Discover the Baltics

Arrival in Tallinn; transfer to hotel.

*Go Shnelli Hotel or Similar*

Day 2

Today we will explore the vibrant city of Tallinn, Estonia's capital and
largest city. The Old Town, framed by old city walls, is full of
architectural gems. In the morning we will have a guided tour of the city
taking in some of the main attractions like the Toompea palace and castle,
the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome church and the St. Nicholas church.
We then have a free afternoon to explore the picturesque old town. Unlike
most European cities, Tallinn's old town is completely free from modern
buildings. You can leave modern life behind as you explore the cobblestone
alleys with spluttering torches and secret stairways; the old town holds new
surprises around every corner, even for its old residents. We overnight in
Tallinn’s old town.*
*

*Go Shnelli Hotel or Similar*

Day 3

In the morning, we leave Tallinn and start the journey to Tartu stopping off
at the Lahemaa National Park, the largest in Estonia. The park is a popular
tourist destination due to its untouched sandy beaches, waterfalls, cascades
and mossy pine forests, and it offers a variety of cultural sights like
Palmse Manor and the 400 year old fisherman’s village of Altja. After
lunch, we transfer to Tartu for a guided tour. Tartu is Estonia’s second
largest town and the capital of Southern Estonia and is rich with Estonian
culture offering festivals, concerts and theatre exhibitions. We spend the
night in a hotel in the centre of Tartu.*
*

*Hotell Tartu or Similar*

Day 4

Cesis is an old town with a long history and is now known as a centre of art
and culture. Situated on the Gauja River valley, its old town is one of the
finest in Latvia. Its cobbled streets have retained a timeless appearance
since the Middle Ages as the fine buildings have kept their red-tiled roofs
and the facades have been restored, making this a charming place to while
away some time. The city is famed for its Medieval castle, a partly preserved
fortification which has been knocked down and rebuilt in various forms. We
will visit the castle and the museum in the morning and take a guided tour of
the buildings.

We then transfer to Gauja National Park, the region known as Latvian
Switzerland. Take a leisurely walk through the adjoining sculpture park
featuring works of notable Latvian sculptor, Indulis Ranka.

Visit Ligatne Paper Mill village, a unique settlement built in the early 20th
century by the paper mill’s management, which sought to make the workers'
life as comfortable as possible. Afterwards, transfer to Riga.

*Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel or Similar*

Day 5

This morning the magnificent old town of Riga awaits! We will have a guided
tour of the city to discover its winding alleys, elegant boulevards and 800
renovated art nouveau buildings. We then have a free afternoon to soak up the
charming and romantic atmosphere of the city and enjoy a relaxing lunch
before exploring some of the town’s great shops. 

*Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel or Similar*

Day 6

In the morning we transfer from Riga to Jurmala. Jurmala is the largest
seaside and spa resort in the Baltic States and is known for its unique
natural resources such as its healing mineral waters, pine forests and sand
dunes. The town is also famous for its unique wooden Art Nouveau
architecture. After exploring the town we will transfer back to Riga for the
night. Those who wish to stay a little longer in Jurmala can do, a local
train back to Riga costs between 2-4EUR per person. 

*Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel or Similar*

Day 7

Firstly we visit Rundale palace which was designed for the Duke of Courland
in the 18th century by Italian architect Rastrelli, who also designed the
winter palace in St. Petersburg. Today, the palace is the most magnificent
piece of architecture in the Baltic States, surrounded by impressive gardens.
We then cross the border to Lithuania and have some time to explore the
famous Hill of Crosses before transferring to Klaipeda Port for a short tour
around the small old town. The tour is a perfect chance to explore the old
town with its reconstructed merchant houses and the remains of Klaipeda
Castle. We spend the night in the centre of Klaipeda.*
*

*Dange Hotel or Similar*

Day 8

We start the day with a short ferry ride across the lagoon to the Curonian
Spit, a UNESCO world heritage site situated between the Curonian lagoon and
the Baltic Sea. Here we have the day to explore the largest drifting sand
dunes in Europe. There will also be a visit to the Hill of Witches and an
excursion to the Lithuanian sea resort of Nida to climb the Great Dune for
the spectacular views. We transfer back to Klaipeda where we spend the
night.*
*

*Dange Hotel or Similar*

Day 9

We transfer to the Plokstine forest and visit the Cold War Museum located in
the former Soviet Union’s complex of ballistic missile launch. Today, this
secret base is open to the public. We can view the internal control facility
and see former missiles as well as listen to expositions about the five
decades of the Cold war, one of the most famous and dangerous military
conflicts in human history. We then travel to the town of Kaunas, and here we
take a walking tour around the beautiful old town. The old town of Kaunas has
a collection of important monuments like the 13th century castle, the old
town hall, the Cathedral Basilica and the church of St. Francis Xavier. We
stay overnight in Kaunas.

*Best Western Santaka Hotel or Similar
*

Day 10

This morning there is the option to visit the Church and Monastery of
Pazaislis to see one of the most wonderful Baroque architectural masterpieces
in north-eastern Europe (entrance fee is 6 euros, payable locally). The
monastery is located on the picturesque bank of the Kaunas lagoon. We then
stop in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here we
will go on a tour around the incredible 14th century castle, which is
situated on a small island in the middle of the lake.

We then transfer to Vilnius where we stay the night.

*Comfort Hotel LT - Rock'n'Roll Vilnius or Similar*

Day 11

Today we have the whole day to explore Vilnius. There is a guided tour of the
city in the morning and then plenty of time to explore the city at your own
pace. The city was developed around its Town Hall and there is a great deal
of diverse architecture to explore. There are many narrow streets which lead
to intimate courtyards, in addition to the larger landmarks of the castle
complex, Cathedral square and the Royal Palace. There are also plenty of
museums to while away some hours. We overnight in Vilnius.*
*

*Comfort Hotel LT - Rock'n'Roll Vilnius or Similar*

Day 12

End Vilnius, fly to London.
**