Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia

Your discovery of three countries on the Baltic Sea begins as you land in Helsinki and transfer independently to our four-star hotel.

The Finnish capital lies across an archipelago and is surrounded by more than 300 islands and out accommodation is near to Helsinki's main shopping streets, as well as a number of art galleries and museums. Built for the cancelled 1940 Olympic Games, the Tennis Palace a short distance from our hotel now hosts the Helsinki Art Museum, where visitors can find an extensive collection of Finnish artworks.

This evening, we gather in the hotel restaurant for our first dinner together.

• Dinner

Helsinki is a wonderful blend of old and new and we set out to discover the sights after breakfast this morning.

Among the attractions we view is Senate Square - the oldest part of the city. Surrounded by noble neoclassical buildings, it is dominated by the green-domed cathedral. Finland eventually hosted the Olympic Games in 1952, and we view the stadium that hosted them before exploring the city's contemporary architecture. From Helsinki University Library and the modernist national opera house to the abstract steel pipe monument honoring composer Jean Sibelius, we uncover inventive and stylish design. One of the most astounding sights is the 1960s Temppeliaukio church - hewn out of solid rock with a copper dome.

After our city tour, we join a guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline of Helsinki. On our journey, we view the famous Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, the impressive fleet of icebreakers and Korkeasaari island, home to the city's zoo. Later, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore further and dine independently this evening.

• Breakfast

We say hello to the Baltic countries after breakfast today as 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. Although a picture-perfect huddle of cobblestone streets and medieval buildings in its historic center, Tallinn is a thriving hub for digital companies and technological innovation. However, 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 by coach. One of the city's most iconic sights is the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with flowing arches topped by five onion domes. Located in the Toompea district - on one of the country's few hills - we find more historic buildings here, including the Danish-German castle which now houses Estonia's parliament and the 13th-century St Mary's Cathedral, known as the Dome Church, which we enter.

In the Hanseatic-era lower city, we view northern Europe's oldest surviving town hall. The surrounding square is lined with cafés, restaurants and a historic pharmacy where it is claimed marzipan was invented. Before our tour concludes, we visit the mercantile House of the Blackheads - Tallinn's only preserved Renaissance building. We also gain an insight into life behind the Iron Curtain during a guided tour of the KGB Museum.

Tonight, you dine independently, and Tallinn has many appealing restaurants. From elk stews and wild boar to barley sausages with mulgipuder, Estonian cuisine caters for many tastes.

• Breakfast

This morning, we head out to visit the Seaplane Harbor and Estonian Maritime museum. This innovative maritime complex is housed in a historic seaplane hangar and showcases Estonia's naval history through maritime artifacts, ship models, and real vessels. Here, we wander through its highlights which include a Russian submarine, a seaplane and various interactive displays.

The afternoon is free for you to explore more of Tallinn at your own pace. You could enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes overlooking the town square and stroll along the city walls for panoramic views. With the opportunity to dine independently, you might like to experience the unique Olde Hansa restaurant. Diners here can enjoy hearty medieval fare and performances - it is worth going in just for a look at the museum exhibits.

• Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to Tallinn's railway station for a scenic train journey through Estonia. Traveling to Valga, we discover a country with around half of its land covered with forests, occasionally dotted with quaint towns.

In the border town of Valga, we switch trains and enter our third and final country, Latvia. Arriving in the beautiful 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

Home to around a third of Latvia's population, Riga has embraced its importance during its 900-year history. After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a three-hour coach tour of the Old Town's beautiful sights.

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 chocolate-box delights await at every winding turn - such as the painted houses of Jauniela or the iconic medieval buildings known as the Three Brothers. Our tour concludes with entry to Riga's 13th-century cathedral.

With a free afternoon, you could uncover why Riga is considered to have more Art Nouveau buildings than 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 Helsinki's stylish architecture to the spellbinding medieval streets of Tallinn and Riga, our explorations have revealed the history and charm of these three capital cities.

After breakfast this morning, your tour of Finland, Estonia and Latvia concludes, and you can transfer independently to Riga airport to begin your journey home.

• Breakfast