Classical Baltics Plus from Vilnius 2010
16 days / 15 nights, Vilnius - Trakai - Druskininkai - Kaunas - Curonian Spit - Klaipeda - Nida - Minija - Vente - Klaipeda - Palanga - Rundale - Riga - Pärnu - Tallinn - Sigulda - Vilnius | The Baltic Sea region is a rapidly growing tourism destination in Northern Europe. An increasing number of visitors are discovering the wealth of natural and cultural diversity that is available in the Baltic States and around the Baltic Sea.
Our escorted tour features the Old World cities of Vilnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Tallinn, Estonia, with castles, medieval lanes, and incredible architecture.
From the capitals we discover seaports Kalipeda and the Curonian Spit, inscribed in 2000 into the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, the peninsula dividing the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Visit the Neringa National Park, sea resort of Palanga and fishing village of Nida.
| Departure | Guaranteed Departures: June 11th, 18th, 25th July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th August 6th, 13th, 20th |
| Price | $2,010 per person in double room $2,660 single room |
| Included | 15 nights at the 5/4/3 star hotels All hotel taxes Buffet breakfast daily Welcome cocktail in Vilnius Dinner at hotel in Druskininkai on day 3 Dinner at hotel in Nida on day 4 Lunch at the restaurant at Kintai, tasting of local fish dishes Transportation by air-conditioned coach or minivan as per itinerary on days 2-4, 8-15 Ferry ticket from Klai¬peda to the Curonian Spit Ecological fees for Curonian Spit Boat trip from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park English and German speaking guide escort on days 2-5, 8-15 Excursions as per itinerary Entrances to: Vilnius University and St. Peter and Paul's Church in Vilnius, Grutas Park, Th .Man museum, , Amber museum in Palanga, Rundale Palace, the Dome Church in Riga, the Dome Church in Tallinn, University Tartu, Turaida castle. Individual information package (city guides and program) Porterage at hotels |
| Not Included | International airfare & airport taxes Arrival & departure transfers Personal insurance / personal expenses / incidental extras Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Tour Options | Arrival or departure Transfer, based on 2 persons: $25 per person |
Day 1 Sat VILNIUS Arrival in Vilnius. Individual transfer to your hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel. 7:00 p.m. welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide.
Artis Centrum Hotel
Day 2 Saturday VILNIUS-TRAKAI-VILNIUS (B) 9:00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St.Peter and Paul's Church, Cathedral Square, St.Ann and Bernardines' Church, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square and Vilnius University (founded in 1579) with St. John's Church. Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit to the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in the lake Galve. 6.00 p.m. return to Vilnius. In the evening optional dinner at the Lithuanian restaurant “Lokys” or similar.
Artis Centrum Hotel or similar
Day 3 Sunday VILNIUS-DRUSKININKAI (B, D) Leisure time in Vilnius. 12:00 p.m. departure for Druskininkai. Stop in Grutas village for a visit to Grutas Park an open-air exhibition of the Soviet era sculptures and monuments. Arrival in Druskininkai, check-in at the hotel. City tour of Druskininkai, the oldest health resort in Lithuania. The pride of the town is its mineral springs. In 1794 the king of Poland and Lithuania announced a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. Try mineral bath or massage to revitalize mind, body and spirit at hotel SPA center (not included). Dinner at hotel.
Spa Hotel Vilnius or similar
Da¬y 4 Monday DRUSKININKAI-KAUNAS KLAIPEDA-JUODKRANTE-NIDA (B, D) 9:00 a. m. departure for Nida. Stopover in Kaunas – former temporary capital of Lithuania. City tour of Kaunas- the second largest city of Lithuania - includes ruins of the castle, Town Hall Square with its impressive monuments, visit to Cathedral. Arrrival in Klaipeda. Ferry trip to the Curonian Spit. Visit the Hill of Witches which houses a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante. Arrival in Nida. Check in at hotel. Dinner at hotel.
Nidos Smilte or similar
Day 5 Tuesday NIDA (B) Walking tour of Nida resort, including the Fisherman's House, famous German writer Thomas Mann's House, Amber Gallery, old ethnographic cemetery, neo-gothic church and a walk along impressive sand dunes.
Nidos Smilte or similar
Day 6 Wednesday NIDA (B) Leisure time. Nida is an old fishing village on the Curonian Spit washed by the Baltic Sea from one side and the Curonian Lagoon from the other side. Today Nida is the largest settlement of the town of Neringa and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. The ancient fishermen's architecture is distinguished by its originality. One can choose from a variety of activities such as water sports and cycling.
Nidos Smilte or similar
Day 7 Thursday NIDA Leisure time. Nida is an old fishing village on the Curonian Spit washed by the Baltic Sea from one side and the Curonian Lagoon from the other side. Today Nida is the largest settlement of the town of Neringa and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. The ancient fishermen's architecture is distinguished by its originality. One can choose from a variety of activities such as water sports and cycling.
Nidos Smilte or similar
Day 8 Friday NIDA-MINIJA-VENTE-KLAIPEDA (B, L) 11:00 a.m. departure by boat from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. En route stop in Uostadvaris. Visit of the lighthouse built in 1876 and the oldest water lifting station in Lithuania, nowadays a Polder Museum. Continue to Kintai settlement passing the Minija village called the Lithuanian Venice, where the River Minija serves as the main street. Lunch at the restaurant at Kintai, tasting of local fish dishes. Departure by coach to the Vente Horn. Visit of the ornithological station and the 19th century lighthouse. Arrival in Klaipeda. Check-in at the hotel.
Europa Royal or similar
Day 9 Saturday KLAIPEDA-PALANGA-KLAIPEDA (B) City tour of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania, including Theatre Square and Old Town and trip to Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania. City tour including the visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, with over 25000 pieces of amber and 15000 inclusions of insects on display. Return to Klaipeda. In the evening optional dinner at the restaurant “Taravos Anike” or similar.
Europa Royal or similar
Day 10 Sunday KLAIPEDA- HILL OF CROSSES - RUNDALE-RIGA (B) 9:00 a.m. departure by coach to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Šiauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Further drive to Riga. Stop in Rundale. Visit to Rundale Palace of the 18th century, a beautiful late baroque palace in Latvia. It is a splendid example of the early work of famous Italian architect F.B.Rastrelli. Arrival in Riga, check-in at the hotel.
Radisson SAS Daugava or similar
Day 11 Monday RIGA (B) 9:00 a.m. a city tour of Riga, visiting medieval Hanseatic town, Riga Castle, St. Peter's Church, Dome Cathedral, the Old Guild Houses. Afternoon optional: excursion to Jurmala. In the evening optional dinner at the Latvian restaurant “Rozengrals” or similar.
Radisson SAS Daugava or similar
Day 12 Tuesday RIGA-PÄRNU-TALLINN (B) 9:00 a.m. departure for Tallinn with a stop in Pärnu, Estonia “Summer Capital”. This little town has been known as a summer health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. Further drive to Tallinn. Arrival in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel.
Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar
Day 13 Wednesday TALLINN (B) 9:00 a.m. a city tour of Tallinn, visiting the Old Town of Tallinn - an example of Gothic architecture in the Baltic and Nordic countries. The tour includes Toompea Castle fortifications, the Dome Church (13th century), the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky (19th century), Town Hall Square (15th century), the Old Guild, St.Olaf's Church. Afternoon optional: excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to Kadriorg Palace. Optional dinner at the medieval restaurant ”Peppersack” or similar.
Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar
Day 14 Thursday TALLINN-TARTU-SIGULDA (B) 9:00 a.m. departure for Sigulda. Stopover in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. 12:00 p.m. a city tour of Tartu, including Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculptures, bridges and ruins of gothic Church, panoramic view of the town with Jaani Church and Town Hall Square. Further drive to Sigulda (Latvia). Short stop in a small ancient town of Cesis for a walk in Castle Park. Arrival in Sigulda, check-in at the hotel.
Segevold Hotel or similar
Day 15 Friday SIGULDA-VILNIUS (B) 9:00 a.m. walk in Gauja National Park, including visit to Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle in Sigulda. A further drive to Vilnius. Arrival in Vilnius, check-in at the hotel.
Artis Centrum Hotel or similar
Day 16 Saturday VILNIUS (B) Breakfast. End of the tour.