Just to the west of Russia the three former Soviet states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania offer an exciting, off-the-beaten track travel experience. Beginning the tour in Tallinn, with its Unesco-listed Old Town, gothic churches, medieval castles and palaces, we continue to Riga, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and vibrant nightlife scene. Then experience the romantic city of Vilnius, with its fine food, postcard-perfect historic centre and the beautiful Trakai Castle. Heading South, get under the skin of Poland as you explore Warsaw and Krakow, before ending the tour in Prague where you can witness one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe.
This group tour ranges in size from 4 to 17 people, with an overall average of 10 people.
This tour is modular and made up of two smaller sections. This means there will be people leaving and joining in Warsaw. You will have one tour leader from Tallinn to Warsaw and another down to Prague.
Europe is cobbled streets, winding staircases and lots of walking. You will need a decent fitness level to fully enjoy this trip.
This trip uses a range of public buses and trains. You will be responsible for carrying your luggage at all times, on and off transport and sometimes up stairs, or along cobbled streets. You MUST ensure you can comfortably carry it, and keep to one piece of luggage and one small bag.
Hotel rooms in Europe tend to be much smaller than in America, Canada or Australia. Double beds are sometimes two single beds pushed together.
We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
This area of Europe can still be very cold in the shoulder months. Ensure you bring appropriate clothing.
This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour.
Your joining location is:
Economy HotelÂ
Kopli 2
10412 Tallinn,
Estonia
There are safe deposit boxes for your use (you will get an itemised receipt). Please leave all of your important documents, money and travellers cheques here when you go out but remember to carry some form of ID and a photocopy of your passport with you.
It is not advisable to wear chains or expensive looking watches or jewellery while in major cities. You should also keep your camera concealed when not in use and carry daypacks on your front for extra safety.
When arriving at Tallinn Airport we recommend that you obtain local currency, the Euro, as soon as you arrive. There are international ATMs inside the airport, as well as money exchange offices offering a good rate. The rate will always vary slightly depending on where you go, it may be worth changing a small amount of money at the airport for your transport and then finding a bank or money exchange within the city centre.
To make your own way to and from your hotel, Tallinn Airport is located about four kilometres from the city centre and an estimated cost of a taxi ride to the city centre is approximately €10.
By bus: the airport’s bus stop is located in front of the terminal of arrivals. Bus No. 2 travels on the route Mõigu – Passenger Port. In the city centre the bus stops next to Viru Keskus at A. Laikmaa St. The bus fare is approximately €1.60 and tickets are sold by the bus driver. Tickets are also available from the R-Kiosk in the Passenger Terminal.
This tour uses a variety of hotels, guesthouses and apartments. You can find a breakdown of your accommodation in the “About this Tour” section.
Where possible Tucan Travel try and use local accommodation on the majority of tours. The accommodation is picked based on their location to the main sites.
The type of accommodation indicated in the trip notes is a guideline. If for any reason, we need to change the accommodation listed on the itinerary, a similar standard of accommodation will be used instead. You can find the list of hotels or similar used on your itinerary under each day.
Accommodation on this trip is mostly on a twin share basis unless you have upgraded to your own room. If you wish to book a double bed, please advice your Adventure Specialist upon booking.
If you are a solo traveller, a private room is available on most occasions at an extra cost. This must be booked in advance.
Although we endeavour to have hotel rooms ready in time for arrival, sometimes this is not possible especially if we arrive early in the morning. In this instance we will store our luggage and enjoy the destination before checking in later in the day.
This tour uses a mixture of public transport. The mode of transport is chosen based on schedule and timings, comfort, group size, location and reliability. Transport in Europe is some of the best in the world, with modern coaches and comfortable trains. Your buses between Tallinn and Warsaw will be equipped with WIFI and media facilities.
It is your responsibility to carry luggage on and off transport. Upon arrival to each city, we might be using trams, metros, subways or walking to the hotel.
The below information provides approximate travel times and modes of transport for your Europe tour. Please note that modes of transport may be subject to change depending on the group size and timings may vary depending on the season and border crossings on the day.
Public Transport in Europe
We will be making use of metros, buses and trams on this tour. When reaching the hotel or an included excursion, the ticket will be included in your tour cost however you will likely use these modes of transport in your own time too. Tickets are purchased from kiosks near/in the stations and you must validate your ticket in the yellow machines inside the transport. If you do not validate your ticket and an inspector comes on board you are likely to be fined.
Boat Trips and water based activities
This tour includes various locations where boat trips and other water based activities are either included in the tour or available to book as an optional excursion. It is your responsibility to wear life jackets and taking part in these activities is at your own risk.
You will be carrying your own luggage on tour. Please limit this to one piece per person plus one day bag.
It is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels.
Please consider which season you are travelling in and pack appropriately. All clothes should be lightweight, durable and easily washable. Please do not bring any military or camouflage-style clothing as it can be dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal. Nights can be cold, so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers or jeans plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer.
Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. There can either be comfortable trainers or walking shoes. You will find you walk a lot in Europe, sometimes on uneven and cobbled streets.
In general, Europe is not as conservative as other regions, and you do not have to worry about keeping your legs or shoulders covered on a day to day basis. However, when visiting religious sites, you will need to cover up. We recommend having long trousers or a sarong to cover up for this.
Clothing
Electronics
Toiletries
Other
Documents
Laundry
Depending on the time spent in each destination, your Tour Leader will be able to advise on laundromats or laundry services in or near our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms.
On a Tucan Travel tour you will experience a huge variety of amazing food in each location. Meals included are listed on the day to day itinerary and the “about your tour” section. On this trip, most breakfasts are included but lunch and dinner are at your own cost. Your tour leader will suggest restaurants in each location, and arrange evening group meals for those who wish to join. In the majority of European cities, there is a huge choice of both local and international restaurants.
If you have a specific dietary requirement it is important you advise us at the booking stage. We also recommend re-iterating this information to your tour leader on day 1. While we endeavour to assist as much as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to research and arrange meals that suit your dietary preferences.
Food in Europe differs between countries. In Eastern and Central Europe, the standard diet is mostly meat based. Vegetarians will have options but may find themselves more limited than back home. Vegans and those on a gluten free diet will find it more challenging and you might need to pick up your own supplies at a supermarket.
This tour uses a total of 3 different currencies. This includes the euro which is used in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. It is worth bearing in mind that many of the below countries will accept euro but they will give you change in their local currency.
Below are the other 2 currencies used on this tour:
The majority of our tours are divided into two separate payments. The tour price is paid directly to your travel consultant when you book and before you depart for your tour and the second amount is the Local Payment, which is paid locally when you join the tour.
The Local Payment ensures your Tour Leader has a supply of cash to run some of the tour if access to banking facilities is limited or nonexistent. This helps to save operational and administrative costs, which in turn helps to keep the cost of our tours competitive so we can pass the savings on to you. The Local Payment also helps us get cash directly into local businesses to provide communities with an immediate economic benefit.
The Local Payment is a portion of the total tour cost and must be paid directly to your Tour Leader in the currency as indicated on your tour vouchers. The Local Payment is not optional and failure to pay this money in cash may result in you being excluded from starting the tour. It must be paid in high denomination notes only (100s, 50s, 20s). The notes must be crisp with no tears or markings and should be no older than 2013.
The majority of shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments in Europe will accept credit and debit cards. American Express is not as widely accepted, so do not rely on this as your primary card.
We know how easy it is to lose track of your spending on holiday! That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly read your trip notes so that you understand what is and what isn’t included on each day. Lunches and dinners are at your own cost, which gives you the flexibility to spend as little or as much as you like. Remember to budget for things like laundry, tipping, souvenirs and optional activities. In general, Eastern Europe is much cheaper than Western Europe.
Take note of how long you will be spending in each country and don’t take out or exchange too much money. Unless you’re a big spender, you won’t need thousands just for two days in a country! We recommend checking your international withdrawal and exchange fees with your bank, as sometimes it is cheaper to withdraw money in your location rather than exchanging it beforehand.
Tipping is a big part of European culture, and while it is much more prominent in Western Europe it is still expected in most of the Eastern Europe countries. While it is not compulsory, if you have enjoyed the service it is appropriate and highly appreciated. You should add 10% to your bill in restaurants (make sure service isn’t already included), round up taxi fares and tip local excursion guides.
Free walking tours are found in almost every destination throughout Europe, especially in the larger cities where you will find a few companies offering the same tour. These are marketed as free walking tours and are designed to provide travellers with local, in depth knowledge of the city. However all free walking tours are tip based (they have to make money somehow, after all!) and so if you wish to join a free walking tour you need to budget in a tip at the end. Depending on how much you enjoyed the tour, anything from 5EUR to 20EUR is appropriate. Leaving a free walking tour that was considered a good tour without tipping is very disrespectful and will only give travellers a bad reputation.
Your budget should include additional meals, transport within cities, optional excursions, shopping and an emergency fund. With so much on offer your budget in Europe can vary a lot, but we suggest a bare minimum of 25EUR per day in Eastern Europe and the Balkans and a minimum of 35EUR per day in Central Europe, Slovenia and Croatia.
Travel can be unpredictable. While we endeavour to plan for every situation there are some instances where it is out of our control, such as severe weather, strikes, civil unrest or natural disasters. If these result in unavoidable itinerary changes, you should have access to enough funds for you to return home unexpectedly.
If you require urgent assistance prior to meeting your tour please call (+44) 788 7498 617.
Europe is generally very safe, even more so in a group. There are a few precautions which you should always take.
Unfortunately there are many common scams occurring regularly across Europe. While these are normally harmless to your personal safety, they can leave you losing money. The most common are people approaching you seemingly offering a gift, to then turn around and ask for money, children distracting you while someone goes through your bag, people pretending to be stranded/lost/mugged and asking you for money or people asking you to sign a fake charity petition, while someone else dips into your pocket. Pickpocket gangs often work in teams, so while one bumps into you and fumbles around apologising, another might be searching for a wallet. These scams are easily avoided by keeping your bag zipped at all times and on your front in crowds, and using your common sense when someone approaches you.
Traffic is Europe can be hectic. You should always look both ways before crossing the road, depending on the country they might drive on the other side of the road. Rules on jaywalking can vary between countries, so we suggest always using pedestrian and zebra crossings.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all Tucan Travel tours. Your tour leader will request your travel insurance details at the pre departure meeting which are immediately submitted to the office. Failure to produce these details will mean you cannot join the tour.
Our tours are perfectly designed for those aged between 18 and 65 years old. They are fast-paced and sometimes tiring, while packed with adventure, new experiences and feel-good moments. With customers from around the world, of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities, some groups can be more boisterous than others. As a result, we ask that anyone wanting to travel under the age of 18 or over 65 carefully consider whether a group tour is right for them. We may ask that you fill in our tour suitability form found here to guarantee your enjoyment of the trip. Please read through our Tour Suitability page or contact a member of our Reservations Team if in doubt. Please note that we do not accept children under the age of 16 on our group tours.
You can find out further information on our availability and departures of tours by clicking here.
Welcome to Tallinn! You are free to arrive at your leisure. We highly recommend booking pre tour accommodation or arriving on an early flight so that you can fully explore this beautiful city.
Famous for its enchanting historic centre, the city is a popular holiday destination on the Gulf of Finland. Roam the cobbled streets and explore scenic ruins or climb the hill of Toompea, which is filled with medieval buildings, 14th century churches, turrets, spires and enticing alleyways.
Estonia has a long and fascinating history, having been inhabited since at least 9000 B.C. It has been ruled by Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians, with the more distinctive Estonian identity coming to light in the late 19th century. During World War II, Estonia was ultimately incorporated into the Soviet Union after years of contest, which lead to years of communist rule. On August 20th, 1991, Estonia gained its independence.
Modern day Estonia is progressive and traditional all in one. In 2005, they became the first country to hold elections over the internet, and in 2014 the first country to make e-residency possible. The city of Tallinn has been listed as one of the most digitally advanced in the world, with the likes of Skype emerging from the small city. Nevertheless, the old quarter of Tallinn is one of the most charming and other wordly corners of Europe!
Kadriorg Palace & Park - 6.50 EUR • Tallinn City Museum - 4 EUR • Estonian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - 10 EUR • TV Tower – 13 EUR • St. Olav’s Church & Viewing Deck - 3 EUR • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Free • Walking Tour - Free • Ghost Tour - 15 EUR
1 night(s) in hotels at Economy Hotel or similar 
Saying goodbye to Tallinn we make our way to the next Baltic city, Riga. Riga is more than 800 years old and its clever blend of medieval centre and modern city infrastructure will enchant you. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town has its own particular charm, while the city is also famous for its fascinating Art Nouveau architectural heritage which you can discover as you wander the streets of this 'Paris of the East'.
Arriving just after lunchtime, we will take a short orientation of the city before you have free time to start enjoying the sights. Start by exploring the Old Town and its many hidden alleys, looking out for the historical buildings and quaint churches.
Come evening, find a local medieval style basement restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere as you dig into a hearty stew.
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - 4 EUR • St Peter’s Church Tower - 9 EUR • Museum of the Occupation of Latvia - Free • Walking Tour - Free • The Dome Cathedral - Free • Museum Art Nouveau - 9 EUR • Academy of Sciences Observation Deck - 5 EUR • Art Nouveau Tour - 20 EUR • Night Kayaking - 30 EUR
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Irina or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Spend today soaking up the sights in Riga. A must-do is a visit to Riga's most famous Gothic church, St Peter's, thought to be about 800 years old. Its famous spire has been rebuilt three times in the same form since 1667, with its latest rebuild completed in 1973. Climb the spire (or take the lift!) and enjoy spectacular views over the city.
You could also take a walking tour of the unique Art Nouveau district, enjoy a kayaking or boat tour along the river or check out the biggest market in the city - The Riga Central Market. Watch the world go by as you enjoy a beetroot soup, or maybe even a traditional black balsam!
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - 4 EUR • St Peter’s Church Tower - 9 EUR • Museum of the Occupation of Latvia - Free • Walking Tour - Free • The Dome Cathedral - Free • Museum Art Nouveau - 9 EUR • Academy of Sciences Observation Deck - 5 EUR • Art Nouveau Tour - 20 EUR • Night Kayaking - 30 EUR
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Irina or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
The adventure continues as we pack our bags and head for the next Baltic city! The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts an attractive baroque Old Town ,which is the largest in Eastern Europe and is praised as the 'New Prague'. Located on the edge of the Neris River, with its pine covered hills, friendly people, and blend of old and new, this is a picturesque city well worth exploring. You will have time to explore the main sights of the city including Gediminas Castle on the top of Gediminas Hill and Cathedral Square at the base of the hill, which is dominated by Vilnius Cathedral and its 57 metre-tall belfry.
While you're exploring the square between the cathedral and the tower you should hunt for the secret stebuklas (miracle) tile. The tile marks the southern end of the 2 million person, 650 kilometre long human chain between Tallinn and Vilnius, which was formed in protest against Soviet occupation in 1989. Local legend has it that if you find the pretty mosaic-covered tile you should stand on it and turn around three times clockwise while making a wish, which shall then be granted.
Grutas Park – 7.5 EUR • Walking Tour – Free • Cathedral Crypts Tour – 4.5 EUR
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Panorama or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Today we will visit the nearby attraction of Trakai Castle, a fairytale building with surrounding mote. The castle is steeped in history and we will explore it on a guided tour.
Constructed in the 14th century, Trakai held a strategic position and was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Vilnius.
Guided tour of Trakai Castle
Grutas Park – 7.5 EUR • Walking Tour – Free • Cathedral Crypts Tour – 4.5 EUR
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Panorama or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Taking a packed breakfast, will leave Vilnius early in the morning to make our way to Warsaw.
Warsaw is the heart of Poland, the business and intellectual centre and a city bursting with culture and history. After being left in 85% rubble from the war, the Old Town has risen from the ashes and showcases beautiful, coloured buildings and traditional restaurants. We will arrive in the afternoon where the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy.
1 night(s) in hotels at HIT Hotel or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Today you are free to enjoy Warsaw. You could learn about the fight against Nazi occupation at the interactive Warsaw Uprising Museum, a touching tribute to those who died while fighting for independence. There are various other museums to explore including the Marie Curie Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Museum of Modern Art of the National Museum in Warsaw. We recommend taking a walking tour of the Old Town, to learn about the history of Warsaw, events of the war and the rebuilding of the city. The Old Town was rebuilt between 1949 and 1963 in the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Old Town was even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. You can also visit the Historical Museum of Warsaw and Royal Castle at nearby Old Town Square.
Another highlight is the Science and Culture Observation Deck, where you can experience some of the best views of Warsaw. Be sure to sit down for some pierogis after all your exploring!
Warsaw Uprising Museum – 25 PLN • Palace of Culture and Science Observation Deck - 20 PLN • Museum of the History of Polish Jews - 25 PLN • Lazienki Park and Palace - 40 PLN • Royal Castle Tour - 30 PLN • Walking Tour - Free • Wilanow Palace - 20 PLN
1 night(s) in hotels at HIT Hotel or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
This morning we depart Warsaw and hop on a local train to Kraków. Poland's more famous and cultural city, Kraków has managed to preserve centuries of amazing architecture and artistic traditions as most of the historic buildings and monuments emerged unscathed from World War II.
Kraków was the royal capital for 500 years so a must-see is the royal Wawel Castle, a beautiful renaissance palace which now houses a museum. During the evening the cosmopolitan city offers a wild nightlife, with plenty of restaurants, music clubs and bars to explore.
We highly recommend taking a guided tour of the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine. The mine produced salt until 2007, making it one of the world's oldest operating salt mines. With underground churches, chandeliers and beautifully made statues (all from salt!) the mine is something special to experience and a highlight of any trip to Kraków.
Please Note: The salt mine requires pre-booking. Please advise your tour leader as soon as possible if you wish to take part in this.
Please Note: If you wish to visit Oskar Schindler's Factory, pre-booking tickets in advance is essential.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour – 175 PLN • Oskar Schindler's Factory – 25 PLN • Saint Mary’s Basilica – 10 PLN • Galicia Jewish Museum – 16 PLN • Wawel Royal Castle – 25 PLN • Walking Tour – Free
1 night(s) in hotels at Regent Hotel or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Kraków is our base to visit the UNESCO listed Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp, a sobering tribute to the people that perished there during the Holocaust. The camp was originally designed for Polish political prisoners but became the most notorious camp of World War II because an estimated 1.6 million people of 27 nationalities, including 1.1 million Jews, 150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma were killed by the Nazis.
You will be collected for your guided tour this morning and return to Kraków mid afternoon to enjoy the remainder of the day.
Guided Tour of Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Oskar Schindler's Factory – 25 PLN • Saint Mary’s Basilica – 10 PLN • Galicia Jewish Museum – 16 PLN • Wawel Royal Castle – 25 PLN • Walking Tour – Free
1 night(s) in hotels at Regent Hotel or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
This morning we will return to the station and hop on a train to the charming city of Wroclaw. Brimming with culture, the city was named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019 after successfully hosting the Theatre Olympics, European Film Awards and being named the World Book Capital back in 2016. Upon arrival you are free to start exploring what is considered one of the prettiest cities in Europe. The beautiful main square encompasses colourful buildings and bars and restaurants, as well as the popular Town Hall which has become one of the main landmarks in the city.
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Europejski or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
This morning we will continue the adventure to Prague. Also known as the City of a Thousand Spires, Prague is one of the most enchanting cities in Europe. Stroll the largest castle complex in Europe, admire the gothic church of St Vitus and watch as the unique Astronomical Clock strikes on the hour.
Spend the rest of your day exploring the beautiful city, not forgetting to try one of Prague's tastiest pastries known as 'Trdelnik', a sweet rolled dough in the shape of a cone that is filled with anything from ice-cream to warm chocolate sauce.
Prague is a town that loves to party so you may also want to experience the nightlife as there are many great bars and restaurants, as well as plenty of night clubs to enjoy. Czechs have been brewing beer since the 9th century and invented the world's first Pilsner, so Prague offers a great opportunity to sample some of the world's finest beers.
Kutna Hora Day Trip – 700 CZK • Brewery Tour – 1200 CZK • Beer Tasting – 590 CZK • Hradcany Castle – 350 CZK • Jewish Museum – 330 CZK • Town Hall Clock Tower – 250 CZK • River Cruise – 12 EUR • Mucha Museum – 300 CZK • City of Prague Museum – 120 CZK • Karlstejn Castle – 320 CZK • Astronomical Clock – Free
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel William or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
You have a full day to enjoy Prague. For something a little unique, take the train to Kutna Hora where you can experience the "Bone Church" otherwise known as Sedlec Ossuary. The small Roman Catholic chapel is believed to contain between 40,000 to 70,000 bones which have been arranged in various artistic ways to decorate the chapel. The centrepiece is the huge chandelier of bones that hangs in the middle.
Prague is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe, and because of this you can easily pass hours just wandering the narrow streets and checking out the local establishments. The Old Town is bursting with museums, restaurants and ancient architecture.
Kutna Hora Day Trip – 700 CZK • Brewery Tour – 1200 CZK • Beer Tasting – 590 CZK • Hradcany Castle – 350 CZK • Jewish Museum – 330 CZK • Town Hall Clock Tower – 250 CZK • River Cruise – 12 EUR • Mucha Museum – 300 CZK • City of Prague Museum – 120 CZK • Karlstejn Castle – 320 CZK • Astronomical Clock – Free
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel William or similar
1 Breakfast(s)
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
1 Breakfast(s)
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| Min - Max (Persons) | Adult Price |
|---|---|
| 3 - 30 | $9.00 |
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