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The easiest and most relaxing way to discover the Baltic region is of course to embark on one of the many cruise ships that sail from Copenhagen to Helsinki. However, if you are a land-lover, or simply prefer to explore at your own pace, you can easily drive through some of the smallest, least known but most beautiful countries in Europe.

Day 1-3
Distance: 950km / 590mi

Warsaw to Vilnius

  • Start your trip with a walk through Warsaw’s restored Old Town.
  • Explore the Royal Route, one of Poland’s official national historic monuments.
  • Spend a day shopping in the vibrant Old Town Square Market.
  • Witness the striking contrast of modern art on display inside an ancient castle at the Warsaw Center for Contemporary Art.
  • Stop in Gdansk for a swim in the Baltic Sea, or visit St. Mary’s Church, supposedly the largest brick church in the world.
  • In Sopot, enjoy a resort spa day, or walk the longest wooden pier in Europe.
  • Take a short flight to Vilnius.

Day 4-6
Distance: 660km / 410mi

Vilnius to Riga

  • In Vilnius, explore the area’s Soviet heritage. Then, venture into the wilds of Aukštadvaris Regional Park.
  • Go back in time to the historic city of Trakai before heading north to Kaunas to test the defenses of Kaunas Castle.
  • Climb into the sky on the steep Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas railways.
  • Breathe the fresh Baltic Sea air at Klaipėda, Lithuania’s only seaport.
  • Visit the half-timbered houses and enjoy the fairytale character of picturesque Old Town.
  • Search for amber rocks on the Baltic coast and learn more about the prehistoric Amber Road at Secrets of Amber in Gargždai Regional Museum.
  • Stop in Liepaja, the city of wind and the sea capital of Latvia, with its miles of sandy beach and art nouveau buildings in the heart of the city.
  • Stop in Kuldīga to explore its narrow streets, old houses and unique brick bridge.
  • Find yourself navigating the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets of Riga’s Old Town.
  • Tempt your shopping desires at the Central Market in Riga, the largest market in Eastern Europe.
  • Before you leave, taste Riga Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur.

Day 7-9
Distance: 310km / 190mi

Riga to Tallinn

  • Stop in Rundale to explore the most beautiful baroque castle of Latvia.
  • Treat yourself in Jurmala, the largest spa resort town in the Baltic States.
  • Soak up the beach culture of Pärnu, Estonia’s summer capital, and sail the sea, or kayak along the Pärnu river.
  • Relax in luxury and comfort with the massages, chocolate treatments and pearl baths of the spa hotels.
  • Estonia’s charming capital, Tallinn, quickly moves visitors from medieval to avant garde in only a few square feet.
  • Peer inside the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Gothic Town Hall, the oldest town hall in the Baltic.
  • Reward your ears with the sounds of one of Tallinn’s many music festivals.
  • Take a ferry to Helsinki

Day 10-12
Distance: 88km / 55mi

Tallinn to Helsinki

  • Go back in time in Helsinki’s Historic City Center, or explore the striking architecture and street art on the Cosmopolitan side of the capital.
  • Warm your body where saunas were invented.
  • Explore the stunning architecture and design of the internationally acclaimed Alvar Aalto.
  • End your trip in a quiet log cabin relaxing alongside one of the thousands of lakes in Finland.

Before you go

  1. You will primarily utilize Euros, except in Poland. Make sure you have enough money of the local currency Złoty, or check for a local exchange bureau.
  2. Check the expiration date on your passport. If your passport is due to expire and it does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be denied entry into certain European countries.
  3. In many cities, a lot of monuments tend to be closed on Sunday. Buy your tickets in advance and plan your visits taking into account days of closure and public holidays.
  4. The Baltic Sea region comprises 11 nations, but remember that not all nations use the same travel laws and currency.
  5. Be prepared and define all travel document requirements before you take a cruise.
  6. Wear sturdy shoes as well as comfortable footwear for coast excursions.

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