Air? This was easy. Booked a non-stop Chicago-Frankfurt flight on United Airlines and turned in miles for business class tickets from Frankfurt to Tallinn, on Lufthansa which is where the tour begins and ends. A brief word on getting free tickets with miles. Book far in advance. Book off season. Other airlines to Tallinn are: Estonian Air, Finnair, SAS, and EasyJet.

Hotels? We needed a night before the trip began at the Reval Hotel Central, in Tallinn where the Explore group would stay. Big suggestion! If you ever need pre- or post-joining hotels, check rates with your tour operator first and then go online to see what rate you can get. In this particular instance (really an anomaly) Explore’s rate was double the Orbitz rate. Guess who we booked with? Another night was needed at the end in Frankfurt because Lufthansa only has one flight a day to and from Tallinn and we’d misconnect. Used Orbitz for this reservation also and booked the Leonardo Hotelat the Frankfurt Airport, the cheapest hotel available that night with free shuttle service and prepaid to lock in the price.

Orbitz’s Latest Top Hotel Deals in one spot

map courtesy of Explore U.K.
Visas? Thankfully, no entry visas in any of the three countries for USA, Canadian, U.K., Australian, or New Zealand citizens. Big sigh of relief because a visa nightmare like that would probably need a visa service to accomplish without having a nervous breakdown in the process. Everyone needs a passport or identity cards from their home country.

Travel Insurance? Travel insurance is not only a must for us but also for Explore. It is compulsory to either buy their insurance or show proof of yours. I’m all for it. Not just because there may be a medical emergency but what if you have to cancel before leaving home? You’ll lose the entire trip amount! Is it worth it? You decide. Travel Guard provides coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage damage ,much more and that is who we use.

What to Bring? The most important items would be an ATM card, credit cards, and cash. Estonia uses the Kroon also called EEK’s, Latvia the Lat and Lithuania the Lits. Just in case an ATM isn’t available or working, it’s a smart idea to have some cash on hand. Before leaving, one last IMPORTANT “to do”… call your credit card company and ATM issuers and let them know where you are heading to help cut down on Identity Theft. If you don’t, there is a good chance your credit card will be denied and your ATM card won’t work. Remember where you heard this…

Clothes and/or Equipment? Waterproof jackets in case of rain, fleece top for cooler nights, and a minimum of casual clothing with one “dressier” outfit thrown for an evening performance at the ballet, opera or concert in all of the three capital cities. Also, throw in a torch/flashlight for power cuts and emergencies. My usual IMPORTANT SUGGESTION: Pack all your clothes in large, plastic, heavy-duty garbage bags. It doesn’t matter if they are going to be in your suitcase. Have you ever sat on an airplane and watched some suitcases sitting out on the tarmac during a rainstorm or snowstorm? We have. Or your suitcases may be in a container with something leaking all over them.

What was included in the “Historic Baltic Republics”? This was an 15 day/14 night, guided tour. All accommodations, breakfast, guides, transportation and scheduled excursions/activities. Make plans with the group or eat by yourself at other meals. This…we like. It’s difficult eating and touring with 16-20 persons for 15 straight days. Whatever you decide, lunch and dinner is not included.

Decision-making over…time to pack clothes (in those all important garbage bags), passports, ATM card (don’t leave without it), board the plane and head for Tallinn, Estonia…