13 Days: Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Helsinki (Finland), St. Petersburg (Russian Federation)

Tour Overview :  This 13-day tour combines the best of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Russia. Start your tour in Vilnius, known for its 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Explore Riga, the largest of the three Baltic capitals and a kaleidoscope of architectural styles. Enjoy the medieval city of Tallinn before departing for the Finnish capital of Helsinki via a scenic ferry ride and end your tour in the dream-like city of St. Petersburg, known for its imperial palaces and museums.

Day 1 – July 16, 2022 (Saturday): Arrival Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius, transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva (3 Nights)
Welcome Briefing followed by Dinner at the Skybar on the 22nd floor with its great views of the city.
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner with wine

Day 2 – July 17, 2022 (Sunday): Vilnius
The morning sightseeing tour takes you through centuries of Lithuanian history starting with the sights related to early Lithuanian history: the Gediminas Tower (external only) and the Lower Castle, which was rebuilt for Lithuania’s millennial celebrations, Vilnius Cathedral and into the Old Town with the Gates of Dawn and the Madonna of Vilnius and the Old Town Hall.

Yivo Institute in Vilnius – we will include a visit here – programs for next July are not listed yet.

The afternoon tour features the landmarks of the road to independence starting with a visit to the infamous KGB Museum and continuing with a visit to the Soviet-era TV Tower and the Parliament Building, both of which were at the centre of the dramatic events of January 1991. The tour concludes with a visit to the bohemian Uzupis District, a picturesque area of the city, where students, artists and free-spirited dreamers enjoy their own creative independence. Restaurant Belmontas with folklore music
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner Show

Day 3 – July 18, 2022 (Monday): Vilnius
Venture into the heart of Lithuania on an enchanting tour to Trakai Island and Castle. Watch the wild, rolling countryside sweep by as a guide paints a vivid picture of Lithuania’s gripping history. Then you’ll arrive at the fairy-tale Trakai Castle, which sits pretty in the middle of a stunning lake. Finally, explore its many rooms and chambers, and hear tales of royal intrigue!
Folowing the sightseeing immerse yourself in Lithuanian culture with a cooking class and history lesson at a local Trakai inn. In addition to teaching you how to make savory pastries called kybyns, your guide offers anecdotes about the country’s history often unheard by visitors.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor along with a savory chicken broth, before returning to your hotel in Vilnius. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Cooking Class

Day 4 – July 19 2022 (Tuesday): Vilnius-Riga
The morning we embark on an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. Later we are heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel Radisson Blu Latvia (2 Nights)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 – July 20 2022 (Wednesday): Riga
Morning city tour of Riga with all the splendors of the city: the Old Town with Riga Castle, St. Peter’s Church, the Dome Cathedral, Small Guild House, the Three Brothers and the Swedish Gate. In the afternoon continue the city tour and visit the Jewish Ghetto Museum (Spikeri), most of exhibits are located outside, stroll along the Little Kalna Street, the former Jewish neighborhood. We end our tour with visit to ZanisLipke Museum. Enjoy an organ concert at the Dome Cathedral this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 – July 21 2022 (Thursday): Riga – Tallinn
After we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the 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 and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. This afternoon continue 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Radisson Blu Olumpia (2 Nights)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7 – July 22 2022 (Friday): Tallinn
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, outdoor cafés 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, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall.

Afternoon Optional Tour: Excursion 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 enjoy a medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8 – July 23 2022 (Saturday): Tallinn-Helsinki
This morning enjoy an 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 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy refreshing vistas of the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel.

Accommodation:Hotel Radisson Blu Seaside (2 Nights)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 – July 24 2022 (Sunday): Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbors and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock.

Afternoon Optional Tour: Excursion with water bus to the Suomenlinna Fortress.

Enjoy a typical Finnish dinner at Restaurant Salve this evening
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 – July 25 2022 (Monday): Helsinki-St. Petersburg
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg.
Optional Activity: This evening enjoy a Ballet performance at the exquisite Marinsky Theater.

Accommodation: Hotel SokosVasilievsky (3 Nights)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 11 – July 26 2022 (Tuesday): St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title of Venice of the North. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more.

Afternoon excursion to ZarskoyeSelo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations.

Evening Optional Activity: Enjoy a visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show with Russian champagne and snacks.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 – July 27 2022 (Wednesday): St. Petersburg
The morning is reserved for a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the afternoon, visit the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum.

This evening enjoy a farewell Russian dinner at Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 13 – July 28 2022 (Thursday): St. Petersburg Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home
Meals Included: Breakfast

TERMS & CONDITIONS