Baltic Grand Tour
16 days/15 nights
Vilnius – Vilnius
$1,712 per person, double
$2,498 single
2008 Departure dates:
Jun 7, 14, 21, 28
Jul 5, 12, 19, 26
Aug 2, 9, 16, 23
Riga - Riga
$1,740 per person, double
$2,518 single
2008 Departure dates:
Jun 9, 16, 23, 30
Jul 7, 14, 21, 28
Aug 4, 11, 18, 25
ITINERARY (Vilnius - Vilnius)
Day 1: Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel.
7:00 p.m. welcome drink at the hotel where you will be greeted by tour guide. Overnight at Europa Royale Vilnius or similar
Day 2: Vilnius – Druskininkai (130 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Druskininkai. Stopover in Grutas village for a visit to Gruto 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 a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. During a visit to the Health Centre, everybody can try mineral bath proceedures. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Regina Hotel or similar
Day 3: Druskininkai – Kaunas – Klaipeda – Nida (400 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Nida. Stopover in Kaunas, the second largest city of Lithuania, serving as the capital between two world wars. A short city tour of Kaunas, including the 13th century Kaunas castle, the lovely Town Hall of Kaunas, known locally as "White Swan", Town Hall Square, the 14th century Church of Vytautas, Cathedral-Basilica, and Perkunas House. 1:00 p.m. further drive to Klaipeda. 4:00 p.m. departure to Nida by ferry. Arrival at the Curonian Spit - Neringa National Park. Overnight at Nerija Hotel or similar
Day 4: Nida – Juodkrante – Nida (70 km)
9:00 a.m. a combined coach and walking tour of Neringa National Park at the Curonian Spit seperating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. This is an unforgettable tour including: beautiful wild nature with sand dunes, pine forests and golden beaches, the Hill of Witches - which houses hundreds of fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante village and Nida resort, the Fisherman’s House, famous writer Thomas Mann’s House, Amber Gallery, and a walk along the impressive sand dunes. Overnight at Nerija Hotel or similar
Day 5 – 6: Nida
Spend these days at your leisure. Nida is an old fishing village on the Curonian Spit washed by the Baltic Sea from one side and the Curonian Lagoon from the other side. Today 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 & cycling. Overnight at Nerija Hotel or similar
Day 7: Nida – Minija – Venté – Klaipéda (70 km)
11:00 a.m. depature by boat from Nida to Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. En Route stop in Uostadvaris. Visit the lighthouse built in 1876 and the oldest water lifting station in Lithuania, nowadays a Polder museum. Continue to kintai settlement passing the Minija village called the Lithuanian Venice, where the River Minija serves as the main street. Lunch at Kintai, tasting local dishes made fish. 3 p.m. depature by coach to Klaipéda. Stop at Venté Horn. Visit the Ornithologiacal station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years. 5:30 p.m. arrival in Klaipéda. A short city tour of Klaipéda, the main seaport of Lithuania, including Theatre Square and Old Town. Overnight at Europa Royale Klaipeda or similar
Day 8: Klaipéda – Palanga – Klaipéda
9:00 a.m. departure to Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania (25K). City Tour including 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 insects on display. Return to Klaipeda. Overnight at Europa Royale Klaipeda or similar
Day 9: Klaipeda – Siauliai – Riga (300 km)
9:00 a.m. departure by coach to Riga, the Capital of Latvia. Stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Siauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Arrival in Riga. Overnight at Radisson SAS Daugava or similar
Day 10: Riga
9:00 a.m. city tour of Riga, visiting the medieval Hanseatic town, Riga castle, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral, and the Old Guild Houses. Afternoon free to spend at your leisure, optional excursion to Open Air Museum. Overnight at Radisson SAS Daugava or similar.
Day 11: Riga – Pärnu – Tallinn (300 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Tallinn with a stop in Pärnu , Estonian "Summer Capital". This little town is known as a health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. Further drive to Tallinn. Late afternoon arrival in Tallinn. Overnight at Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar.
Day 12: Tallinn
9:00 a.m. 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. Afternoon free to spend at your leisure.
Overnight at Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar.
Day 13: Tallinn – Tartu – Sigulda (380 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Sigulda. Stopover in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. 11:00 a.m. a city tour of Tartu, including Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculptures bridges and ruins of gothic church, panorama view of the town with Jaani Church and Town Hall Square. Further driving to Sigulda (Latvia). Short stop in a small ancient town of Cesis for a walk in Castle Park. Arrival in Sigulda, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Sigulda or similar.
Day 14: Sigulda – Vilnius (350 km)
9:00 a.m. short walk in Gauja National Park, including visit to Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle in Sigulda. Further driving to Vilnius. Otpional folk dinner. Overnight at Radisson SAS Astorija or similar.
Day 15: Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
9.00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Cathedral Square, St. Ann and Bernadine’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 (25km from Vilinius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the insular castle from the 14th century, erected on a small island in the late Galvé. Return to Vilnius. Tour end at 5:30 p.m. Overnight at Radisson SAS Astorija or similar
Day 16:
Transfer to Vilnius Airport in connection with your flight home.
ITINERARY (Riga – Riga)
Day 1: Riga
Arrival in Riga. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel.
7:00 p.m. welcome drink at the hotel where you will be greeted by tour guide. Overnight at Europa Royale Riga or similar
Day 2: Riga – Pärnu – Tallinn (300 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Tallinn with a stop in Pärnu , Estonian "Summer Capital". This little town is known as a health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. Further drive to Tallinn. Late afternoon arrival in Tallinn. Overnight at Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar.
Day 3: Tallinn
9:00 a.m. 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. Afternoon free to spend at your leisure. Overnight at Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn or similar.
Day 4: Tallinn – Tartu – Sigulda (380 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Sigulda. Stopover in Tartu, the second largest town in Estonia. 11:00 a.m. a city tour of Tartu, including Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculptures bridges and ruins of gothic church, panorama view of the town with Jaani Church and Town Hall Square. Further driving to Sigulda (Latvia). Short stop in a small ancient town of Cesis for a walk in Castle Park. Arrival in Sigulda, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Sigulda or similar.
Day 5: Sigulda – Vilnius (350 km)
9:00 a.m. short walk in Gauja National Park, including visit to Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th century Crusader Castle in Sigulda. Further driving to Vilnius. Overnight at Europa Royale Vilnius or similar.
Day 6: Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
9.00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Cathedral Square, St. Ann and Bernadine’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. Afternon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit to the insular castle of the 14th Century, Erected on a small island in the lake Gaive. For centuries it served as a defensive structure and residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. Return to Vilnius and overnight at Europa Royale Vilnius or similar.
Day 7: Vilnius – Druskininkai (130 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Druskininkai with a stop in Grutas village for a visit to Gruto parks - an open-ari 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 a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. During a visit to the Health Centre, everybody can try mineral bath proceedures. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Nidus Hotel or similar
Day 8: Druskininkai – Kaunas – Klaipeda – Nida (400 km)
9:00 a.m. departure for Nida. Stopover in Kaunas, the second largest city of Lithuania, serving as the capital between two world wars. A short city tour of Kaunas, including the 13th century Kaunas castle, the lovely Town Hall of Kaunas, known locally as "White Swan", Town Hall Square, the 14th century Church of Vytautas, Cathedral-Basilica, and Perkunas House. 1:00 p.m. further drive to Klaipeda. 4:00 p.m. departure to Nida by ferry. Arrival at the Curonian Spit - Neringa National Park. Overnight at Nidus Hotel or similar
Day 9: Nida – Juodkrante – Nida (70 km)
9:00 a.m. a combined coach and walking tour of Neringa National Park at the Curonian Spit seperating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. This is an unforgettable tour including: beautiful wild nature with sand dunes, pine forests and golden beaches, the Hill of Witches - which houses hundreds of fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante village and Nida resort, the Fisherman’s House, famous writer Thomas Mann’s House, Amber Gallery, and a walk along the impressive sand dunes. Overnight at Nidus Hotel or similar
Day 10 – 11: Nida
Spend these days at your leisure. Nida is an old fishing village on the Curonian Spit washed by the Baltic Sea from one side and the Curonian Lagoon from the other side. Today 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 & cycling. Overnight at Nidus Hotel or similar
Day 12: Nida – Minija – Klaipeda (70 km)
11:00 a.m. departure by boat from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Reginal Park. En route stop in Uostadvaris, with a lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years (built in 1876), and the oldest eater lifing sation in Lithuania, Nowdays a Polder Museum. Continue to Kintai settlement passing through Minija village, called the Lithuanian Venice, where the River Minija serves as the main street. Lunch at Kintai, tasting local dishes made from fish. 3 p.m. departure by coach to Klaipeda. Stopr at Vente Horn. Visit the ornithologiacal station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years. 5:30 p.m. arrival in Klaipeda. A short city tour of Klaipeda, main seaport of Lithuania, including Theatre Square and Old Town. Check-in at the hotel. Overnightat Europa Royale Klaipeda or similar
Day 13: Klaipeda – Palanga – Klaipeda
9:00 a.m. departure to Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania (25 km). 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 insects on display. Overnight at Europa Royale Klaipeda or similar
Day 14: Klaipeda – Siauliai – Riga (300 km)
9:00 a.m. departure by coach to Riga, the capital of Lativa. 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. Arrival in Riga, check-in at the hotel. Optional dinner in medieval style restaurant. Overnight at Radisson SAS Daugava or similar
Day 15: Riga
9:00 a.m. city tour of Riga, visiting the medieval Hanseatic town, Riga castle, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral, and the Old Guild Houses. Afternoon free to spend at your leisure. Overnight at Europa Royale Riga or similar.
Day 16: Riga
Transfer to Riga Airport in connection with your flight home.
Price includes:
- 15 nights accommodation in twin bedded rooms with private facilities
- All hotel taxes
- Buffet breakfast daily
- Roundtrip airport/hotel transfer
- 1 welcome drink
- 2 lunches
- 1 dinner
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach
- Guide service on days 2 – 4 & 8 – 15 (Vilnius – Vilnius)
- Guide service on days 2 – 9 & 13 – 15 (Riga – Riga)
- Ferry from Klaipeda to the Curonian Spit
- Boat trip from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park
- Excursion and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Individual information package (city guides & program)
We offer competitive airfare from most U.S. cities - ask us for prices!
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