Tour Overview
Estonia is heir to a legacy of medieval castles and pagan ruins, German manor houses and grim Soviet skyscrapers. Despite the rapid changes the country has experienced since it regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, there's still a lot of tradition. While Tallinn, the capital, has been dramatically transformed by the influx of foreign investment, its well-preserved Old Town retains its medieval charm. Latvia has been forging its own distinctive style in recent years. In the capital, Riga, elegant and whimsical Art Nouveau buildings are surrounded by blocks of Soviet-era concrete structures. While no longer "the Paris of the north" (as it was once called), Riga is the cosmopolitan hub of the Baltics. You'll find good food and nightlife, with a growing international flair. Lithuania has been busy doing away with the drab remnants of its Soviet past, and restoring the wonderful old buildings that represent its earlier history. In Vilnius, the capital, hundreds of grand old baroque buildings have been artfully renovated into well-appointed hotels, shops and cafes. Lithuania is more agricultural than the other Baltic nations, which gives it a slower pace and a bit more charm. While the nation as a whole is intensely Roman Catholic, you can still detect traces of pre-Christian religions influencing life in the countryside, where elaborate wooden sculptures of ragana (witches) and barzdukais (gnomes) are almost as common as crosses.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Vilnius, LithuaniaUpon 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. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure. 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.
Breakfast
Radisson SAS Astorija Day 03: Vilnius – Riga, Latvia
Depart Vilnius this morning by private vehicle accompanied by your English-speaking guide 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 and check into your hotel.
Breakfast
Grand Hotel Palace Day 04: Riga
Meet your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle for a morning (3-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). The tour begins from the hotel towards Old Town and a walking tour of Old Riga- first referred to in chronicles in 1201. Pass Kalku Street and Livu Square with its medieval buildings, great and small Guild Houses, the Dome Cathedral, the Stock Exchange and Riga Castle- the residence of the Latvian President (photo stop only). Then see the Latvian National Opera House and the Freedom Monument. Rejoin the car and continue to the Art Noveau district- a UNESCO site. Visit the Central Market before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax and explore the beautiful city of Riga further.
Breakfast
Grand Hotel Palace
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.
Breakfast
Grand Hotel Palace Day 06: RIga – Tallinn, Estonia
After breakfast this morning you have a private transfer with an English-speaking guide to the capital of Estonia, Tallinn In the afternoon, meet your 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.
Breakfast
Schlossle Hotel Day 07: Tallinn- Lahemaa- 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.
Breakfast
Schlossle Hotel 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.
Breakfast
Schlossle Hotel Day 09: Tallinn – Depart
Privatel transfer to Tallinn Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
