Day 01: Vilnius, Lithuania
Upon arrival at the Vilnius airport you will be met by your local representative, welcomed to Lithuania and privately transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
Your local representative is part of a unique network of on the ground representatives who ensure your vacation operates smoothly and to your absolute satisfaction. Your local representative is there on the ground to ensure that your travel arrangements run perfectly. Should you have any queries your rep is there to assist you.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
You are confirmed for two nights at the Radisson SAS Astorija in standard room accommodation, inclusive of buffet breakfast. Please note that official check-in time is 2.00pm. If your arrival is before this time we will request early check-in on your behalf however this cannot be guaranteed. Radisson SAS Astorija
Day 02: Vilnius
Meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a full day (7-hours) sightseeing tour of Vilnius and it’s surrounds.
Morning walking tour of this town whose architectural beauty is one of the lesser-known delights of this region. Once the capital of an empire that spread from the Baltic to the Black Sea, Vilnius’s old town is filled with fine Baroque buildings and cobbled streets, with an important Jewish quarter known in its time as the “Jerusalem of Europe.” During your tour you will visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul, St. Anna’s Church, the Gate of Dawn and the Vilnius University. Founded in 1570 the University by the Jesuits, for two centuries this was one of the greatest seats of Polish learning. See the outstanding baroque façade of St. John’s Church and the Observatory. Your tour of Vilnius will be completed with a tour of the KGB Museum, a fascinating relic of the country’s more recent history. The former Soviet prison depicts the brutality that took place behind closed doors.
After lunch (own account) travel outside Vilnius to the medieval castle of Trakai, set prettily on an island in a lake and containing fine objects d’art. Trakai was the former capital of Lithuania and today you will visit the Gothic castle dating from around 1400 with its enormous central court and range of galleries.
Return to Vilnius late afternoon. Radisson SAS Astorija (B)Day 03: Vilnius – Riga, Latvia
Depart Vilnius this morning by private vehicle accompanied by your English-speaking assistant and drive north across the country to visit the extraordinary ‘Hill of Crosses.’
Bulldozed time and again by the Soviets, this mound covered by literally millions of small Christian Crosses became a symbol of local resistance and was visited by the Pope. Continue to the glorious Palace of Rundale, created for one of Catherine the Great’s lovers by Rastrelli, architect of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and in the process of being restored to its former glory.
Cross into Latvia. Upon arrival at your hotel in Riga you will be welcomed to Latvia by your local representative and assisted with check-in.
You are confirmed for three nights at the Grand Hotel Palace in standard room accommodation, inclusive of buffet breakfast. Grand Hotel Palace (B)Day 04: Riga
Meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a morning (4-hours) sightseeing tour of Riga.
Riga is a bustling, lively city with an important river port and commercial centre and this morning you will enjoy a tour of the old town, the city’s parks and fine turn of the century residential sections, decorated in Art Nouveau style (Jugendstil). During your tour you will visit St. Peter’s Church, the Three Brothers and Riga Castle. The Three Brothers are a row of quaint houses, number 17 is believed to be the oldest house in Latvia dating from the 15th century. Riga Castle dates from the 13th century when it was the headquarters of the Livonian Order.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax and explore the beautiful city of Riga further. Grand Hotel Palace (B)Day 05: Riga – Gauja National Park - Riga
Today you will enjoy a full day (8-hours) sightseeing tour outside Riga with your English-speaking guide and private vehicle.
This morning you will transfer to the Gauja National Park to visit Turaida Castle, built in the 13th century as the residence of the Bishop of Riga, and Sigulda Castle, a residence of the Master of the Livonian Order. Weather permitting, you may wish to hike through the forest from Turaida Castle to Sigulda Castle rather than using the car.
Return to Riga late afternoon. Grand Hotel Palace (B)
Day 06: RIGA – Tallinn, Estonia
Private transfer to the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, where you will be welcomed to Estonia by your local representative and assisted with check-in.
In the afternoon, meet your local English-speaking guide for a 3-hour walking tour of one of Europe’s finest preserved medieval city centers. Your tour will include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome Church, Town Hall and the Guild houses.
You are for three nights at the Schlossle Hotel in standard room accommodation, inclusive of buffet breakfast. Schlossle Hotel (B)Day 07: Tallinn
This morning you will embark on a full day (7-hour) excursion by private vehicle with your English-speaking guide outside the city to Estonia’s only National Park. Here you will visit Kolga, Palmse and Sagadi Manor houses; Kolga Manor was at the possession of de la Gardie family (17/18th cent.) and after being at the disposal of Soviet Army troops and a collective farm the mansion was given back to the Stenbocks family foundation in 1993 under the new act of property restitution in Estonia. Palmse Manor was built in the 18th century and was owned by the Barons von Pahlens. The furniture within is not original to the house, but has been collected from sources throughout Estonia. Sagadi Manor, a long low manor with a lovely lake, was also built in the 18th century and was one of the few mansions in Estonia to be decorated in the rococo style. Schlossle Hotel (B)Day 08: Tallinn
This morning meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a final morning (4-hours) sightseeing tour. Visit Kadriorg Park, designed for Russia’s Peter the Great during the 18th century and is now the residence of the Estonian president. The palace is built in a baroque style and was commissioned soon after Russia’s conquest over Estonia during the Great Northern War. Continue along to the Song Festival Grounds where 150,000 people can sing in the natural arena. In 1988 300.000 Estonians gathered in the grounds to begin a ‘Singing Revolution’ during Soviet times.
Afternoon at leisure. Schlossle Hotel (B)Day 09: Tallinn – Depart
Privately transfer to Tallinn Airport for your onward flight. (B)
