The Baltic Capitals & St. Petersburg (2012)

This trip was inspiring, informative, fun and full of surprises. Our guide, Vita, was a wonderful person and a dedicated guide. The countries had delightful traditions and fascinating histories, in particular, their recent singing revolutions that led to their independence. There were many cultural opportunities, as well as some free time in Russia. On every level, this was the best of what every traveler looks for in a trip.

Traveler: Susanna Mcneil from Chicago, IL traveled on October 12, 2011

we loved this trip--our 6th with OAT- esp the in depth history of the nazi and soviet occupation. The major hi-lite for us was the special lecturers Oat hired to teach us about the economy EU, politics, etc in each Baltic country. Our trip leader Stanislav was enthusiastic about his country Estonia and teaching us the languages and histories . . This is a very popular trip with 15 different guides this season. Do be aware that its best to avoid the cruise season when 6,000 to 10.000 tourists a day can be seen in tallinn and St. Petes. Our weather in Oct. unfortunately was very rainy and cold!!!! the accommodations and food were excellent.

Traveler: Stella Matthews from Medford, OR traveled on October 09, 2011

This was a most interesting trip with very good information on the Baltic countries and their history. Our trip leader, Aida, was very well informed. We would have liked another day in St Petersburg and one less in Tallinn.

Traveler: Aurelie Cavallaro from New York, NY traveled on October 05, 2011

We have traveled with OAT several times and in comparison to their other trips this one did not fit the bill. The Baltic Capitals did not offer the excitement that Africa and Turkey did. There was not enough to hold our interest for so many days in each country. Also, their history is heavy and sad, too much to take for two weeks. There is very little physical activity other than a simple walk around town. Russia on the other hand was just fantastic, exciting, interesting, fun and just so much to do in so little time. I will not stop traveling with OAT but will do more homework on picking our next trip.

Traveler: Bonnie Licker from Pompano Beach, FL traveled on September 21, 2011

This is one of the most interesting trips I've taken! The cities are absolutely beautiful as is the countryside. Although I remember when these countries became free of Soviet control, learning all the details was just fascinating. We had a speaker in each of the Baltic countries who was able to give us first-hand accounts of the independence movements. The meals were delicious and all the guides were excellent. There was ample free time (although I could always use more) for both shopping and independent sightseeing. If you have time in Vilnius, the National Museum is small but very informative. In Riga, I recommend a boatride on the canal in the park near the hotel.
As for some practical advice, the hotel laundries in Riga and St. Petersburg were the least expensive; there seemed to be no wash-and-fold laundries near the hotels in any of the cities.
When you leave Lithuania, the first place you stop in Latvia is Rundele Palace where there is no ATM and you can't spend Lithuanian money. Your admission is paid, but you probably won't want to use a credit card for a few postcards or a camera permit. One of the small giftshops in the palace does take Euros and one might take dollars if the right clerk is on duty. So don't leave your Euros or dollars on the bus like I did!
In St. Petersburg, we had 2 mornings of sightseeing on the bus. The second was pretty much a repeat of the first; I wish I'd skipped it and gone to the Russian National Museum instead, but I am a museumperson. I would go to any of these cities again and I recommend this trip highly.

Traveler: Peggy Wrhel from Albuquerque, NM traveled on September 21, 2011

This trip is excellent for visiting the history of the Baltics both from the 16th and 17th century as well as recent history of occupation following WWII. We found it beautiful, enlightening and sobering. It is more personal when you hear of the events by the people who lived them.

St. Petersburg is facinating. If you go, extend your trip in this city by 2 days. There is no way to appreciate it fully in the short time you are there with OAT.

Enjoy!

Traveler: Shelley Bagg from Orinda, CA traveled on June 05, 2011

I expected to like Vilnius,and Klaipeda but the day on the Coronian Spit was outstanding. Our guide Vita's passion for the place was fully understandable. Vita gets full credit for making this trip outstanding!

Traveler: Mary Tallman from Romeoville, IL traveled on September 18, 2011

We have taken eleven oat trips and this is one of the best. Our guide Vita Seputyte was outstanding. The trip was diverse, old-town architecture, history, quaint restaurants and fine scenery. The historical treatment in the
Baltic states stressed the Russian domination and the recovery since independence. Our travel by coach allowed views of the countryside and the home hosted lunch in a small village was a nice change from the cities.
Overall I give this trip an A+.

Traveler: Wylie Reeves from Seguin, TX traveled on September 14, 2011

Our trip to the Baltic Capitals was very good. Understanding how Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had each dealt with life after their independence from the Soviet Union was truly educational. For history buffs, each city had its own walled old town that we explored and on our leisure time continued to explore. The places that we visited had great variety—from castles, to bohemian side streets, to churches, and shops to the KGB Museum to the Hill of Crosses and memorials to the Holocaust victims and on and on. The Curonian Spit with all of its uniqueness was yet another entirely different component of the trip

The hotels were fine, breakfasts were very good, other included meals were ok, neither bad nor especially good. The coach transportation was wonderful—large enough for many of us to have our own double seat which was very good on the travel days. There were five major travel days that were long; however periodic stops were made that helped to make them bearable. Miina Puusepp, our trip leader, was very good at entertaining us during the drives with regionalnational food and drink for us to sample, games for us to play, etc. She also understood that some quiet time was important.

There are cobblestone streets in all of the cities, so we had to be extremely careful as we walked. Good, solid walking shoes are a must. We did not take hiking boots and didn’t ever wish we had. The weather was somewhat overcast and with a little sprinkle the entire trip and mostly cool, but it did not hamper our experience.

In each of the Baltic Countries we had a "smart man" lecture which, for the most part, were very interesting and entertaining. We learned that it was more engaging for the speakers to have personally experienced the times they were discussing rather that to merely have an intellectual perspective.

St Petersburg was amazing! -The Hermitage, St. Isaacs Cathedral., Peter & Paul Fortress, etc. Definitely take the optional trip to Catherine’s Palace. On your own time, you should go to the Church on the Spilled Blood with its mosaic interior. It is within walking distance of the Ambassador Hotel. The first night we arrived in St Petersburg several of us, including Miina, took a canal ride which was an outstanding way to get a first look at the city.

In many of the places you visit be prepared to have to pay a little extra to take photographs.

Having never been to Russia, we paired the OAT Baltic Capital trip with the GCT Russia Revealed river cruise. It is definitely something to investigate if you are interested in this part of the world. The extra days in St Petersburg were very worthwhile and Moscow amazing. The actual river cruise part did not have as much activity as we wanted, but we did have the opportunity to do something different and the Boston Office was extremely helpful in our planning it as was the St. Petersburg office.

Traveler: Cyn traveled on August 07, 2011

OUR GUIDE "PETERIS" NEVER GAVE US THE E-MAIL LIST WHICH WE FILLED OUT AT HIS REQUEST. THIS WAS TO BE USED SO WE COULD KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER TRAVELERS. WHEN HE DIDN'T GIVE IT TO US AT DEPARTURE, HE SAID HE WOULD E MAIL IT. THIS HASEN'T HAPPENDED. PLEASE SEE THAT I RECEIVE IT. TOM OUELLETTE

Traveler: Thomas Ouellette from Bonita Springs, FL traveled on September 14, 2011

Everything about this trip was wonderful. Our tour leader, Stanislau was excellent and very accomodating to all of the group's needs. We loved the Baltic Countries - the beautiful buildings and countryside and loved learning about the history of these countries. We experienced local transportation, shopping in local markets, and of course, enjoyed the local cuisine. As I am a shopper I would have liked a little more free time but towards the end of the tour we did have some free afternoons. I would highly recommend this trip.

Traveler: Diana Thomas from Meredith, NH traveled on September 11, 2011

This trip was a wonderful trip and is an important trip. I found I knew very little about the history of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia from 1945 to 1990. I hope other people are more informed that I was and if they are not, they need to take trip and become more informed Our OAT guide and the city guides were excellent teachers. The countryside is beautiful and the people we met were warm and fun to be with. I recommend this trip very highly.

Traveler: Donna Rochon from Bellingham, WA traveled on August 19, 2011

This was a fantastic trip! The trip leader went out of his way to make sure that everyone was comfortable and got what was expected out of the experience. He even found pet stores for me so I could get presents for my dogs! He sent emails when we returned listing all of the books, authors, etc. that he had recommended during the trip. I came home knowing much more about the four countries. The only negative about the trip was the airline (United) on the way over.

Traveler: Evelyn Aline Pearl from Walnut Creek, CA traveled on September 11, 2011

This was one of the most interesting trips comparing Russian times to the now freedom these countries are experiencing. I liked the fact that our hotels were downtown so we could walk to lots of places on our own. It was so diverse, Palaces, Museums, Chernobyl, Cities, Countryside, Russian Folk Dance, Moscow Circus, the Baltic Sea, searching for Amber. The list just goes on and on. Great trip for me and for those who want to see lots of different and interesting sights. Need to be active and able to walk.

Traveler: Elisabeth Hammond from Marco Island, FL traveled on August 06, 2011

Having enjoyed several outstanding OAT trips (Machu Pichu and Galapagos, China, The Balkans), we rank this tour at the top because of the learning experiences it provided. The Baltic States are renewing themselves after a half-century of Soviet rule and their struggle with adapting capitalism to their cultures is fascinating.

The Holocaust was especially severe in the Baltic States and the museums and memorial sites have much to teach Americans. We found it easy to identify and visit additional, high quality Holocaust, Jewish, and Soviet learning sites.

Our tour guide, Miina Puusepp, was as creative, informative, personable, and supportive as one could hope for. The local guides and lecturers were also helpful.

This tour included a valuable mix of experiences, locales, and "discoveries." Of particular reward were: the KGB Museum in Vilnius, the memorial at Salaspils concentration camp, the KUMU art museum in Tallinn, and the Hermitage.

The hotels were all good, equipped with Wifi and centrally located, and the bus was roomy and comfortable.

All in all, a highly recommendable tour!

Traveler: Lynn Seng and Art Shostak from Narberth, PA traveled on August 07, 2011

I was emotionally drained when touring the DGB prison. The horror the good people must have gone through. The beauty and exquisite sites we visited over came my awe of the Russian and German occupation. I loved walking in the park of folk history and along the spit of land on the Lith. coast. The castles of ancient history combined with the opulent palaces of the tsars gave testimony to the massive history of the area. Most of all the people and our leader,Aida, were helpful and uplifting. I partic. enjoyed the lectures in each country.

Traveler: Richard Polhill from Huntington Beach, CA traveled on August 05, 2011

This trip is one of my favorites. I learned so much. Our leader Dalija was a delight and a wealth of information.

I agree with the other reviews here but there were other experiences not listed.

My favorite meal was 'hot chocolate' in the Old Town of Vilnius at the chocolate restaurant. I was awestruck by the Hill of Crosses on the ride to Riga.

I enjoyed the tour of the Art Nouveau buildings in Riga and the excellent museum.

Both Dalija and Diana (Moscow leader) did a terrific job when conducting the orientation walks in Russia. I am still amused by how the cars are parked on the city sidewalks.

This is a very fast paced trip - so be prepared.

Traveler: Patricia Longwell from Littleton, CO traveled on July 27, 2011

I learned so much about the Baltic Capitals especially what they experienced under the time of Soviet domination.
I loved going to the beach and exploring the shore for amber, and going to the pottery workshop which was an unscheduled adventure.
Our guide Ericka was knowledgeable, open, warm and had a terrific sense of humor.
My only negatives are:
1. no "official" inclusion of synagogue tours; given that churches and cathedrals are "automatics" and the eastern European history included such antiSemitism, the survival of Judiaism there should be noted; and
2. time: we seemed so limited esp. in Russia. No time to see both Peterhof (not on itinerary but a Must See) and Catherine's Palace; no time to see both the Armory and the Diamond Collection and other parts of Moscow.
The trip to Lenin's dasha was a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MUST BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.

Traveler: Rosalyn Aaron from Brooklyn, NY traveled on July 13, 2011

We were most impressed with learning about the Baltic countries history and their struggles for FREEDOM which they have only enjoyed for about 20 years. Our guide Erika was passionate and eager to share her feelings and personal stories which heightened our experience and the intensity of our visit.. The family we visited for our home-hosted lunch shared additional stories of their individual struggles under Russian, German and again Communist rule. We also visited a replica of a 'HOME" similar to one that may have been built in Siberia and had the honor of listening to a woman who had lived through this experience. These were very emotional
experiences! Highlights included a visit to the KGB headquarters in Vilnius, walking the beach in Klaipedia searching for our own amber and standing in RED SQUARE in the shadow of the Kremlim. The entire trip was filled with history, learning and fun-A GREAT TRIP!
Bev & Bob Levine

Traveler: Beverly Levine from Rockland, MA traveled on July 13, 2011