2nd Day/Fri - VILNIUS.
Transfer to your hotel (optional). Check-in at the hotel, 7:00 pm welcome meeting at the hotel where you will be greeted by the tour guide.
3rd Day/Sat - VILNIUS-Trakai.
This morning a city tour of Vilnius will introduce you to the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St. Peter and Paul's Church, Cathedral Square, St. Ann and Bernardine's Church, 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. Lunch at Old Town restaurant. Afternoon trip to Trakai (16 miles from Vilnius), former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit to the insular castle of the 14th century, beautifully situated on a small island in the lake Galve. For ages it served as a defensive structure and residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. (B)
4rd Day/Sun - VILNIUS/DRUSKININKAI (81 miles).
Morning at leisure. At 12 noon depart for Druskininkai with a stop in Grutas village for a visit to Grutas parkas-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 decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. During a visit to the Health Center everybody can try mineral bath procedures. Dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
5th Day/Mon - DRUSKININKAI/KAUNAS/KLAIPEDA/NIDA (75 miles).
This morning depart for Kaunas, the second largest city of Lithuania, served as the capital between two world wars. A short city tour of Kaunas including the 13th century Kaunas castle, lovely Town Hall, known locally as "White Swan", Thown Hall Square, the 14th century Church of Vytautas. Walk along the old town and the pedestrian Laisves Avenue. Continue to Nida for overnight via Klaipeda. (B, D)
6th Day/Tue - NIDA/Juodkrante/NIDA (162 miles).
After breakfast walking tour of Nida resort, including the Fisherman's House, famous German writer Thomas Mann's House, Amber Gallery, old Ethnographic cemetery and neo-gothic church. You will have an opportunity to walk along the the impressive sand dunes. (B)
7th Day/Wed - NIDA.
Day at leisure. 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. (B)
8th Day/Thu - NIDA.
Enjoy another day at leisure in this charming seaside resort. (B)
9th Day/Fri - NIDA/Minija/Vente/KLAIPEDA (44 miles).
11:00 am departure by boat from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. Pass through Uostadvaris with a lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years (built in 1876) and Minija village called the Lithuanian Venice, where the River Minija serves as the main street. Lunch at Kintai, tasting local fish dishes. 3:00 pm depart by coach for Vente Horn. Visit of the ornithological station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years. Overnight in Klaipeda. (B, L)
10th Day/Sat - - KLAIPEDA - Palanga - KLAIPEDA.
After breakfast a short city tour of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania includes Theatre Square and the Old Town. At 11:30 am depart for Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania. Visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, with over 25 000 pieces of amber and 15 000 inclusions of insect on display. Return to Klaipeda for overnight. (B)
11th Day/Sun - KLAIPEDA/Hill of the Crosses/Rundale/RIGA.
9:00 am depart by coach to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Stop at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. The Pope John Paul II concelebrated a mass there in 1993. En route to Riga, stop in Rundale Palace, the 18th century baroque palace, the magnificent creation of the Italian architect, F.B. Rastrelli. Arrival in Riga check-in at the hotel. (B)
12th Day/Mon - RIGA.
After breakfast at 9:00 am city tour of Riga, former medieval Hanseatic town. See the Riga castle, St. Pete's Church, Dome Cathedral, the Old Guild Houses. Lunch in local restaurant. Afternoon excursion to Open Air Museum. (B)
13th Day/Tue - RIGA/Parnu/TALLINN (186 miles).
9:00 am departure for Tallinn with a stop in Parnu, Estonian "Summer Capital". This little town is known as a health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830's. Overnight in Tallinn. (B)
14th Day/Wed - TALLINN.
9:00 am 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 Nevskij (19th century), Town Hall Square (15th century), the Old Guild, St. Olaf's Church.Optional excursion to Kadriorg Park and Palace. (B, L)
15th Day/Thu - TALLINN/Tartu/SIGULDA (236 miles).
9:00 am departure for Sigulda. En route stop in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. Your city tour of Tartu, includes Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculpture bridges and ruins of gothic church, panorama view of the town with Jaani Church and Town Hall Square. Then drive to Sigulda via a small ancient town of Cesis where you will take a walk in Castle park. Arrival in Sigulda, check-in at the hotel. (B)
16th Day/Fri - SIGULDA/VILNIUS (217miles).
After breakfast you will take a short walk in Gauja National Park. Visit to Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle.. Continue to Vilnius for overnight. (B)
17th Day/Sat - VILNIUS.
After breakfast, end of tour services. Transfer to the airport is optional.
Transfers on arrival and departure are available at $45 per car.
You may extend your stay in Europe.
Pre/Post Tour Hotel Accommodation:
Hotel in Vilnius ARTIS or similar
Single room - $130 per room/per night with breakfast
Double - $160 per room/per night with breakfast
YOUR HOTELS:
VILNIUS - Artis or similar
DRUSKININKAI - Spa Vilnius or similar
NIDA - Nidos Smilte or similar
KLAIPEDA -Europa Royale Klaipeda or similar
RIGA - Radisson SAS Daugava or similar
TALLINN - Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar
SIGULDA - Segevold or similar
VILNIUS - Artis or similar
For reservations complete Reservation Form or call: 1-800-388-0988
