The Baltic States and Finland Odyssey 10 days/9 nights
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Day 2 (Monday): Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The 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 offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well-preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoj.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Vilnius-Riga
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia, we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace, we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, and check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija**** or similar.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Riga
Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds, and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.
Day 5 (Thursday): Riga
After we got acquainted with Riga, we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Riga Motor Museum which has an impressive collection of the vintage car including a very unique collection of old Soviet limousines from the Kremlin Garage. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Forest.
Day 6 (Friday): Riga-Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.
Day 7 (Saturday): Tallinn
Tallinn 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. The 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. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and a visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack.
Day 8 (Sunday): Tallinn-Helsinki
This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th-century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After the lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and check in at Hotel Radisson Blu Seaside**** or similar.
Day 9 (Monday): Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbors and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street, and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit to the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure whose construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, the fortress is a unique attraction for visitors.
Day 10 (Tuesday): Helsinki
Optional transfer to the airport.
DATES:
May-October 2023, 10 days/9 nights
ARTO08: 21.05-30.05.23
ARTO09: 28.05-06.06.23
ARTO10: 04.06-13.06.23
ARTO11: 11.06-20.06.23
ARTO12: 18.06-27.06.23
ARTO13: 25.06-04.07.23
ARTO14: 02.07-11.07.23
ARTO15: 09.07-18.07.23
ARTO16: 16.07-25.07.23
ARTO17: 23.07-01.08.23
ARTO18: 30.07-08.08.23
ARTO19: 06.08-15.08.23
ARTO20: 13.08-22.08.23
ARTO21: 20.08-29.08.23
ARTO22: 27.08-05.09.23
ARTO23: 03.09-12.09.23
ARTO24: 10.09-19.09.23
ARTO25: 17.09-26.09.23
ARTO26: 24.09-03.10.23
ARTO27: 01.10-10.10.23
Package prices per person:
EUR 1095.00 (double occupancy)
EUR 450.00 (single supplement)
Including:
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9 overnights at centrally located 4 star hotels
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9 x buffet breakfast
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Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
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Personalised welcome package
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Entrances to Peter and Paul Church in Vilnius, Rundale Palace, medieval Great Guild Hall in Tallinn and Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki
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Service of English and German speaking tour escort on all tours
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Service of Italian and Spanish only speaking tour escort on all tours
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Service of Spanish and Portuguese speaking tour escort on tours ARTO14, ARTO18, ARTO20, ARTO22
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Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary
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Ferry ticket Tallinn-Helsinki OW (2nd class)
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Portage at hotels
Optional:
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Transfer airport to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva: EUR 45.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 65.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
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3-hour excursion to Trakai and visit to Trakai Castle: EUR 45.00 pp
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Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele: EUR 40.00 pp
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4-hour excursion to Gauja National Park: EUR 50.00 pp
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3-hour excursion to the Riga Motor Museum: EUR 45.00 pp
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Organ concert at the Dome Cathedral: EUR 35.00 pp
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4-hour excursion to Jurmala: EUR 40.00 pp
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Latvian dinner at Restaurant Forest: EUR 45.00 pp
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3-hour excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU: EUR 45.00 pp
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Medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack: EUR 45.00 pp
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6-hour excursion to Lahemaa National Park: EUR 70.00 pp
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3-hour excursion with water bus to the Suomenlinna Fortress: EUR 60.00 pp
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Transfer Hotel Radisson Blu Seaside airport: EUR 90.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 120.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
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Half board at hotels (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea): EUR 325.00 pp