If you haven’t planned anything for holidays and you don’t want to stay at home, we suggest you take a car and travel around the nearby European countries.
The Baltic States like the holidays as much as Russia. Here all the city streets are decorated with garlands, firs and the atmosphere of Christmas and joy is in the air. Unofficially, each capital tries to outdo the other with the decorations. The main celebration days are the 24th and 25th of December and all the Christmas fairs actually take place before these days. We created such a route for you so that you still have time to experience the winter fairytale.
Tallinn
Tallinn is our first stop. They have been setting up a fir in center of Tallinn since 1441 and used to round dance around it. In the period from November 15 to January 7, you can buy handcrafted jewelry, toys and other cute trinkets on the central square. You can also taste the famous national cuisine there.
The fair in Tallinn was officially recognized as the most beautiful fair of Europe in 2018!
Riga
Riga is 4h away from Tallinn.
It is the city where the celebrations are longer than in the others. This is due to the fact that in Riga people celebrate both the Catholic and the Orthodox Christmas. Locals claim that it was in Riga the very first Christmas fir was set up. As in Tallinn, the main fir is set up on the City Hall Square. Many fairs take place at the center of the city, the largest ones - in Doma Square. Here you can buy handmade candlesticks, amber jewelry and warm clothes with national patterns. The holiday bazaar works form December 1 to January 6. In some places, you can also taste the traditional smoked snacks and pepper cookies.
Vilnius
The road to Vilnius takes 3.5h
The capital of Lithuania is the perfect place for a Christmas location. It is, of course, decorated for the occasion. The main fir is set up on the Cathedral Square where also a small train for children rides around it. The various stalls are also nearby. You can get traditional snacks ( mulled wine, roasted chestnut and egg dough cakes) and handmade jewelry there. The fair works from November 30 to January 7.
Pay a visit to Ded Moroz
His residence is just 5h away from Vilnius
The old magician has the second residence in the Białowieża Forest. The local manor holds yearly folklore festival, a beautiful fair and various workshops. You can also taste the traditional Eastern Slavic cuisine there.
Active and fun winter vacation is the perfect ending for the winter holidays. We hope you will remember this vacation for a long time and would like to repeat it!
