Baltic Itinerary Suggestions

I realize that this is all subjective and really just personal preference, but I was curious what other travellers think.

I%26#39;m doing an organized tour to Tallinn, Helsinki and StPetersburg(STPB) in September 2009

The tour starts in Tallin(2 days), then Helsinki(2days) and ends with four days in STPB

I%26#39;m thinking of adding some extra days onto my trip and can%26#39;t decide what to do.

One option would be to add a couple days at the start of the trip, to help get over the jetlag before the real tour starts.

- Fly into Tallinn one or two days early.

OR

- Stop at one of the airline connecting cities for a day or two before heading to Tallinn, most likely Copehagen, Amsterdam, or Paris. Would it be better to try to spend a day or two in one of those cities and then fly on to Tallinn, or just spend the extra days in Estonia?

Another possibility would be to add some days at the end of the trip.

The tour includes a day at the Hermitage, a day around STPB and a day to Pushkin.

- Should I just stay in STPB a couple more days on my own? I would like to see Novgorod, and I;m sure there%26#39;s lots more to see in STPB, but with the Russian visa process it seems like any extra days on my own in Russia will be a hassle?

- I could take the train from STPB back to Tallinn

- I could fly out of STPB back to one of the connecting cities and spend a couple days there, most likely Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, or Paris? Would it be better to have a day or two in one of those cities or extra days in STPB, and would it be worth hassling with the Russian Visa process?

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Hello! How about Stockholm, Sweden?... Beautiful city! Start from there, take Ferry to Tallinn from there fast ferry to Helsinki and train to STPB. More info here 5stars-of-scandinavia.com/ferry/tallink.htm

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Of the cities you have mentioned as an option to add (I have been to all of them exept Dusseldorf) I would consider Paris or Amsterdam. But one day in Paris is not worth the hassle as most of it will be spent on getting to town and back. If to add a stopover then minimum spend a night there, otherwise no point in spending your vacation in traffic. As of other suggestions, if it matches your flight plans Stockholm would be an option worth considering.

Ask yourself: what are your interests? Do you want to get a glimpse of all of those towns, just to get an idea if to come back once or not, or do you want to sit in them having relaxed unrushed morning coffee watching people go by?

2+2+4 sounds reasonable if you do not spend too much daytime on your way from Tallinn to ST.Pete%26#39;s.

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OK. I was not fair to Copenhagen. Of your list I would consider Stockholm, Copenhagen, Paris or Amsterdam in this particular order.

priority would go to Scandinavian towns just as you come to this region it would add to the knowledge of the region. I would - to be honest - save Paris for a separate trip and give it more attention than is possible being jetlagged in trafficjam.

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At the moment you have as long in Helsinki as you do in Tallinn. I have recently been to both and would suggest there is a lot more to see in and around Tallinn. If you have the time I would add a couple of extra days in Tallinn - there is plenty to see and it is easier than adding another stop.

If not part of your tour you could consider Kadroig Park/St Peters Palace and/or a trip to Laheema National Park.

We did a guided walking tour of the old town to learn some of the history but it is also a great place to wander around on your own.

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