Baltic Capital Cities

Our tour begins in Lithuania's vibrant capital, Vilnius. With its blend of medieval and baroque architecture and its cosmopolitan nightlife, the city gives you a taste of the duality of the Baltic capitals. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner for those who fancy it. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. Should you miss the meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Vilnius International Airport (VNO), around a ten-minute drive away from our hotel. Arriving earlier in the day? You might like to get acquainted with Vilnius' Old Town, with its network of quaint, cobbled streets, or head for lunch in the trendy Naujamiestis (Uptown) neighbourhood. Food in the Baltic States is traditionally hearty, influenced by Russia and Germany, and favours comforting soups and casseroles. The capital cities are known for their thriving food and drink scenes, offering up dishes from around the world. There's a focus on homegrown cooking, using local produce, which doesn't stop at the food - you'll stumble upon locally brewed beer at every turn, too.

Today, we'll get acquainted with the capital on a walking tour of its cobbled streets. The city has Catholic and Jewish heritage, which is evident in its architecture. Our walk will take us via the old university which was founded by the Jesuits and was at the centre of the counter reformation. We'll also stop by the cathedral - Vilnius' crown jewel - and the Gate of the Dawn chapel, home of the Madonna of the Gates of Dawn. Leaving the Old Town behind, we'll wander on to the city's cosmopolitan heart and its main shopping street, which houses the opera house, parliament building, and plenty of bustling cafes. Later in the afternoon, we'll delve into the darker side of Vilnius' history with a visit to the KGB Museum. Located in the former KGB Headquarters, the museum offers a sombre look at the city's past Soviet rule, documenting the crimes that were planned and committed in the very same spot.

We have a full day's journey ahead of us today as we drive to Pakruojis. We'll make the most of it, with plenty of stops along the way. First, we'll stop and seeTrakai Castle, set on an island in Lake Galve, the 14th-century Gothic castle was built by the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The interior is currently undergoing rennovation so we'll marvel at the stunning architecture and unique setting from the outside only. We'll then continue to Kaunas for lunch. Kaunas was Lithuania's capital for 19 years, between 1920 and 1939, while Vilnius was annexed by the Poles. Right in the heart of the country, it's often regarded as Lithuania's most characteristic city with buildings dating back to the 17th century. Finally, in the afternoon, we'll arrive at Pakruojis Manor, our base for tonight. The manor is a living museum consisting of 34 buildings including a main house, stable block, mill, and perfumery, all set within a stunning park. It gives us a glimpse of how the residents and staff would have lived and worked in the 19th century. We'll have the opportunity to explore before sitting down to a traditional dinner followed by a tasting session of the beers that are brewed onsite.

Before leaving Lithuania today, we'll stop at the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, where a vast number of rosaries and crosses adorn a small hill. In the past, both German and Soviet troops have tried to destroy the monument, but each time, thousands of crosses and images of the Virgin reappear. This afternoon, we'll continue to Latvia's capital, Riga. On arrival, we'll take a walking tour to get acquainted with the city. Riga is a very walkable destination, with most of its must-sees in one area - we'll take advantage of this and tick off the Freedom Monument, Gunpowder Tower, Saint Jacob's Church and the cathedral along the way.

This morning, we'll head into Riga's Central Market. The unique structure - a cluster of former Zeppelin hangers - sits on the banks of the River Daugava and houses stalls upon stalls of local produce such as smoked fish, sauerkraut, pickled garlic and crusty cheeses. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. You might want to spend some time taking in the picturesque skyline - arguably one of the best in the Baltics - strewn with spires and towers. The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and Riga Castle are well worth a visit, and there are plenty of local restaurants in the old town to dig into a long lunch, washed down with a glass of Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur.

Waving goodbye to Latvia, this morning we'll head for Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, which is around a five-hour drive away. After we've crossed the border, we'll stop in the seaside town of Parnu on the Gulf of Lavonia. This Baltic coast spa resort has been popular with tourists since the 1830s with people flocking to revitalise in the Parnu Mud Baths. After time here for lunch, we'll continue to Tallinn. The compact capital of Estonia is easy to explore on foot. From the Gothic town hall to the Kiek in de Kok (the 15th-century defence tower), Tallinn has charm and wonder at every turn. It's famed for its Medieval architecture and Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic city centres in the world. In the evening, there's a lively food and drink scene with plenty of modern as well as traditional eateries and wine bars.

Today, we'll spend some time uncovering the enchanting streets of Tallinn. Less than 100 kilometres across the water from Helsinki and midway between St Petersburg and Stockholm, Tallinn has fallen under a multitude of cultural influences over the centuries. In 1561, it was seized by the Swedes and held until the Russians overtook it, industrialising much of the medieval town. The town itself has a sense of fairytale wonder, perched on a hill overlooking the sea. We'll begin to explore it on foot, starting in the picturesque Old Town. Walking through the cobbled streets, the colourful houses show off influence from the German, Scandinavian and Russian periods of Tallinn's history, we'll pass by them and wander towards the old merchants' quarter and the busy town square, which is always bustling with tourists and locals sipping coffee or beer at the many pavement cafes. We'll tick off all the highlights, from the Gothic town hall to the pink Parliament buildings and the Toompea Castle and yellow Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Our tour of the Baltic capitals ends at our hotel in Tallinn. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL), around a ten-minute drive from the hotel.