Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Helsinki
An 8-day cultural journey across the three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Helsinki – capital city of Finland. The programme includes the following places: Lithuania: Siauliai, Vilnius, Trakai; Latvia: Sigulda, Riga, Rundale; Estonia: Tallinn; Finland: Helsinki.
Baltic countries and Helsinki
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Vilnius
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Vilnius
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Vilnius
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Vilnius
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Trakai
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Trakai
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Riga
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Riga
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Tallinn
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Tallinn
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Helsinki
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Helsinki
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Day 1 Arrival in Vilnius
x Vilnius at x, flight number y. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Vilnius. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Vilnius. -
Day 2 Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 'Vilnius – an encounter between the Orient and the Occident' – a walking tour through the magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing includes a visit at the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – built in the Gothic style, the Gate of Dawn with its Chapel and the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, the university, and the Market Square. 12:30 Departure for Trakai. 13:30 Lunch at a restaurant in Trakai. 15:00 Sightseeing in Trakai: the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with its beautiful lakeside setting and the insular red brick castle on Galve Lake. The Castle museum of Trakai offers an exhibition of the history of Lithuania and prehistoric findings. Located 27 km away from Vilnius, Trakai is a wonderful place to rest. It is a small and very quiet town - there is no heavy traffic. Trakai Castle enchants with its magic – upon entering the main gates to the castle, you will feel like you are going back to ancient times. You will have the opportunity to admire a spectacular view of the Trakai area. You will hear interesting legends and stories about Trakai and its famous castle. 20:00 Return to Vilnius. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant. The last night in Vilnius. -
Day 3 Vilnius – Siauliai – Rundale – Riga
7:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8:00 Departure for Riga via Siauliai. Visiting the pilgrimage site - the Hill of Crosses – which is on the UNESCO Heritage List. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. It is estimated that 100,000-200,000 crosses are to be found on the mountain. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice. 13:00 Lunch at a restaurant. 15:00 Sightseeing in Rundale: it is famous for its splendid Baroque Palace, which was built in 1736 – 1767 as the summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The palace was regarded as a Latvian counterpart to the French Versailles and the German Sans Souci. Departure for Riga. 20:00 Arrival in Riga. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Riga. -
Day 4 Riga
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 Sightseeing in Riga – the capital city of Latvia. Riga is one of the biggest cities in the Baltic states and is situated at the mouth of the Daugava. It once belonged to the Hanseatic League. Riga is known for its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Sightseeing in the Old Town, the university, the opera and the cathedral. 13:00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 15:00 Second part of sightseeing: Jurmala and its beautiful, wooden Art Nouveau architecture. Jūrmala is situated 25 km west of Riga and it is a resort town stretching for 32 kilometres (20 miles), placed between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. Jūrmala has also gained a reputation as a health spa. 20:00 Dinner at the hotel and the last night in Riga. -
Day 5 Riga – Sigulda – Tallinn
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 Departure for Sigulda. 10:30 Arrival in Sigulda and sightseeing in the city. Sigulda is situated in the heart of the Gauja National Park, where you can admire the ruins of medieval castles. Sigulda was formerly called the 'Livonian Switzerland', because of its beautiful landscapes with cliffs, hills, and valleys. Sightseeing in the Turaida Castle. 12:30 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14:30 Departure for Tallinn. 20:00 Arrival in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Tallinn. -
Day 6 Tallinn
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 Sightseeing in Tallinn: Tallinn is a so-called museum town, which has preserved the features of a 15th century trading city and the general look of a typical hanseatic town. Sightseeing includes the city's most charming places, including the Dome Hill, the Dome Cathedral, the Town Hall, and St. Nicholas' Church. 13:00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14:30 Visiting one of Tallinn's museums. 20:00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Tallinn. -
Day 7 Tallinn – Helsinki – Tallinn
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 Departure by boat for Helsinki. 10:00 All-day sightseeing in Helsinki. 17:30 Return to Tallinn. 20:00 Dinner at an excellent restaurant called Olde Hansa in Tallinn. -
Day 8 Departure from Tallinn
x Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel in Tallinn. y Transfer to the airport.
