The Baltic Countries
 

I am considering a tour this summer that includes three days in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Are these countries exciting to visit or is this just a fill in between Finland and Russia?

Well, I've been doing a lot of research because we leave for Lithuania in a few weeks. Is this 3 days in each country or 1 day for each? From what I've discovered, each of the capital cities could be worth about 3 days. Vilnius is supposed to have the best preserved old town in Eastern Europe.

"Is this 3 days in each country or 1 day for each?"

I would like to ask the same question.

elina, jreyer answered this question by posting a new thread in the US forum.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34820177

jreyer, please read my post to you on the US board. I hope you are not upset with me, I'm really trying to help you use this board more effectively. You can get a wealth of information here, but you really must post your replies on the same thead instead of starting a new one.

OK, I combine the post from US board, this question and the Helsinki-question:

To put it short, of course not Baltic countries are not just "a fill between". For example all three have charming capitals with large Old Town areas full of atmosphere.

For Helsinki it is a bit hard to suggest without knowing where you went on your visit earlier. I would not go to the zoo unless I had children with me. I mean, I have nothing against zoos, but it is – well – just a zoo. To me there are other more interesting islands. I would go to Seurasaari outdoor museum (on an island, tram stop is near the bridge). There are old houses from all over Finland, nature is beautiful, and squirrels are tame (too tame). Another island to visit: Suomenlinna island fortress. Situated on several little islands, boat leaves from the central market place. Many little museums and old fortifications. If you are feeling childish you can participate in a treasure hunt and at the save the princess.

Or visit the national museum or Ateneum art museum. Or just stroll to the southernmost parts of town: jugend-style buildings, big park, nice shoreline, and cafes to rest your legs by a nice cup of coffee.

"at the save the princess."

At the END save the princess.

I cannot see any sense in stopping for one day only in each of the three Baltic countries.

As elina has laid out already, each of them has an architecturally and atmospherically interesting capital. Apart from that there are other notable cities in each country along with some great and scenic countryside.

If one takes into account that travel times are longer than in Western Europe due to a lack of freeways, there will hardly be any time left for sightseeing at any destination if only three days are allowed for the three countries.

We have just returned from a Russia-Latvia-Estonia trip. We spent four days in Riga and 3 1/2 days in Tallinn. Probably that was a little longer than necessary, but one day would be WAY TOO short. Tallinn is especially pleasant with an extensive Old Town.

Finland won't be nearly as exciting as the Baltic states. Finland on average is 2.5x as expensive as Estonia as well. If you look up activities in any travel guide for those states you'll find a huge range of things to keep you busy.

http://www.marksblogg.com/past-bloggs/Estonia/
http://www.marksblogg.com/past-bloggs/Latvia/