Classical Baltics Plus Riga

Day 1 Sunday: RIGA
Arrival in Riga. Individual transfer to your hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel. 7:00 p.m. welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. OVERNIGHT: Riga "RADISSON BLU RIDZENE" or similar

Day 2 Monday: RIGA
9:00 a.m. a city tour of Riga.  A combined coach and walking tour encompasses the most significant sights of Riga: driving along the central boulevards of Riga, enjoying the view of the City Canal Parks, the Bastion Hill, the Powder Tower, the Latvian National Theatre, the Fine Arts Museum, the Art Nouveau Buildings of the beginning of the 20th century, the Freedom Monument, University of Latvia, Latvian National Opera House and the Daugava River. During the walking part of the tour you will enjoy the beauty of the ancient Hanseatic City: picturesque streets of the Old Town, the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St.Peter, the old Guild Houses, the Swedish Gate, St.Jacob’s Church, St. Mary Magdalene's Church, the Parliament House, Old Riga Castle. Following the visit of the famous market halls of Riga. Afternoon optional excursion to Jurmala. In the evening optional dinner at Latvian restaurant “ Rozengrals ” or similar. OVERNIGHT: Riga "RADISSON BLU RIDZENE" or similar

Day 3 Tuesday: RIGA - PÄRNU - TALLINN (300 km)
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. OVERNIGHT: Tallinn  "MERITON GRAND HOTEL TALLINN"  or similar

Day 4 Wednesday: TALLINN
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), St. Catherine's Passage, where artists of St. Catherine guild present their work, St.Olaf’s Church. Afternoon optional excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to Kadriorg Palace. In the evening optional:  dinner at medieval  restaurant “ Peppersack ” or similar. OVERNIGHT: Tallinn  "MERITON GRAND HOTEL TALLINN"  or similar

Day 5 Thursday: TALLINN - TARTU - SIGULDA (380 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Sigulda. Stopover in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. 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.
OVERNIGHT: Sigulda "SEGEVOLD" or similar

Day 6 Friday: SIGULDA - VILNIUS (350 km)
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.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius "NOVOTEL" or similar

Day 7 Saturday: VILNIUS - TRAKAI - VILNIUS (50 km)
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, Gediminas Castle, Cathedral Square  with St. Stanislaw Cathedral and Bell tower, St.Ann and Bernardines’ Church, Amber gallery-museum,  Uzupis -one of the oldest districts of Vilnius, mentioned in the historical sources as far back as the 16th century, nowadays the artists’ “republic”, which has its own constitution, national anthem, calendar and map,   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 similar.OVERNIGHT: Vilnius "NOVOTEL" or similar  

Day 8 Sunday: VILNIUS - DRUSKININKAI (130 km)
Breakfast at hotel. 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. Possibility  to  try various spa treatments against extra payment at health center.  Dinner at hotel. OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai "EUROPA ROYALE DRUSKININKAI" or similar  

Day 9 Monday: DRUSKININKAI - KAUNAS - KLAIPEDA - JUODKRANTE - NIDA ( 400 km)
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. Arrival in Klaipeda. Ferry trip to the Cu¬ro¬nian 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. OVERNIGHT: Nida "NIDOS SMILTE" or similar

Day 10  Tuesday: NIDA
Walking tour of Nida resort, including the Fisherman’s House- museum, famous German writer Thomas Mann’s House, Amber Gallery, old ethnographic cemetery, neo-gothic church and a walk along impressive sand dunes.OVERNIGHT: Nida "NIDOS SMILTE" or similar

Day 11-12 Wednesday - 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.
OVERNIGHT: Nida "NIDOS  SMILTE" or similar

Day 13 Friday: NIDA - MINIJA - VENTE - KLAIPEDA (70 km)
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. 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 dish.  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. OVERNIGHT: Klaipeda "RADISSON BLU KLAIPEDA" or similar

Day 14 Saturday: KLAIPEDA - PALANGA - KLAIPEDA  (50 km)
City tour of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania,  includes walking in the old part of the town which is interesting for  frame-built architecture, cozy closed yards, paved streets, the Theatre Square with a sculpture of “Annchen von Tharau”, Old Post Office. 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, further walk by the Birut? Hill along the sea coast, on the sea bridge and on pedestrian Basanavi?iaus street famous for its cafes and restaurants with live music.  Return to Klaipeda. In the  evening optional   dinner at the restaurant “Taravos Anike”  or similar. OVERNIGHT: Klaipeda "RADISSON BLU KLAIPEDA" or similar

Day 15 Sunday: KLAIPEDA - HILL OF CROSSES - RUNDALE - RIGA (380 km)
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. OVERNIGHT: Riga "RADISSON BLU RIDZENE" or similar

Day 16 Monday : RIGA
Breakfast. End of the tour.