Essence of the Baltics
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Highlights:
This leisurely program allows you to explore the countries in the Baltic coast comfortably but in a comprehensive manner. In addition to major areas such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - you also explore areas such as the coastal resorts of Jurmala in Latvia, Sopot in Poland and Gdansk, each a place of rich history.
Throughout you will experience extraordinary meals, and superb hotels will be the norm. Other special highlights include a visit to Riga’s central market, one of Europe’s largest, Zeppelin hangars sampling “down home” Lithuanian cuisine in Vilnius, exploring Gdansk the birthplace of the freedom of Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe and finally a scenic cruise on Gdansk Bay with the chance to walk on Europe’s longest wooden pier.
This leisurely program allows you to explore the countries in the Baltic coast comfortably but in a comprehensive manner. In addition to major areas such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - you also explore areas such as the coastal resorts of Jurmala in Latvia, Sopot in Poland and Gdansk, each a place of rich history.
Throughout you will experience extraordinary meals, and superb hotels will be the norm. Other special highlights include a visit to Riga’s central market, one of Europe’s largest, Zeppelin hangars sampling “down home” Lithuanian cuisine in Vilnius, exploring Gdansk the birthplace of the freedom of Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe and finally a scenic cruise on Gdansk Bay with the chance to walk on Europe’s longest wooden pier.
SKU:
Explore: the baltics
Customizable Itinerary - 12 Days (from $6,295 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
This evening you board an aircraft for an overnight flight to the Baltic Coast
Day 2: Welcome to Estonia
You will land in Tallinn, the capital and be met by one of our drivers who will take you to your hotel where the rest of the day is left open to let you catch up on the trip. Dinner will be served at the hotel’s atmospheric restaurant Dinner
Day 3: Tallinn through the Ages
Estonia is an ancient country, an initial member of the Hanseatic League which focused on trade. Tallinn goes back over 600 years and avoided the destruction of WWII and has an aura of authenticity in its old town. Your guide will meet you and, since your hotel is part of old town you will start the tour out there. You will also visit the Kadriorg District to learn what life was like under the Czars and then Kalamajan district to understand life as part of the Soviet Union and why all the Baltic countries value their new freedom Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Island Life in the Baltic
Today you will meet your guide and travel to the ferry terminal for a short ferry ride to Muhu Island which was, at one time owned by an order of monks. Today it is a tranquil place which you get a chance to explore and experience. You will visit Kugova, a fisherman’s village and the Uugu cliffs and caves. You will have lunch at a 16th Century Manor house before having the chance to walk the beach and the juniper forest. You will then return on the ferry. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: A Relaxing Coastal Drive to Latvia
After breakfast you will meet your guide for a scenic drive to Riga the capital of Latvia. Instead of the highway we will follow the coastal route giving you the chance to stop at various fishing villages. You can pick one to have lunch. Upon arrival in Riga, you check into your hotel which is in one of the best locations. Have dinner and then start exploring the town Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Highlights of Riga
Your guide will be showing you a variety of facets of the city. The initial focus will be on architecture since many schools of architecture are represented in the city from Neo-Gothic to Ultra-Modern. You will then go to the Central Market which is one pf Europe’s largest. It is sheltered by five joined hangars used to store Zeppelins during world war one. It is a wonderful place to eat lunch and so you do! In the afternoon you have free time to explore Bergs Bazaar an architectural gem filled with cobbled streets, lively squares, quaint shops, interesting galleries and inviting cafes. You can also take a walk in Vermanes Park Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: A Day by the (Baltic) Sea
Today you get the chance to go back in time. Originally a series of small villages, Jurmala began developing into a major resort area 200 years ago and is now the largest on the Baltic Coast. While its beach is both long and pristine, many people come for the architecture and atmosphere with its wooden art nouveau seaside villas, Soviet era sanatoriums and the long sandy beach are complemented by modern resort hotels for local holiday makers. Take a walk along the beach, explore the Dzintari Forest Park or explore the City Museum. There is plenty to occupy you. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: The Road to Vilnius
After breakfast you will meet your driver who will be taking you to Lithuania and its capital, Vilnius which contains largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe. It was also a centre of Jewish culture so much so that Napoleon referred to the city as the Jerusalem of the North. Your charming and quirky hotel names and decorates all of its rooms for noted authors so you may be in James Joyce or Winston Churchill. Enjoy the restaurant this evening as a welcome to the city Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: The Republic of Uzupis and other sights
The city is known for its baroque architecture in addition to its old town. You will visit the walls of Gedminas Tower which provides a view over old town. The city is also home to Vilnius University one of the oldest and most respected in Eastern Europe. Given the university environment it is not surprising that the Republic of Uzupis could exist there. With its own constitution it is run by writers and poets and covers a defined area of the city. Breakfast
Day 10: Vilnius to Gdansk
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Gdansk. As you fly you will pass by Russia, at least a part of it in the form of Kalingrad which is surrounded by Lithuania and Poland. At one time it was the East Prussian province of Konigsberg that was “deeded” to Joseph Stalin because of the damage inflicted on Russia by Germany. In actuality it was to give the Russian Baltic Fleet a warm weather port. Upon landing you will be met by your driver and your guide for a tour of Gdansk best known today for the 1970 shipyard strike led by Lech Walesa and the Solidarity movement. In many ways it was, in hindsight, the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. You will see the shipyard and then tour the old part of the city. You will then transfer to the sister city of Sopot where your hotel is located. You check in to your hotel and then have the chance to walk Europe’s longest wooden pier and enjoy the views of Gdansk Bay before dining at your hotel Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Gdynia and a Cruise on Gdansk Bay
After breakfast you meet your guide and head to the port city of Gdynia which os part commercial port and part museum. You will be able to see the destroyer “Blyskawica” which is the only surviving Polish warship built before World War II and the sailing frigate “Dar Pomorza”. In the afternoon you take a cruise around Gdansk Bay giving you another perspective on the three cities. In the evening you are taken to a seaside tavern where you have a farewell dinner together with a glass of traditional herbal-spiced “Goldwasser” Gdansk vodka to toast your visit to the Baltic Coat Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Return to USA
Today you are driven to the airport in Gdansk to begin your journey back to the USA arriving back the same afternoon Breakfast
This evening you board an aircraft for an overnight flight to the Baltic Coast
Day 2: Welcome to Estonia
You will land in Tallinn, the capital and be met by one of our drivers who will take you to your hotel where the rest of the day is left open to let you catch up on the trip. Dinner will be served at the hotel’s atmospheric restaurant Dinner
Day 3: Tallinn through the Ages
Estonia is an ancient country, an initial member of the Hanseatic League which focused on trade. Tallinn goes back over 600 years and avoided the destruction of WWII and has an aura of authenticity in its old town. Your guide will meet you and, since your hotel is part of old town you will start the tour out there. You will also visit the Kadriorg District to learn what life was like under the Czars and then Kalamajan district to understand life as part of the Soviet Union and why all the Baltic countries value their new freedom Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Island Life in the Baltic
Today you will meet your guide and travel to the ferry terminal for a short ferry ride to Muhu Island which was, at one time owned by an order of monks. Today it is a tranquil place which you get a chance to explore and experience. You will visit Kugova, a fisherman’s village and the Uugu cliffs and caves. You will have lunch at a 16th Century Manor house before having the chance to walk the beach and the juniper forest. You will then return on the ferry. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: A Relaxing Coastal Drive to Latvia
After breakfast you will meet your guide for a scenic drive to Riga the capital of Latvia. Instead of the highway we will follow the coastal route giving you the chance to stop at various fishing villages. You can pick one to have lunch. Upon arrival in Riga, you check into your hotel which is in one of the best locations. Have dinner and then start exploring the town Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Highlights of Riga
Your guide will be showing you a variety of facets of the city. The initial focus will be on architecture since many schools of architecture are represented in the city from Neo-Gothic to Ultra-Modern. You will then go to the Central Market which is one pf Europe’s largest. It is sheltered by five joined hangars used to store Zeppelins during world war one. It is a wonderful place to eat lunch and so you do! In the afternoon you have free time to explore Bergs Bazaar an architectural gem filled with cobbled streets, lively squares, quaint shops, interesting galleries and inviting cafes. You can also take a walk in Vermanes Park Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: A Day by the (Baltic) Sea
Today you get the chance to go back in time. Originally a series of small villages, Jurmala began developing into a major resort area 200 years ago and is now the largest on the Baltic Coast. While its beach is both long and pristine, many people come for the architecture and atmosphere with its wooden art nouveau seaside villas, Soviet era sanatoriums and the long sandy beach are complemented by modern resort hotels for local holiday makers. Take a walk along the beach, explore the Dzintari Forest Park or explore the City Museum. There is plenty to occupy you. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: The Road to Vilnius
After breakfast you will meet your driver who will be taking you to Lithuania and its capital, Vilnius which contains largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe. It was also a centre of Jewish culture so much so that Napoleon referred to the city as the Jerusalem of the North. Your charming and quirky hotel names and decorates all of its rooms for noted authors so you may be in James Joyce or Winston Churchill. Enjoy the restaurant this evening as a welcome to the city Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: The Republic of Uzupis and other sights
The city is known for its baroque architecture in addition to its old town. You will visit the walls of Gedminas Tower which provides a view over old town. The city is also home to Vilnius University one of the oldest and most respected in Eastern Europe. Given the university environment it is not surprising that the Republic of Uzupis could exist there. With its own constitution it is run by writers and poets and covers a defined area of the city. Breakfast
Day 10: Vilnius to Gdansk
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Gdansk. As you fly you will pass by Russia, at least a part of it in the form of Kalingrad which is surrounded by Lithuania and Poland. At one time it was the East Prussian province of Konigsberg that was “deeded” to Joseph Stalin because of the damage inflicted on Russia by Germany. In actuality it was to give the Russian Baltic Fleet a warm weather port. Upon landing you will be met by your driver and your guide for a tour of Gdansk best known today for the 1970 shipyard strike led by Lech Walesa and the Solidarity movement. In many ways it was, in hindsight, the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. You will see the shipyard and then tour the old part of the city. You will then transfer to the sister city of Sopot where your hotel is located. You check in to your hotel and then have the chance to walk Europe’s longest wooden pier and enjoy the views of Gdansk Bay before dining at your hotel Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Gdynia and a Cruise on Gdansk Bay
After breakfast you meet your guide and head to the port city of Gdynia which os part commercial port and part museum. You will be able to see the destroyer “Blyskawica” which is the only surviving Polish warship built before World War II and the sailing frigate “Dar Pomorza”. In the afternoon you take a cruise around Gdansk Bay giving you another perspective on the three cities. In the evening you are taken to a seaside tavern where you have a farewell dinner together with a glass of traditional herbal-spiced “Goldwasser” Gdansk vodka to toast your visit to the Baltic Coat Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Return to USA
Today you are driven to the airport in Gdansk to begin your journey back to the USA arriving back the same afternoon Breakfast
