Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia

Your discovery of three capital cities on the Baltic Sea begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London Heathrow ahead of a flight to Helsinki. Situated across an archipelago, the Finnish capital is surrounded by more than 300 picturesque islands where locals go to enjoy natural landscapes, historical sites and abundant wildlife.

On arrival, we transfer to our four-star hotel near Helsinki's stylish shopping streets, art galleries and museums. Only a short distance from our accommodation is the Tennis Palace, a structure built for the cancelled 1940 Olympic Games. Today, the building hosts the Helsinki Art Museum, where visitors can find an extensive collection of Finnish artworks. In the evening, we gather in the hotel restaurant for dinner.

• Dinner

In the morning, we set out to discover the sights of Helsinki, a city with a wonderful mix of history and modern innovation.

Among the attractions is Senate Square, the oldest part of the city. Surrounded by noble neoclassical buildings, this historic square is dominated by a monumental, green-domed cathedral. From Finlandia Hall and the modernist Finnish National Opera to the abstract steel pipe monument honouring composer Jean Sibelius, we uncover inventive and stylish design. Marvel at the distinctive Central Library Oodi, a flowing, arched structure designed in 2012 and dedicated to the Finnish people and their education system.

After the tour, we join a guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline. On our journey, we see the famous Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki's impressive fleet of icebreakers and Korkeasaari, or the 'Island of Animals', home to the city's zoo. After we return to the mainland, you're free to explore the city and dine independently this evening.

• Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we board a ferry across the calm waters of the Gulf of Finland, bound for Estonia. This short crossing of around 55 miles takes us to the country's fairytale capital, Tallinn.

In addition to the picture-perfect huddle of cobblestone streets and medieval buildings in its historic city centre, Tallinn is a thriving hub for digital companies and technological innovation. Still, most visitors are beguiled by its quaint charm, and it is regularly considered one of Europe's most beautiful capitals. Both the hilltop Toompea district and the lower part of the Old Town are UNESCO World Heritage sites and reveal photogenic sights around every corner.

On arrival, we check in to our hotel, where we enjoy dinner in the on-site restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Setting out from our hotel after breakfast, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of one of the best-preserved medieval centres in northern Europe.

Strolling along charming, cobblestone lanes, we explore the beauty contained within the fortified walls. From viewing centuries-old buildings with their bright red roofs to finding hidden courtyards, we embrace Tallinn's unique charm. On this engaging tour, we learn about local culture, history and architecture as we discover sights including the Town Hall Square and the oldest pharmacy in Europe, which has stood in its location since at least 1422.

Tonight, you're free to dine independently in one of Tallinn's appealing restaurants. From elk stews and wild boar to mulgipuder, a savoury barley porridge topped with fried bacon and onions, Estonian cuisine is hearty, seasonal and delicious.

• Breakfast

This morning, we head out to visit the Seaplane Harbour and Estonian Maritime Museum. Housed in a historic seaplane hangar, this innovative maritime complex showcases Estonia's fascinating naval history through maritime artefacts, ship models, and real vessels. Highlights include a Russian submarine, a seaplane and various immersive displays.

In the afternoon, you're free to explore the city at your own pace. You might like to enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes overlooking the town square or stroll along the city walls for panoramic views.

With the opportunity to dine independently this evening, you might like to experience the famous Olde Hansa restaurant, where diners enjoy hearty medieval fare and performances inspired by 15th-century traditions.

• Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to Tallinn's railway station for a scenic train journey through Estonia. Travelling to Valga, we discover the vast, pristine forests covering more than half of the country's land. Estonia's rich forests are home to abundant wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, lynx, elk and wild boars.

In the border town of Valga, we switch trains and enter our third and final country, Latvia. As we rush through the countryside, look out for quaint towns dotting the landscape.

Arriving in the colourful capital, Riga, we check in to our hotel on the edge of the Old Town. This evening, we visit a local restaurant for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town's beautiful sights. Home to a third of Latvia's population, Riga has a fascinating 900-year history as a key trading centre in the region.

Built in 1334, the ornate House of the Black Heads acted as a meeting point for the city's merchants and visiting traders. Today, it stands proud in front of the town hall square. One of the biggest delights of Riga's Old Town is its charming streets, where we can see the painted houses of Jauniela and the iconic medieval buildings known as the Three Brothers. Our tour also takes us past the 17th-century Swedish Gate and the towering St Peter's Cathedral.

With a free afternoon, you could uncover why Riga is considered to have more Art Nouveau buildings that any other city. Albert Street is the best showcase of these spectacularly elaborate buildings. Riga's restaurants cater for all tastes, and you may be tempted to try Latvia's warming national dish, a hearty stew containing grey peas and smoked ham.

• Breakfast

From admiring Helsinki's stylish architecture to wandering the spellbinding medieval streets of Tallinn and Riga, this journey has revealed the history and charm of these three capital cities.

After a morning and afternoon at leisure, we transfer to Riga Airport for our flight back to the UK. On landing at London Heathrow, your tour of Finland, Estonia and Latvia comes to an end, and you can make your way home independently.

• Breakfast