Planning My Next Adventure

I have everything crossed that this year I’ll finally get to travel outside of the UK. It’s been almost three years since I last set foot on a plane and boy do I miss it.

This year didn’t get off to the best start – I was supposed to go to Denmark and Italy in January, both of which were cancelled as the majority of Europe started to go into yet another lockdown over the Festive Season. Hopefully sometime this year I’ll get to go on those trips but for now I’m busy planning another adventure for this Summer…and I am praying it goes ahead.

So without further ado, here is the plan for my next big adventure…

May – June 2022

Four Countries – One Continent – Thirteen Days

So for my next big adventure I’m planning on doing a mini backpacking trip through four more European nations. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know that in 2019 I visited ten Eastern/Central European Countries over six weeks, and in some ways, this trip is almost a continuation of that adventure.

Which countries will I be visiting do you ask?

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

These are four countries I’ve been desperate to visit for years, and I’ve always put it off because – well to be honest, I don’t know why I’ve always put it off. But hopefully this year will be the year I can finally tick these nations off my list!

I’ll be heading out on this trip with the same friend that I travelled with in 2019, making it even more exciting. We’re only going to be spending a couple of days in each capital city (Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius) but we’re aiming to squeeze in as much as we physically can in the short time period we have.

Helsinki, Finland

Arriving into Finland on May 31st, we’re going to try and cover the majority of the top attractions, experiences, and heritage sites the city has to offer. With one of the world’s highest standards of living, its often known as the “Daughter of the Baltic” or the “Pearl of the Baltic Sea”. Experiencing a minimum of 16 hours of daylight in May and June, we’re hoping we will be able to make the most of the long days and experience everything the Finnish capital has to offer.

Top Places to Visit: Old Market Hall, Sea Fortress Suomenlinna, and Helsinki Cathedral.

Tallinn, Estonia

Up next is the Estonian Capital of Tallinn. Leaving Helsinki on June 3rd, we’ll be taking an overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea (saving on a night’s accommodation…), arriving to Estonia in the early hours of Saturday morning. Boasting medieval walls, breath-taking churches and architecture, picturesque cobblestone streets and a wide variety of attractions, local shops, and countless spots to stop for a bite to eat, there is so much to see in this relatively undiscovered European capital.

Top Places to Visit: The Russalka Memorial, Toompea Hill, and Kadriorg Palace.

Riga, Latvia

After saying goodbye to beautiful Tallinn we will be hopping on a bus to the Latvia’s Capital City of Riga. Described as one of the most vibrant cities in the Baltics, Riga’s old town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wider city was also the European Capital of Culture in 2014! With so much to do and see, I cannot wait to explore every street and alleyway and discover some new spots.

Top Places to Visit: Nativity Cathedral, Freedom Monument, and Vērmanes Garden.

Vilnius, Lithuania

The largest city in Lithuania, Vilnius is yet another undiscovered gem in the Baltic Region. This capital city’s Old Town has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1994) and was once one of the largest Jewish Centres in Europe. Ranked as the number one European city for offering best value to tourists, Vilnius features so much incredible history, culture, and heritage that is just waiting to be discovered.

Top Places to Visit: Gediminas Castle Tower, The Glass Quarter, and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus.

I have a feeling each of these cities are going to take my breath away and leave a lasting mark on my memories, and I honestly cannot wait to head out there and explore all they have to offer, meet new people, and discover a whole new set of unique cultures, beliefs, and customs.

Happy exploring!

Charley x