BALTIC CAPITALS & COAST GROUP TOUR 2025

DAY 1 (FRIDAY): ARRIVAL VILNIUS

Welcome to Vilnius! Optional transfer to Neringa Hotel**** or similar, check-in & welcome meeting.

DAY 2 (SATURDAY): EXPLORING VILNIUS

Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn.

The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well-preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele.

DAY 3 (TUESDAY): VILNIUS – KAUNAS – NIDA

Departing from Vilnius we head to western Lithuania. En route we do a stop in Kaunas, the former capital of Lithuania, to admire the beautiful Old Town and the elegant white Baroque Town Hall. After a short afternoon walking tour in Klaipeda, we take the ferry to reach Curonian Spit before reaching Nida resort town. Check-in at Hotel Nerija***. The evening offers an optional authentic fisherman dinner at “Tik Pas Jona”.

DAY 4 (MONDAY): THE CURONIAN SPIT TO LIEPAJA

The morning is reserved for a half-day optional tour of the Curonian Spit, a thin, 100 km stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon with small fishing villages, pine forests and endless sand dunes. The tour takes us to the spectacular Parnidis Dune and Naglis Dune, the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante and Thomas Mann’s summerhouse. In the early afternoon we head towards Liepaja where we arrive early afternoon and check in at Hotel Art Roma**** or similar.

The evening offers a casual dinner at a beach café Red Sun Buffet, right on the wide sandy beach.

DAY 5 (TUESDAY): LIEPAJA TO RIGA

Liepaja takes its name from the numerous lime trees in the city. We start the day with a short stroll in the Old Town with the Trinity Church and we visit Jurmala Park and the former Naval Port area with its famous Orthodox Cathedral. We now continue through Southern Latvia to the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace, we travel through Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon. Check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Elizabete**** or similar.

DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY): EXPLORING RIGA

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

DAY 7 (THURSDAY): BEYOND RIGA

After we got acquainted with Riga, we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga.

The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographic Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life.

DAY 8 (FRIDAY): RIGA TO TALLINN via PARNU

DAY 9 (SATURDAY): EWPLORING TALLINN

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

DAY 10 (SUNDAY): DEPARTURE TALLINN

Optional transfer to Tallinn airport. End of your Baltic tour.

Or you could extend your tour to Finland on our Helsinki & South Karelia small group tour. (dates marked below with * can do this)