From the charismatic Romanovs in the Winter Palace to rebel intellectuals who sparked the Russian Revolution of 1917, Russia and the Baltic have a rich and revolutionary history. The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania still were part of the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century, but recent decades of independence have given them time to develop distinctive personalities. An organized tour will whisk you to the region's highlights, including grand palaces and candy-colored cathedrals.

Why Take a Tour?

Covering more than one-eighth of the globe's inhabited lands, Russia and the Baltic states are an overwhelming region for tourists to conquer solo. Organized tours cut the chaos of trying to map a route over this sprawling region. Some companies also help you with your travel arrangements; for instance, Baltics and Beyond ( will help you apply for a visa if you need one. Expert tour guides enhance the experience of visiting historic sights as they tell you the story behind them. You also can opt for a themed tour or request a personalized tour that focuses on your interests.

What to Expect

Medieval buildings and cobblestone streets hark back to medieval times in Tallinn, Estonia.

Most tours of Russia and the Baltic take you to Russian cities as well as Baltic capitals. For instance, Baltic Holidays' ( 15-day Grand Baltic Tour hits Vilnius in Lithuania, the medieval capital of Estonia, Helsinki and Russia's St. Petersburg. Baltics and Beyond offers customizable trips, with the option of combining any Baltic countries with Russia for a long holiday, including countries such as Belarus and Poland. You also can focus on just the Baltic states or Russia independently of each other, as Baltic Holidays and Artisans of Leisure ( offer some tours to Russia and others to the Baltic nations.

Budget Tours

If you're on a budget, low-cost tours and trips that let you book your own, inexpensive accommodations, rather than including posh hotels in the price , will help you cut costs. Contiki Vacations ( has a 15-day budget tour that hits Stockholm, Helsinki, Warsaw, Moscow and St. Petersburg, catering to travelers between the ages of 18 and 35. Backpacker Tour Company ( also has a budget tour that takes you to the three Baltic nations, with walking tours through Vilnius's Old Town and time to try the nightlife in Riga.

Themed Tours

St. Petersburg's Church on Spilt Blood stands where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.

A fun way to plan a route through Russia and the Baltics is to select a theme from the region's long, varied history. For instance, Momentum Tours & Travel ( offers Jewish heritage tours that explore Vilnius' ghetto, Jewish Museum and Great Vilna Synagogue; the city's rich Jewish history gives it the nickname "Jerusalem of the North." And feel free to explore the region with your family: Artisans of Leisure offers a "Family Tour of Russia" that includes a trip to the circus, bustling markets and a traditional bathhouse with a private family room. Some cities, such as St. Petersburg, also have daytime walking tours that take you along routes that appeared in Russian novels such as Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment."


You'll find plenty of cruise operators in Russia, but some venture outside of Russia to explore the rest of the Baltic nations, too. For instance, Scenic Tours ( has a cruise around Russia with an extended train and coach tour to Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. You'll also find plenty of luxury cruises, such as Princess Cruises ( and Royal Caribbean International (, that include Baltic highlights on their watery paths.

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