Helsinki to Warsaw New Year - From £1,105

HeiHelsinki! Your festive adventure begins today in Finland’s charming capital city. Look forward to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in this scenic coastal city. Start your adventure with an orientation tour before checking into the hotel for the next two nights. Then, join an expert local guide for a tour of Helsinki’s top attractions such as the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and the Helsinki Cathedral. Soak up the city’s laidback atmosphere, quirky design culture and crisp winter air! Enjoy some free time to explore on your own before tonight’s included New Year’s Eve dinner. The rest of the evening is yours to celebrate the end of the year with your fellow travellers!

Hyvää uutta vuotta!Happy New Year! This New Year’s Day, immerse yourself in Helsinki with a free day to experience this creative, cultural and culinary hub. Spend this day however you wish. Find a cosy café - Finland consumes more coffee than any other country in the world, meaning they make a good brew! Explore the last of the Christmas markets with their festive decorations or warm up in a Sauna where this rejuvenating pastime was invented. Alternatively, venture a little further out of the city and join today’s optional excursion to Suomenlinna island. However you choose to spend the first day of the New Year, you’re bound to remember it for years to come.

This morning, journey to a new country - Estonia! Hop aboard a ferry and cross the Gulf of Finland. Enjoy a comfortable ride as the ferry makes its way to Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital and a true winter wonderland. Arrive in the city and check into the hotel. Then, indulge in a delicious lunch at a medieval restaurant in the heart of the old town before setting off on a locally guided walking tour. Learn more about this fascinating medieval city and be captivated by its stunning architecture. Marvel at the Tall Hermann Tower, St. Olav’s Church and various viewpoints. Tonight is free to explore the city more on your own.

After breakfast, wave goodbye to Tallinn as the coach makes its way towards Riga, capital of Latvia. Make one more stop in Estonia on the way and visit Pärnu, a coastal resort town. Upon arrival in Riga, learn about Latvia’s role in WWI with a visit to the Latvian Military Cemetery. Afterwards, check into the hotel for the evening. Then, set off on an orientation walking tour and discover some of the city’s most famous attractions such as the Riga Dome Cathedral and the exquisite House of the Blackheads. Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you’ll understand why when you encounter its spellbinding Art Nouveau architecture!

Next up on this tour of the Baltic states is beautiful Lithuania! Leave Latvia behind this morning and cross the border into this fascinating country. First stop is the intriguing Hill of Crosses in Northern Lithuania. Then, it's on to Vilnius, Lithuania’s vibrant capital city. Arrive and look forward to an orientation tour. Discover the UNESCO-protected Old Town which is renowned as one of Europe’s largest. Admire the exceptional Baroque architecture and tick off top sights including the impressive Cathedral and St. Anne’s Church before arriving in Užupis, an independent artists republic which you can explore during free time. Tonight, taste traditional Lithuanian cuisine with an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Before leaving Lithuania and the Baltics behind, visit the fairytale Trakai Castle in the quaint town of the same name. This island castle is a sight to behold, especially in winter when Lake Galvė is likely to freeze. After snapping some memorable pictures, hop back on the coach and head towards Poland. Relax aboard the coach as you watch the wintery scenery from your window. Later, arrive in Gdansk, a picturesque port city. After some time to freshen up at the hotel, join your tour leader on an orientation tour of the city’s top sights. Take in its unique and colourful architecture! Tonight, sit down for an included buffet dinner.

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!

More Polish highlights await on today’s journey to the capital, Warsaw. After saying goodbye to Gdansk, get ready to explore the world’s largest castle! Embark on a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Malbork Castle, a magnificent 13th-century fortress. Next stop is the town of Toruń, another UNESCO site. This medieval city was the birthplace of famed astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and is home to the charmingly festive Museum of Gingerbread. Here, enjoy a memorable gingerbread presentation! Finally, travel to Warsaw and settle into the hotel for the next two nights. The evening is free to spend as you wish.

Delve deeper into Warsaw this morning and join a locally-guided walking and driving tour. Learn all about Warsaw’s turbulent history and marvel at the city’s historic highlights and modern marvels. Admire the Royal Castle and explore the Old Town (which was restored post WWII). The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. Visit a museum such as the Warsaw Rising Museum, the National Museum or the Museum of Fryderyk Chopin. To experience Warsaw’s architecture, cuisine and history, join the Warsaw Cultural Highlights optional excursion! Make the last evening on tour memorable with the Chopin & Polish Flavours excursion.

With 10 days of unforgettable adventures all the way from Finland to Poland completed, this Helsinki to Warsaw group tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Bid farewell to your new travel buddies, swap pictures and be sure to stay in touch. Expat Explore wishes you a year full of adventures and hopes to see you on tour with us again soon!