Wednesday Departure.
Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Elizabete**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Meal: No Meal
Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the morning takes to Art Nouveaux district and Old Town including Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life.
Meal: Breakfast
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.
Meal: Breakfast
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity 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 Toom Pea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.
Meal: Breakfast
This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 13th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum.
Meal: Breakfast
We continue to Tartu, the University Town, where Estonia gained its statehood. We see the charming Old Town and the University founded in 1632. Check in at Hotel Dorpat*** or similar. Afternoon is free in Tartu to explore it further on your own.
Meal: Breakfast
Departing from Tartu, we head south and in Latvia our first stop is in Aluksne. From there soon we reach Stameriena - the pearl of European romanticism having close links with Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. After the visit, we continue to Cesvaine where we visit the small, private Cesvaine beer brewery and are invited to test the produce. Later in the afternoon we arrive to Grasi Manor***, a picturesque classicism style estate in the middle of Latvia. This evening offers a dinner at Grasi Manor.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Leaving Grasi our first stop is in Aglona, where we visit Aglona Basilica built in late baroque style and a ceramics workshop, an important symbol of Latgalian culture. From here, our tour continues to Daugavpils, Latvia’s 2nd largest city. We tour the historical centre of the city and visit the 19th century Daugavpils Fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Centre, the only place in Europe, where the original masterpieces by the famous founder of abstract expressionism can be seen. Just outside the city we find the lovely Sventes Manor and we check in at Hotel Svente Manor****
Meal: Breakfast
Today we continue southwards into Lithuania and an in the middle of the day we arrive at Aukštaitija National Park with its many lakes, rivulets and streams scattered between forests and hills. We explore the park on a light walk through the scenic landscapes and visit the pretty lakeside town of Paluse, famous for its wooden church. Late in the afternoon, we head towards Vilnius. Upon arrival we check in at Hotel Neringa**** or similar.
Meal: Breakfast
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning walking tour takes us to the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers optional tour to The Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania where you will learn about the fortifications and the collection of armaments of the castle and palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
Meal: Breakfast
Optional transfer to the airport.
• 10 overnights at centrally located 3-4 star hotels.
• 10 x buffet breakfast and dinner at Grasi Manor.
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice.
• Personalised welcome package.
• Entrances to Great Guild Hall in Tallinn, Stameriena Palace, Cesvaine beer brewery, Aglona Basilica, ceramics show-room in Preili and Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils.
• Service of English and German speaking tour escort on all tours.
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary.
- International / Domestic Airfare.
- Optional activities.
- Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program.
- Travel insurance.
- Voluntary tips for guides or drivers.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Any items not mentioned as included.
Hotels Used Or Similar
Riga - Radisson Blu Elizabete**** or similar.
Tallinn - Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.
Tartu - Hotel Dorpat*** or similar
Grasi - Grasi Manor*** or similar
Daugavpils - Hotel Svente Manor**** or similar.
Vilnius - Hotel Neringa**** or similar.
Rates for Optional Activities, Transfers and Meals are on request.
Wednesday Departure.