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The cities of the Baltic countries were some of the wealthiest and most important cities in medieval northern Europe. Estonia and Latvia can boast a glorious Hanseatic and Livonian legacy, while Lithuania was a vital component of the biggest state in medieval Europe, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, for most of the 19th and 20th centuries interrupted only by the interwar period, the Baltic countries were forgotten treasures incorporated into Imperial Russia and later into the Soviet Union. Since the Baltic countries regained their independence at the beginning of the 1990s, the cities have regained their past beauty and glory and have recaptured their natural position on the European map. This tour takes you on a thrilling journey through the three Baltic countries’ millennium of history with remarkable contrasts between the medieval past and the modern present and with plenty of beautiful unspoiled countrysidein between.

Itinerary

TALLINN

Arrival in Tallinn. Private car transfer for a 2-night stay in at the beautiful Hotel Telegraaf***** (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), check-in. The rest of the day at leisure.

TALLINN

Breakfast at the hotel.

09.00 – 13.00 Tallinn city sightseeing tour, incl. panoramic tour of the city with Pirita Area, Kadriorg Park and Palace (entrance), combined with Tallinn Old Town walking tour, incl. Tompeaa Hill and The Castle, Town Hall Square, Niguliste Church.

The rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 In the morning you leave for the Lahemaa National Park. After a visit to Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Prahlen family, and Sagadi Manor, a 17th century manor with a beautiful manor house, you continue to the tranquility and romance of the charming 16th century Vihula Manor for a tour of the estate and a private visit to the Vodka Museum, 13.00 Lunch at Restaurant La Boheme, traditional Estonian manor cuisine at the historical Ball Room of the Main Manor House overlooking the beautiful Manor Park, 14.30 From Vihula you will continue your journey through scenic north-eastern Estonian landscapes towards Tartu, 17.00 Arrival and check-in for a 1-night stay in a superior room at the Hotel Antonius**** or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 – 13.00 morning sightseeing tour you will visit the Old Town with the Old Town Hall and the Main Building of Tartu University, 12.00 Lunch at Restaurant Werner, 13.30 The tour continues through the rolling landscapes of southern Estonia and northern Latvia to Cesis, 16.00 – 17.30 Cesis Old Town walking tour takes you to the 13th century St. John’s Church and the ruins of the Castle of the Livonian Order, the balance of the day is spent on a very scenic tour through the Gauja National Park to the Latvian capital, Riga, 19.30 arrival in Riga and check-in for a 2-night stay in a superior room at the Hotel Grand Palace***** or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09.00 – 13.00 During the morning city tour you will get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Old Town with Riga Castle, St. Peter’s Church, the Dome Cathedral, the Three Brothers and the Swedish Gate. You will pay a private visit to the Small Guild House and finally, to taste the flavours of the city, you are invited to a degustation of the traditional Riga Black Balsam and Riga Chocolate, 13.00 lunch at Restaurant La Boheme, Latvian nouvelle cuisine at a stylish opera-themed restaurant in the Art Nouveau district, 14.30 – 17.00 This afternoon you will visit the New Town and tour the amazing Art Nouveau district and visit the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, which offers an impression of an art nouveau apartment designed in the first years of the 20th century. The tour continues with a private backstage visit at the Latvia National Opera.

Breakfast at the hotel.

0.00 Today you will visit the Baroque-style Rundale Palace, the most magnificent palace in the Baltic countries. Of particular interest are theGolden Hall (the Throne Hall) and the White Hall (the Grand Ballroom). Behind the palace you will find a beautiful French garden, 13.00 Private lunch at Rundale Palace, traditional Latvian lunch in the Coffee Chamber, 14.30 The tour continues into Lithuania. The first stop is the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, one of the holiest relics of Catholic Lithuania. Afterwards you will continue towards Kaunas, 17.00 Arrival and check-in for a 1-night stay in a superior room at the Hotel Daugirdas**** or similar.

KAUNAS – TRAKAI - VILNIUS

Breakfast at the hotel.

09.00 – 12.00 The morning sightseeing tour takes you to the Old Town, home to the medieval ruins of Kaunas Castle as well as the Town Hall Square with its beautiful Baroque Old Town Hall, Kaunas Cathedral and the House of Perkunas. The tour concludes with a visit to the Ciurlionis Museum, commemorating Lithuania’s most famous painter and composer. 12.00 Departing from Kaunas, you will head towards the enchanting town of Trakai, 13.00 Lunch at the Lake Stone Residence, traditional Lithuanian cuisine at a business club built in traditional Lithuanian style and located in a picturesque valley amid three lakes, 15.00 The highlight of the sightseeing tour of this small town is a visit to Trakai Castle, a well preserved 15th century castle beautifully located on Lake Galves, 16.30 From Trakai it is only a short ride to the present-day Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, 17.00 Arrival and check-in for a 2-night stay in a superior room at the Hotel Stikliai***** or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09.00 – 13.00 Vilnius city sightseeing tour takes you through centuries of Lithuanian history starting with the sights related to early Lithuanian history: the Gediminas Tower and the Lower Castle, which was rebuilt for Lithuania’s millennial celebrations, Vilnius Cathedral and into the Old Town with the Gates of Dawn and the Madonna of Vilnius and the Old Town Hall. The tour continues with a visit to the Old University including a private visit to the Old University Library, 13.00 Lunch at Restaurant Zuvine, Lithuanian sea-food in an elegant restaurant set within the 18th century neoclassical Old Town Hall, 14.30 – 17.00 The afternoon tour features the landmarks of the road to independence starting with a visit to the infamous KGB Museum and continuing with a visit to the Soviet-era TV Tower and the Parliament Building, both of which were at the centre of the dramatic events of January 1991. The tour concludes with a visit to the bohemian Uzupis District, a picturesque area of the city, where students, artists and free-spirited dreamers enjoy their own creative independence.

DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS

Private car transfer to the airport, departure.