Itinerary

Day 1 Vilnius
Upon arrival in Vilnius you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar.

Day 2 Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Your morning city tour includes a panoramic tour of the capital 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. This afternoon you will be taken on a tour to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, located on an island in the middle of Lake Galve. This evening dinner will be served at the Belmontes restaurant. Overnight Hotel Radisson Lietuva or similar.

Day 3 Vilnius-Hill of Crosses-Rundale Palace-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 you will soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. After a guided tour of the palace travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 4 Riga
Before you get acquainted with Riga you will discover medieval Latvia. This morning tour takes you to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. 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 you return to Riga. The afternoon us reserved for a visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. The evening you will enjoy an organ concert at the Dome Cathedral. Overnight in Riga at the Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 5 Riga-Jurmala-Riga
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. Your walking tour of the Old Town includes the Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to the famous Baltic seaside resort of Jurmala, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening dinner will be served at the Forest restaurant. Overnight Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 6 Riga-Parnu-Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu, with a short tour of the resort and a leisurely stroll along the beach. The balance of the day goes through the North Estonian land of forests to Tallinn. Overnight Hotel Radisson Olympia or similar.

Day 7 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, outdoor markets, cafes and restaurants. Your city tour takes you around the medieval city walls and into the Old Town where you will see the Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Old Town Hall. In the afternoon you will be taken to the Kadriorg Park and a visit to the famous Estonian art museum KUMU. A traditional medieval dinner will be served at the Maikrahv restaurant. Overnight Hotel Radisson Olympia or similar.

Day 8 Tallinn-Helsinki
This day offers in the morning an excursion to the Lahemaa National Park, where you visit the Palmse Manor, a memorial to the Von Pahlen family, and the Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. Head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Overnight at the Hotel Glo Art or similar.

Day 9 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 you around the harbors, 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. In the afternoon you will enjoy an excursion to the Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, the fortress is a unique attraction. This evening you will enjoy dinner at the Restaurant Salve. Overnight Hotel Glo Art or similar.

Day 10 Helsinki-Vyborg-St. Petersburg
Today continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia arrive in Vyborg, where you will be taken on a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon arrive in St. Petersburg. Overnight Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 11 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 “The Venice of the North”. During your morning panoramic sightseeing tour 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. The afternoon offers 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 evening enjoy a visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian “Champagne” and snacks. Overnight Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 12 St. Petersburg
The morning you will be taken on an excursion to Zarskoye Selo 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. In the afternoon, you will visit the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening enjoy a Russian dinner at the Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti. Overnight Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 13 St Petersburg-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you may extend your stay in St. Petersburg or continue to Moscow or Belarus.

Additional nights in Vilnius and/or St. Petersburg available

Visa is needed for Russia and is not included.