Travel to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Duration of this Trip 8 Days Priced From $4,897 per person
What’s next in the global travel market for the passionate traveler? The foodie? The culture maven? It’s here in the Baltics!
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia fill the northeast corner of Europe. Visit wild beaches, ancient forests and bogs, a sauna in the woods, a winemaker at the northernmost vineyard of the world, medieval castles, Soviet remnants and views over the Baltic Sea. Top it off with some of the best food anywhere! The surprisingly diverse landscapes provide the perfect medium for sustainable and luxury tourism. Discover the tumultuous history, and seafaring traditions of these gems of the Baltic. Explore the Medieval in Talinn, Art Nouveau in Riga and the Baroque in Vilnius. Gorgeous in summer and perfect in spring and fall, this part of the world takes on a fairy-tale like quality for winter visitors.
At a Glance
Duration
8 DaysPriced From
$4,897 per personDepartures
- May 2-10, 2020
- June 23-July 1, 2020
- August 18-26, 2020
Itinerary
- Day 1: Tallinn – The Capital of Estonia
- Day 2: Explore Talinn, medieval icon of Northern Europe
- Day 3: Latvia and idyllic Parnu on the Gulf of Riga
- Day 4: Discover the Hanseatic and Art Nouveau traditions in Riga
- Day 5: Latvian Versailles “Rundale Palace”, the Latvian Versailles, and the Hill of Crosses, a unique Lithuanian site
- Day 6: Trip to Lithuanian “Sahara” – The Curonian Spit
- Day 7: Sightseeing drive to Vilnius – capital of Lithuania
- Day 8: Vilnius tour – a bright baroque pearl and Medieval Trakai Castle
- Day 9: Departure
Day 1 - Tallinn – The Capital of Estonia
The delicious local coffee will kick start your day in the best preserved medieval city in Northern Europe! Walled Tallinn was founded 1248, it’s Old City still complete with the cobbled square of the town hall and the colorful houses and warehouses of the Hanseatic merchants and artisans, even the oldest still working pharmacy! The best views in town look over the Gothic spires and red tiled roofs down and over the Baltic Sea.
Day 2 – Kadriorg Palace – Pirita Beach
Today is dedicated for exploring surrounding Tallinn. Baroque Kadriorg Palace was built for Catherine of Russia as a summer residence. Pirita offers relaxation on the sandy beach, nearby forested parkland and sunset views of Talinn across the bay.
Day 3 - Latvia – Parnu
On our way to Latvia, we’ll stop at Parnu, an idyllic resort and famous summer destination on the Gulf of Riga. The coast is full of islets, bogs, pine dune forests and natural sand beaches and a vibrant fishing culture. In the summer there are medieval festivals, night clubs and concerts.
Day 4 - Hanseatic and Art Nouveau Riga
History and design lovers will fall in love with Riga. Its 800 years of architecture reflect a prosperous city, one of the most important centers of the Hanseatic League. Architectural gems run the gamut from remarkably intact Gothic and medieval buildings like Dom Cathedral, Riga Castle and Jurgen Tower to exquisite Art Nouveau masterpieces from the early 20th century, the best collection in Europe.
Day 5 - Rundale Palace - Hill of Crosses
On the way to Lithuania we will visit Rundale Palace - the summer residence of the Duke of Courland, designed by court architect Rastrelli (famous for the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and the Catharine Castle in Tallinn.) Rundale is a stunning example of Baroque and Rococo, sculptured, frescoed and gilded, with extensive manicured grounds and gardens.
The Hill of Crosses bristles with crosses of every shape, size and design, some with messages but all bearing testament to religious belief and will. Twice bulldozed during the Soviet era, it continues as a powerful place of pilgrimage as it has for over 200 years.
Day 6 – The Curonian Spit
Established as a National Park to protect the unique ecosystems here, the Curonian Spit is a peculiar patch of land, wild and washed by the Baltic Sea to the west and the Curonian Bay to the east with the Russian border transecting it. Sand dunes and pine forests cover most of the Lithuanian section and we will visit the fishing village of Nida with its wooden cottages and ships and discover its history as part of East Prussia.
Day 7 – Sightseeing Drive to Vilnius, Lithuania
South of the Dane River which flows through Klaipeda, the cobbled streets and red brick castle of its Old Town retains its former German identity as a Prussian capital.
Kaunas is Lithuania’s second largest city, with a compact old town, but it was here in the late 1800’s that the Russian Empire built a fortress, much of it still preserved. More unique is its architecture from the interwar independent period, its major museums and lively cosmopolitan spirit.
Day 8 - Vilnius tour – Medieval Trakai Castle
Vilnius is one of the Baroque capitals of Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its many church steeples, the oldest university in Europe, and cobbled old town anchoring it firmly in the past. New skyscrapers and towers now rise above galleries and cafes, a bustling cosmopolitan capital making the most of its independence once again.
Trakai Castle sits on an island in Lake Galve, just outside of Vilnius. Begun in the 14th c., it was a strategic defense for the Grand Dukes of the region. This Gothic fairy tale site was eventually reconstructed and serves as a museum and concert venue.
Day 9 – Departure
Land Tour Costs
From $4,897 for 6-10 travelersSingle Supplement
$614Scheduled Departures
- May 2-10, 2020
- June 23-July 1, 2020
- August 18-26, 2020
Trip Highlights
- Sommelier visit in Estonia to showcase the history of wine production here in the north
- Medieval towns and seafaring merchants create a legacy of legend and tradition
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Riga and the Curonian Spit
- Tour “Ars Tela”, hand woven linen workshop with the owner
- Visit the Amber Gallery and meet with its artisans
- Insider Tour at the oldest University in Eastern Europe, founded in 1579
- Explore the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
- Gothic, Rennaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau gems
Visited Countries
Estonia, Latvia and LithuaniaVisited Cities & Places
Tallinn, Parnu, VilniusSuggested Extensions
Reading Lists
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
What's Included
- Accommodations in the 4-5 star hotels
- Transportation throughout the tour
- Entrance fees at the museums, Palaces and Castle
- Multilingual escort and local guides throughout the trip
- Meals: Breakfast, welcome and farewell dinner, one lunch in Riga with locals
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Insurance
- Additional services
Image Gallery
https://www.silkroadtreasuretours.com/travel-to-estonia-latvia-lithuania#sigProId08a4055e2e
Visited Countries
Estonia, Latvia and LithuaniaVisited Cities & Places
Tallinn, Parnu, VilniusSuggested Extentions
Reading Lists
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Scheduled Departures
- May 2-10, 2020
- June 23-July 1, 2020
- August 18-26, 2020