THE BALTIC EXPLORER
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Day 1 (Friday) Arrive Tallinn
Arrival in Tallinn, transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.


Day 2 (Saturday) Tallinn-Cesis
After breakfast we drive to the Lahemaa National Park, where we visit the Manor Houses in Palmse and Vihula. We continue to Tartu, the university town, where Estonia gained its statehood. We see the charming Old Town and the University founded in 1632. From Tartu we drive onwards into Latvia to Cesis, a Hanseatic city with winding streets, castle ruins and beautiful gardens. Check-in at Hotel Kolonna Cesis*** or similar.

Day 3 (Sunday) Cesis - Vilnius
Today we drive through the Gauja National Park to Sigulda, a popular holiday resort. We see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we drive around Riga to hit the highway down to Vilnius. En route we reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through Lithuania to reach Vilnius late afternoon. Check in at Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva**** or similar.

Day 4 (Monday) Vilnius - Klaipeda
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. Anna’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. After the tour we continue to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania and we visit the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. The balance of the day is spent en route to Klaipeda, where we arrive late afternoon. Check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Klaipeda**** or similar.

Day 5 (Tuesday) Klaipeda
You can enjoy Klaipeda on your own or take a full-day OPTIONAL tour to the Curonian Spit, a thin, 100 km stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon with small fishing villages, pine forests and endless sand dunes. Our first stop is the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante. After we continue to Nida where we visit the High Dunes, Thomas Mann’s summerhouse and get acquainted with the charming resort town before we drive back to Klaipeda.

Day 6 (Wednesday) Klaipeda - Riga
Klaipeda first became a part of Lithuania in 1923 and had a long history as a German town called Memel. A short sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town with its narrow, cobblestone streets and old guild houses and we visit the Theatre Square and the Aennchen von Tharau Fountain. We now continue to the Samogitia National Park, where we embark on a walking tour around the picturesque Lake Plateliai. After we continue to Siauliai and Cross Hills, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania. We head North into Latvia and reach Riga in the afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija**** or similar.

Day 7 (Thursday) Riga
Riga founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert is the largest of the 3 Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. If you want to continue sightseeing, the afternoon is reserved for an OPTIONAL visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches.

Day 8 (Friday) 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 9 (Saturday) 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, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and medieval Old Town Hall.  In the afternoon, you can enjoy the rest of day at leisure or take an OPTIONAL excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections.

Day 10 (Sunday) Tallinn Departure
Ttransfer to the airport.

Includes 9 nights at centrally located 4 star hotels Round trip airport-hotel transfers in Tallinn Buffet breakfast daily Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice Personalized welcome package Entrances to Palmse Manor House, Rundale Palace, Old University in Vilnius, St. Peter’s Church in Riga and medieval Old Town Hall in Tallinn Service of English speaking tour escort on all tours Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary Portage at hotels Service and VAT Optional 8-hour excursion to the Curonian Spit: EUR 80.00 pp 4-hour excursion to Jurmala: EUR 40.00 pp 3-hour excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to Kadriorg Palace: EUR 40.00 pp Meal packages and events available on request.

Tour Dates and Prices(Per Person, Double Occupancy) for 2012

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Get your airfare quote in USD online at www.vytistours.com or call us for a quote at 1-800-778-9847. Deposit of $100 USD due 7 days after confirmation. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. That amount will be converted from EUR to USD at the time of final payment. 

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