The Baltic Area encompasses a series of countries in Northern Europe, that border the Baltic sea. This area is rich and varied in the history, culture and breath taking views it provides. It is, therefore, increasingly becoming a popular holiday destination for tourists across the world. When visiting the Baltic area, there are certain considerations to make, particularly in regards to what countries you should visit and how long you should aim to spend in each place. For your convenience, we’ve outlined a brief guide to holidays in this beautiful area.
The Baltic area primarily refers to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These three countries border Belarus, the Baltic sea and the Russian Federation- as well as each other. The proximity of the countries, means that there is a considerable amount of attractions to find and see, as well as neighbouring areas to visit. It can prove difficult for new, inexperienced tourists to source the best locations and understand which areas should take precedence.
How you schedule your trip is entirely up to you, but when traveling in the Baltic area, you have to factor travel time into the equation. If you’re visiting the area for a week, then you may consider visiting to three Baltic capitals exclusively. This is because traveling from Tallinn (Estonia) to Riga (Latvia) takes four hours by car. This results in half a day of travelling, and as travelling between Riga and Vilnius (Lithuania) takes 3.5 hours- the combined amount of travelling results in 1 day lost. If you have more, or unlimited time however, then you may consider visiting smaller towns and provinces- as well as seaside towns and countryside villages.
The Baltic capitals are historical and richly diverse. Riga is largely considered a ‘culture hub’ in Northern Europe, as it offers a huge number of museums and concert venues to tourists. The city is also noted for its unique architecture, and those visiting may consider setting a day aside exclusively for sightseeing and wondering. Similarly, Tallinn is a very cultural city, that provides an amazing amount of history to tourists. The city is still surrounded by an ancient wall, and boasts a 15th century ‘defence tower’ as well as many shops and cafes.
In contrast, Vilnius is best known for its architecture, which varies significantly in style throughout the city. There are Gothic buildings to be found, alongside neoclassical properties and cobblestoned paths. All of the cities have their own, unique set of assets to offer- and are therefore best visited in equal measure. However, if one city sounds particularly appealing, then you could always consider this your base and subsequently travel to and from it.
The Baltic area is large, historical and cultural. It is an excellent holiday destination for city lovers and those fascinating by other cultures and European countries. When traveling, tourists should take the same precautions and make the same considerations as any other city. However, they are certain to enjoy their trip, if they plan it right.
