Classical Baltics Plus Tour

Day 1 (Friday): VILNIUS

Arrival in Vilnius. Individual transfer to your hotel (not included). Check in at the hotel.
7:00 p.m. Welcome meeting at the hotel with the tour guide.

OVERNIGHT: Vilnius
HOTEL: NOVOTEL VILNIUS CENTRE or similar

Day 2 (Saturday): VILNIUS – TRAKAI – VILNIUS (50 km)

9:00 a.m. City tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years.

The tour includes St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Gediminas Castle, Cathedral Square with St. Stanislaw Cathedral and bell tower, Bernardine Garden, St. Anne’s and Bernardines’ Churches, Amber Gallery Museum, and Užupis — one of the oldest districts of Vilnius, mentioned in historical sources as early as the 16th century and nowadays an artists’ “republic” with its own constitution, national anthem, calendar, and map.

Short photo stop on Subačiaus Street to enjoy the view of the Old Town from the observation deck. Continue to the Gates of Dawn with the holy image of the Virgin Mary, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square, and Vilnius University (founded in 1579) with St. John’s Church.

Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the 14th-century island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė. Return to Vilnius.

In the evening (optional): dinner at the Lithuanian restaurant “Lokys” or similar.

OVERNIGHT: Vilnius
HOTEL: NOVOTEL VILNIUS CENTRE or similar

Day 3 (Sunday): VILNIUS – DRUSKININKAI (130 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Druskininkai. Stop in Grūtas Village for a visit to Grūtas Park, an open-air exhibition of Soviet-era sculptures and monuments. Arrival in Druskininkai and 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 issued a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort.

Possibility to try various spa treatments for an additional charge at a health centre.

OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai
HOTEL: EUROPA ROYALE DRUSKININKAI or similar

Day 4 (Monday): DRUSKININKAI – KAUNAS – KLAIPEDA – JUODKRANTĖ – NIDA (400 km)

9:00 a.m. Departure for Nida. Stopover in Kaunas — the former temporary capital of Lithuania. A city tour of Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania, includes the castle ruins, Town Hall Square with its impressive monuments, and a visit to the Cathedral.

Arrival in Klaipėda. Ferry trip to the Curonian Spit.

Visit the Hill of Witches in Juodkrantė, which features numerous whimsical wooden sculptures along a forest path. Arrival in Nida. Check in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Nida
HOTEL: NIDOS BANGA or similar

Day 5 (Tuesday): NIDA

Walking tour of Nida resort, including the Fisherman’s House Museum, the house of the famous German writer Thomas Mann, Amber Gallery, the old ethnographic cemetery, a Neo-Gothic church, and a walk along the impressive dunes.

OVERNIGHT: Nida
HOTEL: NIDOS BANGA or similar

Days 6–7 (Wednesday–Thursday): NIDA

Leisure time. Nida is an old fishing village on the Curonian Spit, washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other.

Today, Nida is the largest settlement in the municipality of Neringa and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. The traditional fishermen’s architecture is distinguished by its originality. Visitors can choose from a variety of activities such as water sports and cycling.

OVERNIGHT: Nida
HOTEL: NIDOS BANGA or similar

Day 8 (Friday): NIDA – MINIJA – VENTĖ – KLAIPEDA (70 km)

10:00 a.m. Departure by boat from Nida to the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park.

En route, pass Minija village, known as the “Lithuanian Venice”, where the River Minija serves as the main street. Continue by coach for lunch at a restaurant in Kintai, tasting local fish dishes. Continue by coach to Ventė Horn. Visit the ornithological station and the 19th-century lighthouse.

Arrival in Klaipėda and check-in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda
HOTEL: RADISSON BLU KLAIPEDA or similar

Day 9 (Saturday): KLAIPEDA – PALANGA – KLAIPEDA (50 km)

City tour of Klaipėda, the main seaport of Lithuania, including a walk through the Old Town known for its timber-frame architecture, cozy courtyards, cobbled streets, Theatre Square with the sculpture of “Annchen von Tharau”, and the Old Post Office.

Trip to Palanga, the largest seaside resort in Lithuania. City tour including a visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, displaying over 25,000 pieces of amber and 15,000 insect inclusions. Continue with a walk by Birutė Hill along the seacoast, across the pier, and along pedestrian Basanavičius Street, famous for its cafés and restaurants with live music.

Return to Klaipėda. In the evening (optional): dinner at the restaurant “Pilies Uostas” or similar.

OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda
HOTEL: RADISSON BLU KLAIPEDA or similar

Day 10 (Sunday): KLAIPEDA – HILL OF CROSSES – RUNDALE – RIGA (380 km)

9:00 a.m. Departure by coach to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Stop at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, an unforgettable site with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Continue to Riga with a stop in Rundāle.

Visit Rundāle Palace, an 18th-century late Baroque palace and an early masterpiece by the famous Italian architect F. B. Rastrelli. Arrival in Riga and check-in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Riga
HOTEL: RADISSON BLU LATVIJA or similar

Day 11 (Monday): RIGA

9:00 a.m. City tour of Riga.

A combined coach and walking tour covers the most significant sights of Riga: the central boulevards, City Canal parks, Bastion Hill, Powder Tower, Latvian National Theatre, Fine Arts Museum, Art Nouveau district, Freedom Monument, University of Latvia, Latvian National Opera, and the Daugava River.

During the walking tour, explore Old Riga with its picturesque streets, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Guild Houses, Swedish Gate, St. Jacob’s Church, St. Mary Magdalene Church, Parliament House, and Riga Castle. Visit the famous market halls of Riga.

Afternoon optional excursion to Jūrmala.
In the evening optional dinner at the Latvian restaurant “Key to Riga” or similar.

OVERNIGHT: Riga
HOTEL: RADISSON BLU LATVIJA or similar

Day 12 (Tuesday): RIGA – PÄRNU – TALLINN (300 km)

9:00 a.m. Departure for Tallinn with a stop in Pärnu, Estonia’s “Summer Capital”. This small town has been known as a summer health resort since the first spa opened here in the 1830s. Continue to Tallinn. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Tallinn
HOTEL: SOKOS VIRU or similar

Day 13 (Wednesday): TALLINN

9:00 a.m. City tour of Tallinn, including the Old Town — an outstanding example of Gothic architecture in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

The tour includes Toompea Castle fortifications, the Dome Church (13th century), the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky (19th century), Town Hall Square (15th century), St. Catherine’s Passage, and St. Olaf’s Church.

Afternoon optional excursion to Kadriorg Park and Kadriorg Palace.
In the evening optional dinner at the restaurant “Pepersack” or similar.

OVERNIGHT: Tallinn
HOTEL: SOKOS VIRU or similar

Day 14 (Thursday): TALLINN – TARTU – SIGULDA (380 km)

9:00 a.m. Departure for Sigulda. Stopover in Tartu, the second-largest city in Estonia. City tour including Tartu University, Toome Hill Park with its monuments, sculptures, bridges, and ruins of a Gothic church, and panoramic views of the town with Jaani Church and Town Hall Square.

Continue to Sigulda (Latvia). Short stop in Cēsis for a walk in Castle Park. Arrival in Sigulda and check-in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Sigulda
HOTEL: Segevold or similar

Day 15 (Friday): SIGULDA – VILNIUS (350 km)

9:00 a.m. Walk in Gauja National Park, including a visit to Turaida Castle and the ruins of the 13th-century Crusader Castle in Sigulda. Continue to Vilnius. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Vilnius
HOTEL: NOVOTEL VILNIUS CENTRE or similar

Day 16 (Saturday): VILNIUS

Breakfast. End of the tour.