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The Amber Road Tour

9 Days / 5 locations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia

Visit the three independent Baltic Republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on this escorted motor coach tour from Vilnius. Also included the beautiful Curonian Spit in Lithuania!

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Vilnius
Accommodation: Neringa Hotel Vilnius

Arrival in Vilnuis.Private car transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel. 7:00 p.m. welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide or representatives of Ambertours.

 
Day 2     Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St.Peter and Paul’s Church, Gediminas Castle, Cathedral Square with St. Stanislaw Cathedral and Bell tower, Bernadine Garden, St.Ann and Bernardines’ Church, Amber gallery-museum with tasting of Amber Vodka, Užupis -one of the oldest districts of Vilnius, mentioned in the historical sources as far back as the 16th century, nowadays the artists’ “republic”, which has its own constitution, national anthem, calendar and map, short photo stop on the street Subaciaus to throw the view of the old town from the observation deck, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square and Vilnius University (founded in 1579) with St. John’s Church. Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Tasting of Kibinai, the traditional dish of the cuisine of the national minority Karaites, who were settled in the area of Trakai in the 14th century by the Grand Duke Vytautas. The cultural influence of the Karaites can be observed in the city to this day.

Visit to the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in the lake Galve. Return to Vilnius.

In the evening optional: dinner at Lithuanian restaurant “ Lokys” or similar.

 
Day 3     Vilnius - Klaipeda
Accommodation: Amberton Hotel Klaipeda
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for Klaipeda . The first stop in Kaunas – the former temporary capital of Lithuania. City tour of Kaunas- the second largest city of Lithuania - includes ruins of the castle, Town Hall Square with its impressive monuments, visit to Cathedral. Lithuanian lunch at restaurant "Bernelių užeiga": "Šaltibarščiai" (Cold beetroot soup, which is made from beetroot, kefir, greens and eggs), "Cepelinai" (large potato dumplings made from boiled and grated potatoes stuffed with minced meat), apple pie, "Gira" (bread drink) and "Trejos devynerios" (burned herb brandy). Continue to Klaipeda via Panemuniai Regional Park, which represents a narrow belt of land on the banks of the Nemunas river and is noted for its natural picturesque valley adorned with castles. Short stop at Nemunas Delta Regional Park for visiting of Vente Horn, which is known as a rest place for many birds during their migrations. One of the first bird ringing stations in Europe is still operating in Vente. A further drive via Šilute to Klaipeda. Accommodation.

 
Day 4     Klaipeda - Curonian Spit
Accommodation: Amberton Hotel Klaipeda
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast a city tour of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania, including Theatre Square and the Old Town. Ferry trip to Curonian Spit National Park, the most valuable nature reserve in Lithuania. Chains of highest dunes in Northern Europe, the soughing of the sea and rustling of sand as well as old Curonian houses smelling of fi sh, accompany a traveller all along the spit, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Arrival in Juodkrante. Visit the Hill of Witches that houses a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path. Continue to Nida with short stops at a cormorant and heron colony and at “Dead” sand dunes. Lunch break. Tasting of smoked fish with a glass of Lithuanian beer at the tavern on the lagoon. The tour of Nida resort, including the Fisherman’s House, famous German writer Thomas Mann’s Museum, Amber Gallery, old ethnographic cemetery, neo-Gothic church and a walk along impressive sand dunes. Return to Klaipeda.

In the evening optional dinner at the restaurant “Taravos Anike” or similar.

 
Day 5     Klaipeda - Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija
Meals: Breakfast

9:00 a.m. departure by coach to Riga, the capital of Latvia. The first stop in Karkle, where you will experience the mysteries of amber catch. During the tour you will learn about the formation and the properties of amber and have a look at the original amber collection of tourist guide. He will explains you the features of the Amber muzzle and amber collecting. The more daring can try with a net to catch the amber in the Baltic Sea waves. Continue towards Siauliai. On the way a stop in the ethnographic village Dargaiciai Short tour and tasting of local food (culinary heritage). The next stop is at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Šiauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills.. Arrival in Riga, check-in at the hotel.

 
Day 6     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija
Meals: Breakfast

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Riga. A combined coach and walking tour encompasses the most significant sights of Riga: driving along the central boulevards of Riga, enjoying the view of the City Canal Parks, the Bastion Hill, the Powder Tower, the Latvian National Theatre, the Fine Arts Museum, the Art Nouveau Buildings of the beginning of the 20th century, the Freedom Monument, University of Latvia, Latvian National Opera House and the Daugava River. During the walking part of the tour you will enjoy the beauty of the ancient Hanseatic City: picturesque streets of the Old Town, the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St.Peter, the old Guild Houses, the Swedish Gate, St.Jacob’s Church, St. Mary Magdalene's Church, the Parliament House, Old Riga Castle. Following the visit of the famous market halls of Riga.

Afternonn visit the famous Magic bar where you will experience an attractive presentation of the preparation and tasting of Riga Black Balsam in the secret alchemical laboratory of A.Kunze.

Afternoon optional: excursion to Jurmala. In the evening optional: dinner at Latvian restaurant “ Key to Riga” or similar.

 
Day 7     Riga - Tallinn
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Olympia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

9:00 a.m. departure for Tallinn. Stopover in Sigulda- often called the Latvian Switzerland, located about 50 km from Riga on the Gauja River valley. Experience a genuine whiff of the Middle Ages, a time of romantic legends, castles and heroic figures, visiting the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle, and the 19th cent. Kropotkin’s Palace in the outskirts of Sigulda. A short drive down into the river valley, enjoying the landscape and the walk to the 13th century Turaida Castle. A chance to view ‘the garden of Gods’ from the 30- meter high fortification tower and visit the local history museum. Rural lunch at a farmer in the village Zipari. On the ay to Tallinn a short stop in Pärnu, Estonia “Summer Capital”. This little town has been known as a summer health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. Further drive to Tallinn. Arrival in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel.

 
Day 8     Tallinn
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Olympia
Meals: Breakfast

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Tallinn, visiting the Old Town of Tallinn - an example of Gothic architecture in the Baltic and Nordic countries. The tour includes Toompea Castle fortifications, the Dome Church (13th century), the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky (19th century), Town Hall Square (15th century), St. Catherine's Passage, where artists of St. Catherine guild present their work, St.Olaf’s Church. Afternoon optional: excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to Kadriorg Palace.

In the evening optional: dinner at restaurant “ Pepersack ” or similar.

 
Day 9     Tallinn
Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast. End of the tour. Private car transfer to airport.

 

Notes

Group size: min 8 passengers, max-35 passengers

Price Includes
Meals As Mentioned
Transportation by Deluxe Touring Coach With Wifi
Tour Escort
Excursions and Entrances As Per Itinerary
Hotel Accommodation As in Itinerary With Daily Breakfast
Daily Breakfast
Transfer Airport - Hotel- Airport
Price Does Not Include
 Optional Excursions
AMB-1269
1.28.15.WP26