THE BALTIC CAPITALS PLUS
14 DAYS

Day 1 USA-Vilnius
Depart USA for overnight flight to Vilnius.

Day 2 Vilnius
Upon arrival in Vilnius, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later on, there will be a welcome meeting with the group.

Day 3 Vilnius-Trakai-Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. 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. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania. We will visit the 14th century Trakai Castle, located on an island in Lake Galve. (B)

Day 4 Vilnius-Siauliai-Rundale-Riga
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hills of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia, we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of this palace, we travel through the rolling hills of southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon. (B)

Day 5 Riga-Sigulda-Riga
Before we get acquainted with Riga, we have the opportunity of discovering medieval Latvia. The tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. In the afternoon, continue to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. (B)

Day 6 Riga
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort. This city is famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. (B)

Day 7 Riga-Parnu-Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before continuing through the north Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon. (B)

Day 8 Tallinn
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon, we will continue to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections. (B)

Day 9 Tallinn-Helsinki
In the morning, we take the hydrofoil from Tallinn to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring the Finnish capital on your own.(B)

Day 10 Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. This sightseeing tour takes us around the harbor, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Monument and finally a visit to the famous Church-in the-Rock. In the afternoon, there will be an excursion by waterbus to the historic Suomenlinna Fortress. This is a major monument of military architecture. The construction of this sea fortress on the islands just off Helsinki in the middle of the 18th century was the most extensive building project during Swedish rule. When it was complete, its military shipyard was one of the biggest dry docks in the world and centers of know-how at that time. At the end of Swedish rule, the fortress was being compared with the maritime fortifications at Gibraltar. (B)

Day 11 Helsinki-St. Petersburg
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia, we arrive in Vyborg and take time out for a brief sightseeing tour of the Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon, we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in to your hotel. (B)

Day 12 St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given this city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour, we get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: Peter and Paul Fortress, The Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, The Church of the Bleeding Savior, The Nevsky Convent and much more. In the afternoon, continue to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum which has one of the largest collections of Western European art. (B)

Day 13 St. Petersburg
In the morning, we will take a trip to Peterhof, the former palace of Peter the Great. We will visit the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved for an excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room. This room vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. (B)

Day 14 St. Petersburg-USA
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B)


Tour Price Includes

• Round trip flight
• Round trip transfers
• Breakfast daily
• Transportation as per itinerary by 1st class motorcoach or minivan
• Guide service on days 3-13
• Entrance fees
• Welcome meeting on day 2 with champagne cocktail or juice
• Individual welcome package
• Portage at the hotels
• Service and VAT tax
• Russian Visa and gratuities are not included

• 2 nights at the Reval Hotel Lietuva or similar in Vilnius
• 3 nights at the Reval Hotel Latvija or similar in Riga
• 2 nights at the Reval Hotel Olympia or similar in Tallinn
• 2 nights at the Sokos Hotel Vaakuna or similar in Helsinki
• 3 nights at the Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden or similar in St. Petersburg

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES From New York*
Per Person, Double Occupancy

(B) Breakfast

*Discounted airfares available from other cities.
*Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharge are not included (Approximately $375-$425)