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      • Hotels: Standard Class

      • 07/23/2023 - 08/04/2023

      • Max Participants: 16

      • 13 Days / 12 Nights

      Overview

      Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travelers. We’re not complaining, though; more mystery means fewer crowds and an easier time getting to know these fantastic countries. Beginning in charming cobblestoned Vilnius and ending in beautiful Helsinki, this trip gets to the very heart of the region. Get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art district, experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of Tallinn before crossing to Finland by ferry. Visit the Baltics with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

      Our first priority is our travelers’ safety, especially so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click here for more details regarding our health and safety policies.

      What's Included:
      • Trakai Castle visit (Vilnius)
      • Klaipeda orientation walk
      • Curonian Spit tour
      • Hill of Witches tour (Nida)
      • Riga city tour
      • Farm-to-table dinners prepared by a local family
      • Saaremaa guided village tour
      • Kadriorg Palace visit (Tallinn)
      • Helsinki orientation walk
      • G Adventures Tour Leader throughout and local guides
      • 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners – allow $255-335 USD for meals not included
      • Hotels (7 nts), upgraded hotel (2 nts), farm stay (3 nts)
      • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities by public bus, ferry, walking, bike, private vehicle
      What's Not Included:
      • International air travel
      • Incidentals
      • Travel health and cancellation insurance
      • Applicable visas
      • Tips or gratuities
      • Airport taxes
      • Beverages
      • Meals not mentioned in itinerary
      • Optional tours and admissions
      • Airport transfers

      Itinerary Download PDF

      You may arrive in Vilnius at any time today. If you have the time, we would recommend coming in a day early. Check into our hotel any time after 2:00 p.m. and enjoy Lithuania's capital city. Multi-faceted, puzzling, and a heady mix of old and new, Vilnius has all the glories of a royal past, the troubling reminders of wartime and Communist atrocities, and a vibrant forward-looking perspective. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting, typically 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. After the meeting, you might like to take the option of heading out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant to further get to know your tour leader and traveling companions. Please make every effort to arrive on time for this welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.

      We start the day with a visit to the late 14th-century Trakai Castle, which is located about 45 minutes out of town by bus. Getting out of the capital and visiting this historic treasure is a great way to experience a little more of Lithuania. After returning to Vilnius, you have the remainder of the afternoon to explore this lovely city. Some highlights you might want to check out are the Frank Zappa monument, the breakaway Republic of Uzupis, a giant egg statue, the Gediminas tower and castle museum, and/or the KGB Museum. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by local bus

      This morning, we travel by private vehicle to Klaipeda, one of the oldest cities in Lithuania, next to the northern tip of the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit. The Curonian Spit is a long, thin sandbar that runs from Klaipeda in Lithuania to Kaliningrad, Russia's westernmost oblast. It separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Join an orientation walk led by your tour leader and visit the famous sights and many interesting sculptures that make Klaipeda unique. Approximate travel time: 4.5 hrs by private vehicle

      Today, we explore the Curonian Spit, including the Parnidis dune, a mighty sand dune near the Lithuania-Russia border. Then we visit the Hill of Witches, which used to be the site of dancing and gathering during Pagan festivals. Now, the forested hills are dotted with wooden statues created by local artists depicting witches, dragons, and the elements. Some of the statues tell stories of the local legends and folklore, bringing the region to life with their intricate carvings. You will have time to explore the resort town of Nida. You may want to check out the Nida Lighthouse or wander through the Ethnographic Fisherman's Museum, a restored 19th-century fishing cottage that now exhibits relics and tools from the fishing trade. Approximate travel time: 3-4 hrs by private vehicle

      Cross the border into Latvia and head to the capital, Riga. Options for this charming city include visiting the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the Andrejsala artists' district, or simply wandering the cobblestone streets. Explore the narrow streets on foot and get better acquainted with the city known as "the Paris of the East." Opt to visit St. Peter's Church, where you can ascend the spire by lift for a fantastic view over the city. The Andrejsala neighborhood is an industrial port area just outside the city. It has recently developed into a cultural hub with art and entertainment areas, workshops, galleries, and cafés. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle

      This morning, we visit some of the neighborhoods and sights on a guided tour around Riga and learn about the history of this 800-year-old city. We will visit the central market to pick up some delicacies for lunch. You will have the afternoon free to continue exploring the city. One option is visiting the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. This museum is free and is dedicated to portraying what life was like in Latvia during the three periods of occupation. Learn about life under Soviet and Nazi rule and how Latvians regained their freedom in 1991. See our optional activities list further below for more places you can visit in your free time.

      Today, we cross the border to Estonia for a truly local experience with a 3-night stay on a farm in Saaremaa. Over the next three nights, savor farm-to-table dinners specially prepared by your host family. This remote island in the Baltic Sea has unique traditions and culture. Thatched roof houses, stone walls, and windmills make up this fairytale landscape. Some of the optional activities you might undertake include canoeing on the Nasva river, fishing, or island visits. You might also consider traveling into the capital of Saaremaa, Kuressaare, for a folk evening with traditional music. Approximate travel time: 2.5-3 hrs by local bus; 2.5-3 hrs by boat

      Today, we take a tour of Saaremaa, during which we will visit a group of windmills and try traditional baked goods while sipping on local beer. In the area, you'll find a naturally growing oak forest with rare flora (such as orchids) and a bird-watching platform. You will also visit the Kaali meteorite lake, formed by a meteorite strike around 3,500 years ago. You will have some free time in the afternoon to see more of the area; see our list of optional activities below.

      The final day of our stay in Saaremaa is a free one to explore further. Today, you might want to visit some of the churches, some dating back as far as the 1300s while others still have ancient wall frescoes intact. Alternatively, maybe you want to see some of the natural sites, including the lake and the Panga Cliffs. You may also want to visit the beautiful Pühatu Springs. "Pühatu" resembles the word "bottomless" in the Estonian language and describes the seemingly bottomlessness of this vibrant green spring. Locals have been visiting this site for hundreds of years, throwing coins into the pool as offerings for good health and fortune.

      Today, we travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, where you might fall in love with this medieval town. Together we will visit the Kadriog Palace, which was built by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia. Designed by an Italian architect, much of the palace's architecture is distinctly Baroque in style. Today, it's also home to collections from the Estonian Art Museum. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle

      Spend a free day exploring this medieval city. Use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the Dome Church, the open air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches, or relax in a sauna. Please look further below for our optional activities list.

      This morning, we travel by ferry to the charming capital city of Finland, Helsinki. We will take an orientation walk before you have the remainder of the day free. Helsinki sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its central avenue, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by cultural and political institutions, including the National Museum, which traces Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. Also on Mannerheimintie are the imposing Parliament House and Kiasma, a contemporary art museum. Approximate travel time: 2-2.5 hrs by ferry

      Our program ends in Helsinki this morning. You may depart at any time. If you have the time, we recommend staying an extra day in Helsinki. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO trips in the same year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs). If you don’t see a program that interests you that pairs with this trip, but still would like to extend your time abroad, let us know. We will work with you to find a non-teacher trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Even better, if you are an educator, we can still offer you a discounted price on the trip you choose!

      Details

      Frequently Asked Questions
      Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.
      Resources to Learn & Teach about the Baltics
      Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
      Terms and Conditions
      It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.
      Cancellation policy
      All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.
      • If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
      • If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
      • If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use
      Trip Notes
      1. LUGGAGE: In Europe, it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels, or other public places. We use public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage in and out of boats and buses, etc., and also possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on buses. You should be able to comfortably walk for 10-30 minutes at a time with your luggage. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage that is compact and lightweight. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
      2. ORIENTATION WALKS: The orientation walking tours on this trip are often on cobblestone roads at steep grades and can last several hours in the heat of the summer. Feel free to opt-out of these walking tours if you wish, as they can be quite physically taxing. In some cases, on the other side of the coin, they may move a bit too slow for you. If you have a map, a travel app, or a guidebook, feel free to go off on your own. GEEO wants you to have the experience you desire, and sometimes that means separating yourself from the group.
      Group Leader Description
      All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
      Fitness Level
      This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. In the cities, you can split apart from the group to go your own pace. Getting on and off transportation and walking with luggage requires some physical effort.
      Single Travelers
      Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a "My Own Room" option, also known as a "Single Supplement," which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the "My Own Room" option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet.
      Joining Instructions
      Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details! If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. When you arrive at the airport, you can reach Vilnius city center by public transport or taxi. Public transport: Blue screens at the airport exits display the public transport schedules, so you can find the next bus or train easily. Bus 88 will take you to the city center/Old Town area, and busses 1 and 2 will take you to the main central station, which is an easy 10-minute walk from the Old Town. Bus tickets are €1 and are purchased on the bus in cash. You need to stamp your ticket in the red or yellow validation machines by the driver. You can also catch a train from the Airport to Vilnius’ central station. This takes less than 10 minutes and costs under €1; however, you are advised to check the schedule, as they depart every 40 to 60 minutes. Taxi: There are plenty of taxis in a line outside the airport, but you can save a bit of money if you call to book a taxi yourself. You can ask the Vilnius Tourist Information Center (in the arrival hall of the airport) to call one for you. A taxi to the city center will be about €10-€15 and it takes 15-20 minutes.
      Emergency Contacts
      Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Berlin office: +44 7817 262559 If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, and your call will be returned as soon as possible. If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, from calls within North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from within UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from within Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from within Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from within New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
      Packing List
      Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Health & Safety (Required!)
      • N95/KN95 Face masks (At least three per week)
      • Hand sanitizer
      • Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
      • Quick Covid Test/Antigen Tests (At least 5, and for longer trips, 3 per week of travel)
      Suggested Checklist
      • Raincoat and/or umbrella
      • Personal clothing for cool to hot weather – we recommend packing 8-9 days of outfits so you only have to do laundry once
      • Long pants
      • Fleece top (It can be colder than you expect)
      • Sturdy walking shoes
      • Sport sandals or flip-flops
      • Bathing suit and small, quick-dry towel
      • Daypack
      • Sunblock
      • Sunglasses
      • Sun hat
      • Water bottle
      • Watch or alarm clock
      • Toiletries – Important: Some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
      • Camera
      • First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
      Optional Checklist
      • Travel pillow
      • Money belt
      • Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
      • Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
      • AirTags or Tile trackers
      • Packing cubes
      • Earplugs
      • Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can also buy snacks when you get there, so don't go crazy here
      • Ziplock bags
      • Reading/writing material
      • Hand sanitizer/Baby wipes
      Document Checklist
      • Passport (with photocopies)
      • Travel insurance (with photocopies)
      • Airline tickets (with photocopies)
      • EUR/USD cash
      • Credit or debit card
      • G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
      • Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
      • GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure
      Laundry
      Laundry facilities are sometimes offered by some of the hotels. You can also use a local laundromat if need be.
      Passports and Visas
      All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double-check the information we provide below by searching here. Americans do not need a visa for travel in any of the countries we visit on this trip. Non-American participants should check with their government or nearest embassies of the countries to which we are traveling to find out if they need a visa.
      Money Exchange
      As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. ATMs are also widely available that distribute the local currency, and this is what we recommend as your primary source of cash while traveling. All the countries in this program use the Euro. Please make sure you bring at least $200 USD or euros in cash as emergency money just in case you have trouble with the ATMs or lose your bank card. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Visa and MasterCard are useful for cash advances in an emergency situation. Please note that, if you are carrying U.S. Dollars, they should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and printed recently.
      Tipping
      While conventions can vary from country to country, tipping is customary in Europe. A general rule is 10% of the bill for wait staff, and a smaller amount (€1 or €2) for other service providers. Tipping is an expected – though not compulsory – component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The precise amount is a personal preference, however €30-€40 per person, per week can be used as a guideline.
      Flights
      We find the best prices for flights are often available 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. We advise that you wait until this trip is confirmed before booking non-refundable and non-changeable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. Your trip begins in Vilnius and ends in Helsinki. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Vilnius. You can arrive at any time of the day you choose, but we strongly urge you to arrive by 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 for our group meeting. You can depart from Helsinki any time on the final day of the trip.
      Plugs and Converters
      There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. All of the countries visited on this trip primarily use a European-style two circular prong plug. Their voltage is 220-240 Volts. U.S. outlets are 120V. Most new devices (phones and laptops) can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. Most transformer blocks will have an "Input" line that defines its voltage capacity. For example, "Input: 100-240V" means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can't handle the different voltage, you'll need to purchase a voltage converter. You can find world regional voltage converters power packs at various vendors.
      Expectations
      Before you decide on traveling with GEEO it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.
      • The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury as we are trying to keep these trips as inexpensive as possible. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.
      • The same goes for transportation. We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
      • You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
      • Many of our programs occur in locations where it is hot during the day. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks.
      • We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
      • Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.
      Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!
      Itinerary Disclaimer
      While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      Weather
      The weather in all of these countries is similar. Summer is very pleasant with daily highs typically ranging from the mid-60s to the 80s F. Make sure you pack some clothes for cooler temperatures at night.

      Costs

      Please keep in mind that this trip offers some free time to pursue activities that interest you. Make sure you look over all of the optional activities and note these additional costs when deciding whether you can afford this program. Breakfasts are included in this trip, giving you the opportunity to eat out according to your own resources. The prices below are in U.S. Dollars or local currency and are rough estimates so you can budget your trip.
      Tour Company Fee
      See price in the top right corner
      Optional Activities
      $40-$150 USD
      International Airfare from the United States
      Roughly $1,000-$1,700 USD If you require assistance in booking your international airfare, we would be happy to help you.
      Insurance
      $67-$200 USD Please note: It is mandatory for all of our travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing cancellation insurance as well.
      Tipping
      We recommend $60-$80 USD for your G Adventures tour leader. Budget another $30 USD for tipping local guides on additional activities.
      Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary
      $255-$335 USD
      Laundry, Drinks, Phone Calls, etc.
      Make sure you budget for these types of expenses
      Souvenirs
      Variable. At your personal discretion.
      Non-Educator Donation
      $100 USD (Suggested donation) This is only for non-educator guests traveling with an educator on a GEEO trip. Educators and retired educators should not make this donation.

      Optional Activities

      Most optional activities are booked and paid for locally in the local currency. You do not have to decide in advance for which activities you would like to sign up. The prices listed are based on the latest information we have received from our participants and G Adventures. They are not guaranteed to be accurate. Please feel free to use them as a guide for budgeting your trip. The prices below are in Euros (EUR).
      Vilnius
      Frank Zappa Monument: Free Visit the statue that pays tribute to the musician Frank Zappa, who's much loved in Lithuania. Gediminas Tower: €2 EUR Visit Gediminas Tower to learn more about this symbolic place in Lithuania. KGB Museum: €4 EUR The KGB Museum is the unofficial name for the Museum of Genocide Victims currently housed in the former KGB headquarters. The fascinating museum brings to light the atrocities of war and the suffering of the people of Lithuania and the other Baltic countries. On display are documents and artifacts related to the 50-year occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union.
      Nida
      Nida Lighthouse: Free Make your way to the Nida Lighthouse, one of the tallest along the Lithuanian coast. Built in the 1800s, its classic red and white stripes are an iconic lighthouse feature. Last renovated in 2016, it's still in use today. Ethnographic Fisherman's Museum: €2 EUR Take a wander through this restored 19th-century fishing cottage, now exhibiting relics and tools from the fishing trade.
      Riga
      Andrejsala Artists' District: Free The Andrejsala neighborhood is an industrial port area just outside the city. Recently it has developed into a cultural hub with art and entertainment areas, workshops, galleries, and cafés. Explore all it has to offer. Saint Peter's Church: €7 EUR Ascend the spire of this church by lift for a fantastic view over the city. Museum of the Occupation of Latvia: Free (voluntary donation) The museum is dedicated to portraying what life was like in Latvia during the three periods of occupation. Learn about life under Soviet and Nazi rule and how Latvians regained their freedom in 1991. Riga Art Nouveau Center: €5-20 EUR Riga is one of the few places where Art Nouveau architecture has survived in great numbers. Visit the center to learn more. Riga Castle: €3 EUR First built in the 1440s on the banks of the Daugava River, Riga Castle is now the home of the President of Latvia and the National History Museum. Enjoy a visit here and explore the castle.
      Kuressaare
      Kuressaare Castle: €2 EUR Visit the Baltic region's best-preserved medieval castle - surrounded by a real moat, no less! Today, Kuressaare Castle houses the Saaremaa Museum and its collections on local history, nature, and culture. While there's a fee to enter the museum, walking through the castle grounds is free, and a lovely way to experience the majesty of Estonia. Abruka Lighthouse: Free Built in 1897, the Abruka Lighthouse is over 90 feet high but only 2 feet wide, making it the slimmest lighthouse most visitors get to see. Vilsandi National Park: Free Vilsandi National Park is made up of 150 small yet incredibly biodiverse islets along the western shores of Saaremaa Island. Opt to hike along the park's many trails, visit a farm, or simply enjoy nature in a tranquil rural setting.
      Tallinn
      Peter the Great Museum: €3 EUR Visit the house that Peter the Great and his wife Catherine stayed in on their visits to Tallinn. Bike tour around Tallinn: €20-25 EUR Hop on two wheels and explore Estonia's capital by bike. Kadriorg Palace: €6.50 EUR Named for Peter the Great's wife, Catherine, the Kadriorg Palace served as the Russian czar's summer residence. Designed by an Italian architect, much of the palace's architecture is distinctly Baroque in style. Today, it's also home to collections from the Estonian Art Museum. Occupation Museum: €5 EUR Visit the Museum of the Occupations to learn more about life under the Soviet and Nazi regimes, then head to the ex-KGB headquarters. Dome Church and Toompea Hill: €2-6 EUR Enjoy a visit to the Dome Church, or St Mary's Cathedral, located on Toompea Hill. it's the oldest church in Tallinn, built in the 13th century. Explore Old Town: Free Wander the Old Town, soaking in the 15th to 17th century feel, and visit the Raekoja Plats where you can check out cafés and restaurants lining this square. It's absolutely a must-see. Sea Kayaking: €33 EUR Head out to sea by kayak to get a new perspective of the area.
      Helsinki
      Ateneum Art Museum: €15 EUR Visit Finland's best-known art museum, considered the home of Finnish art. Located in Helsinki's city center, the Ateneum Art Museum was first opened in 1888. With over 20,000 works on display, spend a few hours getting acquainted with the landscapes, portraits, still-lifes, and abstract art of this unique Nordic region. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: €3 EUR The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is one of Finland's most popular attractions for a reason. Built in 1748 as a military fortress to protect Helsinki - first as a part of Sweden, then Russia, and finally, Finland - this UNESCO World Heritage site stretches over six islands and is easily accessible from the Helsinki harbor by ferry (€3/person for 15-minute ride). Opt for a guided tour to further explore the tunnels, dockyard, museums, and local history of this fascinating fortress. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: €9 EUR After wandering through Helsinki's chic design district, see another side of Finland on Seurasaari Island. Hop on a bus or tram to visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and experience what rural Finnish life was like over a hundred years ago. Each of the island's 87 cottages, cabins, farmsteads, and manors are unique to a region of Finland - in fact, many were transported here from their original locations, and are complete with traditional objects, furniture, and dress. Bike tour of Helsinki: €60-70 EUR Experience Helsinki on two wheels with a guided bike tour of the city. Helsinki Bike Tours take you to off-the-beaten-path attractions and local favorites around town, while learning what life in contemporary Finland is like today with fun, knowledgeable guides.