Highlights Of The Baltics - 8 Days

Welcome to Lithuania and the capital Vilnius. Upon arrival at Vilnius airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure. A welcome meeting will be held this evening, in the lobby, at 7pm.

Home to more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches, Vilnius is a mesmerising city to explore. This morning we head into the Old Town to discover some of the highlights of a city that began to take shape in the early 14th century. We will start with a visit to Vilnius Cathedral, built in 1783, before continuing to Gediminas Tower, a small castle that has withstood many attacks over the years. We'll also visit the Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne's Church, the Old University and the Gates of Dawn. This afternoon is free for you to further explore Vilnius independently or to join an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania. Here you'll visit the magnificent Trakai Castle which stands on an island in Lake Galve. This evening there will be the opportunity to join an optional Lithuanian dinner at Senoji Trobele.

Vilnius - Riga (Latvia). This morning we head for the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site located in Northern Lithuania, where it's reported that over 100,000 crosses have been placed. We'll then cross into Latvia and make our way to the magnificent Rundale Palace, built for the Duke of Courland. Started in 1736 and completed in 1768 this Baroque palace is surrounded by manicured gardens. We then continue through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia reaching Riga in late afternoon.