Impressions of the Baltics

Day 1 Tallinn Arrival

Arrival in Tallinn and private transfer from the airport to Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar; check-in and early evening welcome meeting. Time at leisure.

Day 2 Tallinn - Cesis: Manor Houses, Tartu Old Town & Hanseatic Treasures

After breakfast we drive to the Lahemaa National Park, where we visit the Manor Houses in Palmse and Vihula. We continue to Tartu, where Estonia gained its statehood to see the charming Old Town and the University founded in 1632. From here we drive onwards into Latvia and Cesis, a Hanseatic city with winding streets, castle ruins and beautiful gardens. Check-in at Hotel Cesis or similar.

Day 3 Cesis - Vilnius: Gauja National Park, Sigulda, Castles and Hill of Crosses

Today we drive through the Gauja National Park to Sigulda, a popular holiday resort. We see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we drive around Riga to hit the highway down to Vilnius. En route we reach Siauliai and Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania. We head South into Lithuania and reach Vilnius in the afternoon, check in at Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar.

Day 4 Vilnius - Nida: Vilnius Old Town 

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. Anna’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. After the tour we continue to Curonian Spit and Nida, where we arrive late in the afternoon. Check in at Hotel Nerija or similar. The evening offers an optional authentic fisherman dinner at Tik Pas Jona.

Day 5 Nida - Liepaja: Curonian Spit & Sand Dunes

This morning we travel to the Curonian Spit, a thin, 100km stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon with small fishing villages, pine forests and endless sand dunes. See the spectacular Parnidis Dune and Naglis Dune, the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante and Thomas Mann's summerhouse. Then we continue towards Leipaja with an early afternoon arrival. Check in at Hotel Promenade or similar. The evening offers an optional casual dinner at Red Sun Buffet, a café located right on the wide sandy beach. 

Day 6 Liepaja - Riga: Old Town, Jurmala Park & Visit to Rundale Palace

Liepaja takes its name from the numerous lime trees in the city. We start the day with a short stroll in the Old Town with the Trinity Church and we visit Jurmala Park and the former Naval Port area with its famous Orthodox Cathedral. We then continue through Southern Latvia to the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon. Check in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija or similar. Tonight, enjoy an organ recital at the historic Dome Cathedral.

Day 7 Riga Old Town Exploration & Jurmala Seaside Resort

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. Your Old Town walking includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House, and the Freedom Monument. Afternoon visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at stylish Restaurant Three.

Day 8 Riga - Tallinn: Parnu Summer Resort, Forest Landscapes

Today we continue onwards along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. After a short tour we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon. Check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar.

Day 9 Tallinn: Old Town, Kadriog Park, KUMU Art Museum

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. Sightseeing tour takes us around the medieval city walls and into the Old Town to see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Kadriorg Park and KUMU, the new Estonian art museum. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

Day 10 Tallinn Departure

Private transfer from hotel to airport and end of arrangements.

2021 departures:
30 April
21, 28 May
04, 18, 25 June
02, 09, 23, 30 July
06, 13, 20, 27 August
03, 10 September

Notes:

Maximum Group Size: 26 persons