GRAND TOUR OF LITHUANIA
13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

Day 1 (Friday) Arrive Vilnius
On arriving to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, drive to Kaunas located some 60 miles northwest of Vilnius. Arrive Kaunas in the afternoon and check in at the Hotel Daugirdas**** or similar.


Day 2 (Saturday) Kaunas
Begin your tour of this marvellous old city that served as Lithuania's capital between the two world wars, spending most of our time in Old Town. While there, visit a museum dedicated to the works of Ciurlionis, Lithuania's most celebrated artist; the Devils Museum (probably the only one of its kind in the world); the War Museum which has a first rate collection; the 13th century Kaunas Castle; the lovely Town Hall of Kaunas, known locally as the White Swan; and the 14th-century Church of Vytautas, the principal church of Kaunas. In the afternoon, a trip to 16th-century Pazaislis Convent, situated on the banks of Nemunas river.

Day 3 (Sunday) Kaunas-Rumsiskes-Kaunas
Today visit Rumsiskes, an open-air museum created to show something of Lithuania's vibrant peasant culture over the last 200 years. Some further sights we suggest for today: Ninth Fort, a Second World War German concentration camp; and the Zilinskas Art Gallery which has a very fine permanent collection.

Day 4 (Monday) Kaunas-Klaipeda-Palanga
By way of the castles of Panemune leave for the city of Klaipeda, Lithuania's main seaport. Once there, visit Theatre Square with its statue of Annchen von Tharau, the Old Post Office, the Blacksmith's Museum and the Old Town. Then continue to Palanga where you'll have some free time. Overnight at the Hotel Palangos Vetra**** or similar in Palanga.

Day 5 (Tuesday) Palanga
Today's tour of Palanga, you'll visit the Botanic Garden and the Amber Museum in the palace of Count Tyszkiewicz. The museum has 25,000 pieces of amber on display, 15,000 of them containing insects.

Day 6 (Wednesday) Palanga-Nida-Palanga
After breakfast, depart for a full day tour of the Kuronian Peninsula. During the day, you'll make a stop at Juodkrante and visit the Hill of Witches, a park filled with life-size wood carvings of characters from Lithuanian folktales and legends. The carvings are works of various folk artists. Driving to Nida, you'll visit the Amber Gallery, where you'll get a chance to view and buy some unique works of amber. In Nida visit the summer residence of Thomas Mann, the Nobel Prize-winning German author. Also see a typical fisherman's village and walk along some impressive sand dunes. Then return to your hotel in Palanga .

Day 7 (Thursday) Palanga-Siauliai-Druskininkai
After breakfast depart for Druskininkai. On the way you'll stop in Siauliai at the Hill of Crosses, one of Lithuania's holiest shrines. Since the 14th century, pilgrims have been placing crosses here. Until today there are hundreds of thousands of them. In 1993, the Pope concelebrated Mass here. Lunch at the local restaurant. Then continue to Druskininkai. Overnight at The Hotel Spa Vilnius Sana**** or similar in Druskininkai.

Day 8 (Friday) Druskininkai
This morning take 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 a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. During a visit to the Health Centre, everybody can try mineral bath procedures. Spa treatments can be arranged in advance.

Day 9 (Saturday) Druskininkai-Vilnius
After breakfast, transfer to Grutas village for a visit to Gruto parkas- an open-air exhibition of the Soviet era sculptures and monuments. Continue to Vilnius. It is an extraordinary city with a rich and varied history stretching all the way back to its foundation in 1323 by the Grand Duke Gediminas. Start your tour to some of the city's most beautiful churches; St Anna's, a church so lovely that Napoleon wished he could transport it whole to France. Also visit Vilnius University which was founded in 1579, and which houses one of the country's finest art collections. Visit the Gates of Dawn, and Houses of Parliament. At the end of the day, you will be escorted back to the Hotel Amberton Klaipeda**** or similar in Vilnius.

Day 10 (Sunday) Vilnius-Trakai-Kernave-Vilnius
A half-day tour to the lovely Trakai Castle, completed in the 14th century and built on an island amid lakes and forests. In the afternoon, visit Kernave (28 km from Vilnius) the village on the bank of Neris River. This village is said to have been the first capital of Lithuania before Trakai and Vilnius. Archeological excavations uncovered several old settlements as well as the remnants of a wooden castle and large wooden encampment dating back to the 12th century. There are four old castle mounds in rural surroundings. Because of its uniqueness, Kernave was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

Day 11 (Monday) Vilnius
Further touring Vilnius, you'll visit Antakalnis cemetery, Gediminas Castle, KGB Museum and the TV Tower.

Day 12 (Tuesday) Vilnius
Free day to explore the town on your own.

Day 13 (Wednesday) Vilnius Departure
Transfer to the airport.

Includes 12 nights at centrally located 4 star hotels Round trip airport transfers Breakfast daily, lunch on Day 7 Guided tours according to itinerary Service charges taxes and tips to porters Individual information package (city guides, maps etc.)

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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