Grand Baltic Tour – 13 days

Latvia – Lithuania – Estonia

   Medieval Riga town with its quiet, narrow cobblestone streets, architectural masterpieces of past centuries and cosy cafes; Masterpiece of Rococo and Baroque - Rundale Palace; Liepāja port, fortress and prison. The capital of Lithuania - Vilnius; Trakai Castle on the island of the Galva Lake; Rumsiskes Open Air Ethnographic Museum; the unique natural formation - the 98 km long Curonian Spit. Vana Toomas (Old Thomas) on the top of Town Hall tower in Tallin - the capital of Estonia; the picturesque Saaremaa island; Pärnu - the official summer capital of Estonia with its sea and beach. And much more!

All these beautiful highlights of Baltics will grant you an unforgettable impressions and a good-spent time.

Day 1

• Arrival at Riga International Airport

• Overnight in Riga

Day 2

• Walking excursion in Riga – the capital of Latvia. See the medieval town with its quiet, narrow cobblestone streets, architectural masterpieces of past centuries and cosy cafes. In the very heart of the Old Town, you will visit the Dome Square. All Riga will be at your feet when elevator takes you up to the steeple of St.Peter's Church. Monument to Liberty, “Three Brothers” (oldest complex of dwelling houses), the Powder Tower and Jacob's Barracks are just some of other attractions for you to see. Overnight in Riga

Day 3

• Rundale Palace - Masterpiece of Rococo and Baroque. Designed by the famous Italian architect Rastrelli, it was built as the summer residence for Ernst Johann von Biron, Duke of Courland. Also called the Palace of Versailles of the Baltics, Rundale Palace will astonish you from the first moment you lay your eyes on it. Overnight in Vilnius

Day 4

• Walking excursion in Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania. Visit the Old Town of Vilnius where more than 1500 medieval buildings are located. You will see magnificent masterpieces built in neoclassic and gothic styles, for example, university of the 16^th century in the Town Hall Square.

• Trakai Castle - an island of the Lake Galva houses a unique medieval castle built in 1321 by Grand Duke Gediminas. It is the only fortress built on waters in Europe. Overnight in Vilnius

Day 5

• Rumsiskes Open Air Ethnographic Museum. This excellent museum is one of the largest in Europe and displays the heritage of Lithuanian rural life in a vast collection of authentic resurrected buildings where the Lithuanian people lived and worked. The total area of 175 ha contains 140 buildings from the 18th–19th century with the restored original interiors and surroundings. Overnight in Klaipeda

Day 6

• Curonian Spit. Visit a unique natural formation - a 98 km long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Traveling along the spit, you will visit Joudkrante – a park in forest with fantastic carved wooden figures depicting characters from Lithuanian folktales. Approaching the border of Russia, you will arrive in Nida – a beautiful sea resort town with ancient fishermen traditions. Parnidis dune lies there – it is the only place in Lithuania where one can see the sun rise and set in waters. See sun clock and Nida lighthouse. Overnight in Klaipeda

Day 7

• Palanga - the biggest seaside resort town in Lithuania. Its white sand coast extends for 10 km and is backed by pine forests and dunes. Tyszkiewicz Palace was built in 19^th century and surrounded by a park with ponds, fountains, and collections of rare plants. Nowadays the palace houses Amber Museum, and its exposition takes up 15 rooms. About 4 500 exhibit pieces are found here. Visitors are acquainted with the formation, processing, practical application and morphological variations of amber.

• Liepaja Naval Port is a touristic site characterized by Russian military elegance and Soviet militarism. At the end of the 19^th century it was developed as a permanent urban setting for the base of the Navy of Czarist Russia. Apart from numerous military buildings, a magnificent Orthodox Cathedral (1900 − 1903), a prison and a system of defense forts have been preserved here. Also, you will see North Fortresses and Prison. Overnight in Liepaja

Day 8

• Kalvene Zoo. Enjoy excellent recreation in the countryside - in the world of interesting animals. The Zoo has the largest herd of kiangs kept in captivity in the world, as well as brown bears, wolverines, wolves, lynxes, wild boars, Latvian blue cows and other animals.

• The Great Kemeri Swamp is one of the largest swamps in Latvia, and walking along a safe wooden trail, you will become a personal witness of pristine wildlife in this nature park. Enjoy the amazing view over the great swamp from the watching tower! Overnight in Riga

Day 9

• Sigulda - Town of Medieval Castles and Breathtaking Landscapes. Visit Sigulda New Castle of the 19^th century and see the ruins of Sigulda Old Castle. Later you will move on the to recently renewed medieval Castle of Turaida. You can climb its tower to enjoy the picturesque landscape of the valley from above. You will see the memorial place of Rose of Turaida. A legend of the 17^th century tells of a beautiful girl who sacrificed her life to save her honor and love. At a blacksmith's forge you can even participate in the process of forging. Overnight in Tallinn

Day 10

• Walking excursion in Tallinn – the capital of Estonia. Visit one of most popular touristic sites – Town Hall (1402- 1404) and its Square. Another symbol of Tallinn – weathervane Vana Toomas (Old Thomas) can be seen guarding over the Old Town from the top of the Town Hall tower. Also the oldest pharmacy in Europe, numerous churches and workshops of glass-blowers are housed here. Overnight in Saaremaa Island

Day 11

• Saaremaa Island. The biggest island of Estonia is known as a good recreation place with unique nature and a lot of sights. Saaremaa has retained its uniqueness due to its location and insulation. In the villages there are still stone fences and houses with thatched roofs, beautiful national costumes and dialectal language are still used. Junipers, dolomite, windmills and the famous local home-brewed beer are considered the symbols of Saaremaa. Overnight in Saaremaa Island

Day 12

• Return to mainland

• Visit Pärnu that has been the official summer capital of Estonia for many years. In fact, this resort city has been synonymous with sun, sea and beach. Overnight in Riga

Day 13

• Departure from Riga