Baltic Explorer Lithuania Latvia Estonia Finland Russia Escorted Vacation

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink and meeting with your tour director at the hotel.

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 folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas. (B)

Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy 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 at late afternoon overnight in Riga. (B)

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. Join your walking tour of the Old Town which 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. In the evening, enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Forest. (B)

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 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 Three. (B)

Your tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. You will have a short tour of the resort before continuing through the North Estonian forests. Arrive in Tallinn by early afternoon. (B)

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility 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. This morning’s sightseeing tour takes you around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where you will see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the medieval Old Town Hall and the Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional excursion to Kadriorg Park and 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. (B)

In the morning, consider taking an optional excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where you will 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 lunch, head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. (B)

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. Your sightseeing tour takes you 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 of the famous Church-in-the-Rock. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis in the midst of the city with cottages, farmsteads and manors from all around Finland. (B)

Today, you will continue eastbound to Saint Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia you will arrive in Vyborg for a short sightseeing tour and a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. You will arrive in Saint Petersburg in late afternoon. (B)

Saint Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During this morning’s sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. This afternoon is reserved for an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for Saint Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening, enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian "champagne” and snacks. (B)

Today is a free day. In the morning, consider joining an optional excursion to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the afternoon, we suggest you join an optional tour to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening, enjoy an optional Russian dinner. (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Saint Petersburg airport for your return flight home. (B)