Baltic Highlights Tour

Visit the three independent Baltic Republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on this escorted motor coach tour.

A deluxe version of this tour is available.

http://www.scantours.net/products/baltic-highlights-deluxe/564/

Itinerary

Arrive in Vilnius - capital of Lithuania. Arrival transfer to the Hotel Reval Lietuva or similar. Check-in at hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Time to explore Vilnius on your own. Welcome meeting with a champagne cocktail or juice.

Vilnius is known for its more than 1200 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. Anna's Church, Old University and Gates of the Dawn. The afternoon is offering a 3 hour excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, located at the Lake Galves. In the evening we will enjoy a folklore dinner at Restaurant "Belmontas".

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 will soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. After a guided tour of the palace we travel through South Latvia to reach Riga in the late afternoon for check-in and overnight at Hotel Reval Latvija or similar.

Before we get acquainted with Riga, we discover medieval Latvia. The four hour excursion today takes you to the stunning scenery of 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, the ruins of the castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return back to Riga. In the afternoon a visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. In the evening there will be an Organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, Swedish Gates, "Three Brothers", Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening we will enjoy a Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant La Boheme.

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu with a short tour of the resort before continuing through the North Estonian forest land to Tallinn with check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia.

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, out-door cafes and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Old Town Hall. In the afternoon there is an excursion to Kadriorg Palace and its art collection. In the evening enjoy a medieval evening at the Restaurant "Peppersack".

As of July 1, 2012 the Kadriorg Palace is closed. You will have an excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU museum.

Tour ends after breakfast with a departure transfer.