Baltic Heritage and Helsinki Highlights
About the Trip
July 23 – August 5, 2027 | 14 Days
Spend 14 days getting to know the Baltic region through its streets, stories and everyday moments. Walk the Old Towns of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, taking in grand squares, churches and storied landmarks, then step into experiences that feel more personal—a hands-on amber workshop, time in local markets and a meal shaped by regional traditions. Beyond the cities, visit Trakai Castle, Rundāle Palace and the Hill of Crosses, each offering a different perspective on the region. Continue by sea to Helsinki, where waterfront settings and distinctive Nordic architecture bring a calm, modern contrast to the end of your journey.
Activity Level: Active
Travellers who will truly enjoy this type of tour prefer more physical activity for extended periods. Tours may include walking tours between 1–3 km, uneven terrain, steep inclines, climbing stairs (some without railings) and longer periods of standing.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Creations in Amber Crafting Workshop
Spend time at a local organic farm, where a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown using traditional Explore one of the Baltic region’s most treasured traditions and discover the story behind amber, long admired for its natural beauty and cultural significance. Guided by a local jeweller and amber expert, you’ll shape and polish your own piece, transforming raw amber into a finished pendant or charm. It’s a hands-on experience that connects you to the region’s craftsmanship, with a meaningful keepsake to take home.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Vilnius and return from Helsinki to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Ferry transportation in Tourist Class from Tallinn to Helsinki
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Vilnius
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Riga
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Tallinn
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Helsinki
- 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host (Requires a minimum number of participants)
Baltic Heritage and Helsinki Highlights
Travel through Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki over 14 days, with castles, markets and a hands-on amber workshop woven throughout the journey.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Vilnius.
Day 2
Vilnius – Meet your guide on arrival at Vilnius airport and transfer to your hotel. After time to freshen up, meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
Vilnius – Set out on a walking sightseeing tour of Vilnius, including the Old Town with a photo stop at the Old Synagogue, Gediminas Castle, St. Stanislav’s Cathedral, St. Anna’s Church, the Old University and the Gate of Dawn with the Madonna of Vilnius. Visit the KGB Museum before heading to your Extraordinary Experience, a hands-on Creations in Amber crafting workshop. (B/D)
Day 4
Vilnius – This afternoon, take an excursion to Trakai with a sightseeing tour and a visit to the 15th-century Trakai Castle. After some free time, enjoy a traditional Kybin cooking class, then sit down to dinner and enjoy your creations before returning to Vilnius. (B/D)
Day 5
Vilnius – Travel to Kaunas for a walking tour of the Old Town, including Kaunas Castle, the Cathedral and Old Town Hall. Continue to the New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll discover its modernist architecture, including Kaunas City Municipality, Resurrection Church, Laisvės Avenue and the Synagogue. Lunch is at leisure before returning to Vilnius. (B)
Day 6
Riga – Depart Vilnius and travel to Riga. Along the way, stop for photos at Šiauliai and the Hill of Crosses, then continue to Rundāle for lunch. Afterward, visit Rundāle Palace and its parks before continuing on to Riga. (B/L)
Day 7
Riga – Explore Riga on a guided tour, beginning with the Art Nouveau district and a drive through the New Town to see the Freedom Monument, Latvian National Opera and Riga Central Market. At the market, enjoy tastings of local products. Continue with a walking tour of the Old Town, visiting the Dome Cathedral, Swedish Gate, Powder Tower and the Three Brothers. End the day with a tasting of Riga Black Balsam before returning to your hotel. (B/T)
Day 8
Tallinn – Depart Riga and stop in Pärnu en route to Rocca al Mare, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Estonian Open Air Museum. Continue to Tallinn and, after checking in at your hotel, enjoy a unique dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 9
Tallinn – Discover Tallinn on a sightseeing tour featuring the Old Town, Dome Cathedral, Town Hall Square and medieval Town Hall, Toompea Hill and Toompea Castle, Niguliste Church, Oleviste Church and Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral with a visit inside. You’ll also see the medieval walls and fortifications, as well as the Telliskivi and Noblessner areas. (B)
Day 10
Helsinki – Visit Kadriorg Palace and Park on a guided tour, then transfer to the pier for your ferry crossing to Helsinki. A buffet dinner is included onboard. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. (B/D)
Day 11
Helsinki – Take in a sightseeing tour of Helsinki, including Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, Mannerheim Street, Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, Olympic Stadium and Sibelius Monument, ending with a visit to Temppeliaukio Church. (B)
Day 12
Helsinki – Transfer to Market Square and board a water taxi to the island of Suomenlinna. Explore Suomenlinna Fortress on a guided tour before returning to Market Square by water taxi. (B)
Day 13
Helsinki – This afternoon, visit Hvittrask Museum before returning to Helsinki to gather for your farewell dinner. (B)
Day 14
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Vilnius.
Day 2
Vilnius
Meet your guide on arrival at Vilnius airport and transfer to your hotel. After time to freshen up, meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
Vilnius
Discover Vilnius on a walking sightseeing tour through the Old Town, with a photo stop at the Old Synagogue, and visits to Gediminas Castle, St. Stanislav’s Cathedral, St. Anna’s Church, the Old University and the Gate of Dawn with the Madonna of Vilnius. Spend time at the KGB Museum before heading to your Extraordinary Experience, a hands-on Creations in Amber crafting workshop. (B/D)
Day 4
Vilnius
This afternoon, head out to Trakai for a sightseeing tour and a visit to the 15th-century Trakai Castle. After some free time, take part in a traditional kybin cooking class, then enjoy dinner featuring your creations before returning to Vilnius. (B/D)
Day 5
Vilnius
Travel to Kaunas for a guided walk through the Old Town, taking in Kaunas Castle, the Cathedral and Old Town Hall. Continue to the New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll discover its modernist architecture, including Kaunas City Municipality, Resurrection Church, Laisvės Avenue and the Synagogue. Lunch is at leisure before returning to Vilnius. (B)
Day 6
Riga
Depart Vilnius and travel toward Riga. Pause along the way for photos at Šiauliai and the Hill of Crosses, then continue to Rundāle for lunch. Afterward, explore Rundāle Palace and its parks before continuing to Riga. (B/L)
Day 7
Riga
Explore Riga on a guided tour, beginning with the Art Nouveau district and a drive through the New Town to see the Freedom Monument, Latvian National Opera and Riga Central Market. At the market, enjoy tastings of local products. Continue with a walking tour of the Old Town, visiting the Dome Cathedral, Swedish Gate, Powder Tower and the Three Brothers. End the day with a tasting of Riga Black Balsam before returning to your hotel. (B/T)
Day 8
Tallinn
Leave Riga behind and stop in Pärnu en route to Rocca al Mare, where you’ll explore the Estonian Open Air Museum on a guided tour. Continue to Tallinn and, after checking in at your hotel, head out for a unique dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 9
Tallinn
Take in Tallinn on a sightseeing tour featuring the Old Town, Dome Cathedral, Town Hall Square and medieval Town Hall, Toompea Hill and Toompea Castle, Niguliste Church, Oleviste Church and Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral with a visit inside. You’ll also see the medieval walls and fortifications, along with the Telliskivi and Noblessner areas. (B)
Day 10
Helsinki
Spend time at Kadriorg Palace and Park on a guided tour, then transfer to the pier for your ferry crossing to Helsinki. A buffet dinner is included onboard. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. (B/D)
Day 11
Helsinki
See Helsinki’s highlights on a sightseeing tour, including Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, Mannerheim Street, Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, Olympic Stadium and Sibelius Monument, ending with a stop at Temppeliaukio Church. (B)
Day 12
Helsinki
Transfer to Market Square and board a water taxi to the island of Suomenlinna. Explore Suomenlinna Fortress with your guide, then return to Market Square by water taxi. (B)
Day 13
Helsinki
This afternoon, spend time at Hvitträsk Museum before returning to Helsinki to gather for your farewell dinner. (B)
Day 14
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | T - Tasting | D - Dinner