Tour overview

This 12-day upgraded small-group journey links the three Baltic capitals with Poland, from Tallinn on the Baltic Sea to Kraków in the south. Groups have 10 to 16 travellers aged 16 and over, led by a tour leader with local guides in the cities. You travel by private bus, with a fast intercity train to Kraków, and stay in premium, central hotels, including a five-star hotel in Riga and a lakeside spa hotel in the Masurian Lakes. Breakfast is included daily, with 2 lunches and a dinner, and a transfer from Tallinn airport is included. International flights are not; the trip starts in Tallinn and ends in Kraków.

Tallinn's medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the first stop, with a guided walk and lunch. Heading south through rural Estonia, you tour the orchards of a traditional cidery for a tasting before arriving in Riga, where a guided walk reveals the Old Town and its Art Nouveau architecture, followed by a cooking masterclass with a Latvian chef and dinner. On the way to Lithuania, you stop at the Hill of Crosses, covered in hundreds of thousands of crosses and rosaries, and at Pakruojis Manor, a living museum. In Vilnius, a walking tour explores the Baroque Old Town and its Catholic and Jewish heritage, and a boat trip takes you to the island castle of Trakai.

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Crossing into Poland, you spend two relaxed nights at a spa hotel on the Masurian Lakes, a district of more than 2,000 lakes, with time to swim, walk, cycle or enjoy the pool. Warsaw, rebuilt after the Second World War destroyed most of its buildings, gets an afternoon tour of the reconstructed Old Town and main sights. A fast train then takes you to Kraków, Poland's royal capital until 1596, for two nights. You discover Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, and take a guided walk around Main Market Square and St Mary's Basilica.

The physical rating is low, with several hours of walking on cobbled streets in the cities and a few longer drives broken up by stops. This trip suits travellers who want a comfortable, well-paced journey through four countries that are often overlooked, with premium hotels and a restful break in the lakes.

Trip highlights

  • Tallinn's medieval Old Town (Day 2)
  • A cider tasting in rural Estonia and a cooking class in Riga (Days 3–4)
  • The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania (Day 5)
  • Vilnius and the island castle of Trakai (Day 6)
  • Two nights at a spa hotel on the Masurian Lakes (Days 7–8)
  • Warsaw's rebuilt Old Town and Kraków's Kazimierz (Days 9–11)

Your route

8 stops from Tallinn to Krakow

12-day route: Tallinn – Riga – Hill of Crosses – Vilnius – Mikołajki – Warsaw – Kraków
  1. Tallinn Days 1–2
  2. Riga Days 3–4
  3. Hill of Crosses Day 5
  4. Vilnius Days 5–6
  5. Trakai Castle Day 6
  6. Mikołajki Days 7–8
  7. Warsaw Day 9
  8. Krakow Days 10–12

Why choose this tour

Four capitals and Kraków in 12 days, with premium hotels and a restful lake break in the middle. Food and drink experiences, from a cidery to a cooking class, are included along the way.

Best suited to

  • Travellers looking for comfortable hotels and a small group
  • First-time visitors to the Baltic States
  • Anyone interested in medieval towns and 20th-century history
  • Food lovers keen on local cooking and drinks
Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads in Riga, Latvia

Day-by-day itinerary

12 days from Tallinn, Estonia to Kraków, Poland

  1. Day 1 · Tallinn Arrive in Tallinn

    Arrive in Tallinn, Estonia's capital, where a transfer from the airport to the hotel is included. The medieval Old Town, perched above the sea, is just a short walk away.

    Hotel
    Mövenpick Hotel or similar
  2. Day 2 · Tallinn Old Town, Toompea Tallinn Old Town

    Take a guided walking tour of Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town, a place shaped by Danish, Swedish, German and Russian rule, with lunch included. The afternoon is free to explore its towers, churches and cafés.

    Hotel
    Mövenpick Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Pärnu County, Riga Cidery visit to Riga

    Drive south through rural Estonia to a cidery that follows traditional methods, for a tour of its orchards and a tasting. Continue across the border to Riga, Latvia's capital.

    Hotel
    Grand Poet Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Riga Old Town Riga and a cooking class

    A guided walking tour shows you Riga's cobbled Old Town and grand Art Nouveau buildings. In the evening, join a Latvian chef for a masterclass in modern Baltic cuisine and enjoy the meal together.

    Hotel
    Grand Poet Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Hill of Crosses, Pakruojis Manor, Vilnius Hill of Crosses to Vilnius

    Stop at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, covered with countless crosses and rosaries left by pilgrims, and at Pakruojis Manor, a living museum, with lunch included along the way. Continue to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital.

    Hotel
    Imperial Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Vilnius Old Town, Trakai Castle Vilnius and Trakai Castle

    A walking tour of Vilnius reveals its Baroque Old Town, the old university founded by the Jesuits and the city's Catholic and Jewish heritage. In the afternoon, visit Trakai, with a boat trip to its red-brick castle on an island in the lake.

    Hotel
    Imperial Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Mikołajki, Masurian Lakes To the Masurian Lakes

    Cross into Poland and drive to the Masurian Lake District, with more than 2,000 lakes linked by rivers and canals. Settle into your spa hotel for two nights.

    Hotel
    Hotel Mikołajki or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Mikołajki Free day in Masuria

    A free day to enjoy the hotel's pool and spa, walk or cycle the lakeside trails, swim from one of the beaches or stroll through the small town of Mikołajki.

    Hotel
    Hotel Mikołajki or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Warsaw Old Town Warsaw

    Drive to Warsaw, a lively modern capital. Around 85% of its buildings were destroyed in the Second World War, and an afternoon tour shows you the carefully rebuilt Old Town and main sights.

    Hotel
    Puro Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Kraków, Kazimierz Fast train to Kraków and Kazimierz

    Take a fast morning train to Kraków, Poland's capital until 1596. Discover Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, with its synagogues, cafés and galleries.

    Hotel
    Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Main Market Square, St Mary's Basilica Kraków Old Town

    A local guide leads a walking tour of the Old Town, including Main Market Square, the largest medieval square in Europe, and St Mary's Basilica. The afternoon is free.

    Hotel
    Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Kraków Trip ends in Kraków

    The trip ends after breakfast, and you are free to leave at any time. Luggage storage is available at the hotel. Extra nights can be arranged to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz-Birkenau.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania

Where you stay

  • Tallinn (2 nights) Mövenpick Hotel or similar
  • Riga (2 nights) Grand Poet Hotel or similar
  • Vilnius (2 nights) Imperial Hotel or similar
  • Mikołajki (2 nights) Hotel Mikołajki or similar
  • Warsaw (1 night) Puro Hotel or similar
  • Kraków (2 nights) Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 nights in premium hotels, including a lakeside spa hotel
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Transport private bus throughout, a fast train from Warsaw to Kraków and an arrival transfer in Tallinn
  • Guided visits Tallinn, Riga, the Hill of Crosses, Pakruojis Manor, Vilnius, Trakai Castle with a boat trip, Warsaw, Kazimierz and Kraków
  • A cider tasting in Estonia and a cooking class in Riga
  • Tour leader throughout, with local guides

Not included

  • International flights to Tallinn and from Kraków
  • Departure transfer in Kraków
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional excursions, such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Trakai Island Castle reflected in the lake, Lithuania

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You want most meals included — 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • You dislike longer drives — some days cover a lot of ground
  • You want to see Auschwitz — it is an optional extra day in Kraków

Good to know

The red roofs of Vilnius Old Town, Lithuania

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,345 per person, twin share, tour only. 5 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is the airport transfer included?

Yes. A transfer from Tallinn airport to the start hotel is included on any arrival day, provided flight details are sent at least 10 days before departure.

What are the hotels like?

Premium and central throughout, including a five-star hotel in Riga, a spa hotel with lake views in the Masurian Lakes and a hotel in the heart of Kraków's Old Town.

Are there long travel days?

There is a lot of ground between Tallinn and Kraków, so some drives are long, broken up by stops such as the cidery and the Hill of Crosses. The two nights in the lakes give you a rest mid-trip.

Should I bring swimwear?

Yes. The hotel in the Masurian Lakes has a pool and spa, and there are swimming beaches on the lake nearby.

What currencies are used?

The euro in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the Polish złoty in Poland. Cards are widely accepted and cash machines are easy to find.

Can I visit Auschwitz or the salt mine?

They are not included, but both are easy day trips from Kraków if you add an extra night, and tickets can be booked in advance.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £3,345
See dates & prices