Scandinavia & Best of Baltics | Winter | 2025/2026
Scandinavia & Best of Baltics | Winter | 2025/2026
Scandinavia & Best of Baltics | Winter | 2025/2026
17 Days Starting in Copenhagen, Denmark and ending in Vilnius, Lithuania
Visiting: Copenhagen, Oslo, Torgås, Stockholm, Tallinn, Tartu, Riga, Kaunas, Vilnius
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WSBBA20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable winter journey through Scandinavia and the Baltics with the "Scandinavia & Best of Baltics" tour for 2025/2026. This cultural adventure takes you through six captivating countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Begin in Copenhagen, exploring its Renaissance architecture and vibrant culture, before heading to Oslo to enjoy its sculpture culture and delicious Krumkaker pastries. Discover Stockholm's medieval charm and Tallinn's gothic towers. Experience a unique brew-house tour in Valmiermuiza, explore the medieval Cesis Castle, and enjoy Riga's art nouveau architecture. Visit the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania and end your journey in Vilnius, with its stunning baroque architecture. Travel comfortably with a mix of flights, coach transfers, and local transportation, staying in a variety of accommodations. Enjoy 16 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and 1 lunch, along with city tours and special activities, making this a truly enriching experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Copenhagen
Location: Copenhagen
Accommodation Name: Scandic Sydhaven (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Good afternoon globe-roamers and welcome to your first stop of memory-making magic. After a bit of a mingle with the new squad we'll be getting into the spirit of our imminent adventures in Copenhagen. We've got all day tomorrow to suss out the city, so after an orientation tour, tonight can stay reserved for Contiki hangs if you're feeling social.
Day 2: Copenhagen
Location: Copenhagen
Accommodation Name: Scandic Sydhaven (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Constantly named amongst the most liveable cities in the world, Copenhagen is an artwork of locals on bicycles, Danish pastries in cute café windows, & Renaissance architecture. Being a bustling university town and home to the hippie hood of Freetown Christiania, nightlife and unique culture can be found at every turn.
Day 3: Copenhagen To Oslo
Location: Oslo
Accommodation Name: Scandic Helsfyr (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Before you go bursting out of your travel clothes thanks to your new-found pastry dependency, we're bailing on Denmark. Next stop: Norway! To the call of castles, fresh seafood, & pretty parks, we respond! Today we're taking on Norway.
Day 4: Oslo
Location: Oslo
Accommodation Name: Scandic Helsfyr (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Oslo, both the capital and biggest city of Norway, is a riverside metropolis back-dropped by mountains of greenery and filled with easy-going culture. We'll hit up the streets on a bike before we can say "jeg elsker Norge!" (that's "I love Norway," folks). Pottering around museums and pretty buildings will keep us busy by day. While taking a stroll through the city should keep you busy by night.
Day 5: Oslo To Elverum
Location: Oslo
Accommodation Name: Thon Hotel Elgstua (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Oslo, it’s been amazing. But there's one more thing to tick off before we leave. You can choose to sail the Oslo Fjord, taking in the breathtaking views along the way. Then, we'll head to traditional city of Elverum. Hey hey, Lillehammer! Upon arrival we can check out the ski jump, take a stroll through the city and then find a spot for dinner. With plenty of churches and lakes, things are bound to feel authentically Scandinavian here in Elverum, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Day 6: Elverum To Torgås
Location: Torgås
Accommodation Name: Torgåsgården (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rise and shine! More adventures await us today. We're crossing the border from Norway to Sweden, so keep an eye out for the famous Vasaloppet start line. Once we reach Torgås, you can join a hike during the day (with snowshoes if there’s snow). We’ll also be joined by some huskies… so be prepared for a cuteness overload. For dinner tonight, we’ll tuck into a traditional Norwegian speciality – reindeer stew served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry. It’s enough to warm the cockles of your heart.
Day 7: Torgås
Location: Torgås
Accommodation Name: Torgåsgården (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you'll wake up in Torgåsgården - a Contiki Special Stay renowned for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. Skiing, anyone? How about snowboarding? Maybe indoor swimming and high-speed water slides sound good? Whatever you fancy, you can choose to do it here!
Day 8: Torgås To Stockholm
Location: Stockholm
Accommodation Name: Generator Stockholm (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Dalarna behind, and saying farewell to Sweden's national symbol, the orange Dala horse, we're headed to the capital today! Stockholm, here we come! Arriving in Stockholm, we'll take a city tour where we'll have the chance to stroll the quaint medieval streets of Gamla Stan & try to catch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace.
Day 9: Stockholm
Location: Stockholm
Accommodation Name: Generator Stockholm (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wander the quaint medieval streets of Gamla Stan & try to catch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace. All that ground covered will earn you some Swedish salmon & an Absolut on the rocks – but don’t forget to save room for your evening meatballs….
Day 10: Stockholm To Tallinn
Location: Tallinn
Accommodation Name: Metropol Hotel Tallinn (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we'll leave Sweden behind and fly across the Baltic Sea to Estonia. Welcome to Tallinn, Estonia's elegant capital. We'll let you explore this beautiful Baltic city for a few hours, after which our TM will give you an orientation tour, followed by a local dinner at F HOONE, with its menu of healthy but seriously delicious local delicacies.
Day 11: Tallinn
Location: Tallinn
Accommodation Name: Ibis Tallinn Center (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tallinn is all yours for the day, so go out and find out what makes this place so special. One of Europe's hidden gems, this early medieval era creation is now a fascinating mix of old and new.With one of the best preserved old towns in the world, a charming coastline, and gothic towers scattered around, this city will win your heart in an instant. Stop by the Estonian Open-Air Museum or take a walk to Toompea Hill for a chance to see the Old Town in all its splendour.
Day 12: Tallinn To Tartu
Location: Tartu
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tartu (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we're setting our sights on Tartu... A town known for its upbeat nightlife, bunting-clad town square, its wealth of cultural activities, and its 17th Century university, Tartu is an Estonian hidden gem. Take the day to explore every nook and cranny alongside your new pals and TM and we'll meet back in the evening for a locally prepared meal full of cultural specialties.
Day 13: Tartu To Riga Via Valmiermuiza And Cesis
Location: Riga
Accommodation Name: Rixwell Konventa Seta (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tartu, it's been emotional, but today we're heading for Latvia. An iconic tour, tasting & lunch awaits at Valmiermuiža Brewery, where we'll become acquainted with the cornerstones of brewing beer. Next, we'll stop by to visit the Cēsis Castle, one of the most iconic and best preserved castles in Latvia. Here we are in Riga! Enjoy a free evening around Latvia's capital, resting quietly on the Baltic Sea. Sitting at the border between tradition and cutting edge modernism, this city will no doubt charm you with its art nouveau architecture and vibrant nightlife.
Day 14: Riga
Location: Riga
Accommodation Name: Rixwell Konventa Seta (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
You've got beautiful Riga all to yourself today, so make the most of it! Take a stroll through the Old Town and discover the House of the Black Heads (a 14th century landmark), some of the many shops and restaurants that fill the cobblestoned streets and the timeless charm of a capital steeped in over 800 years of history.
Day 15: Riga To Kaunas
Location: Kaunas
Accommodation Name: Moxy Kaunas Center (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
...and we're on the road again. Today we're visiting the Hill of Crosses, an epic site pilgrimage site which boasts a collection of over 200,000 ornate crosses, statues and effigies erected on a small hill in Northern Lithuania. Well hello, Kaunus! Here in this southern Lithuanian gem, we'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to river views and impressive cathedrals. Don't miss Kaunas Castle or the epic 9th Fort.
Day 16: Kaunas To Vilnius
Location: Vilnius
Accommodation Name: Ibis Vilnius Centre (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
So long, Kaunas. We’re making our way to our next awesome destination today, and it’s none other than vibrant Vilnius! Welcome to Trakai Castle, a 14th century fortress built on an island on the glittering Lake Galve. This place looks just like a fairytale, so cameras at the ready… Our journey ends here in Vilnius but not without a tour of the stunning baroque architecture that'll inspire you to remodel your own home. Take advantage of the street art lining the cobblestone streets and exchange details with all your new best friends. Time to lock in your next adventure!
Day 17: End Vilnius
Location: Vilnius
Meals Included: Breakfast
...and this is where our journey sadly ends. Exchange contact information with your fellow travellers, who have now probably become friends. Time to lock in your next adventure!
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 16 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and 1 lunch.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Scandic Sydhaven, Scandic Helsfyr, Thon Hotel Elgstua, Torgåsgården, Generator Stockholm, Metropol Hotel Tallinn, Ibis Tallinn Center, Hotel Tartu, Rixwell Konventa Seta, Moxy Kaunas Center, and Ibis Vilnius Centre.
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City Tours and Orientation
Orientation tours and city tours are included in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, Tartu, Riga, and Vilnius.
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Special Activities
Special activities include a tour, tasting, and lunch at Valmiermuiža Brewery, a visit to Cesis Castle, and a hike in Torgås with snowshoes and lunch cooked over an open fire.
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Transport
Travel through Scandinavia and the Baltics with a mix of flights, coach transfers, and local transportation, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey from Copenhagen to Vilnius.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the Lillehammer Olympic Track bobsleigh are not included in the tour package.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 16 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Included Experience
- Copenhagen:
- Oslo: Get your sculpture culture on! It’s hard to believe that one artist created all of these masterpieces.
- Stockholm: Admire the kaleidoscopic buildings in Gamla Stan (the old town) and watch the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace
- Tallinn: Get to know your new Contiki fam over a welcome dinner and drinks in arty Telliskivi.
- Valmiermuiza: Get together with the Contiki crew for a tour, tasting and lunch at this Latvian brew-house.
- Cesis: Take a jaunt around this medieval Latvian castle with an expert. And learn more about the Livonian Order that built it.
- Riga: Take an orientation around the colourful streets of the Latvian capital. We’ll show you the highlights and the best places for a night out.
- Trakai Island Castle: This 14th century Lithuanian castle on an island in Lake Galve is so picturesque it’s almost not real. Pics or it didn’t happen!
- Vilnius: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER EXPERIENCE®, we'll pay a visit to Pirmas Blynhas - a cafe that provides employment and empowerment for people with disabilities.
- Oslo: Take an orientation around the friendly Norwegian capital. Soak up the Viking and maritime legacy, see city highlights and discover where to get the best seafood.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes a mix of flights, coach transfers, and local transportation to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey from Copenhagen to Vilnius.
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What types of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 16 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and 1 lunch.
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Are there any special activities included in the tour?
Yes, special activities include a tour, tasting, and lunch at Valmiermuiza Brewery, a visit to Cesis Castle, and a hike in Torgås with snowshoes and lunch cooked over an open fire.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in a variety of accommodations including Scandic Sydhaven in Copenhagen, Scandic Helsfyr in Oslo, Thon Hotel Elgstua in Elverum, Torgåsgården in Torgås, Generator Stockholm in Stockholm, Metropol Hotel Tallinn in Tallinn, Hotel Tartu in Tartu, Rixwell Konventa Seta in Riga, Moxy Kaunas Center in Kaunas, and Ibis Vilnius Centre in Vilnius.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Are international flights included in the tour package?
No, international and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
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What is the final destination of the tour?
The tour ends in Vilnius, Lithuania.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
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We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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