Estonia and Latvia for families with teenagers

After arriving in Latvia’s capital, we can take public bus line 21 from the airport to the old town, where our accommodation is located. The bus runs every 15 minutes.

After checking in, we’ll depart at 6 p.m. for our first exploration of Riga, also known as the Pearl of the Baltics. Founded in 1201 by a German bishop, the city’s historic Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with over 700,000 inhabitants, it’s the largest city in the Baltic States. As Riga was historically an important crossroads for trade routes, it has developed into a multicultural center with plenty to discover. The city is also famous for its architecture. As we stroll through the streets, we’ll spot churches dating back to the city’s beginnings, medieval buildings in the Old Town, unique examples of Art Nouveau architecture, and centuries-old wooden houses.

In the evening, a delicious welcome dinner awaits us, where we can get to know the other families traveling with us even better and prepare ourselves for the coming days.

Today we’re exploring authentic Latvia as we head to Gauja National Park. Located in the heart of the country, about 50 km northeast of Riga, it’s Latvia’s oldest and largest nature reserve. Spanning 920 km², Gauja National Park boasts unparalleled biodiversity, picturesque landscapes, and unique natural monuments. The park’s scenery is characterized by reddish to white sandstone cliffs, endless green forests, and the scenic Gauja River, which meanders through this idyllic landscape. Due to its hilly terrain and numerous grottoes and caves, Gauja National Park is also known as the Latvian Switzerland. Numerous castles and fortresses, built from the 13th century onwards by Estonians, Latvians, and the Teutonic Knights, transport visitors to the park back in time. Furthermore, the nature reserve is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, comprising 900 plant species, 40 fish species, 149 bird species, and 48 mammal species. Many of these can be observed on our hike along the Litagne Nature Trail, including owls, eagle owls, wild boar, raccoons, moose, deer, as well as brown bears, wolfhounds, and lynx. However, caution is advised, as the animals are very shy, driven by their instincts, so we should move very carefully along the nature trails. These trails were established in 1975 to introduce visitors to the mammal species living in Latvia, the diversity of nature, and the importance of protecting it.

fter a fortifying picnic, we’ll continue our active adventure. We’ll hop on our mountain bikes and cycle through the beautiful landscape, including ancient coniferous forests. During the 3-hour tour, we’ll also pass sandbanks of the Gauja River, where we can refresh ourselves in the cool waters. So, don’t forget your swimsuit in your daypack today!

Duration of the hike: approx. 2 hours
Duration of the hike: approx. 2 hours

Transfers: approx. 2 hours

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Heute erwartet uns ein weiteres Highlight auf unserem Baltikum Familienabenteuer. Wir unternehmen eine 4-stündige Kanutour auf der Gauja, die mit einer Länge von 452km ideale Voraussetzungen hierfür bietet. Nach einer ausführlichen Einweisung besteigen wir unsere Kanus, ergreifen unsere Paddel und schon kann es los gehen. Vom ruhigen Wasser aus bestaunen wir die waldreiche Landschaft und die Steilufer aus Sandstein

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Today another highlight awaits us on our Baltic family adventure. We’re embarking on a 4-hour canoe trip on the Gauja River, which, at 452km long, offers ideal conditions for this. After a thorough briefing, we’ll board our canoes, grab our paddles, and off we go. From the calm water, we’ll admire the forested landscape and the steep sandstone banks.

Back on solid ground, the afternoon in the town of Sigulda is ours to enjoy at our leisure. Situated on the banks of the Gauja River, the town exudes a unique charm with its rolling hills, sandstone caves, pristine forests, and numerous cultural and historical sites. For a breathtaking view of the landscape and the Gauja Valley, a ride on the cable car (optional) is highly recommended. It’s the only cable car in the Baltics and ascends 42 meters above the ground, guaranteeing a magnificent panorama!

For those who prefer a bit more action, a visit to the luge/bobsleigh track is a must (optional). It’s one of the few tracks in the world open to everyone. While bobsleighs are used in winter, in the summer months you can race down the 1420m long track with its 16 curves on the “Frog” toboggan. This promises plenty of action and pure adrenaline!

Duration of the canoe tour: 4 hours.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Latvia, as we continue our journey to Estonia, where all sorts of adventures await us.

En route, we’ll make a stop in Pärnu. Long white sandy beaches, numerous restaurants and cocktail bars, and a relaxed atmosphere make Pärnu a very popular Estonian holiday destination in the summer. It’s also said to have “the best sun in Estonia.” The beautiful beach promenade invites you for a stroll, and after a fortifying lunch (optional), we’ll continue our journey. Today’s destination is Matsalu National Park in western Estonia, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Covering an area of ​​approximately 486 km², the national park encompasses Matsalu Bay, the surrounding land areas, the lower reaches of the Kasari River, and the biodiverse Väinameri lake district with its more than 50 islands. The nature reserve was established in 1957 and significantly expanded in 2004, when it was designated a national park. 275 different bird species, 49 fish species and 47 mammal species, as well as around 770 plant species, some of them rare, are native to this area, making Matsalu National Park a paradise for nature lovers.

After our arrival at the national park, the rest of the day is free. We can relax in our guesthouse, and those who wish can participate in an optional evening excursion through the nature reserve. With a bit of luck, we might even spot a moose.

Transfers: approx. 3 hours

Today, on our Baltic family adventure, we’re heading into the Marimetsa peat bog, an impressive natural landscape that makes up a large part of Estonia’s total area. The bog boasts unique flora and fauna and is a truly special experience, especially for nature lovers. It’s also known for its rich birdlife. During our hike through the bog, we might spot majestic golden eagles and black grouse among the sphagnum moss, sundew, and marsh Labrador tea. And of course, we shouldn’t miss the chance to take a dip in the clean bog water while enjoying this beautiful landscape.

In the afternoon, we travel to Haapsalu, a former spa resort of Russian tsars. A railway line to the lagoon city was built especially for the tsars. Today, the all-wooden train station and the old steam locomotives are reminders of this era. The locomotives can not only be admired, but the driver’s cab is also open for tours. We hike along the lagoon, which freezes over in winter and is used as an ice road, to the Teutonic Knights’ castle, which we plan to explore thoroughly.

Duration of the hike: approx. 3 hours.
Transfers: ca. 4 Std.

Did you know that Estonia has around 2,200 islands, but only about 1% of them are inhabited? A true natural paradise! Today we’ll be visiting one of these numerous islands, where a two-day kayaking adventure awaits us. First, we’ll take the ferry to Hiiumaa, Estonia’s second-largest island at 965 km². The ferry crossing itself is exciting, as we slowly glide through the shallow Baltic Sea, past other small islands where, with a bit of luck, we might even spot ringed seals. Once we arrive on Hiiumaa, our kayaking adventure can begin. We’ll receive a thorough briefing before splitting into two-person kayaks and launching into the water. From the water, we can admire the island’s secluded natural beauty, which consists of 60% spruce and pine forests. We’ll take breaks on the numerous small islands along the way, enjoying short hikes and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

A special highlight awaits us this evening, where we might even spot a ringed seal or two. We’ll go ashore on the small, uninhabited island of Kõrgelaid and pitch our tents for the night, before relaxing around a campfire to end the evening. Who hasn’t dreamed of spending the night on an uninhabited island?

Those who wish can also enjoy the tent sauna in the evening or swim in the Baltic Sea.

Transfers: approx. 1.5 hours including ferry crossing

Today we continue our kayaking tour. On the afternoon of day 7, we return to the mainland by ferry and continue our journey to Tallinn, the last stop on our Baltic family adventure.

Transfers: approx. 3 hours including ferry crossing

After breakfast, we’ll embark on an exciting exploration of Tallinn. Estonia’s capital city is where modernity meets tradition. Founded in the early Middle Ages, Tallinn still boasts one of the world’s best-preserved Hanseatic city centers. It’s precisely this blend of old and new that makes Tallinn such a popular tourist destination. During our city tour, we’ll quickly discover that Tallinn is also the country’s political, cultural, and economic hub. As we stroll through the city streets, we’ll immediately sense its unique charm. In the Old Town, we can admire numerous historical buildings. Not far away, we’ll find modern skyscrapers, trendy districts, and sprawling shopping malls. Tallinn is also far ahead of other European capitals when it comes to modern amenities. Cash payments are now rarely accepted in shops, bars, and restaurants, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the city.

After this exciting tour, the rest of the day is ours to enjoy as we please. We can explore Tallinn’s most beautiful spots on our own, relax in one of the many lovely cafes, or buy souvenirs for our loved ones back home.

Today, our Baltic family adventure sadly comes to an end. We say goodbye to our tour guide and our new friends and head to Tallinn Airport. To get there, we can take the tram, which runs every 10 minutes directly to the airport. From here, we travel back home with many wonderful and unforgettable memories.