Baltic Cities Christmas Markets Knitting Tour
This tour to Tallinn, in Estonia and Riga, in Latvia, is the perfect way to start your Christmas preparations. Tallinn is one of Europe’s newest capitals and boasts a rich mix of architecture and culture. The Old Town was almost untouched by war and remains perfectly preserved. A fine Christmas tree will be the centre piece of Old Town Square, where we’ll have some time to explore the Christmas market. We’ll visit the highlights of the city with our local guide and learn about Estonian handicrafts. Riga is the largest city in the Baltics and is a fascinating mixture of proud Latvian traditions and influences of the various countries that have occupied it. The Old Town’s architecture is stunning. We’ll visit the highlights of the city with our local guide and have time in the Christmas markets that take place in the city at this time of year. We’ll also explore the rich heritage of Latvian costume and take part in a mitten knitting workshop with a local expert. The tour is accompanied by our Arena Travel expert Carol Meldrum, who has designed a project which captures the spirit of this Baltic Cities tour perfectly.
Your Tour Includes
- Return flights from Gatwick to Tallinn and Riga to Gatwick with 1 piece of checked luggage
- 6 nights in 4 & 5-star accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
- 2 half-day workshops with Carol Meldrum, kit included
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Services of an experienced Arena Travel Tour Manager
Carol Meldrum
Carol Meldrum is a textile designer, workshop tutor and author of many popular knitting and crochet titles. She is also the creative force behind the fashion accessories label Beatknit. She has worked within the textile industry as a designer for many High Street fashion outlets as well as internationally renowned hand knit label Rowan. Carol is also a successful workshop tutor teaching all aspects of knit and crochet on an informal basis to both groups and individuals.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet Carol Meldrum and you Arena Travel Tour Manager at London Gatwick airport for your flight to Tallinn. With a late arrival in Tallinn, we will transfer direct to the hotel on arrival.
Overview
Today we tour Tallinn by coach and on foot. The Old Town is divided into two areas, the Lower Town and the Upper Town. During our exploration of the Upper Town we will visit the St Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Toompea Castle and the Dome Church, Tallinn’s oldest church. We will also capture excellent views from the Kohtuosa viewing platform. In the Lower Town we will see the Danish King’s Garden, the Town Hall Square and the picturesque Viru Gates.
During the tour we will have an opportunity to browse Tallinn Christmas Market and sample Vana Tallinn, a dark brown rum-based liqueur produced in Estonia.
The walking tour continues to the Estonian Handicraft House, Eesti Käsitöö Kodu and the Katarina Guild Open Studios. Eesti Käsitöö Kodu is the largest handicraft centre in Estonia where you can buy beautiful and high-quality crafted items. At Katarina Lane we’ll see the various open studios of the Katarina Guild craftswomen.
This afternoon we’ll enjoy a workshop with Carol at the hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Begin the day with a visit to the Jolleri Handicraft Chamber, a family-run shop and studio which sells yarns and unique knitwear for children and adults.
Continue to the Estonian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum for a guided tour and visit to the local handicraft shop. We will also have the opportunity here for a delicious Estonian food tasting at the Kolu Inn, an authentic 19th century road inn.
This afternoon we will transfer by bus to Kadriorg Park and Palace, the grandest example of palace and park design in Estonian architectural history before returning to the hotel for some free time.
This evening we will enjoy more traditional Estonian food at a restaurant in Tallinn’s old town.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we leave Tallinn and make our way to Riga. On route we will stop at Tostamaa Crafts Centre handicraft shop. This authentic handicraft shop brings the stories of their ancestors to life through traditional prepared handicrafts, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops. You will have the opportunity to meet Anu here, a well-known knitter in Estonia who specializes in the knitting of ethnographic gloves.
Next stop is Limbazi for lunch and a visit to its wool factory which was founded in 1914. It has a long tradition of wool production and home textile design. The company produces woollen yarn, woollen and linen fabrics, blankets, rugs, plaids and tablecloths. The company is especially proud to be amongst just a handful of producers of ethnographic fabrics based on authentic examples from the rich cultural heritage of the Baltic region. We will watch the wool being processed using historical equipment.
This evening we will arrive in Riga, check into our hotel and head out for dinner together in Riga Old Town.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we will enjoy a guided walking tour of Riga’s Old Town. Explore the narrow cobbled streets and old buildings that date back to the 15th century. See the Town Hall Square, House of the Blackheads, Dome Square, Riga Cathedral and Riga Castle. We’ll visit Tines, a Latvian handmade knitwear company. Tines is a family run business and offers a wide range of high-quality knitwear. Only natural materials are used, 100% wool and linen. Afterwards explore the Christmas Markets and enjoy a hot drink.
This afternoon we will visit Sena Klets and learn to knit traditional Latvian gloves, a very important part of several Latvian traditions. Here you will be able to see a fantastic array of national costumes and see how every item here has been lovingly handmade by Latvian craftspeople. They also have a wonderful shop you can browse.
This evening you will have at leisure, perhaps wander down to the Christmas Markets or enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Today walk into Riga for a guided visit to the Central Market, in the very heart of the city. Experience one of the most unique markets in Europe as you browse the different stalls.
The rest of the morning you will have at leisure to explore Riga’s Christmas Markets, just follow the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine! Lovely gifts include hand-knitted shawls, mittens and socks, aromatic candles, artisanal spoons and other woodwork. In the city centre there are markets at Dome and Livu Squares, as well as in Esplanade Park.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon for your second workshop with Carol.
This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in the Old Town of Riga.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Enjoy a morning at leisure, choose to wander back into Riga or relax at the hotel before transferring to Riga airport for your later afternoon flight to London Gatwick.
Includes Breakfast
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Single Room Supplement from £305.00 (7 days).
Knitting Holidays
Specially designed for knitters, this Stitchtopia knitting holiday is the ideal opportunity to meet like-minded knitters and indulge in your favourite hobby. Our talented knitting expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to get those needles clicking!
Accommodation
You will be staying at the 4-star Nordic Forum Hotel in Tallinn for 3 nights and the 5-star Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel for 3 nights.