Baltic Christmas Experience 2026

Your Borton Overseas Host will accompany the group on its evening departure from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Borton Overseas can assist with arrangements for departures from other US locations – please inquire!

Welcome to Finland!  On arrival, we will depart by coach for a transfer into the city. After dropping off our luggage, we will experience Helsinki through its flavors on a food tour. We will discover how Finland’s history is reflected in its food. The heart of Finnish cuisine lies in purity and seasonality: wild berries and mushrooms, fish from clear lakes and the Baltic Sea, game from deep forests, creamy dairy products, and hearty breads made from rye and oats.
Your evening is free to visit the local Christmas Market. Overnight: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will enjoy a full day of sightseeing beginning with a 2-hour panoramic city tour of Helsinki, featuring Sibelius Monument, Rock Church, Senate Square, and Market Square. We will then depart for Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest town. People come from all over the world to see the Old Town, with many aspects of the area left untouched by the passage of time – especially the atmosphere! After a walking tour, we will enjoy a workshop where everyone will be able to create their own Christmas decoration. Dine as a group at a local restaurant before we return to Helsinki. Your evening is free. Overnight: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki

Breakfast at the hotel. After a leisurely morning, we depart for Nuuksio Reindeer Park for a short guided tour. You will have the chance to feed the reindeer and relax in the White Reindeer Kota by an open fire with coffee, tea, and freshly baked cinnamon buns while listening to stories of the reindeer and their way of life. We will then return to Helsinki where you will have your afternoon and evening free for dinner and the option to return to the local Christmas Market.
Overnight: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki

Breakfast at your hotel. Your morning is free to sightsee or shop independently. At midday, we will transfer to the ferry terminal for our departure by boat for Tallinn. After a two-hour cruise across the Gulf of Finland, a coach will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Palace Hotel, Tallinn

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we depart for Tartu, Estonia’s second largest and the Baltic’s oldest town, dating back to 1030. On arrival, we will have a guided tour followed by time to visit the Tartu Christmas Fair, the beautifully decorated city center with almost 200 merchants selling a variety of handicrafts, smoked meat and fish products, baked goods, honey, sweets, hot drinks, pies, and more. Before returning to Tallinn, we will have a guided tour at the Estonian National Museum featuring exhibitions on the everyday life of Estonians throughout history.
Overnight: Palace Hotel, Tallinn

We begin our day with a guided walking tour of the picturesque, UNESCO World Heritage listed Tallinn Old Town. Following our tour, we will join a Marzipan painting workshop. With the guidance of an instructor, you will learn about the history of marzipan while painting your own traditional figurine. Your afternoon is free to experience the fairytale Christmas Market in Town Hall Square. The highlight of this market is the beautiful Christmas tree, which is considered the most important Christmas tree in all of Estonia. A tree has been set up and decorated here since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever on display in Europe. Tonight, we come together for a farewell dinner, celebrating the warmth of the Christmas season and the wonderful memories made. Overnight: Palace Hotel, Tallinn

Breakfast at the hotel. The group will transfer to the ferry terminal for a morning departure by boat for Finland. On arrival, we will be met by a coach for transfer to the airport for our departure from Helsinki, arriving back in Minneapolis/St. Paul in the early evening – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!