Guaranteed Departure Group Tour: 13-day Baltics & St.petersburg

Itinerary

Day 1: DAY 1 (SUNDAY): ARRIVAL VILNIUS

Pass By: Lithuania, Lithuania
Arrival in Vilnius, transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva **** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva **** or similar

Day 2: DAY 2 (MONDAY): VILNIUS

Pass By: Lithuania, Lithuania
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. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva **** or similar

Day 3: DAY 3 (TUESDAY): VILNIUS-RIGA

Pass By: Latvia, Latvia
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga at late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Wellton Riverside**** or similar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Wellton Riverside**** or similar.

Day 4: DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY): RIGA

Pass By: Latvia, Latvia
Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Wellton Riverside**** or similar.

Day 5: DAY 5 (THURSDAY): RIGA

Pass By: Latvia, Latvia
After we got acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We 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 we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Riga Motor Museum which has an impressive collection of vintage car including a very unique collection of old Soviet limousines from the Kremlin Garage. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Forest.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Wellton Riverside**** or similar.

Day 6: DAY 6 (FRIDAY): RIGA-TALLINN

Pass By: Estonia, Estonia
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.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar

Day 7: DAY 7 (SATURDAY): TALLINN

Pass By: Estonia, Estonia
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, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar

Day 8: DAY 8 (SUNDAY): TALLINN-HELSINKI

Pass By: Finland, Finland
This day offers first an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Glo Art**** or similar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Glo Art**** or similar

Day 9: DAY 9 (MONDAY): HELSINKI

Pass By: Finland, Finland
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 us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, 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. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors. The evening offers optional Finnish dinner at Restaurant Salve.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Glo Art**** or similar

Day 10: DAY 10 (TUESDAY): HELSINKI-ST. PETERSBURG

Pass By: Russia, Russia
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in at Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky**** or similar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky**** or similar

Day 11: DAY 11 (WEDNESDAY): ST. PETERSBURG

Pass By: Russia, Russia
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 of Venice of the North. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours 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 an optional 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 evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian „champagne” and snacks.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky**** or similar

Day 12: DAY 12 (THURSDAY): ST. PETERSBURG

Pass By: Russia, Russia
The morning is reserved for an optional 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 afternoon, an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum is offered. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky**** or similar

Day 13: DAY 13 (FRIDAY): ST. PETERSBURG DEPARTURE

Pass By: Russia, Russia
Departure transfer to St.Petersburg airport.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.