lies the enchanting, medieval country of Estonia. Peppered with castles, fortresses and wooden churches, Estonia may look much as it did back in the 15th century, but it has developed a distinct, modern culture since being liberated from Soviet rule.
Estonia’s heritage listed capital city, Tallinn, with its medieval avenues, striking red rooftops and twisting cobblestone roads, will leave you feeling as if you have stepped into another world. In contrast to this gorgeous medieval city, Pärnu is Estonia’s sunny seaside resort town. It’s charming cottages, long, white-sand beaches and beautiful nature shows that Estonia has a diverse beauty that is well-worth visiting.
Russia
There are not many countries in the world that have such a long and complex history as Russia. The country sure has had its share of ups and downs and thankfully, the countries’ great cities have been restored to their former glory after being shattered during WWII. One must-see jewel in Russia’s crown is the magnificent city of St Petersburg.
St Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great and was created as a gateway to Europe. Known as the Venice of the North, the city’s grand architecture, theatres, monuments and museums reflect the aristocratic days of Russia’s Imperial era. The stunning palaces that were home to the tsars allow travellers to get a glimpse of how Russia’s royalty once lived and their incredible gardens are loved and enjoyed by locals as much as they are admired by travellers. If you love history, culture and the arts, there is no better place in the world to visit than St Petersburg.
To view an example of a fabulous itinerary through the magical Baltics, click here
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
