September 5 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 (entrance included), 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 (entrance included), 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. 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.
Dinner this evening will be at a popular restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town in Olde Hanza Restaurant for a chance to sample Medieval cuisine. (B-D)
****Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn
September 6 Tallinn
Monday
Half day sightseeing tour to Estonian Open Air Museum Rocca al Mare (entrance included)
The name Rocca al Mare was given to the place in 1863 and means “rock by the sea”. Rocca al Mare is best known for the open-air museum that lies outside of Tallinn (6 miles), on a wooded coastal headland. The ethnographic open-air museum provides examples of rural architecture from the 18th to the early 20th century. The farmhouses, outbuildings, storehouses, saunas, windmills, fences and many original implements used in everyday life are gathered from all over Estonia.
Dinner at the local restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town. (B-D)
****Meriton Grand Hotel Tallinn
September 7 Tallinn - Parnu
Tuesday Cesis - Sigulda
Riga
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 to Latvia where our journey goes to 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 (entrance included), one of Latvia’s most important historic symbols.
We’ll arrive in Riga in the evening. Time to freshen up before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Riga. (B-D)
****Centrum Monika
September 8 Riga - Jurmala
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 (entrance included), which houses one of the largest organs in Europe, St. Peter’s Church (entrance included), 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.
After lunch on your own in the city, 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 18 mile 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. After Jurmala transfer back to Riga.
Later, tonight you are invited to enjoy a optional organ music concert in the Dome Cathedral. Overnight in Riga. (B)
**** Centrum Monika
September 9 Riga
Thursday
Today, after five days of touring, enjoy a free day to explore Riga on your own or with new friends you’ve made on the tour. You might explore Riga’s bustling Central Market. Perhaps visit the largest gallery of Art Nouveau architecture by Russian architect Mikhail Eisenstein. You can hop a bus from near our hotel to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum. See farmsteads, windmills and fishing villages that have been moved here and preserved. Or, today might be a great day to catch up on your journal writing, shop for bargains, or sit at a street-side café enjoying the local ambience of Riga.
Tonight, partake in a banquet-style dinner with a folk performance in the beer cellar at the Latvian Restaurant, Lido Relaxation Center and Restaurant. Overnight in Riga. (B-D)
**** Centrum Monika
September 10 Riga – Rundale
Friday Siauliai - 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 (entrance included). 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 at a local 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)
****Amberton Hotel
September 11 Vilnius
Saturday
In our combined coach and walking tour we’ll explore Vilnius, which was Cultural Capital of Europe in 2009, 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 (entrance included), founded by the Jesuits in 1570, 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 local restaurant in the Old Town of Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius. (B-D)
**** Amberton Hotel
September 12 Vilnius
Sunday Trakai Castle
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 (entrance included), 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 at a restaurant in Old Town. Overnight in Vilnius. (B-D)
**** Amberton Hotel
September 13 Depart Vilnius
Monday Helsinki
Arrive U.S.A.
Sadly, we must bid farewell to our new friends and the Baltics. Depart Vilnius by FINNAIR flight AY132 at 11:30 AM arriving at 12:40 PM in Helsinki. Connect with AY005 departing at 2:10 PM and arriving New York at 3:50 PM.
(B and Meals Aloft)
Welcome home!
Flight schedules are subject to change.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Foundation
