Itinerary

Day 1

(Sunday): arrival Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius, optional transfer to Hotel Reval Lietuva**** / Hotel Radisson SAS Astorija***** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.

Day 2

(Monday): Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas.

Day 3

(Tuesday): Vilnius-Riga
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hills of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Reval Latvija**** / Hotel Reval Ridzene***** or similar.

Day 4

(Wednesday): Riga
Before we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Day 5

(Thursday): Riga
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant La Boheme.

Day 6

(Friday): Riga-Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in
Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Reval Olympia**** / Hotel Savoy Boutique**** or similar.

Day 7

(Saturday): Tallinn
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack.

Day 8

(Sunday): Tallinn departure
Optional transfer to airport.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

as per program

Exclusions -

as per program

Extras -

Guaranteed tours "Baltic Highlights" available: April-September 2010, 8 days/7 nights.
MBH01: 01.04-08.04.10
MBH02: 25.04-02.05.10
MBH03: 06.06-13.06.10
MBH04: 13.06-20.06.10
MBH05: 20.06-27.06.10
MBH06: 27.06-04.07.10
MBH07: 04.07-11.07.10
MBH08: 11.07-18.07.10
MBH09: 18.07-25.07.10
MBH10: 25.07-01.08.10
MBH11: 01.08-08.08.10
MBH12: 08.08-15.08.10
MBH13: 15.08-22.08.10
MBH14: 22.08-29.08.10
MBH15: 29.08-05.09.10
MBH16: 05.09-12.09.10