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THE GRAND TOUR OF THE BALTICS
17 DAYS
Day 1 USA-Riga
Depart US for overnight flight to Riga.
Day 2 Riga
Upon arriving in Riga, you will be transferred to your hotel. At 7pm, your guide will join you for a welcome meeting at the hotel.
Day 3 Riga-Parnu-Tallinn
Today you will depart for Tallinn. Enroute visit the town of Parnu. Parnu is a resort town dating back to medieval times and is becoming a chic summer center of Estonia. It is also known as Estonia's "Summer Capital." Arrive in Tallinn (B)
Day 4 Tallinn
The morning will start off with a sightseeing tour of Tallinn, Estonia's capital. This picturesque old city has districts dating back to the Middle Ages that are still intact today. We'll begin in the Old Town with its narrow streets and beautiful merchant houses. From there we'll visit Toompea's Castle fortifications, Town Hall Square(15th century), Dome Church (13th century), the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevskij (I9th century), St. Olaf's Church and the Old Guild. The Old Guild was built to celebrate Tallinn's membership in the Hanseatic League, a trading society since 1284. In the afternoon, you are free to do some souvenir shopping or just take a stroll through the Old Town.(B)
Day 5 Tallinn-Tartu-Sigulda
After breakfast, you depart for Sigulda. Located 37 miles from Riga, Sigulda is surrounded by the Gauja National Park and Nature Preserve. This is a mountainous region that has long been cherished as Latvia's most beautiful ancient oak forests. Before arrival in Sigulda, there will be a stop in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. The tour of Tartu will include, Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculpture bridges and ruins of the gothic church, Jaani Church and Town Hall Square. There will be another stop in the small ancient town of Cesis, where you'll take a brief walk through Castle Park. The rest of the day will be spent in Sigulda.(B)
Day 6 Sigulda-Vilnius
In the morning, there will be a brief walking tour through the Gauja National Park visiting the Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle. From there, continue on to Vilnius where your day will end when you arrive at your hotel. (B)
Day 7 Vilnius-Trakai-Vilnius
Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Vilnius. This city has been the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. This morning excursion includes St. Peter and Paul's Church, Cathedral Square, St, Ann and Bernadine's Church, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square, Vilnius University (founded 1579) and St. John's Church.
Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in the lake Galve. 5:30 p.m. return to Vilnius. (B)
Day 8 Vilnius-Druskininkai
Begin your day with a trip to Grutas Village and visit Grutas Park, an open-air exhibition of Soviet era sculptures and monuments. From there continue to Druskininkai, the oldest health resort in Lithuania. The pride of this town is its mineral springs. In 1794, the king of Poland and Lithuania announced a decree officially designating it as a health resort. However, it became a health resort only after I. Fonberg, a professor of Vilnius University, studied the spring water and recommended to the Czar government that this town should establish a resort in the area (1837). During your visit to the Health Center, everybody will have an opportunity to try mineral bath procedures. Dinner will be served at the hotel. (B)(D)
Day 9 Druskininkai-Kaunas-Klaipeda-Nida
After breakfast, depart for Nida. On the way, you will stop in Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city. In Kaunas, visit the 13th century Kaunas Castle, Town Hall(known locally as "White Swan"), Town Hall Square, the 14th century Church of Vytautas, Cathedral Basilica and Perkunas House. In the afternoon, continue to Klaipeda where you'll take the ferry to Nida and check-in to your hotel. This resort town is the largest of four villages of one municipal administrative unit Neringa. The village is situated 48 kilometres from Klaipeda in the peninsula of the Curonian Spit, which is just a narrow strip of sand separating the Curonian lagoon from the Baltic Sea. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ancient Nida was the fishing village known since 1385 although archeologists think that people were there in 2000 B.C. The fishermen's village evolved to a picturesque resort of wide attraction. All year round there are the white-sand beaches in Nida. In autumn and spring there are a lot of amber to search for on the beaches (B)
Day 10 Nida
In the morning, you will begin with a combined coach and walking tour of the Kursiu Nerija National Park. Kursiu Nerija National Park was established on April 23, 1991 by the Act of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania No.I-1244 (on Establishment of Dzukija, Kursiu Nerija and Zemaitija National Parks, Trakai Historical National Park and Viesvile State Nature Reserve): "to preserve the most valuable complex of Lithuanian seaside with its unique landscape and the dune ridge, natural and ethnocultural heritage for sustainable use and its care." Visit the Hill of Witches which houses hundreds of wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante village and Nida resort. Continue to the Fisherman's House, the house of the famous German writer Thomas Mann and the Amber Gallery. You will finish the day with a walk along some impressive sand dunes. (B)
Day 11-12 Nida
Leisure time. There are more places to visit in Nida. The Agila Cultural Centre Gallery, the Ethnographic Museum and the Evangelical-Lutheran Church are among them. One also can choose a variety of activities such as water sports and cycling. (B)
Day 13 Nida-Minija-Vente-Klaipeda
Today you depart by boat from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. En route stop in Uostadvaris where you will visit a lighthouse built in 1876 and The Polder museum. Continue to Kintai settlement passing Minija village called the "Lithuanian Venice", where the Minija River serves as the main street. Lunch will be provided at Kintai, tasting local dishes made from fish.
After lunch, you will leave for Klaipeda. Before your arrival, there is a stop at Vente Horn to see the ornithological station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years.
The day will end with a short city tour of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania. This brief tour will include Theatre Square and Old Town. Check-in at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 14 Klaipeda-Palanga-Klaipeda
After breakfast depart for Palanga, the biggest seaside resort in Lithuania (25 km). This city tour includes a visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz. This museum houses over 25 000 pieces of amber and 15 000 inclusions of insects on display. Return to Klaipeda in mid-afternoon. (B)
Day 15 Klaipeda-Siauliai-Rundale-Riga (350 km)
Departure by coach to Riga, the capital of Latvia. En route you will stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Siauliai). Since the 14th century, pilgrims have been placing crosses here. Until today, there are hundreds of thousands of them. In 1993, Pope John Paul concelebrated Mass here. Continue to Rundale and visit the 18th century Rundale Palace, one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Latvia. It is a splendid example of the early work of famous Italian architect F.B.Rastrelli. Arrival in Riga and check-in at the hotel. (B)
Day 16 Riga
This day will begin with a city tour of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Today you will visit St. Peters Church, Riga Castle, the Old Guild Houses and the Dome Cathedral, which houses one of the world's largest pipe organs. The old town has some of the most beautifully restored merchant houses, cozy beer cellars, cafes and historical monuments. (B)
Day 17 Riga-USA
Transfer to airport for the flight home. (B)
GRAND TOUR OF THE BALTICS
Tour Price Includes
- Round trip flight
- Round trip airport transfers
- Buffet breakfast daily
- 1 welcome drink
- 1 dinner
- Transportation by air-conditioned motorcoach as per itinerary
- Guide service on days 3-10 and 14-16
- Ferry from Klaipeda to the Curonian Spit
- Ferry from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park
- Excursion and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Individual information package (city guides and program)
- Gratuities not included
Accomodations
2008 Departure Dates and Prices
From New York*
Per person, Double Occupancy
| | Land Only | Air&Land |
| June 8, 15, 22, 29 | $1699 | $2599 |
| July 6, 13, 20, 27 | $1699 | $2599 |
| Aug 3, 10, 17 | $1699 | $2599 |
| Aug 24 | $1699 | $2449 |
| Single Supplement | $599 |
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*Discounted airfares available from other cities.
*Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharge are not included (Approximately $250-$350)
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Updated Tours Section for 2008
In Other Words...
"I want you to know that the Latvian Extravaganza tour you arranged for my daughter and me was a very special success."
— TWS
"Many thanks to you for planning a lovely trip for us to the Baltic Republics earlier this month."
— J&J D
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