Jewels of the North:
A Journey Through Baltic Heritage,
Art & Coastal Beauty
10-14 Days | From $7,000 per person
This 14-day private heritage journey uncovers the rich, multicultural, and often overlooked history of the Baltic States. Stretching from the historic “Jerusalem of the North” in Lithuania through the architectural wonders of Latvia to the medieval Hanseatic port of Estonia, this route pairs expert-led local historical tours with regional culinary experiences, nature, and luxury boutique accommodations.
Vilnius (4-5 nights)
Your journey begins in Lithuania’s capital, once celebrated worldwide as the “Jerusalem of the North.” Explore the winding alleys of the historical Jewish quarter, tour the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum, and visit the Samuel Bak Museum dedicated to the renowned Litvak artist. Delve into the rich intellectual history of the city that was once the world capital of Yiddish culture and scholarship.
Pay a moving visit to the Ponary (Paneriai) Memorial, located just outside the city, to honor the victims of the Ponary massacre and learn about the region’s Holocaust history. Spend an afternoon exploring the bohemian Republic of Užupis and take to the skies above the region with an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over the surrounding medieval valleys. Enjoy an evening sampling traditional potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai) and cold beet soup (šaltibarščiai) in the atmospheric Old Town.
Riga (3-4 nights)
Travel northward to Latvia’s vibrant capital, famous for its magnificent Art Nouveau architecture and deep multicultural roots. Walk through the historic Maskavas Forstadt, the center of Jewish community life in the 19th century, and visit the Peitav Shul (the only synagogue to survive the Nazi occupation). Tour the incredibly preserved Riga Ghetto Museum and the Zanis Lipke Memorial, which honors those who hid Jews during the Holocaust.
Explore the bustling stalls of the Riga Central Market to taste local smoked fish and rye bread, and take a short day trip to the resort town of Jurmala to enjoy the fresh Baltic sea breeze and white sand dunes.
Tallinn (2-4 nights)
Conclude your cultural journey in Estonia’s beautiful seaside capital. Wander through the cobblestone streets of the 13th-century Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the ultra-modern Tallinn Synagogue (Beit Bella) along with the adjacent Estonian Jewish Museum. Reflect on the past with an excursion to the Klooga Concentration Camp memorial, set amidst the tranquil forests of the countryside.
Marvel at the thundering Keila Waterfall and the sweeping views from the Rannamoisa Cliff, and enjoy an authentic meal of local Baltic herring, dark rye bread, and artisanal dairy products.