August 1 Depart
Friday New York
Our group will gather at New York’s JFK airport for check-in, a warm welcome and introductions. FINNAIR AY006 departs at 5:55 PM. You’ll enjoy FINNAIR “finesse” with dinner and excellent service.
(Meals aloft)

August 2 Helsinki
Saturday Arrive Tallinn
Arrive Helsinki in the morning and connect with the short flight to Tallinn. Welcome to Estonia! Upon arrival in Tallinn, our group is warmly greeted by our Tour Manager, Eha, and assisted with luggage. Our coach and driver are waiting to transport us to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon is free to recover from jet lag. Dinner at the hotel.

(D) ****Hotel Barons

August 3 Tallinn
Sunday
This morning we will get to know Tallinn, perhaps the most perfect medieval city in Northern Europe. The town is divided into two parts – one on the hill, Upper Town, and the Lower Town. We’ll start our sightseeing with a walking tour of Upper Town or Toompea. We’ll see Toompea Palace, Alexander Nevsky Church, Dome Church, and some viewing points. We’ll continue on a walking tour to explore Lower Town. The centre of Lower Town is at Town Hall Square, a former market place. We’ll also see several medieval dwellings, including the magistrate’s house, which dates back to 1404.

After time for lunch on our own, we’re off by private coach to Kadriorg Palace and Park, founded by Russian Tsar Peter I. The park was named Kadriorg (Catherine’s Valley) after Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The palace’s main hall is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Estonia as well as in all of Northern Europe. The park has been the venue of Estonian national festivities since the last century. While in the park, visit the museum of Estonian art (from 18 century to present contemporary art). We return to our coach and continue to the Pirita Marina, the site of the 1980 Olympic Sailing Regatta. From here, the ruins of St. Brigitte’s convent are visible. We now continue to the Estonian Open Air Museum to see authentic examples of 18-19th century rural architecture. Dinner this evening will be at a popular restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town for a chance to sample Estonian cuisine. Dinner in the city.

(B-D) **** Hotel Barons

August 4 Tallinn
Monday
Today we will learn about the culture, history and natural areas of Estonia with a visit to the Lahemaa National Park situated at the Gulf of Finland. The history of the park dates back to 800 BC when it was the site of ancient burial barrows of the local finno-ugric tribes. At the park, we’ll experience some of Estonia’s most beautiful natural areas, from dense forests, to lush bogs, dramatic limestone cliffs and mammoth boulders.

Lunch today will be in Lahemaa where we’ll sample a traditional Estonian peasant’s lunch. This afternoon we’ll visit two beautiful 18th century manor houses of German landlord families. The manors we will see, Palmse and Sagadi Manors, feature parks, greenhouses and stables. We’ll learn about the lifestyle of the Baltic Barons and along the way get a glimpse into Estonian rural life with visits to fishing villages more than 500 years old.

We’ll return to our hotel this evening at about 4:00 PM. Dinner is on our own today. You might try the hotel’s restaurant or ask our guide for a recommendation nearby. Subject to scheduling, tonight we will attend a performance at the National Theater (depending on scheduling, the performance may be in Riga.)

(B-L) ****Hotel Barons

August 5 Tallinn
Tuesday Riga
Cecis
Today, we bid farewell to Tallinn and set off for Riga, Latvia, a distance of 200 miles. En route we’ll make a stop in Pärnu, the “Summer Capital of Estonia.” Through history, it has been famous for it’s sandy beaches and old sanatorium. The city has a 160-year-old history as a health resort and has once again become an important Baltic resort. After a short tour, there will be time for lunch on our own at a local restaurant in Pärnu.

This afternoon, as we journey towards the Estonian border, we’ll visit Cesis, an erstwhile Hanseatic League city. You’ll certainly feel the unique aura and beauty of this town of 18,000 inhabitants as we take a walk through the park and then visit the castle itself. The construction of Cesis Castle began in 1206 by German knights, and it served as the headquarters for the Livonian Order until the 16th century. Continuing our journey, we’ll visit Sigulda in Gauja National Park. An ancient river formed this unique valley before the Quaternary period – about one million years ago. Next we’ll spend about an hour visiting Turaida Castle, one of Latvia’s most important historic symbols. We’ll cross the border into Latvia and arrive in Riga in the early evening. Time to freshen up before dinner in the city. Overnight in Riga.

(B-D) ****Hotel Gutenbergs

August 6 Riga
Wednesday
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is one of the oldest cities in the Baltics. In 2001 the 850,00 inhabitants celebrated its 800th anniversary. From our coach this morning, you’ll get a good perspective of Riga’s location on both banks of the Daugava, the largest river in the Baltics. You’ll also see the wooden architecture of the 19th century in Riga’s older suburbs.

Continue on a walking tour of the historical centre, where our guide will point out the centre’s various architectural styles from Gothic, Eclectic, and Baroque to the Art Nouveau style. You’ll soon see why Old Town has been included on UNESCO’s list of the World’s Cultural Heritage Sites. We’ll see the Dome Cathedral, which houses one of the largest organs in Europe, St. Peter’s Church, Three Brothers, House of Blackheads, the Swedish Gate, Mentzendorff’s House, Riga Castle, and the Buildings of the Great Guild. Next, we’ll stroll to Alberta Street and visit the U.S. Embassy (subject to State Department scheduling).

After lunch on our own, we’ll depart by private coach to the Baltic spa town of Jurmala, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Riga. This resort is known for its natural beauty – with its gold sandy 30 km long beach – and has been a favorite resort since the end of the 18th century. Along the way, we’ll visit small coastal villages and admire the picturesque summer houses of the last century.

Later, tonight you will enjoy a special performance of organ music in the Dome Cathedral. Overnight in Riga.

(B-D) ****Hotel Gutenbergs

August 7 Riga
Thursday
Today we explore Riga where we will visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum located on the banks of the picturesque Lake Jugla. The museum was started in 1924 and now is one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe. Old houses, household articles of peasants, fishermen and craftsmen have been brought there from all regions of Latvia. There is even an Inn, a mill and several churches. The museum has a total of 107 buildings on its territory.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to catch up on your journal writing, shop for bargains, or sit at a street-side cafe enjoying the local ambiance of Riga.

Tonight, partake in a banquet-style dinner with a folk performance at the Latvian Restaurant, Lido. Overnight in Riga.

(B-D) ****Hotel Gutenbergs

August 8 Riga
Friday Vilnius
Today we depart Latvia and drive from Riga to Vilnius, Lithuania, a distance of approximately 230 miles. En route we make a stop at Rundale Palace. Those who have been in St. Petersburg will immediately recognize the architecture of the Russian court architect, Rastrelli. He also created St. Petersburg’s finest buildings, including the Winter Palace. Rundale Palace was built from 1736-1740, and is the most magnificent example of Baroque architecture in the Baltics. After a tour of the palace, have lunch in the palace restaurant. Continue our drive and cross the border into Lithuania, making a short stop near the Hill of Crosses not far from Siauliai. Arrive in Vilnius in the early evening, and relax over dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Vilnius.

(B-L-D) ****City Park Hotel

August 9 Vilnius
Saturday
In our combined coach and walking tour we’ll explore Vilnius, a city founded in 1323. It is set among the pine forests at the confluence of the Neris and the Vilnia rivers. The Old Town has a unique mixture of West European architectural styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical. It too is listed in UNESCO’s World Culture Heritage Sites. We’ll see the major sights, including St. Anne’s Church, the Cathedral, Castle Hill, and Gediminas Tower (from the outside). We’ll also visit Vilnius University, founded by the Jesuits in 1570, it is the oldest university of the Baltic area, and also of the territory of the previous Russian empire. Return to the hotel with free time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to pursue your own interests. Dinner tonight is at a restaurant in the Old Town of Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius.

(B-D) ****City Park Hotel

August 10 Vilnius
Sunday Trakai
Today, we’ll journey by private coach to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Five lakes surround the resort village of Trakai. Step inside Trakai Castle, situated on a small island, the most famous and most photographed castle in Lithuania. This is one of the most romantic areas in Lithuania. There’s time for lunch, on your own, at the restaurant in Trakai before returning to Vilnius in the afternoon. Celebrate with our group over a farewell dinner tonight in Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius.

(B-D) ****City Park Hotel

August 11 Vilnius
Monday Helsinki to JFK
Sadly, we must bid farewell to our new friends and the Baltics. Depart Vilnius at 12:35 PM by FINNAIR flight and connect in Helsinki for the flight to New York, arriving at 3:55 PM.
(B and Meals Aloft)

Welcome home!

Flight schedules are subject to change.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner