Helsinki To Warsaw New Year

Welcome to Finland, one of the best places to be on New Year's Eve! Arrive in Helsinki and embark on an orientation tour of this vibrant coastal city renowned for picturesque islands and far-stretching forests. Then, join the rest of the group as you settle into this evening's harbourside hotel before meeting up with an expert local tour guide this afternoon to discover the city's must-see sights. Get ready to see Esplanadi, Havis Amanda, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral and more! Next, enjoy some free time to explore on your own before tonight's included dinner. Have a Happy New Year's Eve in Helsinki celebrating with your fellow travellers!

Guided tour of Helsinki: Enjoy an insightful driving and walking tour of Helsinki with a local guide this evening and see the city’s top sights and attractions. See the Havis Amanda, the famous art nouveau fountain which is said to symbolise the birth of the city of Helsinki, visit Senate Square, see Helsinki Cathedral which is Finland's most photographed building, and marvel at Uspenski Cathedral which is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Finish off the guided tour with a walk through Kauppatori Market where you can shop for souvenirs, keepsakes and well-priced Finnish crafts!

New Year’s Eve dinner: This evening, celebrate New Year’s Eve with a delicious traditional dinner at a popular local restaurant in Helsinki.

Helsinki wishes you a "hyvää uutta vuotta"! Celebrate New Year's Day in the capital of Finland, known as a hub of creation, culture, cuisine and architecture. Don’t forget about the cuisine; there are many seasonal treats to indulge in! As you venture beyond the city centre, you'll find the city enveloped by exquisite natural sites, including the Suomenlinna walking trails and museum. Otherwise, make the most of New Year's in Helsinki soaking up the last of the festive decorations and markets.

Today, this group tour of the Baltic States boards a ferry to cross the Gulf of Finland! Once aboard the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, settle in, spend some time with the group and enjoy the sights as you cruise to the capital of Estonia. Arrive in Tallinn and check into the hotel before sitting down for a delicious included lunch. Afterwards, meet up with an expert local guide and embark on an exciting and informative guided walking tour through Tallinn. Marvel at the beautiful blend of rich history and cultural advancements. Tick the must-see attractions off your bucket list, including Tall Hermann Tower and St Olav's Church. This evening is free to immerse yourself in Tallinn to the fullest!

Helsinki to Tallinn ferry crossing: Hop aboard and enjoy a cruise across the Gulf of Finland, from Finland to Estonia. Be sure to take in the scenic views as the ferry makes its way to Tallinn.

Lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town Square.

Guided tour of Tallinn: Join a local guide for a tour of Tallinn, Estonia’s lively capital! Filled with mediaeval churches, cobbled walkways and a vibrant, contemporary culture, Tallinn is a photographer's dream. Highlights include St Olav's church, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tall Hermann Tower, Town Hall Square and more.

This morning, depart Tallinn as the coach journeys towards the Latvian capital, Riga. En route, enjoy a sightseeing and souvenir shopping stop in the resort town of Pärnu, Estonia. Arrive in Riga this afternoon and visit the Latvian Military Cemetery to uncover Latvia's WWI history. Then, head to the hotel for check-in. Freshen up before embarking on an orientation walking tour of the city, including must-see sights like the Riga Dom Cathedral, the Powder Tower, the Three Brothers, the Old City Wall and the Freedom Monument.

Visit Pärnu: Enjoy a stop in the resort city of Pärnu in southwestern Estonia. Pärnu is a seaside city overlooking Pärnu Bay and is renowned for its street art, colourful houses and scenic beach.

Visit the Latvian Military Cemetery: Also called the Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren, the Latvian Military Cemetery is a national monument that commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who gave their lives for their country during 1915-1920, fighting in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.

Orientation tour of Riga: Embark on an orientation walking tour of Riga, Latvia’s exciting capital city. See the impressive architecture and learn more about Latvia’s history and culture. Riga boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere combined with Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture. The city is home to popular landmarks like the Riga Dom Cathedral, the Houses of the Black Heads, Parliament House, the Three Brothers, the Old City Wall and the Freedom Monument.

Visit your third country in three days today! Lithuania is the last but undoubtedly not the least exciting of the Baltic countries. After crossing the border from Latvia into Lithuania this morning, visit the mystifying Hill of Crosses. Upon arrival in Vilnius, Lithuania's vivacious capital city, embark on an orientation tour of the city. Spot the UNESCO-listed Old Town (one of Europe’s largest) with its Baroque architecture and more than 700 years of history. Next, explore Užupis during some free time. This self-proclaimed artist's republic is home to beautiful cobblestoned streets lined with quirky street art. This evening, enjoy a traditional Lithuanian dinner with the group.

Visit the Hill of Crosses: Experience a visit to the Kryziu Kalnas Hill of Crosses in Lithuania which has been one of the world’s most singular expressions of human faith and sacrifice for over 100 years. Pilgrims have been flocking to the sight for centuries and today there are 200,000+ crosses, carvings and shrines. The tradition of leaving crosses on the hill began only in 1831 by relatives of rebels who died fighting the Russian tsar of the time.

Orientation tour of Vilnius: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Vilnius. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers centuries of history to explore, and has a long and storied past. Learn about the history and see more of this city’s Baroque-style architecture and medieval buildings and monuments. Highlights include the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Vilnius Town Hall and the Adam Mickiewicz statue. You can also cross the river into the Užupio Respublika, a self-proclaimed republic within Vilnius which has its own constitution and an army of 11 men.

Say goodbye to the Baltics this morning. Today, the tour journeys to the last country on this magical New Year's tour. Journey to the quaint town of Trakai before leaving Lithuania. This magical town is home to a majestic island castle that's sure to be an unmissable sight in winter! Then, as the coach crosses the border to Poland, kick back and soak up the stunning winter scenery en route. After arriving in the port city of Gdansk this evening, freshen up at the hotel and embark on an orientation tour of Gdansk's marvels and distinct architectural styles. Tonight, enjoy an included buffet dinner with the group.

Discover Trakai Castle: Discover the magical Trakai Island Castle located in the Trakai National Park. This Gothic castle was built on an island in Lake Galve and the beautiful scenery and lapping waters of the lake make it a truly scenic destination! Enjoy some time to explore the castle or get some lunch in the town of Trakai.

Orientation tour of Gdansk: See the highlights of Gdansk on an orientation tour with your tour leader. The harbour city boasts unique historic Dutch-style architecture, a beautiful “Royal Way” in the main town, great museums and scenic cobbled streets winding alongside the River Motława.

Gdansk has a myriad of highlights, and today, you get to explore them on a full free day! Start with a walking tour with an expert local guide, discovering how this stunning city was reconstructed after WWII. Delve into Gdansk's rich history and tick the must-see sights off your bucket list, including the Old Town and Long Market Square. Explore as you wish for the rest of the day. You could wander along the banks of the Motława river, inspect Gdansk Town Hall's elaborate interiors or soak up panoramic views from the Amber Sky ferris wheel. Whichever way you choose to spend the day, it's bound to be magical!

Walking tour of Gdansk: Find out more about this unique port city on a walking tour. Join a local guide who will point out the top attractions and provide some historic insight into Gdansk’s past as well as its present. Gdansk underwent major reconstruction after most of the city was destroyed during WWII.

Today, bid Gdansk farewell and journey to Warsaw, where the coach will touch down this evening. Along the way, make a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Malbork Castle, the largest castle in the world! Enjoy a guided tour of this majestic 13th-century castle and fortress. Next up is another UNESCO-listed destination - the medieval town of Toruń! This town is best known for being the birthplace of renowned astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus as well as the charming Museum of Gingerbread. The interactive gingerbread presentation should make for magical memories! Travel to Warsaw next. Arrive and check into the hotel before enjoying an included group dinner.

Malbork Castle visit: Explore the world’s largest castle. The mighty fortress was completed in the early 1400s and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. 

Toruń Gingerbread Experience: Attend a fun gingerbread-making workshop in Toruń - a town famous for its Museum of Gingerbread!

This morning, delve into the mysterious and historically rich capital of Poland on a walking and driving tour led by an expert local guide. Uncover some of Warsaw's more sordid historic periods while marvelling at top attractions like the Royal Castle, the restored Old Town and the Palace of Culture. Choose your own experiences for the rest of the day! The city is filled with outstanding museums, such as the Warsaw Rising Museum, the National Museum and the Museum of Fryderyk Chopin. Spend the last evening in Warsaw, and on tour, as you wish! What about one last group dinner?

Guided tour of Warsaw: Join a seasoned local guide for a city tour of Warsaw. Gain insight into the fascinating and turbulent history as you walk the streets. Admire Gothic churches, Neoclassical Palaces, modern skyscrapers and stark Soviet-era buildings. Highlights include the Royal Castle, the Palace of Culture and Science and the reconstructed Old Town which was rebuilt after the war based on 18th-century paintings by Italian artist Canaletto.

Today, this New Year's tour from Helsinki to Warsaw comes to an end. After the last group breakfast, get ready to depart to your next destination, whether it's home or your next adventure. Expat Explore hopes you have had an incredible New Year's tour with us and look forward to seeing you back on a group coach soon!