Upon arrival in Warsaw, make your own way to the group hotel. If arriving early in the day, there will be an opportunity to enjoy a walk around the area with your Odyssey program leader before the tour briefing at the hotel and welcome dinner. (D)

Poland has long suffered from the vicissitudes of war as its geographical location on the flat northern European Plain means that it has acted as a thoroughfare for great armies of Europe. From Swedish invasions to the north, to Napoleonic armies from the west, the Grand Duchy, and later Kingdom of Poland, never benefited from great periods of peace. The latest occupation by the Soviets followed an almost complete destruction of the city of Warsaw by bombing raids. It took the efforts of Solidarity to commence the removal of the Soviet forces from Polish territory. Warsaw, therefore, is a completely reconstructed city rebuilt from medieval plans and follows the painstaking paintings of the Italian artist Canaletto. We explore the city on a full day tour with a local guide. We will visit the mains sightsof the city, including the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift to the city from Stalin. During De-Stalinisation in the 1950s, after the dictator's death, any reference to Stalin (including his name in the title) was removed from the building. We take time to visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum that focuses on events of 1944, followed by a trip to the regal Wilanow palace and gardens. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore on your own. (B)

For our third day in Warsaw we will first travel to the Royal Castle, a shell of a building made from contributions from the Polish people around the world, which stands in contrast to the the Wilanow palace viewed the day before. We will then visit the Chopin Museum and learn about Poland's greatest cultural hero, the composer Chopin. We return to our hotel and enjoy some free time. In the evening we enjoy a recital of his most famous works a the Archidiocese museum, which will offer a unique insight into Poland's cultural history. (B)

As we journey across Poland to the Baltic states, we stop along the way to view historical sites and natural wonders of regional Poland. The first stop is at the Treblinka memorial, on the site of the infamous concentration camp. We then travel to the Polish lake district to the very pretty town of Mikolajki. We take a cruise around the the lake. Tonight, we enjoy a group dinner at our hotel. Mikolajki is a very small place, but it is beautiful and the perfect place for a pleasant stroll. (B,D)

Now an excursion in the area, first to the marvellous baroque church at Swieta Lipka – the interior is astonishing. Additionally, the Roman Catholic church was an important part of the people’s resistance to communism. Then, in the afternoon we continue to Ketryzn and a trip to the infamous Wolf’s Lair. Now a collection of ruins hidden away in the forest, Hitler spent more time here than in Germany during WWII. (B)

We continue our journey across the countryside to Vilnius. We make a couple of stops to break the journey. One of these stops today is at the Grutas park – it has lots of old Soviet era statues and other memorabilia. The owner made his fortune in the post-Soviet era, but wanted to create something to remind people of the repressive past. We arrive in Vilnius in time for dinner. (B,D)

Lithuania is the southernmost Baltic state and in some ways the most vibrant. Along with its neighbour, Poland, it once shared an empire stretching to the Black Sea. Like Poland, it harnessed the devout faith in Roman Catholicism to strive for independence from the Soviet Union. Vilnius is the historic and lively capital of Lithuania and is often regarded as the greenest of the Baltic capitals. It has winding medieval streets and many fine Baroque and classical buildings. We will learn about Lithuania's history and culture, as well as its economic and political situation, with an introductory lecture on the country and its capital. We take time out to stand on the Stebuklas (Miracle) paving slab near the cathedral – this site marks the end of a two million person, hand-to-hand human chain that spanned 650 km, from Tallinn to Vilnius. This remarkable event took place in 1989, and represented the locals' protest for their freedom from the Soviet Union. We will follow up with a visit to Vilnius's Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, to further understand the country's fascinating but complex relationship with its own past. We will then head out of the city center, and sample Lithuania's rich heritage with a guided tour of the 13th century castle of Trakai. (B)

We will take a full day tour of Kaunas, the country's second-largest city and an important cultural and historical hub. Kaunas is the former Lithuanian capital (founded in the 13th century) and it is often considered to be more "Lithuanian" than Vilnius. Here we meet our local guide for a tour of the city and visit the Ninth Fort Museum, situated on the outskirts of the city and stands as a somber reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II and the subsequent Soviet occupation. The fort itself was originally built in the late 19th century as part of the Kaunas Fortress, which served as a defensive structure for the Russian Empire. However, its history took a dark turn during the Nazi occupation. The museum, serves as a memorial and a tribute to the victims of this horrific era. (B)

En route to Riga, we will stop off at the Hill of the Crosses in Sauliai. We then cross over into Latvia, where our first stop will be a guided tour of the fine 18th century Baroque Palace of Rundale and its famous gardens. From Rundale we head straight to Riga. Latvia lacks Estonia's close proximity to Western Europe, and Lithuania's fame achieved on its path to independence. But Riga has always been the Baltic States' major metropolis. In lieu of the picture postcard appeal of Tallinn or Vilnius, it has a distinctive cosmopolitan atmosphere, and a well-preserved Historic Quarter. During the 1930s, the city was the West's major post for listening in to "the Russian Bear" to the east. It was a thrumming mix of diplomats, traders and intrigues, earning it the accolade, "the Paris of the East." Later, we enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

In the morning we will visit some of Riga's most iconic sites with our local guide. We will see the facade of the Blackheads House, a 14th century guild hall which was recently renovated, before visiting St. Peter's church and the iconic Cathedral followed by viewing some of the many Art Nouveau buildings and visit to the Art Nouveau museum, which offers some context to Riga's iconic architecture, most of which dates to the decade before world war one. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure for you to continue to explore the city at your own pace. (B)

Today we spend the day outside Riga with a local guide. We first make our way to Kemeri National Park for a walk along the Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk and view a world of moss, small pine trees, deep pools.  We will then visit the Baltic Sea resort of Jurmala, where we will have lunch at a local restaurant and a guided tour of the city, before returning to Riga in the evening.   (B,L)

Today we travel onto to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. En route, we visit Sigulda Castle and Turaida castle (one of the oldest in Latvia), before heading on to Tallinn. We arrive late afternoon and have dinner together at the hotel. (B,D)

This morning, we learn about Estonia's history and culture, as well as its economic and political situation, with an introductory lecture on the country and its capital. Estonia is the most northerly of the three Baltic States, and the most Scandinavian in atmosphere. Ethnically, the Estonians and Finns are cousins, and with Estonia just 80 kilometres across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki, the country is creeping socially and economically closer week by week to the western-style economy of Finland. Tallinn has an aura of the 14th and 15th centuries, with its jumble of medieval walls and turrets, spires, and winding cobbled streets. We will experience the history and architecture of Tallinn with a guided walk of the city. Our walking tour includes a visit to the Dome Cathedral, views of the Town Hall, and St. Nevsky Russian Cathedral. We also benefit from a fascinating insight into the rural economy of Estonia, with a visit to the open-air Estonian museum. (B)

Today is your opportunity to relax and explore at your own pace, there are no group activities planned. (B)

Finland is a large country with friendly people, pristine nature, and interesting culture. It is usually considered a Scandinavian country, a categorisation based on geographic proximity that ignores Finland's unique character. Finland has shared almost 700 years of history with Sweden, but the Russian tradition has also been a strong influence in the East. The Finns have one of the longest traceable tenancies and have stubbornly resisted servitude or eviction. However, the blooming of Finnish nationalism was late and delicate. Helsinki is a small and intimate city with buildings designed by C. L. Engel, who had been responsible for much of the work in St. Petersburg. We depart after breakfast and travel to Helsinki by ferry.  On arrival we'll be met by a local guide and enjoy a city tour of Helsinki. We'll visit Helsinki's Cathedral and National Museum. The Cathedral overlooks Helsinki has become a symbol of the nation’s capital and one of the two national shrines ogether with Turku Cathedral that is used for special occasions by the state and university. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel (B,D)

In the morning we continue with our sightseeing of the city with a visit the famous Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), a Luthern church designed by architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and constructed in 1968 and 1969. The idea behind the design was to preserve the open, rocky nature of the site. The interior is circular, and the walls are either natural rock or quarried rock. The space is covered by a copper dome that is supported by the rock. The minimalistic interior design is in harmony with the atmosphere of the space created by the unique light and dripping water. Following, we take briefly to the water for a short archipelago cruise, from where we can see the Suomenlinna fortress, then winding through the small islands, glimpse the waterside homes of the more wealthy Finns. (B)

We spend our morning visiting the charming old town of Porvoo, the second oldest city in Finland that is best known for its Old Wooden Town, charming cafés and boutiques, and the painted red-ochre riverside warehouses. The cobbled streets lined with old dollhouse-like houses are embedded with excellent restaurants, handcraft and homeware shops, and galleries.  Here we view Finland's oldest supermarket - Simolln Oy Ab followed by the Cathedral and Castle Hill. After our visit we return to Helsinki and take the afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. We meet again later for our transfer to the port where we'll board the overnight ferry to Stockholm. Dinner will be on board. (B,D)

We arrive in the morning and will be met by our local guide for a full day tour of Stockholm. Situated across 14 islands, Stockholm is renowned for its stunning architecture, picturesque waterfronts, and a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. We'll explore this cosmopolitan city and learn more about its heritage as we visit the main sights with visit to Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centres in Europe, and the Royal Palace. After a short break for lunch (own arrangements) we'll visit the ABBA Museum and then make our way to our hotel. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Today we continue our tour of the cty and visit the impressive Vasa Museum. This unique museum houses the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in remarkably well-preserved condition centuries later. The afternoon and evening today are free for you to take in the sights at your pace. (B)

This morning we depart Stockholm by  fast train and travel to Copenhagen. The journey takes a little over 5 hours and travels through some scenic areas, including the famous Øresund Bridge which crosses the strait between Denmark and Sweden, the bridge is considered one of the longest combined road and rail bridges worldwide, extending over 8 kilometers. On arrival in Copenhagen, we'll meet our local guide for a tour of the city and view the main sights including the Little Mermaid Statue, the Nyhavn port area (17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district) followed by a habour and canal cruise. Later we'll be transferred to hour hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Our day starts with a transfer to Helsingor, where we'll visit Kronborg Castle, a World Heritage Site. This iconic Renaissance castle is steeped in history and is famously known as the setting for Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." Here you can yourself in the grandeur of this impressive fortress as you explore its beautifully preserved rooms, regal halls, and imposing ramparts. Admire the intricate architectural details, picturesque courtyards, and sweeping views of the Øresund Strait. We later transfer back to Copenhagen and enjoy free time to explore on your own. In the evening we'll enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Our tour concludes today after breakfast at the hotel. (B)