HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BALTICS WITH CHRISTMAS MARKETS VISIT (GUARANTEED DEPARTURE)

Itinerary

Day 1: Day1. Arrival

Pass By: Vilnius Old Town, Vilnius 01129 Lithuania
Arrival in Vilnius, optional transfer to your hotel, check-in, welcome meeting with a guide. Welcome drink.

Overnight in Vilnius 3* Hotel

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Vilnius

Day 2: Day2. VILNIUS Sightseeing & TASTING

Stop At: Vilnius Old Town, Vilnius 01129 Lithuania
After breakfast – morning sightseeing tour will introduce you to Vilnius full of Christmas spirit.

Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Walking tour (2,5-3 hours) includes visiting of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St. Anne’s Church, Old University, the Gates of Dawn, Užupis district which is known as the independent republic of Vilnius city.

During the tour you will visit two Christmas markets in Vilnius. Get lost in the paradise of hand made crafts and festive flavours. Enjoy a cup of mulled wine or a local snack and get to know about the local traditions during this magic time of the year and see the most beautiful Christmas tree in Europe!

In the evening enjoy an optional historical Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Ertlio namas.

Overnight in Vilnius 3* Hotel
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Vilnius

Day 3: Day3. Trakai day trip

Stop At: Trakai Island Castle Museum, Kestucio Str. 4, Trakai 21104 Lithuania
Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Trakai town - historic, picturesque place with a castle in a middle of the lake. Locals take a day trip there and we invite you for one as well. See Trakai Castle, lakes and beautiful views around. In winter it is especially beautiful with it’s frozen lakes and landscapes.

For lunch (OPTIONAL) try out special Karaim dish ‘kibinai’ which is only typical for Trakai town because it is a home for the oldest ethnic group of Karaims living to this day in Lithuania. Trakai trip takes around 4 hours including lunch break.

Overnight in Vilnius 3* Hotel
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Vilnius

Day 4: Day4. Vilnius - Hill of Crosses - Rundale - Riga

Stop At: Hill of Crosses - Kryziu Kalnas, Siauliai 81439 Lithuania
On this day we will travel from Vilnius to Riga. On our way we will stop at the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 100.000. The tour will last up to 1 hour.

After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, our second stop. The former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour (2 hours) of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon. Evening at your leisure in the capital of Latvia.

Overnight in Riga 3* Hotel.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in RIga

Day 5: Day5. Enjoying Riga Christmas spirit

Stop At: Riga Town Hall Square, Kalku iela, Riga Latvia
Explore Riga in the morning the biggest out of three Baltic capitals claiming it had been the first one to put a decorated Christmas tree in public. The city has three Christmas markets right in the center of the city. Enjoy the smell of hearty foods mixed with the warmth of drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolate while people look at the warm woolen scarves, mittens and winter slippers on display at one of the stands.

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 (2 hours) 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 free to explore on your own.

Overnight in Riga 3* Hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Riga

Day 6: Day6. Riga – GAUJA NATIONAL PARK - TALLINN

Stop At: Gauja National Park, 2150 Latvia
After breakfast we will go to Tallinn with a stop in Gauja National Park, the largest national park in Latvia.

The guide takes you to the stunning scenery of the Gauja river valley around the town of Sigulda. You will visit Gutman’s Ala, the largest sandstone cave in the Baltic states where you will hear the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida which will lead you to explore the ruins of the Turaida Castle and the Museum Reserve. We will have guided walking tour in the park and the castle (1.5- 2 hours). After the stop we will continue our trip to Tallinn which we reach in

the late afternoon.

Overnight in Tallinn 3* Hotel.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Tallinn

Day 7: Day7. Tallinn Exploring

Stop At: Tallinn Old Town, City Center, Tallinn Estonia
In the morning you will have a walking tour in Tallinn not forgetting it’s Christmas market which is a true fairy-tale land – there is a tall Christmas tree on the historic town square surrounded by little houses shining with lights that sell Christmas delicacies and folk craft products.

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place all year round with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, cosy cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour (2-2.5 hours) 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 (3 hours) 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.

Overnight in Tallinn 3* Hotel.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 star Hotel in Tallinn

Day 8: Day8. Departure

Pass By: Tallinn Old Town, City Center, Tallinn Estonia
Optional transfer to the airport.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.