Best of Baltics by car

Arrival to Tallinn. Private transfer to hotel. Free time.
OVERNIGHT: TALLINN

Tallinn is well known for its lovely Hanseatic old town and beautiful panorama views. Tallinn is remembered by its visitors as a very vivid city where old and modern combines in harmony; and buildings built from the local material – limestone. You can visit: the upper part of old town called Toompea: Alexander Nevsky Orthodox church built in 1900, the oldest country’s church Toomkirik built in 1233, the Estonian parliament and the upper part of the old town surrounding fortress walls and towers, two different viewpoints for panorama views; lower part of old town: Town Hall, Merchant Guild Houses and a market of local handicrafts.

OVERNIGHT: TALLINN

09:00 pick-up of the car in the reception of hotel. Car rental representative will come with documents and keys, will explain everything and the car will be given.

Driving to Lahemaa National Park – situated in the northern part of Estonia, 70 km from Tallinn. The parkwas founded in 1971 and its main goal is to protect natural landscape, ethnic heritage and to preserve the harmony between the man and the nature the place is famous for. There you can see beautiful forests of firs and pines; walk a narrow wooden track inside a swamp and climb an observation tower to look at the surroundings. You will be able to see sea bays containing huge lying stone boulders and rocky shores. There you can visit the 18th century Palmse mansion, where you will have the opportunity to taste local Estonian wine. Continuation of drive till Tartu.
Tartu – the second largest city in Estonia, located on Emajogi river bank, considered to be educational and cultural centre of the country. The main reason for that is the Tartu University which was built in 1638 by the initiative of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus. Till today this university holds a reputation of the most prestigious educational school in the country. There you can visit the main university building built in classical style, the Lutheran St. John’s Church, 18th century City Hall, botanical garden and main street with many cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. Also, you can stop at the symbol of Tartu – fountain-statue called the “Kiss of Students”.

OVERNIGHT: TARTU

Departure in direction of Latvia. Sigulda and Turaida (Gauja National Park) – if you are willing to know Latvia better you must visit the Gauja National Park established in 1973. The park consists of various areas and the visited one is the historical that includes two little towns – Turaida and Sigulda and its surroundings. In Turaida we will visit the red-brick castle ruins and its best preserved defensive tower. Photography lovers and others willing to reach the observation deck of the defence tower will have to climb all 140 steps till the top to get a wonderful reward – panoramic view of the Gauja National Park. You will be left breathless, not from climbing, but from the surprise. The view will be worth every step – forests, meadows, hills, river Gauja valley and river bends till the horizon. After visiting the castle you can walk till the Hill of Songs dedicated to Cristobal Barons who in 19th century collected Latvian tales and songs and put them in a single book. There you will find various sculptures by Indulis Ranka that represent different virtues of life found in these tales and songs. On the way to Sigulda you can visit the cave of Gutman that is made in sandstone and is biggest in Baltic States. The place is also known as the Switzerland of Latvia because of the hills, forests and the narrow road. On the other side of river Gauja there is another town called Sigulda. Famous for bobsleigh track and a modern 19th century castle built by an aristocrat Kropotkin. By the modern castle we will find the old castle ruins, which belonged to the Crusaders. Driving till Riga.

OVERNIGHT: RIGA

Riga is a city of big inspiration. While walking the streets of old town youwill be able to feel that every corner of it is built by seeking perfectionism.
You can visit: Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s church, guild houses that once belonged to the merchants of Hanseatic League, the Sweden gate, the ensemble of three buildings erected in the Middle Ages and often called the three brothers, St. Jacob’s church, Parliament House, the old Riga Castle, the Tower of Sand, Livu square, Latvian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Art Nouveau district, the beautiful Statue of Liberty and the surrounding park with its water channels.

OVERNIGHT: RIGA

Drive in direction of Lithuania. Liepaja is a city of successful changes as the people living here on the stretch of sand between the Amber Sea and the lake for more than 750 years have always been tough, wise and daring. The charm of the city is concealed in its special atmosphere. Perhaps a bit restrained and harsh, yet also noble and rebellious. Sometimes calm, sometimes swirling. Genuine and truthful – this is Liepaja.
Palanga, the most popular Lithuanian sea resort, boasting beautiful kilometres-long white sandy beaches, backed by dunes and pine woods. There you can visit one of the most beautiful parks in Lithuania, designed by the French architect Andre and showing more than 150 different trees and shrubs. After walking through the park you will reach the 19th century neo-classical style palace built by the noble Tiszkewicz family, now housing the Amber Museum. The exhibit displays the long history of amber, called also “Lithuanian gold”, showing large pieces of amber and pieces containing fossilized insects from the time of million years ago.Llegada a Klaipeda.

OVERNIGHT: KLAIPEDA

Klaipeda – the third largest Lithuanian city, situated 300 km from Vilnius on the Baltic coast. Klaipeda is the only and most important port of the country. The city has deep German roots, and not so far away used to be called Memel. During the World War II Klaipeda suffered a lot and many buildings were destroyed, but still there are interesting things to see. German style old town, which has many merchant houses and warehouses with ‘fachwerk’ decorations. The theatre square and enjoy a little statue of the Ann of Thar, she is the main character of the traditional German love and marriage song. The song was created by Simon Dach, famous German poet born in Klaipeda in 17th century.

Nida and the Curonian Spit (Neringa) – is one of the most beautiful places in Lithuania that can be characterized by dwarf mountain pines, Sahara scenery and wild animals that are not afraid of the human being. In Klaipeda you should take a ferry and get across isthmus that is between Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. On the way to Nida you may stop at Juodkrante an old fishermen village, which today has very nice rebuilt summer houses and old fishermen dwellings. You can see there the Amber bay where last century amber was mined. A visit to Hill of Witches is must. This place is famous for carved wooden sculptures related Lithuanian mythology. En route you can take some nice pictures of local wild boars, cormorant or elks if you see any. Once in Nida, you can climb on the top of the dune of Parnidis, from which the Sahara scenery will reveal in front of your eyes. Later on we will pay a visit to world famous German writer Thomas Mann summer house and V.K. Mizgiriai amber gallery to discover exceptional art from amber. In the end of the day – free time, so you can have walk in the main Nida pedestrian street and coastal area, feel the breath of Lithuanian seaside.

OVERNIGHT: KLAIPEDA

Kaunas – second largest Lithuanian city, founded in 1361 on a confluence of two largest country’s rivers Nemunas and Neris.In Kaunas you should visit old castle ruins that remind us of numerous battles and the strategic position of the city. Pass by St. George’s church and Town Hall square. Have a look into old Kaunas Town Hall building, also known as the Kaunas White Swan; Jesuit owned St. Francis Xavier Church and gothic buildings that once belong to merchants of the Hanseatic League. Visit the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary built in 1400 known by locals by the name of the church of Vytautas. In the same place you will be able to take picture of a very curious gothic building called Perkūnas (Thunder) house. Stop by the Kaunas Cathedral which has a mixture of various styles and has richly decorated interior. A very nice walk awaits you in the Liberty Avenue, which has a particular pre-war sense. Kaunas was temporal Lithuanian capital between the two world wars, and the avenue was the heart of Lithuanian culture and political life. During the walk you will be able to see the old Presidential Palace, the Statue of Grand Duke Vytautas and the Square of Unity, where eternal flame burns.

OVERNIGHT: KAUNAS

Trakai – the old capital of Lithuania, located 28 kilometres From Vilnius. Trakai is situated on a narrow 2 kilometre long peninsula, between three lakes that have many different sized islands. The main attraction and adornment of the place is the Castle of Trakai, which belonged to the most famous ruler of Lithuania – Grand Duke Vytautas. You will reach the castle by walking through the bridge and at the same time enjoying magnificent view – the only castle in Northern Europe built on an island of the lake. During the visit of the castle you will get familiar with castle’s history, its rulers and the rest of the site. The red brig structure, blue water of lake and the reminding of glory of the past really makes the Lithuanians think that it was more a fantasy, than reality. On the way to Vilnius you will see typical houses built by the Karaites who once were brought from far Crimean peninsula to Lithuania by Grand Duke Vytautas. Just before leaving Trakai don’t forget to take a picture in fond of the castle, this will be one of the most beautiful picture you ever made!

20:00 drop-off the car in the reception of the hotel. Rental company representative will come to collect the car and get back the documents and the key

OVERNIGHT: VILNIUS

Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania, surrounded by hills, lying in Sventaragis valley between two rivers – Neris and Vilnele. In 1994 the old town of the city was included in UNESCO’s heritage list. Various architectural styles, triangular squares, flower gardens and different historical periods is what you can see all over the place. You will be surprised by the verdancy and the beautiful Vilnius panorama with churches and their towers. During the sightseeing tour you will visit Cathedral Square, Castle Street, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Ann and Bernadine’s Church known as the Gothic corner of Vilnius, the Gate of Dawn with the holy image of the Virgin Mary, formerly an important part of the population of Vilnius which belonged to Jewish minority – the Jewish Quarter. En route we will visit the old Vilnius University ensemble that is considered one of the oldest educational centres not only in Lithuania but also in all Baltic countries. And we won’t miss Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, referred as the pearl of Lithuania for the dazzling white and gorgeous decorations made by Italian craftsmen.

OVERNIGHT: VILNIUS

Free time or additional sightseeing upon request.
Private transfer to Vilnius airport.

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