Slow Travel from the UK to Riga, Latvia
Our slow travel partner Byway specialises in journeys by train, bus, boat, and bike. To get you from the UK to the start of your Sustainable Journey with us, and or back home again we will connect you with Byway, who will arrange the appropriate travel and accommodation to ensure a hassle-free experience getting you to and from your Journey with us with all the support you need. By clicking on the link below you will be taken to a Byway ‘blueprint’ for you to provide the dates and details to get a plan and price for your travel to and from your Journey with us. It is important to remember that Byway is not part of Sustainable Journeys so any booking you make with Byway is subject to a separate agreement between you and Byway, which is your own responsibility and by clicking the link provided you accept this fact. Please see more about Byway here and follow the link below to explore how to slow travel to connect with this Sustainable Journey. Air travel, if that is your preference, is bookable with Sustainable Journeys or you can make your own arrangements.
Click to view Byway’s rail journey: UK to Tallinn, Estonia
By clicking this link you are leaving Sustainable Journeys
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable rail journey, the low-carbon way, from London through the heart of Europe, stopping in Cologne, and Copenhagen, before arriving in Tallinn, Estonia. From here, you’ll join your Sustainable Journeys trip.
Day 1 – Depart St Pancras International Station, London to Cologne, Germany (approx. 3 hours and 51 minutes)
Board the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels, Belgium – approx. 2 hours and 1 minute; then from Brussels to Cologne, Germany – approx. 1 hours and 50 minutes.
Upon arriving in Cologne, make your way to your hotel, which is a short 16-minute walk away.
Check-in at 25Hours Hotel The Circle or similar.
Breakfast included.
On the River Rhine and overlooked by the towers of its stunning 157m-high Gothic cathedral, Cologne (Köln) is one of Germany’s largest cities. The city’s unique identity is a mix of the narrow alleys of its old town, the Kölsch dialect (and Kölsch beer), and contemporary architecture down by the ultramodern Rheinauhafen riverfront complex.
The 25Hours Hotel The Circle is situated just a few minutes’ walk from the city in a spectacular rotunda in the heart of Cologne. It’s a stylish, modern, and eco-friendly hotel.
If time allows, admire Cologne from above on the Rhein-Seilbahn cablecar, which runs from Kölner Seilbahn right across the River Rhine. Wander around Cologne’s impressive botanical gardens, the Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln, and discover some of the 10,000 or more species of plant that call it home. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Cologne’s popular chocolate museum, the Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum. Dive into the history of chocolate, with hands-on demonstrations and tasting throughout.
There’s so much to do, so leave what time you can to explore Cologne.
Day 2 – Cologne, Germany to Copenhagen, Denmark (approx. 8 hours and 54 minutes)
Rail from Cologne to Hamburg, Germany – approx. 4 hours and 5 minutes; then from Hamburg to Copenhagen, Denmark – approx. 4 hours and 49 minutes.
Upon arriving in Copenhagen, make your way to your hotel, which is a 34-minute walk away, or 14 minutes by car.
Check-in at Hotel Skt. Annæ or similar.
Breakfast included.
Often topping the lists of the world’s most liveable cities, Copenhagen is just as great for visitors. Explore it like the locals – on two wheels – via the many cycle routes that crisscross the capital and soak up the effortlessly Scandi-chic bars, cafés, and fine-dining restaurants.
This hotel, Hotel Skt. Annæ, is a luxurious and boutique stay in the heart of Copenhagen.
If time allows, visit the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens, a quintessential part of a trip to Copenhagen. Hire a bike and explore the capital’s lakes and parks, and even the beaches to the north in Hellerup and Charlottenlund. Head north of Copenhagen to Louisiana for the Louisana Museum of Modern Art, a world-class gallery and sculpture garden.
There’s so much to do, so leave what time you can to explore Copenhagen.
Day 3 – Copenhagen, Denmark to Tallinn, Estonia (approx. 25 hours and 30 minutes)
Board the train from Copenhagen, Denmark to Stockholm, Sweden – approx. 5 hours and 15 minutes; then travel overnight from Stockholm to Tallinn, Estonia – approx. 20 hours and 15 minutes.
Click to view Byway’s rail journey: UK to Tallinn, Estonia
By clicking this link you are leaving Sustainable Journeys
The information below relates to the Estonia Exploration by EV Sustainable Journey. Please click here for more details.
What’s Included?
10 nights in 3-4* with breakfast in small locally owned hotels and guesthouses
City taxes
Tartu Street Art Tour
In Setomaa cultural education about seto national costume experience
Onion farm visit
Estonian Wine degustation in a local winery
Electric car rental
What is not included?
Pre or post tour accommodation
Meals and drinks not mentioned as ‘included’.
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities
Entrance fees
Optional activities and tours
Bicycle, boats, and additional activities that come with a cost are not included.
Why this tour is sustainable?
All our tours promote and respect local culture by inviting travellers to witness and experience local customs and traditions.
Accommodations.
Where possible we use small locally owned hotels and homesteads run by locals so you would make an impact on the local economy and would meet locals and feel their hospitality.
Transport.
In this tour, we include rail travel and an electric vehicle. So, you are making a lot less CO2 emissions than when flying.
Short distances.
We offer day activities that include walking, hiking and exploring nearby areas from the overnight stay.
Sightseeing.
We include many outdoor options with beautiful walking trails and natural monuments to see.
Food and drinks.
We guarantee that all the tasted food is typical for the regions and comes from local nearby farms. The food supply chain is shortened and localised to the regions visited. Most places have vegetarian/vegan options.
Local staff.
All the tour providers (guides, hosts) are locals living there and we contract them directly and pay fair wages for their services.
