Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Baltic Highlights Tailormade tour

Start your Baltic tour when you an arrival in Tallinn, where you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel accommodation.  If you arrive earlier in the day you can start to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight Hotel Tallink. No meals or activities are scheduled today.

(Approximate overall  driving time today: three hours)

This morning explore Tallinn with a local guide, visiting Pirita and Saint Briggita’s convent ruins, Kadriorg Park and Palace, and Russalka Monument. A guided walk takes in the medieval city walls of the upper city of Toompea and Toompea Castle, Aleksander Nevsky Orthodox Church, Saint Mary’s Cathedral and the lower city, including the Town Hall Square, the House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, Fat Margarita Tower and Viru Gates.  After lunch at your own leisure (own expense), we drive out of the city to picturesque Lahemaa National Park situated on the Gulf of Finland and take a walk on the Viru Bog nature trail, 3.5km of boardwalk which passes through a forest and marsh environment. Learn about the park’s flora and fauna and climb a viewing tower which allows an elevated perspective over the landscape. Later we visit the beautiful 18th century manor of Palmse which contains remarkable period furniture and clothing and here you can take a stroll in the attractive grounds before returning to Tallinn. Overnight at Hotel Tallink (B)

(Approximate overall driving time today: four hours)

Today enjoy some leisure time in Tallinn now you are orientated with the city after the tour yesterday. This afternoon, journey to Parnu (driver only from Tallinn to Riga), a coastal city of Estonia famous for its beautiful scenery and white sand beaches. After a short stop in Parnu where you can stroll on the white sand beach in fine weather, we continue south, following the Baltic Sea coast towards Latvia. It is also possible to stretch your legs and admire the natural dunes at Saulkrasti before arriving at Latvia’s capital, Riga. Overnight at Hotel Semarah Metropole (B)

(Approximate overall driving time today: two hours)

This morning we explore Riga with a local guide, first visiting the outstanding Art Nouveau district and its fascinating museum. Later we head to the city’s Old Town, taking in the National Opera House, the Freedom Monument, the big and small guildhalls, Riga Cathedral, Riga Castle, the medieval Three Brothers houses, Saint Jacobs’s church, the renovated house of the Brotherhood of the Black Heads, and Saint Peter’s church. From Riga, drive a short distance to Ragaciems, a fishing village situated on the Gulf of Riga coast beyond Jurmala. Here there’s the opportunity to see traditional architecture and possibly chat with local fishermen. Continue to Lake Kanieris, a site of special scientific interest, and take a stroll on the boardwalk and visit a bird watching tower. Later , drive to the summer resort of Jurmala where white sand beaches once attracted holidaying Soviet leaders such as Nikita Krushchev and Leonid Breshnev. Today the town’s authentic wooden houses have achieved UNESCO World Heritage status. Spend some time late in the afternoon strolling on the shores of the Baltic Sea before a return to Riga for your overnight stay. Overnight Hotel Semarah Metropole (B)

(Approximate overall driving time today: three hours)

The first stop today is Riga’s atmospheric central market, Europe’s largest, where fresh produce together with arts and crafts fill one of the city’s most notable structures, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed from former German Zeppelin hangars. Afterwards we travel inland to the picturesque green valleys of Gauja River National Park, sometimes called North Switzerland. Enjoy a fascinating visit to the workshop of a master amber craftsman who will explain how to determine real amber and talk us through his unique family collection of amber. Afterwards, drive to the town of Sigulda and visit the medieval castle of Turaida, Gutman’s Cave and Sigulda Castle’s ruins before returning to. Overnight Semarah Metropole Hotel (B)

(Approximate overall driving time today: five hours)

This morning after breakfast we drive south and cross into Lithuania. Some 12 km’s over the border, stop at the Hill of Crosses whose origins lie in the 1831 and 1863 uprising against the Russian Empire. The number of crosses is estimated at over 100,000 and is a truly remarkable sight. After lunch (own expense), continue onward to Vilnius (driver only) and check-in to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Tilto where any remaining time today will be at leisure (B)

(Approximate overall driving time today: Two hours)

This morning we explore the city of Vilnius with a local guide. Highlights include Peter and Paul Church, the Old Town and Cathedral Square, Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Castle and Tower, Gediminas Statue and Saint Anne’s Church. Also walk up Subacius Hill for a panoramic view of Vilnius. Finally, visit the Dawn Gate, one of the most important symbols of Vilnius. This afternoon it’s a short journey from Vilnius to Trakai Castle, a picture-postcard medieval castle located on an island on Lake Galve. After crossing the drawbridge and moat, take a tour of the painstakingly restored castle, through the many halls and rooms that chart its history. Return to Vilnius. Overnight at Hotel City Gate (B)

Any remaining time today will be at leisure before an airport transfer ends our services (B)

Note – we would be happy to quote you for any further arrangements either pre or post tour or even to add extra days of activities to this tour. Do contact us to tailor your perfect tailormade tour.