Upgraded - The Baltic States and Poland

Our journey through the Baltic States and Poland starts in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. The city itself is something of fairy-tale wonder, perched on a hill overlooking the sea and with a charming medieval old town that's earned itself UNESCO World Heritage status. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting followed by the option to go for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. Tallinn is a walkable city so if your flight arrives earlier, you might like to stretch your legs and explore. Take a stroll down the cobbled streets that lead to the bustling town square and marvel at the 14th-century town hall. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tallinn airport (TLL), which is around a 10 minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through us, regardless of your arrival day.

We'll spend our morning uncovering the enchanting streets of Tallinn on a guided walking tour. Less than 100 kilometres across the water from Helsinki and midway between St Petersburg and Stockholm, Tallinn has fallen under a multitude of cultural influences over the centuries. In 1561, it was seized by the Swedes and held until the Russians overtook it, industrialising much of the medieval town.

Starting in the picturesque Old Town, we'll discover the cobbled streets and colourful houses that show off influence from the German, Scandinavian and Russian periods of Tallinn's history. In the old merchants quarter we encounter the busy town square, which is always bustling with tourists and locals sipping coffee or beer at the many pavement cafes. We'll take a mid-morning coffee break at one of the city's oldest cafes. Operating since 1864, Cafe Maiasmokk's period interior has remained practically unchanged for over 100 years. You may find it hard to resist one of it's delicious freshly baked pastries! We'll tick off all the main highlights on our tour, from the Gothic town hall to the pink Parliament buildings and the Toompea Castle and yellow Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

After a busy morning we'll head for a well-earned rest and refuel, taking lunch at one of the city's restaurants known for its 'new Baltic' cuisine. Tallinn's food scene has been transformed in recent years by a new generation of chefs who blend traditional Estonian ingredients with modern techniques and international influences.

This afternoon is free for you to explore more at your own pace. If you're keen to see a different side to the city away from the Old Town the fashionable seafront Noblessner and Kalamaja districts are definitely worth a look. The former was once the major submarine shipyard of Imperial Russia but has now been turned into a seafront quarter that is also home to the Seaplane Harbour maritime museum. Once a medieval fishing village, Kalamaja is known for its colourful, well-preserved wooden houses and hosts a vibrant artistic community.

Today we depart from Tallinn and journey south. In rural Parnu County, we'll pay a visit to the Jaanihanso Cidery for a tour of the orchards and production centre followed by a cider tasting. Established in 2013, Jaanihanso follows traditional cider-making techniques and is a key player in Estonia's burgeoning craft beverage scene.

We then continue on to the Latvian capital Riga. Located along the Daugava River, Riga is the largest city of the Baltic States and is known for its rich history, diverse architecture, and cultural heritage. Riga's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its well-preserved medieval architecture. The city also boasts a high concentration of Art Nouveau buildings, designed by renowned architects like Mikhail Eisenstein.

We plan to arrive mid-afternoon with time to enjoy the comforts of our centrally located premium hotel or step out for an initial wander.

Today, we'll explore Riga's enchanting, cobbled streets. Though one-third of Lativa's population lives in the capital, the must-see sites are in a small area, so they're easy to reach on foot. We'll take a guided walking tour of the Old Town, sitting on the banks of the Daugava River, it's one of the most picturesque places in the Baltics and it's easy to see why it's graced many a travel guide front cover.

Our walk will take us via all the highlights, from the Freedom Monument to Gunpowder Tower and St. Jacob's Church to the cathedral. In this area, gothic buildings are juxtaposed with baroque architecture and there are art nouveau masterpieces at every turn. Riga also has a lively market, located in several disused Zeppelin hangers, with stalls upon stalls of local produce, including smoked fish, sauerkraut, pickled garlic, and crusty cheeses. It's a great spot to get a flavour of the local cuisine.

After our walking tour you'll have some free time to explore further or simply relax at one of the city's cafes or enjoy the luxurious surrounds of our 5 star hotel.

In the late afternoon we've included a special culinary experience - a great opportunity to learn more about the cuisine of the Baltics. The 3 Pavaru (3 chefs) Restaurant in Riga offers a distinctive dining experience that combines creativity, interactive elements, and high-quality ingredients. We'll enjoy a hands-on cookery lesson at the restaurant together with one of the chefs who will explain the entire cooking process and designate tasks. We'll then indulge in a delicious meal including the fruits of our labours.

Our destination today is Vilnius but we'll make a couple of interesting stops along the way.

At the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, a vast number of rosaries and crosses adorn a small hill. The exact origins of the site are unclear, but it is believed that it began as a place of mourning and remembrance for fallen rebels of the 1831 and 1863 uprisings against Russian rule. During the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the Hill became a symbol of peaceful resistance. In the past, both German and Soviet troops have tried to destroy the monument, but each time, thousands of crosses and images of the Virgin reappear. It has become a powerful symbol of national identity, faith, and resistance to oppression.

Pakruojis Manor is a 19th-century manor house set in magnificent gardens, now open to the public as a 'living museum' it gives us a glimpse of how the residents and staff would have lived and worked in the 19th-century. Following a tour of the manor, we'll enjoy a simple lunch of traditional local fare.

Arriving in Lithuania's vibrant capital in the late afternoon, Vilnius, we'll check in at our Premium accommodation in the heat of Vilnius' Old Town, a network of quaint, cobbled streets.

Today, we'll get acquainted with the capital on a walking tour. The city has Catholic and Jewish heritage, which is evident in its architecture. Our walk will take us via the old university which was founded by the Jesuits and was at the centre of the counter reformation. We'll also stop by the cathedral - Vilnius' crown jewel - and the Gate of the Dawn chapel, home of the Madonna of the Gates of Dawn. Leaving the Old Town behind, we'll wander on to the city's cosmopolitan heart and its main shopping street, which houses the opera house, parliament building, and plenty of bustling cafes.

Later this afternoon we'll head out of the city to one of the Baltics' best-known icons - Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. The 14th-century Gothic castle was built by the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Internal renovation works are currently ongoing inside the castle so we'll marvel at the stunning architecture and its unique setting from the outside before taking a boat cruise on Lake Galve with superb views.

We'll cross the border into Poland today to spend the next two nights relaxing at our spa hotel in the Masurian Lake District, a scenic destination of over 2,000 lakes connected by numerous canals and rivers which is a magnet for those looking to immerse in nature, and the great outdoors. The region is covered with lush forests that provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

Our Premium spa hotel is located on Bird Island (Wyspa Ptasia) with stunning views of Lake Mikolajskie.

We've left today free to enjoy the facilities at the hotel and enjoy the relaxed pace of life here. If you enjoy being active, there are a number of walking and cycle trails around the lake. If you enjoy wild swimming, there are several beaches from where you can swim in the lake including a marked 'safe swimming area' close by our hotel. Mikolajki itself has a marina and waterfront area which is lively in the summertime, with restaurants, bars, and shops.

Refreshed from our stay in the Lake District, a morning drive brings us to Warsaw. Poland's capital is a wonderfully dynamic and modern city, but reminders of its turbulent history are easy to uncover. After World War II around 85% of its buildings were left in ruins; however, the city has been impressively rebuilt and restored to its former glory with the Old Town 'Stare Miasto' as its centrepiece. Buskers, street artists and open-air cafes give the area a unique energy and atmosphere, making a visit that little bit more special.

After checking in to our hotel, we'll head out on an afternoon guided tour to explore the city's key sights. In the Old Town district with cobblestone streets, historic squares and Gothic churches, we'll take in Castle Square and the Royal Castle, the Old Town Market Square, St. John's Cathedral and the Royal Route, full of statues, churches and aristocratic residences. We'll also pay a visit to the Royal Lazienki Park with its famous monument to Frederick Chopin. We'll also visit several sites related to World War II: the former Jewish ghetto; the Warsaw Uprising Monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Our final journey of the trip sees us taking a fast, morning train to Krakow, Poland's capital until 1596 and still its most charming city. Dating from the 13th- century, Krakow is a picture-postcard city of narrow streets, grand buildings and al-fresco cafes just begging to be explored. It was the only major Polish city to escape the war unscathed and the Old Town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the streets are still very much as they were hundreds of years ago with historic buildings and elegant frontages.

Arriving late morning we'll drop off our luggage at our hotel before heading out to explore a fascinating part of Krakow - the UNESCO-listed Jewish Kazimierz District, the location of the Jewish Ghetto in World War II and the setting for the film Schindler's List. Whilst in this area you'll have the opportunity to visit the Old Synagogue, Schindler's Factory and the Museum of Jewish Life, which provide fascinating insights into the life of Krakow Jews and the war years.

This morning we'll uncover the city's delights with a guided walking tour with a local guide. We'll visit the fabulous Rynek Glowny, Europe's largest medieval square that is dominated by the wonderful St Mary's Basilica, a Gothic brick church built in the 14th-century. The square is still now very much at the heart of Krakow local life. Quirky town houses and historic buildings adorn the square with the most famous being the Sukiennice, a vast cloth hall where goods would have been sold in Medieval times, which is still in use now as a covered market. Inside you'll find vendors peddling a multitude of local wares from wooden toys to beautiful amber jewellery.

Continuing from the Square, we arrive at Wawel Hill and pay a visit to Wawel Cathedral. Almost 1000 years old, many past past kings and queens lie buried here. The Cathedral is just part of a large fortified architectural complex which includes the Wawel Royal Castle, for centuries the residence of the Polish kings and now an important museum and art gallery.

The rest of the day has been left free to either explore more of Krakow or venture further afield. If this is your first visit here, we do recommend extending your time in the city by a night or two and we are happy to assist in booking additional nights at our hotel.

A popular excursion from Krakow is to the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mines, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. At up to 300 metres underground the mines contain a 400 year old chapel, a subterranean salt lake and chambers large enough to take the Eiffel Tower! The Chapel of Saint Kinga is the mines most spectacular feature. Please note that there are 350 steps down into the mine at the beginning of the tour and then a further 450 on the route through the various corridors and 20 chambers visited. The temperature underground can be much cooler than on the surface, so be sure to take a jumper. If you do have additional nights in the city you may also choose to join an optional excursion to Oswiecim, the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp; an eerie and haunting place that drives home the terrible atrocities which took place here during World War II.

For both the above excursions tickets can be booked online in advance - see information on suggested tour providers in the Budgeting and packing section of your trip notes.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Krakow.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Krakow at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.

If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from John Paul II Krakow-Balice International Airport (KRK), which is around a 30 minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made post-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your departure day.