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This trip took us through parts of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland with me hitting 50 countries that I have visited.
Travel

Northern Europe Trip Redesign

Finland had been on the travel list for years, and the Baltic countries and Poland kept coming up in conversations with friends and fellow travelers. This trip also pushed a personal milestone, reaching 50 countries in Latvia and finishing the journey at 52 after visiting five countries in total.

April 7, 2026 In Travel

Northern Europe Trip Redesign

Northern Europe May 5-20,2025 Ed, Craig, Neil, Rod

Finland had been on the travel list for years, and the Baltic countries and Poland kept coming up in conversations with friends and fellow travelers. This trip also pushed a personal milestone, reaching 50 countries in Latvia and finishing the journey at 52 after visiting five countries in total.

How Did We Get There

Our trip began with a flight from Calgary to Helsinki, where we settled in and started exploring the city. From there, we made our way through Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, taking in the sights and culture along the way. We continued on to Krakow and Warsaw, enjoying each city’s unique history and charm, before finally flying home, reflecting on a whirlwind tour through five countries.

Step 1
9.5 hour flight to Munich, 5 hour layover, and then a 2.5-hour flight to Helsinki (got a cheap $300 upgrade to first class on the ‘over the ocean’ leg, which was very nice despite the noisy family around us who were Oiler fans to boot)
Step 2
30 minute ride to our hotel in Helsinki
Step 3
Helsinki to Tallinn (2 hour smooth sailing ride on a huge well appointed ferry where we had seats in the Comfort Cabin)
Step 4
Tallinn to Riga (4 hour drive with a 4 hour stop in Parnu for a tour and lunch)

Where Did We Stay

Helsinki (Mar 6-9) Solo Sokos
  • located in the heart of Helsinki
  • very basic but decent décor and amenities
  • huge breakfast buffet
Tallinn (Mar 9-11) Palace Hotel
  • constructed in 1937
  • conveniently located on the edge of Old Town
  • the room was a bit strange

Where Did We Eat

Northern and Eastern Europe offered a mix of flavors and dining experiences, from hearty traditional dishes in Poland to fresh, modern fare in Finland and the Baltics. Each city brought its own specialties, cozy cafés, and bustling markets, making meals as much a part of the journey as the sights themselves.

Helsinki
Breakfast
Solo Sokos (hotel, large selection buffet)
Lunch
Loyly (spa overlooking the harbor, average ambiance and chow)
Dinner
Rioni (Georgian cuisine, nice ambiance and decent food), Savotta (traditional Finnish food, beautiful setting), Harbore (dinner with local friends, fantastic food and excellent service)
Tallinn
Breakfast
Palace Hotel (hotel buffet, very nice)
Lunch
Hiiekivi (on the main Old Town courtyard, decent food), Peatus (just outside Old Town, good burger)
Dinner
Pegasus (funky 3 story restaurant, amazing rye bread starter), Farm (Old Town, excellent food, fun open kitchen)

What Did We Do

Our journey through Northern and Eastern Europe combined history, culture, and unique local experiences. From Helsinki’s churches, libraries, and saunas to Tallinn’s Old Town charm and Parnu’s seaside village, each stop offered something different. In Riga and Vilnius, we explored historic streets, beach communities, and medieval castles, while Warsaw and Krakow showcased rebuilt landmarks, the Jewish district, and profound World War II sites. Along the way, we soaked in local flavors, coffee shops, and live music, making every city a memorable part of the trip.

First Location: Helsinki

Your intro paragraph about Helsinki activities here

  • City tour with Paulo (checked out the main Finnish Orthodox church and libraries)
  • Loyly Sauna (world renowned sauna on the Helsinki harbor)
Highlights
  • City tour with Paulo
  • Loyly Sauna
  • Forest walk with Alex

Your closing paragraph about Helsinki here

Second Location: Tallinn

Your intro paragraph about Tallinn activities here

  • City tour with Jelena (learning about centuries of history)
  • Market hall (Telliskivi district)
Highlights
  • City tour with Jelena
  • Market hall
  • Famous coffee shop Kehrweider

Your closing paragraph about Tallinn here

Trivia

Helsinki (Mar 6-9)
  • Capital city of Finland
  • Population of 1.6M
  • Known for design and innovation
Tallinn (Mar 9-11)
  • Capital of Estonia
  • Population of 650,000
  • Birthplace of Skype and Bolt

Final Thoughts

The weather ranged from 2°C to 18°C and often felt colder than expected, making Mare’s foresight in packing long underwear a smart move. The landscape across all five countries was mostly flat and agricultural, offering wide-open views and a sense of space. People were generally friendly once you got past the initial reserve, shaped by centuries of hardship. The Baltic states endured nearly a century under Soviet and German control until the Singing Revolution on August 23, 1989, when nearly two million people joined hands across 675 km from Tallinn to Vilnius, sparking the path to independence in the early 1990s.

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