Itinerary – Baltic Experience Tour (11 Days) Tallinn To Riga

DAY 1 (SUNDAY): ARRIVAL TALLINN

Tallinn

Upon your arrival in Tallinn, make your way to the 3 star Hotel Santa Barbara (or similar) to check in for 1 night.  Early this evening, join your tour manager and fellow passengers for the welcome meeting.

Overnight in Tallinn
Meals: (-)

DAY 2 (MONDAY): TALLINN–VIHULA

The Estonian capital is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. Our sightseeing tour 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. After leaving Tallinn we reach Lahemaa National Park in the early afternoon and check in for 1 night at the 4 star Hotel Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa, a charming 16^th century estate located in the heart of the park.

Tonight, dinner at Kaval-Ants Tavern features a genuine Estonian countryside meal in the rustic ambience of the old ice-cellar.

Overnight in Vihula
Meals: (B, D)

DAY 3 (TUESDAY): VIHULA–TARTU

After breakfast, we visit Lahemaa National Park with its wide stretches of beautiful untouched nature and many charming manor houses. We embark on a delightful walking tour through the park (2 hours, medium) and visit the impressive Manor House in Palmse, a testament to the industrious von Pahlen family. We continue to Tartu, the University Town, where Estonia gained its statehood. We see the charming Old Town and the University founded in 1632.
Check in for 1 night at 3 star Hotel Sophia (or similar).

Overnight in Tartu
Meals: (B)

DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY): TARTU-MARCIENA

Departing from Tartu, we head south and soon we reach Valmiera, a Hanseatic town founded in the 14^th century, when the Livonian Order built a castle here. We make a short tour of the town and a visit to the small, private Valmiermuiza Brewery. Here we are introduced to the secrets of beer brewing and are invited to test the produce. The day continues with a visit to a local farm to sample the delicious organic cheese produced by the farmers. Late in the afternoon we arrive to the 4 star Hotel Marciena Manor, a picturesque and romantic estate in the middle of Latvia. Check in for 1 night.  This evening we enjoy a dinner at Marciena Manor.

Overnight in Marciena
Meals: (B, D)

DAY 5 (THURSDAY): MARCIENA-DAUGAVPILS

Leaving Marciena after breakfast, our first stop is in Aglona, where we visit Aglona Basilica built in late baroque style and a ceramics workshop, an important symbol of Latgalian culture. From here, our tour continues to Daugavpils, Latvia’s 2nd largest city. We tour the historical centre of the city and visit the 19th century Daugavpils Fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Centre, the only place in Europe, where the original masterpieces by the famous founder of abstract expressionism can be seen. Just outside the city we find the lovely 4 star Sventes Manor, where we check in for 1 night.

Overnight in Daugavpils
Meals (B)

DAY 6 (FRIDAY): DAUGAVPILS-VILNIUS

Gediminas tower, Vilnius

Today we continue southwards into Lithuania and an in the middle of the day we arrive at Aukstatija National Park with its many lakes, rivulets and streams scattered between forests and hills. We explore the park on a 20km bike ride through the scenic landscapes and visit the pretty lakeside town of Paluse, famous for its wooden church. Later in the afternoon, we head towards Vilnius. Upon arrival we check in for 2 nights at the 4 star Hotel Artis.

Overnight in Vilnius
Meals: (B)

DAY 7 (SATURDAY): VILNIUS

Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Our morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon is free for exploring more of this baroque jewel on your own. In the evening an optional Cepelinas culinary master class and a traditional Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele (please pre-book).

Overnight in Vilnius
Meals: (B) Optional Dinner

DAY 8 (SUNDAY): VILNIUS-LIEPAJA

Trakai castle evening

From Vilnius we continue towards Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, where we make a stop near Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. We continue through the hilly landscapes of Lithuania to Klaipeda. A short sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town with its narrow cobblestone streets and old guild houses and we visit Theater Square and the Aennchen von Tharau Fountain. Along the coast, we continue onwards into Latvia and soon we arrive at the coastal town of Liepaja. Check in for 1 night at the 4 star Hotel Art Roma (or similar). This evening offers an optional casual dinner at a beach café right on the wide sandy beach (please pre-book).

Overnight in Lepaija
Meals (B)   Optional Dinner

DAY 9 (MONDAY): LIEPAJA-RIGA

Liepaja takes its name from the numerous lime trees in the city. We start the day with a short stroll in the Old Town with the Trinity Church and visit Jurmala Park and the former Naval Port area with its famous Orthodox Cathedral. Afterwards we drive through the former Duchy of Courland and visit its former capital Kuldiga, before we head further to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. Here we do a walking tour on the sandy beach. We reach Riga late in the afternoon and check in for 2 nights at the 4 star Hotel Wellton Centrum (or similar).

Overnight in Riga
Meals: (B)

DAY 10 (TUESDAY): RIGA

Blooming Riga

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. Our walking tour 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 reserved for an optional visit (please pre-book) to one of the largest markets in Europe, Riga Central Market, where we will learn about Latvian cuisine and Latvian organic food and sample Latvian specialities, such as black bread, vegetables, fresh fish, countryside sausages and much more. In the evening, we enjoy a Latvian farewell dinner at the stylish Restaurant Three with traditional Latvian specialties topped off with a shot of Riga Black Balsam.

Overnight in Riga
Meals: (B, D) 

DAY 11 (WEDNESDAY): RIGA DEPARTURE

After breakfast it is time to check out and say farewell to your fellow travellers.

Meals: (B)

Prices and Dates – Baltic Experience Tour (11 Days) Tallinn To Riga

Package prices per person in Euros in twin/double room:

EUR 1145.00 per person
EUR 350.00 (single supplement)

Optional Meals & Culinary experiences:

Cepelinas masterclass and Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele:
EUR 35.00 per person

Casual dinner on the beach in Liepaja:
EUR 35.00 per person

Visit to Riga Central Market:
EUR 40.00 per person

Half board at hotels (7 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea):
EUR 175.00 per person

Optional Transfers

Transfer on arrival – airport to Hotel Santa Barbara:
EUR 45.00 for private car (1-3 persons)

Transfer on departure – Hotel Wellton Centrum to airport:
EUR 45.00 for private car (1-3 persons),

Price includes:

• 10 nights at centrally located 3-4 star hotels
• Personalized welcome package
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Estonian dinner at Restaurant Kaval-Ants Tavern
• Dinner at Marciena Manor
• 3 course Latvian farewell dinner with black balsam at Restaurant Three
• Entrances to:
  • Palmse Manor
  • Valmiermuiza Brewery
  • Organic cheese sampling at a local farm
  • Aglona Basilica
  • Ceramics show-room in Aglona
  • Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils
  • Peter and Paul Church in Vilnius and Trinity Church in Liepaja

• Bike and helmet rentals for biking program on Day 6
• Service of English and German speaking tour escort on all tours
• Service of 1st class vehicles throughout the itinerary

Not included:

• International Flights
• Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• Gratuities / tips for guides and driver
• Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• Extra personal costs incurred at the hotel
• Visa fees (if required)
• Arrival and departure transfers

Accommodation – Baltic Experience Tour (11 Days) Tallinn To Riga

Our tour provides comfortable accommodation in hand-picked hotels throughout, each with an interesting history or unique feature:

TALLINN:
3 star Hotel Santa Barbara

TARTU:
3 star Hotel Sophia

MARCIENA:
4 star Hotel Marciena Manor

DAUGAVPILS AREA:
4 star Sventes Manor

VILNIUS:
4 star Artis Centrum Hotel

LIEPAJA:
4 star Art Hotel Roma

RIGA:
4 star Wellton Centrum Hotel and Spa

Please note that hotels may be substituted with a similar hotel

Notes – Baltic Experience Tour (11 Days) Tallinn To Riga

• Remember to check passport and visa requirements for entry
• Check current health requirements by looking at the official travel advice website of your own country, or ask your doctor
• Some tours have multiple language guides
• Hotels may be substituted with a similar hotel
• Airport Information
  TALLINN AIRPORT (TLL)
  RIGA INTERNATIONAL (RIX)
• Tour code STACGLB01-04

How to Book:

• 20% non-refundable deposit
• Balance due 56 days prior to arrival