Day 1: Vilnius
Arrive at the airport in Vilnius, & transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Vilnius
The day begins with a half-day guided tour of Vilnius. Visit the Old Town, home of the Cathedral of Vilnius. Take a walk through the Vilnius Ghetto, & learn about Lithuanian Jewish life before & during WWII. See the 16th-century Gate of Dawn & Vilnius University. Other highlights include Town Hall Square, St. Bernadine Church, St. Anne’s Church, & the Presidential Palace. After lunch, visit the Park of Europe. Here you will enjoy observing international, contemporary art in natural settings. Highlights include the “LNK Infotree” sculpture, with its three thousand plus TVs. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in Vilnius.
Day 3: Vilnius – Aukstaitija National Park – Vilnius
Travel to Aukstaitija National Park this morning. This famous park consists of many lakes, a diverse population of wildlife, & ethnographic villages. While inside the park, you’ll visit the Lithuanian Museum of Ancient Beekeeping, which features information on traditional beekeeping methods & hive displays. Other highlights include a visit to the Ginuciai Water Mill. Return to Vilnius, & enjoy dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 4: Vilnius – Trakai – Klaipeda
Leave Vilnius for Trakai this morning. Here you will visit the charming Trakai Island Castle. After the castle tour, enjoy a hike along a nearby nature trail (weather pending). The day’s journey ends in the port town of Klaipeda, where you will enjoy a brief welcome tour that takes you through the Old Town. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in Klaipeda.
Day 5: Klaipeda – Curonian Spit – Klaipeda
The Curonian Spit, officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sand dune barrier situated in Lithuania & Russia. Today you will enjoy sites situated along this natural landmark. See the wooden artwork on the Hill of Witches, visit the Fisherman Farmstead museum in the village of Nida, & explore the little town of Juodkrante. Return to Klaipeda for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 6: Klaipeda – Zemaitija National Park – Riga
Discover the wonders of Zemaitija National Park today. You’ll learn about the park’s flora & fauna while hiking the Seire Educational Nature Path. You’ll also admire the beauty of Plateliai Lake from the Viewing Tower. After spending the majority of the day inside the park, travel to Riga, Latvia, for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 7: Riga
After breakfast, discover Riga’s famous Art Nouveau district. The intriguing collection of architecture will most certainly catch your eye. Visit the 14th-century Castle, St. Peter’s Church, & St. John’s Church. Other highlights include Freedom Monument & the Latvian National Opera. Later today, visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum. Here you will see real-life depictions of Latvian culture. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure after touring the museum.
Day 8: Riga – Gauja National Park – Tartu
Visit Gauju National Park today. Inside the park you will see two medieval castles – Sigulda Castle & Turaida Castle, the pre-historic Gutmana Cave, & Dainu Hill. Afterward, travel to Tartu, Estonia. Before dinner this evening, enjoy a guided tour of the city. Highlights include a walk through the old town, the Gothic-style St. John’s Church, & the wooden Uppsala House. Enjoy an overnight stay in the city.
Day 9: Tartu – Lahemaa National Park
Enjoy one or more of the many exciting features of Lahemma National Park. Visit the villages, tour the Forest Museum, hike the trail through the Viru Bog, or visit the Sagadi Manor & the Palmse Manor. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay within the park.
Day 10: Lahemaa National Park – Tallinn
In the morning, head to the nation’s capital, Tallinn. Enjoy a guided tour upon arrival. Highlights include the charming Old Town, the medieval Great Guild, & Toompea Castle. After lunch, visit Kadriorg Park. You will enjoy seeing its lovely Palace, built for Catherine I in the early 18th century. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 11: Tallinn
Transfer to the airport, & board return flight home.