Estonie

Baltic Express

Yulia

Yulia - Travel Expert

  • Small group through Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
  • A variety of cultural and natural discoveries.
  • Smooth itinerary without overnight on board.
Day 1 - TALLINN
Tallinn

Flight, train or boat to Tallinn, transfer from the airport to the hotel available upon request.
Possibility to organize a stay in Helsinki: on request

Individual arrivals in Tallinn. Check-in at the hotel and free time for a first discovery of the Estonian capital, depending on your arrival time.

Tallinn, the Estonian capital on the Baltic Sea, combines medieval charm and modernity. A crossroads between East and West, its UNESCO-listed historic center enchants with cobbled streets and colorful facades. But behind its ramparts, the city is innovative: creative districts, cutting-edge technologies, and a Nordic spirit focused on the future make Tallinn a unique destination that bridges tradition and innovation.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Tallinn


3-star hotel near the train station

Day 2 - TALLINN
Tallinn

In the morning, meet your guide-escort for a discovery tour of Tallinn.
You start with the Upper Town, dominated by the Toompea Fortress, seat of the Estonian Parliament, home to the majestic Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral and many historic mansions. From the lookout points of Patkuli and Kohtu, enjoy exceptional panoramic views over the medieval ramparts and the Lower Town.

The walk continues along the ramparts before heading down to the Lower Town, which has remained true to its medieval spirit since the 13th century. You will visit the Town Hall Square, lined with magnificent Gothic buildings and rich Hanseatic mansions—a testament to the merchants’ former prosperity. The tour ends at the enchanting St Catherine’s Passage, famous for its artisan workshops and traditional guilds.

Free afternoon.

Option – Afternoon of Curiosities (3h with guide)
For the inquisitive, an original extension is offered:

  • Visit to the food market in a popular wooden neighborhood,
  • Discover an old brick industrial site converted into creative and leisure spaces,
  • Explore the Noblessner Port with its industrial charm and modern architecture.
    The experience also includes a visit to the maritime museum located in the historic Seaplane Harbor, with access to a submarine, followed by a friendly cocktail break.

To cap off this first day, a welcome dinner in a typical Estonian restaurant – convivial atmosphere, local specialties, and a tasting of wine or beer.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Tallinn (BB, D)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, D

Day 3 - SIGULDA
Sigulda

Set off on a journey through boreal forests!

After breakfast, head to Tallinn train station to begin your rail adventure. The journey starts on an Estonian train heading south across the country, through Nordic landscapes of boreal forests, slender pines, and silver birch. After crossing the border, a Latvian train takes over, bringing you to Sigulda, a charming resort town facing Gauja National Park.

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel located in the heart of this green city, perched on the heights of the valley.

guided walk leads you to the imposing ruins of the Sword Brothers Knights Castle, overlooking the valley and offering a stunning panorama of the national park’s cradle. The visit continues with the neo-Gothic residence of Count Kropotkin, with its amazing interiors. Next, you’ll take part in a traditional walking stick decorating workshop, a signature craft of Sigulda. To this day, this heritage continues, allowing visitors to take home a unique and authentic souvenir from the Gauja Valley: a Sigulda walking stick.

Suggestion: To end the day gently, enjoy the hotel’s pool or sauna for a relaxing moment.

Overnight and dinner at a 3* hotel in Sigulda (BB, D)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, D

Day 4 - GAUJA NATIONAL PARK
parc national de Gauja

Begin the day with a visit to the Turaida estate, a former feudal property that includes an elegant manor, one of the country’s oldest wooden churches, an open-air sculpture garden, and the imposing ruins of the red-brick episcopal castle, a reminder of the region’s medieval might.

Hiking in the Gauja Valley, plunging 85 meters deep, a true natural jewel. This walk through a majestic forest with ancient trees also unveils sandstone caves with unusual shapes, offering an immersion into wild, unspoiled nature.

At Krimulda, visit the Neoclassical manor built in 1822, with its bucolic charm, before enjoying a country lunch. Next, discover the estate’s vineyard, renowned for its tradition of wines made from local berries and fruits, complete with a tasting. The adventure ends with a spectacular cable car crossing over the valley—a highlight offering breathtaking views.

In the afternoon, return to Sigulda station to board a local train towards Riga (about 1 hour journey). For nostalgia lovers, you can opt for a ride in a historic train, the DR1 model, built in Riga in the 1970s-1980s.

Welcome to Riga! Check in at your city center hotel. Capital of Latvia and the true metropolis of the Baltic States, Riga is home to nearly 800,000 inhabitants. Founded in 1201, it charms with its medieval old town—UNESCO World Heritage listed—its ring of gardens and elegant boulevards, picturesque canal, and most of all, its Art Nouveau district, one of the most remarkable in Europe.

Festive evening: dinner with dances in a folkloric tavern for total immersion in Latvian traditions.

 Overnight at a 3* hotel in Riga (BB, L, D)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, L, D

Day 5 - RIGA
Riga

Morning stroll through the old town with your guide. Admire the House of the Blackheads, the castle, the picturesque Three Brothers House, the Freedom Monument, the National Opera, as well as the remains of the old ramparts. The tour also includes the capital’s main churches – St Peter’sSt James’St John’s – and of course, the majestic Dome Cathedral, the spiritual and architectural heart of Riga.

Riga is considered to be the capital of Art Nouveau in Europe, with more than 800 remarkable facades. A guided visit will plunge you into this unique architectural universe, marked by elegance and rich ornamentation.
Lunch in a local restaurant during the tour.

Continue your discovery at the central market, housed in five former Zeppelin hangars from 1930, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Each one is dedicated to a different culinary universe – meats, fish, vegetables, dairy products… It’s a perfect stop to sample local specialties and soak in the daily buzz of the capital.

Free afternoon.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Riga (BB, L)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, L

Day 6 - VILNIUS
Vilnius

Free day in Riga. Take advantage of this day to further explore the Latvian capital at your own pace. Several options are available: visit the anatomy museum or the railway museum, immerse yourself in recent history at the Museum of Occupation, or discover the typical neighborhoods of Āgenskalns, Grīziņkalns, and Mežaparks. For a change of scenery, you can also take the train to reach the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Option – Getaway to Kemeri National Park
Take a local electric train to this beautiful national park, admiring the picturesque railway station architecture along the line. A walk along the Great Bog trail will allow you to understand the complex ecosystem of this unique region while observing its characteristic flora and fauna. The Kemeri thermal resort still showcases grand bathhouses, now dilapidated but rich in history. Lunch at a local restaurant, then return to Riga in the afternoon.

In the evening, direct train departure for Vilnius (about 4 hours). This restful, contemplative journey crosses the country’s vast plains and gives an insight into life outside the big cities. The train also passes near the Hill of Crosses, a symbolic and significant site.

Arrival in Vilnius and check in at your hotel located in the old town. Founded in 1323, the Lithuanian capital owes its cultural richness to the diverse influences of Lithuanians, Poles, Jews, and Russians. At the crossroads of civilizations, Vilnius is considered the westernmost city of Eastern Europe. Its baroque center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique atmosphere as a cultural and historical crossroads.

Dinner in the hotel restaurant or in one of the local district’s establishments.

Overnight at a 3/4* hotel in Vilnius (BB, D)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, D

Day 7 - VILNIUS
Vilnius

Start the day with a guided walk through the heart of the old town and its architectural treasures. Pass by the Gate of Dawn, a remnant of the old city walls, and its Chapel of Mercy, a major Catholic pilgrimage site. The upper part of the city reveals a unique spiritual richness with the Orthodox Holy Spirit Church, the St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, and the delicate St. Theresa’s Church.

The walk then takes you to the Town Hall Square, once the center of the merchant guilds. Not far away, the Jewish quarter speaks to the rich history of a community that once made up nearly half the population before World War II.

The tour continues at Vilnius University, one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. Admire the famous Four Seasons Fresco, a masterpiece of magic realism, and wander through its XVI-century courtyards. One of them houses the St John’s Church, featuring a splendid Baroque organ and a 67-meter bell tower with exceptional views over the red roofs of the UNESCO-listed historic center.

Lunch in an inclusive and social restaurant in the old town (in the spirit of “happy cafés”), blending culinary discovery with a human experience.

Option – Excursion to Trakai
Just 27 km from Vilnius, take a modern electric train (Škoda duplex) to the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, nestled in a national park dotted with 15 glacial lakes. Trakai is also the historic home of the Karaims, an eastern minority now reduced to just about sixty descendants, who proudly preserve their religious, cultural, and gastronomic traditions.

Free time to stroll by the water before returning to Vilnius early evening.

To end your journey, enjoy a friendly farewell dinner in a restaurant in the old town, with drinks, in a warm and festive atmosphere.

Overnight at a 3/4* hotel in Vilnius (BB, L, D)


3-star hotel near the train station


BB, L, D

Day 8 - RETURN
Vilnius

Breakfast at the hotel.
Flight / train for return to your home city. (BB)

Additional night, return by plane or train via Warsaw and Berlin upon request


BB

8 days
From 1390 €
Group
Multi-destination
Nature
  • Small group guarantee: maximum 12 people;
  • 7 nights in 3/4-star hotels perfectly located for access to train stations and historic districts;
  • Half board: 7 breakfasts (BF); 3 typical lunches (with locals/local cuisine/specialties; L); 5 typical dinners with wine/beer (D);
  • French-speaking tour guide;
  • 2nd class train travel for the journeys mentioned in the program;
  • Guided tours as per program: Tallinn (including the Ackermann Coats of Arms Cathedral), Riga (including the Art Nouveau Museum), Vilnius (including the University);
  • Visits to monuments: the Hill of Crosses, Rundale Castle, Sigulda Castle;
  • Entrance tickets as per program;
  • Carbon offset: 3 trees planted per traveler in a deforested area of Lithuania;
  • Printed travel booklet with Baltic States map + reusable bottle + gift pack – given on arrival;
  • French-speaking assistance from Discovery Trains;
  • The travel booklet in electronic version with provisional information.
  • Scheduled flights from your city – Tallinn (TLL) and Vilnius (VNO): airBaltic or Air France, price on request;
  • Land/sea connection via Stockholm by ferry/train: price on request;
  • Pre-tour in Helsinki: on request;
  • Extra night in Vilnius or Tallinn: on request;
  • Transfers in Tallinn and Vilnius (station/port/airport): on request;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Meals not mentioned;
  • Insurance (on request);
  • Printed travel pack sent by post (+ €12)

Top-rated travel agency

4.9/5 sur 127 avis

See all reviews
olivier D.
1 year ago
Un voyage formidable, merci à Romane et Salomé pour nous avoir préparé un programme personnalisé sur 11 jours dans de belles ville d'Europe : Vienne/Venise/Rome/Florence/Milan avec des trains de nuits , de superbes Hôtels idéalement placés, de précieux conseils de visite ou de restauration, une réactivité exceptionnelle. Bref un voyage l'esprit tranquille, réglé au millimètre avec un rapport qualité prix très attractifs. C'était notre première expérience et nous projetons déjà les voyages suivants avec eux. Je recommande vivement cette agence. Olivier et Coralie
Gérard N.
2 years ago
Le voyage était superbe, merci vraiment pour ce beau programme que vous nous avez concocté. Les hôtels, toujours très proches des gares, étaient très pratiques et de très bonne qualité. Tous ont proposé de superbes petits-déjeuners appréciables. Les paysages traversés sont magnifiques et nous en avons pris plein les yeux. Seul petit bémol, je ne comprends pas pourquoi vous ne nous avez pas commandé le beau temps !! Il aurait fait un beau ciel bleu pour le Bernina Express, je pense que les paysages auraient été superbes, mais la neige au col de la Bernina avait quand même un certain charme au mois de juin !! Super moment sur le bateau avant d'aller prendre le Gothard Panorama, et merci pour la réservation de la table, c'était top. Pour les villes, nous avons surtout apprécié Lucerne qui est une ville magnifique. Peut-être que Lugano par très beau temps est également agréable, mais du coup nous n'avons pas pris de train à crémaillère pour admirer le paysage, le ciel était trop bouché. Voila de bonnes raisons de revenir dans ces coins une autre fois ! Merci encore pour tout, et pour le professionnalisme de votre société que nous recommanderons. Au plaisir pour une autre escapade.
Damien D.
2 years ago
Nous venons de terminer le circuit Transsibérien Aventure de Moscou à Pékin, adapté avec soin selon nos préférences, et nous en sommes ravis ! Un grand merci à Tatiana pour ses conseils avisés et pour avoir rendu ce voyage inoubliable. Les explications étaient claires et l'organisation était parfaite, tout s'est passé exactement comme prévu. Nous avons vécu des moments magnifiques et sommes très reconnaissants pour la disponibilité et l'investissement de toute l'équipe, organisateurs, guides et chauffeurs. Nous recommandons vivement cette agence pour quiconque cherche une expérience de voyage personnalisée et bien organisée. Merci encore !
Valérie T.
2 years ago
Nous venons de faire le circuit "glacier express"a travers la Suisse, en passant par Montreux, Zermatt, Coire et Zurich. Une organisation parfaite avant et pendant le séjour, avec de très bons conseils.Un voyage très paisible à travers des paysages magnifiques. Il n'y a rien à redire, aussi bien concernant les hôtels que les trains, le Travel pass qui permet de prendre tous les transports, le programme détaillé sans mauvaise surprise. Merci pour votre sérieux et votre amabilité. Un très belle première expérience de voyage en train, à refaire sur une nouvelle destination dès que possible.
Sandrine W.
4 years ago
Nous revenons tout juste du "grand tour des sommets " en Suisse, ce fût fabuleux, les paysages sont à couper le souffle, les trains du programme sont spacieux et le personnel aux petits soins, avec une préférence pour le Bernina et son fantastique bus avec la belle découverte du lac de Côme. Nous avons apprécié tous les trains et l'organisation du voyage. Yulia a tout bien organisé et m'a rassurée sur tout le déroulement du séjour, de ce traintrip, une façon bien originale et agréable de découvrir et parcourir la Suisse qui est magnifique ; Malgré tous les voyages faits, celui-ci tient une place particulière pour un voyage si particulier. Sans oublier les hôtels, très propres avec une bonne literie. Notre voyage n'aurait pas été aussi réussi sans Yulia que je remercie. Je recommande vivement ce circuit, rien à redire.
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