The Baltic States and Poland holiday with added comfort

Planet

Carbon Reduction

When designing this trip we have endeavoured to keep our carbon footprint to a minimum. In Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and Krakow, we don't use any chartered vehicles but prefer to discover these wonderful locations on foot and we also take the occasional local tram. We have specifically chosen centrally located hotels here.
Our intercity journeys in the Baltic States are in our own chartered vehicle as the local rail network timetable is not yet compatible with touring . However, we keep the size of our vehicle to a minimum so that we use less fuel. Between Warsaw and Krakow we travel by the efficient Polish intercity train.
As a travel company we're acutely aware of our impact on the environment. Each one of our tours displays a carbon footprint, and we're working to reduce our emissions by regularly reviewing our itineraries and embracing lower-impact styles of travel such as trains, public buses or walking – which aren't just better for the planet, but we believe offer a more enjoyable and authentic travel experience too. We're a Certified B Corp that's committed to creating unforgettable adventures while protecting our planet for future generations.

Environment and Wildlife

The historical capital cities of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are all UNESCO World Heritage Listed, and money spent within them helps to support the local communities and the preservation of the legacy of these distinctive cities.
We spend two nights in Mikolajki on the Masurian Lakes, a scenic destination of over 2,000 lakes connected by numerous canals and rivers bordered with lush forests that provides habitats for diverse flora and fauna. The lakes are part of Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative set up to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. Our tour leaders educate our customers about this unique environment and help promote awareness and understanding of these initiatives.
We strive to support nature and biodiversity through protection and regeneration projects, and for every customer that travels with us we make a donation to Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth.
We encourage customers to avoid single-use plastic on tour, and our leaders give advice on refill points each day. Where tap water isn't safe to drink we recommend Water-to-Go bottles, a filtration bottle allowing you to drink water from any source.

People

Local Economy

We only include breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner on this trip, a conscious decision to ensure that most meals are not eaten at our hotels but that instead we frequent a variety of locally-owned restaurants where customers can enjoy regional specialties, many of which use locally-produced ingredients. All of this helps ensure the economic impact of our visit is spread throughout the communities we travel through.
On our trip we have endeavoured to include experiences that support small scale commercial enterprise that maintains local traditions. For example, in rural Estonia we visit the independently owned Jaanihanso Cidery for a tour of the orchards and production centre followed by a cider tasting. Established in 2013, Jaanihanso follows traditional cider-making techniques and is a key player in Estonia's burgeoning craft beverage scene. On our Tallinn walking tour, we'll take a mid-morning coffee break at one of the city's oldest cafes. Operating since 1864, Cafe Maiasmokk's period interior has remained practically unchanged for over 100 years. And in Riga, Latvia, we'll enjoy a hands-on cookery lesson in modern Baltic cuisine at local independently owned restaurant 'Three Pavaru'.
Our leaders are the heart of tours. They bring passion and unrivalled knowledge of the destinations and communities that we visit. Their guidance ensures we observe the cultural norms in a destination, they act as a bridge between travellers and the local community and ensure that tourism is a positive experience for both host and guest. We believe in supporting local; staying in locally-run hotels, exploring markets, buying snacks from street vendors, and by doing this we add money to the local economy and enhance our connection with the local community.

Employment, Inclusivity and Diversity

This trip is led by tour leaders from the Baltic States who know the region intimately and are able to share their knowledge, both of the places visited but they also provide insight into the local culture. In Poland they are joined by knowledgeable local guides for the city tours of Warsaw and Krakow. Our drivers are also local and the partners we work with are from Lithuania. In this region we have a very equitable balance of male and female tour leaders.
We believe that diversity is to be celebrated and as a Certified B Corp we're committed to championing equity and inclusion throughout our entire supply chain. We believe that an inclusive approach is essential, and that the best results occur when contributors have different opinions, experiences and backgrounds to bring to the table.