Northern Heritage Trail 17 Days
17 Days : Berlin,Wroclaw,Krakow,Warsaw,Vilnius,Riga & Tallinn
Tour overview:
This 17-days tour of Northern Europe combines the best of Germany, Poland and the Baltic Region of Latvia & Norway. Discover the heart of Berlin on a city sightseeing tour with bustling Kurfürstendamm and the majestic Victory Column (Siegessäule), impressive Chancellery (Kanzleramt) and the historic Reichstagand the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and stroll down the grand boulevard of Unter den Linden. Today we continue through the well forested Eastern Poland to Podlasie region and Bialowieza. We depart from Bialystok heading to Vilnius through attractive resort towns into Lithuania.
Day 1 - Arrive Berlin
Arrival in Berlin, transfer to Hotel Maritim Arte Berlin**** or similar, check-in.
Day 2 - Berlin
Discover the heart of Berlin on a city sightseeing tour with bustling Kurfürstendamm and the majestic Victory Column (Siegessäule), impressive Chancellery (Kanzleramt) and the historic Reichstagand the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and stroll down the grand boulevard of Unter den Linden. The afternoon is to explore Berlin on own hand.
Day 3 - Berlin - Dresden
Departure to Dresden. Upon arrival in Dresden and transfer to hotel, we embark on a captivating city walking tour. We begin at the historic Neumarkt and marvel at the stunning Frauenkirche. See the renowned Semper Opera and the magnificent Zwinger Palace and enjoy the scenic views from Brühl Terrace. We conclude the tour with a stroll across the iconic Augustus Bridge. Check in at Hotel Maritim Dresden**** or similar.
Day 4 - Dresden - Wroclaw
Transfer to Wroclaw and start the tour with Ostrow Tumski, also known as Cathedral Island, the historic heart of the city. Marvel at the architectural splendour of the Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through the vibrant Old Market Square, the lively center of Wroclaw's old town. Visit the towering St. Elizabeth's Church and its stunning interiors. We conclude the tour at the Gothic City Hall, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Check in at Hotel Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town**** or similar.
Day 5 - Wroclaw - Krakow
The morning offers visit to the Museum of Wroclaw University with the magnificent Baroque Hall of Aula Leopoldina, Oratorium Marianum and the Mathematical Tower. In the afternoon, we depart for Krakow, where upon arrival, we'll check in at Hotel Golden Tulip Krakow City Center**** or similar.
Day 6 - Krakow
For half a millennium Krakow was the royal capital of Poland and for centuries the city walls have guarded its traditions and secrets. The day starts with a walking tour of the Old Town with the St. Mary’s Church, the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Halls and Wawel with the Wawel Castle and the Wawel Cathedral. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, an amazing labyrinth of tunnels going down as far as 327 meters.
Day 7 - Krakow - Warsaw
The morning offers optional visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum or free morning to explore further city on your own. In early after transfer to Krakow railway station and departure by train to Warsaw. Arrival to Warsaw railway station and transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Sobieski**** or similar for check in.
Day 8 - Warsaw
Warsaw is essentially a post-war city with a meticulously reconstructed Old Town. The morning sightseeing tour includes the Royal Route and the Old Town with the Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square and the Barbican. In the afternoon is offered an optional excursion to the Royal Lazienki Park with the Palace on the Water. The evening offers an optional Polish dinner at Restaurant Gospoda Kwiaty Polskie.
Day 9 - Warsaw - Bialystok
Today we continue through the well forested Eastern Poland to Podlasie region and Bialowieza. The forest there represents the ancient forest that once covered all Europe. We will visit Bialowieza National Park and its famous European Bison Show Reserve. After light stroll along nature trails of the forest, we continue to Biaylistok where we check in at Hotel Ibis Styles Bialystok*** or similar. In the late afternoon we visit Bialystok and its landmark Branicki Palace.
Day 10 - Bialystok - Vilnius
We depart from Bialystok heading to Vilnius through attractive resort towns into Lithuania. We do a stop in Kaunas, the former capital of Lithuania, to admire the beautiful Old Town and the elegant white Baroque Town Hall before we arrive in the late afternoon to Vilnius. Check in at Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva **** or similar.
Day 11 - Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele.
Day 12 - Vilnius - Riga
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, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija**** or similar.
Day 13 - Riga
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 is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.
Day 14 - Riga.
After we got acquainted with Riga, we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional 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. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life.
Day 15 - Riga - Tallinn
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.
Day 16 - Tallinn
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 Toompea 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.
Day 17 - Depart Tallinn
Private transfer to the airport.