Jewels of the Baltic 2010
11 days / 10 nights, Vilnius - Trakai - Riga - Pärnu - Tallinn - Helsinki - St. Petersburg | This comprehensive escorted tour features a blend of the charming old towns of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, all on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites due to their historic and cultural centers, wonderfully preserved despite invasions and wars. Each city retained its classical buildings as well as its medieval character and natural setting.
Further east along the Baltic Sea we explore the grandeur of St. Petersburg, the imperial city of the Czars. Experience the history and culture of this region, the many palaces including Peterhof Palace and the State Hermitage. Helsinki "The Daughter of the Baltic", is also included in this historical tour, with its fascinating mixture of Swedish, Russian and International cultures!
| Departure | Guaranteed Departures: June 25th July 9th, 23rd August 6th, 20th |
| Price | June 25th: $2,930 per person in double room $3,780 single room July 9th, 23th August 6th, 30th: $2,845 per person in double room $3,595 single room |
| Included | 10 nights at 5/4 star hotels All hotel taxes Buffet breakfast daily Welcome cocktail in Vilnius Transportation by air-conditioned coach or minivan as per itinerary (no transfer hotel Holiday Inn City Helsinki- train station) Ferry ticket Tallinn- Helsinki Repin train ticket Helsinki - St.Petersburg English and German speaking guide escort on days 2-9(no guide escort on ferry Tallinn – Helsinki, Hotel Inn City in Helsinki-railway station, on train Helsinki – St. Petersburg, St Petersburg railway station-hotel Novotel) Excursions as per itinerary Entrances to: Vilnius University and St.Peter and Paul's Church in Vilnius, Trakai castle, Rundale Palace, the Dome Church in Riga, the Dome Church In Tallinn. 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 Visa to Russia Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
Day 1 Fri ARRIVAL 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 or similar
Day 2 Sat VILNIUS - TRAKAI - VILNIUS (B) 9:00 a.m. City tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St. Peter and Paul's Church, Gediminas castle, 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. Return to Vilnius. In the evening optional: dinner at Lithuanian restaurant "Lokys" or simila.
ARTIS CENTRUM HOTEL or similar
Day 3 Sun VILNIUS - HILL OF CROSSES - RUNDALE - RIGA (B) 9:00 am 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. A 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
Day 4 Mon RIGA (B) 9:00 am Morning city tour of Riga, visiting medieval Hanseatic town, Riga castle, St. Peter's Church, Dome Cathedral, the Old Guild Houses. Afternoon option: excursion to Jurmala. In the evening optional: dinner at the Latvian restaurant "Rozengrals" or similar.
Radisson SAS Daugava
Day 5 Tue RIGA - PÄRNU - TALLINN (B) 9:00 a.m. departure for Tallinn with a stop in Pärnu, Estonian “Summer Capital”. This little town has been known as a summer health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. A further drive to Tallinn. Arrival in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel.
Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn
Day 6 Wed TALLINN (B) 9:00 am Morning 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 Kadriog Park and visit to Kadriog Palace. In the evening optional: dinner at medieval restaurant "Pepersack" or similar.
Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn
Day 7 Thu TALLINN - HELSINKI (B) Morning ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Arrival in Helsinki. Meeting and city tour of Helsinki. The tour includes all the most important and interesting parts of Helsinki, such as the historical centre, Senate Square, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall. Stop at Sibelius Monument and Tempeliaukio Church- the church in the Rock. Check-in at the hotel.
Holiday Inn City Center
Day 8 Fri HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Optional: A combined boat and walking tour to the ancient Suomenlinna Sea fortress- one of the largest in the world and included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. The Suomenlinna Museum gives a glimpse of the life of officers and soldiers during the periods of Swedish and Russian rule in the 18th and 19th centuries. The fortress of Suomenlinna stands on five interconnected islands, reached by half-hourly ferry from the South Harbour. In the afternoon train to St. Petersburg. Arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to Hotel, and check-in.
Novotel
Day 9 Sat ST. PETERSBURG (B) 9:00 a.m. city tour of St. Petersburg includes a panoramic view of the most interesting architectural and historical sights of the town: Admiralty, Neva River embankments, a revolution monument -cruiser Aurora, Decembrists` Square, Palace Square, Nevsky Prospect, Peter and Paul fortress and Isaac's Square. Optional: Afternoon visit to the Hermitage- one of the largest museum collections of Western European art exhibited in the Winter Palace famous for its huge frescoed halls, marble, wood and mosaic floors, antique furniture and statuettes. In the evening optional: visit to Nikolajevsky Palace with Russian Folklore show.
Novotel
Day 10 Sun ST. PETERSBURG (B) After breakfast an optional excursion to Peterhof, the famous imperial summer residence (1704) of Peter the Great. Visit to the Grand Palace, the park with sculptures, 144 fountains and cascade system. In the evening optional: Russian dinner at a restaurant in St. Petersburg.
Novotel
Day 11 Mon ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.