Highlights of the Baltics New Year

28 December Vilnius Arrival

Arrival in Vilnius, transfer from the airport to Hotel Artis Centrum or similar; check-in, and welcome meeting

29 December Vilnius: Old Town Walking Tour & Trakai Castle

Vilnius is known for having 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 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.

30 December Vilnius - Riga: via the Hill Of Crosses & Rundale Palace

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 Radisson Blu Latvija or similar.

31 December Riga: Explore The Old Town, Art Nouveaux District & New Year Celebrations

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. Afternoon tour of the famed Riga Art Nouveaux district, including a visit to the Art Nouveaux Museum, and along Riga Boulevard circle. The tour ends with a warming traditional Riga black balsam drink at a central café. In the evening enjoy an entertaining and fabulous New Year Gala.

01 January Riga: Lido Recreational Centre

Morning at leisure. Afternoon excursion to the Lido Recreational Centre, a large restaurant & entertainment complex located in the largest wooden log house in Europe surrounded by winter attractions. Enjoy a traditional Latvian dinner before returning to the hotel.

02 January Riga - Tallinn via Parnu Summer Resort & Land Of Forests

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 Hotel L'Ermitage or similar.

03 January Tallinn: Sightseeing, Kadriorg Park & KUMU Art Museum

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. 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, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. Afternoon excursion to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the award winning Estonian art museum KUMU is available and in the evening you can say farewell to the Baltics with an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

04 January Tallinn Departure

Transfer from hotel to Tallinn airport.

2020 departure: 28 December