BEST OF THE BALTIC STATES PRIVATE TOUR

DAY 1 – VILNIUS

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport.

DAY 2 – VILNIUS

VILNIUS WALKING TOUR WITH PRIVATE GUIDE (3 HOURS)

Our English speaking guide will meet you in your hotel reception and take you for a 3 hour privately guided walking tour of Vilnius. This is a great way to get your bearings on your first day and see all the major sights of the city, making deciding what to visit and see in more detail a lot easier. If you like to try the local food where the locals eat – we recommend you ask your guide to finish your tour at an authentic Lithuanian restaurant where the food is delicious and good value for money. If you don’t fancy walking for 3 hours, you are very welcome to stop at one of the many cafes in the old town and chat with your guide about life in Lithuania, what to see etc and pick up some local tips. This ‘stopping time’ is part of your 3 hours so make the most of their company and local knowledge!

DAY 3 – VILNIUS

TRAKAI CASTLE & GRUTAS PARK PRIVATE DAY TRIP

This enjoyable day trip visits two of Lithuania’s unique sights in the company of our friendly English speaking driver. Grutas Park Soviet Sculpture Park has grown from strength to strength since we first visited. The local ‘mushroom millionaire’ bought up many of the old discarded Soviet statues that people were happy to see torn down from town squares across Lithuania, and parked them up here anticipating that one day they’d come in handy… and they did! Grutas Park is a museum of Soviet sculptures, where Stalin and Lenin can be sat upon for photos, and the exhibition has developed with many more interesting attractions to keep you entertained.
Trakai Castle is a stunning island castle; walk out across the wooden bridges and explore the inner courtyard and exhibitions, before returning to the mainland and wandering the picturesque streets of Trakai village with its wooden houses and try a local ‘kibinai’… look back to view Trakai Castle in all its splendor, a truly iconic Lithuanian view. The day trip starts with our driver picking you up at your hotel at 10.00 and you will return to Vilnius approximately 18.30. Lunch is available at the restaurant at Grutas Park (not everything has mushrooms!) but this is not included. The tour goes at your pace and if you need to stop our driver will be happy to do so.

DAY 4 – VILNIUS TO KAUNAS

VILNIUS TO KAUNAS (VIA RUMSISKES) PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Kaunas. On the way you will visit Rumsiskes open-air ethnographic museum. Rumsiskes is a charming collection of traditional houses and farmsteads laid out in picturesque countryside. During peak season you can watch local artisans at work, and many artefacts are on display. A delightful way to experience Lithuanian traditions and heritage.

DAY 5 – KAUNAS

KAUNAS OLD TOWN, NINTH FORT & PAZAISLIS MONASTERY PRIVATE DAY TRIP

Today you will explore Kaunas old town and city centre, before heading out to the outskirts for two very different experiences. First of all you will visit the Ninth Fort; a former prison camp and a chilling reminder of Lithuania’s recent past. After we visit the stunning Pazaislis monastery which is the largest monastery complex in Lithuania, and the most magnificent example of Italian baroque architecture in the country. A mix of emotions and impressions today, but you will feel you know Lithuania so much more than when you woke up this morning.

DAY 6 – KAUNAS TO PALANGA

KAUNAS TO PALANGA (VIA COLD WAR MUSEUM) PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Palanga. On they way you will visit the fascinating Cold War Museum at Plokstine (a former secret Soviet missile base).

DAY 7 – PALANGA

THE MAGIC OF THE CURONIAN SPIT PRIVATE DAY TRIP

This is a day trip with a guide and their car, which focuses on the Curonian Spit. Visiting this unique place in Lithuania will be a memorable experience during your stay in this beautiful country. You will have a chance to admire amazing sights, sandy dunes, pine trees and the Baltic sea. In Juodkrante you will have the possibility to visit the Hill of Witches an open-air museum based on legends and Lithuanian fairy tales.
Visiting Nida – is the main destination of this trip. Nida is famous for being a former fishermen village, nowadays it is a resort with the highest sand dunes where you can see a panoramic view of the spit. This excursion also includes visiting the old Lutheran church and cemetery and the amber gallery in Nida. Please note for families this tour can be tailored to suit your family, eg. shortened, or more time on Witches Hill or running in the sand dunes!

DAY 8 – PALANGA TO BAUSKA

PALANGA TO BAUSKA (VIA HILL OF CROSSES) PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Bauska. On the way you will visit the iconic Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, a unique and extremely emotive monument to Lithuania’s history.

DAY 9 – BAUSKA TO RIGA

BAUSKA TO RIGA (VIA RUNDALE PALACE) PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Riga. On the way, you will have a 1.5 hour stop to visit Rundale Palace with an English speaking guide.

DAY 10 – RIGA

RIGA 3 HOUR PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

You will be met in the reception area of your hotel by your English speaking guide for your privately guided 3 hour walking tour of Riga.

DAY 11 – RIGA

SIGULDA, CESIS & TURAIDA PRIVATE DAY TRIP (CASTLES INCLUDED)

A charming day trip with our driver-guide out to explore the Gauja national park area of Latvia. On this day trip you will visit:
Sigulda (Latvian Switzerland): enjoy a rare combination of medieval castles, picturesque hilly landscapes (with a river running amidst sandy caves), a sculpture park and flowers that are extinct in most countries of Europe. Here you will take a cable car across the valley to visit Turaida.
Turaida: in the language of the ancient Livs, Turaida means ‘Garden of God’. Everybody who arrives in Turaida is convinced of the harmony of nature and creative work of man.
Cesis: a typical European medieval town, with a Latvian twist, and a medieval castle.

DAY 12 – RIGA TO SAAREMAA

RIGA TO SAAREMAA PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Saaremaa.

DAY 13 – SAAREMAA

HIGHLIGHTS OF SAAREMAA (ALL DAY TRIP)

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will explore the island of Saaremaa, it is an idyllic island full of natural and cultural sights.

DAY 14 – SAAREMAA TO TALLINN

SAAREMAA TO TALLINN (VIA PARNU) PRIVATE TRANSFER

Our driver-guide will pick you up and drive you to Tallinn. On the way you have a 2 hour stop in Parnu. This is an independent stop; our driver-guide will show you where the main area is and then you are free to explore the town, or enjoy lunch in one of the excellent cafes or restaurants. If you want something a bit special we can arrange for you to have lunch at a splendid Art Nouveau Villa – this is a real treat!

DAY 15 – TALLINN

TALLINN 3 HOUR PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

You will be met in the reception area of your hotel by your English speaking guide for your 3 hour privately guided walking tour Tallinn
The tour includes both the upper old town Toompea and the lower old town that was a member of the Hanseatic League.  In the upper old town you shall see: Palace Square with the baroque Toompea Palace now the Parliament House and the 19th century St.Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; then the oldest church in Tallinn the 13th century Cathedral of St.Mary the Virgin or the Dome Cathedral, a nice panorama from one of the view platforms, the18-19th century dwelling houses.  In the lower old town you shall see the 15th century late gothic Town Hall the 15th century pharmacy, medieval guild and merchant’s houses.  You also visit the area of the former Dominican monastery with picturesque artists workshops in medieval houses. You will also visit parts of the old ring work with towers /Kiek in de Kök ,etc/and pass through many romantic old streets like Long and Short Leg and more.

DAY 16 – TALLINN

LAHEMAA NATIONAL PARK PRIVATE TOUR

Privately guided day trip to Lahemaa national park with our driver-guide. Lahemaa national park was the first national park of the former Soviet Union. Given its size it is one of Europe’s biggest national parks. Four large peninsulas are separated by four bays, with wild beaches and old fishing villages. Within the park are four manor houses; the baroque Sagadi Manor, Palmse Manor, picturesque Vihula Manor and Kolga manor are all well worth visiting and are grand stops for sightseeing in the park.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 10am. After an hours drive we will visit your selection of the highlights of Lahemaa national park and there is also the option to add a cookery lesson or just lunch, at a local home restaurant – a wonderful local experience!