The Glorious Baltics

The Glorious Baltics is a very complete introduction to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, three wonderful ancient countries with distinctly different origins and histories.  For centuries, their strategic locations made them objects of conquest by Danish, Swedish, German, Polish and Russian invaders.  Many of their cities, from Klaipede to Riga and Tallinn, were once thriving members of the Hanseatic League.  Lively Tallinn’s fortress and language show the Danish and Finnish influence.  In Riga, we view wonderful medieval buildings from its Teutonic past.  In Vilnius, the influence of the Polish kings is seen in remarkable baroque architecture and numerous churches.  The splendor of Rundale Palace was created by the Italian architect Rastrelli who did much work in Czarist Russia.  You will travel through wonderful countryside at the peak of beauty, stopping to visit charming towns and sites along the way.  You enjoy comfortable hotels of charm with welcoming staff, fine local dishes and the traditions of folklore and singing for which these countries are renowned.  Come take an unforgettable journey through the fascinating past into the vibrant present of the glorious Baltic countries.

Tour Dates 2008
July 7-17 & August 4-14

Price per Person Twin: $2,940
Single Supplement: $985

Our Tour Features
* 3 nights at Hotel Savoy, Tallinn
* 1 night at Hotel London, Tartu
* 3 nights at Hotel Ainavas (Jul) & Hotel Bergs (Aug), Riga
* 4 nights at Hotel Ramada, Vilnius
* Buffet breakfasts daily
* 9 Lunches at local restaurants
* 3 Dinners at local restaurants
* 3 Concerts as indicated
* Expert English-speaking local guides, including between cities
* All entrances to museums and places visited
* Touring & transportation between cities by modern vehicles
* Individual guided transfers on arrival and departure
* Participation limited

Day 1 Mon: Welcome to Tallinn
Individual arrivals with guided transfers to Hotel Savoy, a charming boutique hotel in the historic center of Tallinn. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 Tue: Tallinn's Old Town * Rocca Mare
After breakfast we begin our walking tour of Tallinn's Old Town. We walk up Toompea Hill to the Upper Town to Palace Square. We walk to Palace Square, with Toompea Palace, now home to the Estonian Parliament, and view the Pikk Hermann Tower.  We stop at the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its cupolas, golden crosses and an interior filled with golden icons and mosaics, reminder of the influence of the years under Czarist rule. We continue to St. Mary’s Church, also called Dome Cathedral, and from where we enjoy views of the town wall, towers, St. Olaf’s Church and have a bird’s eye view of the Lower Town.  We continue through the narrow quaint streets lined with medievial merchant  houses to Town Hall Square, Tallinn’s hub of activity since the 12th century, dominated by the monumental Gothic Town Hall, passing the Town Council Pharmacy, in business since 1422!    After lunch at a local restaurant, we leave for Rocca Al Mare, in the suburbs, to tour the Estonian Open Air Museum, where typical buildings and farms from Estonia’s four regions have been assembled. This evening we enjoy a classical music performance in an interesting venue within walking distance of our hotel.  (B, L)

Day 3 Wed:  Tallinn to Tartu
We set off into the countryside to historic Tartu, renowned for its University and hundreds of historic and elegant buildings.  We will enjoy viewing some of its residential neighborhoods as well as its historic center with visits of the main building of Tartu University, St. John’s Church and the fascinating Toy Museum.  A stop for lunch at a local restaurant will be made. We check in for the night at Hotel London, in the heart of the city. This evening we enjoy a superb concert with vocalists and a chamber quartet.  (B, L)

Day 4 Thu: Tartu * Latvian Switzerland * Riga, Latvia
We drive through the wonderful scenery of “Latvian Switzerland” to Cesis, for a tour of its History and Art Museum. We enjoy lunch here before continuing our scenic journey to Sigulda, to view the fortress-like ruins of Turaida Castle, whose name means Garden of the Gods. We will take a carriage ride up for a panoramic view, before resuming our drive to Riga, capital of Latvia. We check in at the Hotel Bergs or Ainavas – both boutique hotels in the city center. This evening we have dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Fri:  Riga’s Sites & History
A full day of city touring.  In the Old Town we visit the Church of St. Peter and can climb up the panorama platform in its spire for a breathtaking view.  We see some of the city’s most famous and historical monuments:  13th century St. Peter’s Church, the Churches of St. George and St. John, the Old Guild Halls, Town Hall, the Swedish Gate, half-timbered Mentzendorff House, the House of Cats, and we tour the interior of  Dome Cathedral, with its renowned pipe organ and amazing acoustics.  We have lunch at a local restaurant before our afternoon visit at the Museum of History, where Riga’s glorious sea-faring past comes alive.  Tonight we enjoy a concert at Dome Cathedral.  (B, L)

Day 6 Sat:  Open-Air Ethnography Museum * Art Nouveau Quarter
We explore one of the finest Open Air Ethnography Museums where we can admire superb wooden buildings and farm dwellings from the 16th to 20th centuries that have been assembled from all over the country, and tastefully displayed.  We return to Riga for lunch, followed by a tour through Riga’s famous Art Nouveau district, where we will be dazzled by the beauty of the buildings with incredible details.  Our evening is at leisure. (B, L)

Day 7 Sun:  Riga * Rundale * Siauliai * Vilnius, Lithuania
En route!  Our first stop is at Rundale Palace, built from 1736 to 1768, with 138 rooms, and designed by the great Italian architect Rastrelli, known for his exuberant style.  We view fine Italian paintings, decorative moldings and some of the splendid rooms such as Gold Hall and White Hall.  We continue to Siauliai where we enjoy lunch and visit the unique and fascinating Hill of Crosses, the origins of which are unknown.  We reach Vilnius in the late afternoon and check in at Hotel Ramada, in the Old Town. (B, L)

Day 8 Mon: Highlights of Vilnius
We enjoy a full day of city sightseeing.  We explore the Old Town district, called the architectural pearl of Eastern Europe, and a World Heritage Site, with numerous churches, narrow houses and winding streets.  We stroll in the 18th century Town Hall Square, and have lunch in the Old Town before our walking tour through the Courtyards of Vilnius University and a visit of the Synagogue. (B, L)

Day 9 Tue:  Vilnius’s Museums & Churches
Today we tour the country’s oldest museum, The National Museum, where Lithuania’s long history comes alive.  We visit the outstanding Baroque Church of Sts. Peter & Paul, whose simple exterior conceals a breathtaking interior with over 2,000 stucco figures representing mythological, Biblical and battle scenes.  We walk Castle Hill to visit the Upper Castle Museum, with Gediminas Tower, named for the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.  For those who wish, the climb up the Tower will give an unforgettable view of the city below.  After lunch at a local restaurant, we have some leisure to explore on our own.  (B, L)

Day 11 Wed:  Trakai
After breakfast, we leave for Trakai, former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, surrounded by lakes.  We tour the Trakai Castle Museum, and learn of the rich history and splendor of the former Duchy.  We have lunch in this idyllic setting before returning to Vilnius, with some free time to explore the attractive shops and stores.  This evening we savor a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.  (B, L, D)

Day 12 Thu:  Farewell to the Glorious Baltics
After breakfast, individual guided transfers to the airport are provided. (B)