Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1:
We meet at the departure gate of our flight at Frankfurt International Airport. We fly with Lufthansa to Vilnius at 09:50 am (we recommend to check in 2 hours prior to departure). Arrive at Vilnius airport at 12:55 pm and meet our local guide. History comes back to life in Vilnius. The Lithuanian capital combines the most beautiful architectural styles of southern and western Europe in a small space. Buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance and "Lithuanian" Baroque periods characterize the dynamic silhouette of the city panorama. The old town enchants with its medieval alleys, small courtyards and a multitude of baroque churches. Vilnius University and the surrounding university district with Italian-inspired courtyards are another highlight of the Baltic capital. The Old Town of Vilnius has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Because of its many churches, Vilnius is often referred to as the “Rome of the North”: numerous baroque bell towers rise into the sky and shape the cityscape. The Vilnius Cathedral dates back to the 13th century, making it the oldest church in the entire country. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2:
Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Siauliai is particularly known for the Lithuanian "sanctuary", the Hill of Crosses (Kryziu Kalnas), which is located about 10 km north of the city in the direction of Riga. Crosses of all kinds were erected on a small hill in protest against the Soviet occupation. They were bulldozed several times by the occupying forces. Nevertheless, the Lithuanians then put up even more. The number of crosses can no longer be quantified, but it is huge. Of course, the presence of the enormous cross masses and its symbolism have an enormous effect on the visitor. In the middle of the vast landscape of Semigallen in the south of Latvia, 15 km from Bauska, a cultural and historical pearl appears - the Rundale Castle, known as the “Versailles of the Baltics”. The palace and park were among the most beautiful palace ensembles in Europe. What makes this castle so special is that it has been almost completely preserved in its original condition. No major war damage and no significant renovations and style adjustments to suit the owners' changing tastes destroyed this harmonious picture. To the south side of the castle is the 10-hectare baroque park with a gardener's house, strictly laid out as a "French garden", which, with equally regularly laid out avenues, leads into the forest park, which was once a hunting park. The total area of the palace ensemble covers 72 hectares. This also includes the areas of the former manor house with a pond and jug. The Russian Tsarina Anna Ivanova gave the construction contract for the new, magnificent summer residence of Rundale Palace with a French garden for the Duke Ernst Johann von Biron. None other than the star architect Francesco B. Rastrelli was supposed to implement the gigantic project in the style of the Palace of Versailles. Trip to Riga. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3:
Breakfast in the hotel. Riga, the largest city in the Baltics, rightly bears the unofficial title of “Pearl of the Baltics”. Of course, a tour of the Art Nouveau district in the Neustadt should not be missed. In total there are still around 800 Art Nouveau buildings with delicate faces, animals, flowers and lavish ornaments from the ground floor to the roof. Mikhail Eisenstein is one of the most famous representatives of Riga Art Nouveau. One of the most impressive early Art Nouveau buildings is the building at Elisabeth Street (Elizabetes iela) No. 10b, a project by Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of the brilliant cinema director Sergey Eisenstein. This building was built in 1903. Its facade is extremely sumptuously clad. The compositions of masks, peacocks, sculpture heads and geometric figures in the crown of the facade are particularly noticeable, as are the facade surfaces on the upper floors covered with blue ceramic tiles. This facade is a copy and addition to the facade drawing by the Leipzig architects Georg Wuenschmann and Hans Kozel. This drawing was published in a collection of facade drawings in Petersburg. The building and the magnificently decorated staircase were restored in 2000. In between, a stop at the “Black Magic Bar” is on the agenda. After discovering the "secret passage" to Abraham Kunze's former pharmacy, different varieties of the famous Riga Black Balzam await you. It’s said that the Russian Empress Catherine II once visited Riga and fell ill. The potion made from 24 different herbs healed her and became world famous. The heart of Riga is the Old Town with the historical and geographical center. As you walk through the cobblestone streets, you will feel the aura steeped in history. You see the town hall square with the town hall and the House of the Blackheads, the cathedral and the St. Peter's Church. Riga Cathedral is home to one of the most magnificent and valuable historic organs in the world. During the Concerto Piccolo, which lasts approximately 20 minutes, listeners will enjoy famous works in the unique atmosphere of Riga Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to do your own activities. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4:
Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Gauja National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Latvia. It is characterized by great biological diversity, various forms of relief, springs, sandstone exposures, picturesque landscapes and unique natural and cultural monuments. The national park was founded in 1973. Covering an area of more than 90,000 hectares, it protects the most beautiful section of the Gauja glacial valley from Valmiera to Murjāņi. Here is the largest cave in the Baltics - Gutman Cave, the longest is Kalējala Cave, the most unusual - Lielā Ellīte and one of the most popular - Sigulda Devil's Cave. In the territory of the Gauja National Park there are more than 500 monuments of culture and history - castle hills, walled castles, estates, water and windmills, as well as other monuments of archeology, architecture and art. On the banks of the Gauja rise 19 ancient hillforts, 6 medieval castles and three towns - Straupe, Sigulda and Cēsis. Sigulda is a town in Latvia, 53 km northeast of Riga on the east bank of the Gauja River. Because of its attractive landscape, the region is often called Latvian Switzerland. The lively small town (35 km southwest of Cēsis) is the tourist center of the national park. Sigulda is known throughout the country for its Turaida and Krimulda castles. The episcopal castle Turaida towered over the Gauja since 1213 until it was destroyed in the Great Northern War. Detailed construction began in 1953. The 30 m high tower offers a fantastic view over part of the largest national park in the Baltics. The only thing even more breathtaking is the view from the cable car that leads from Sigulda to Krimulda Castle. In the city itself, the New Castle and the old Ordensburg are worth seeing. At the Turaida Museum Reserve you can learn a lot about the events in the region since the 11th century by visiting Turaida Castle, the estate, the church and Mount Dainu. From the tower of Turaida Castle you have one of the most beautiful views of the Ice Age Gauja Valley. Drive to Tallinn. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Day 5:
Breakfast in the hotel. Tallinn's old town (Vanalinn) is divided into two parts. The Toompea (Toompea) in the southwest is considered the original city center. Here, around the old castle and the cathedral church, the nobility and clergy made their home, looking down on the Hanseatic merchants and craftsmen in the lower town. Power was at the top, business was at the bottom. And both parts of Vanalinn have retained their own character to this day. In the Kalamaja district, many new cafes, bars and galleries have breathed lively new life into the former industrial district. The area surrounding Kalamaja is growing day by day, attracting creative minds from near and far. Hermetically sealed off during Soviet times, the area around Kalamaja is now often called the “hipster district” of Tallinn. With its numerous old wooden houses and its location between the sea and the old town, it is easily accessible from all sides. The Telliskivi creative campus and the Noblessner harbor district are part of Kalamaja. During the tour of the Pohjala brewery, you will taste the in-house tasty craft beer. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 6:
Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Free time for shopping or you may like to visit the KGB museum in the hotel Viru (extra). In the late afternoon am we drive to the airport and say goodbye to the tour guide. The return flight departs at 6:30 pm with arrival in Frankfurt, Germany at 8:00 pm.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: International direct flight with Lufthansa to Vilnius (FRA-VNO 09:50 am – 12:55 pm). Direct return flight with Lufthansa (TLL-FRA 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm), all airport and security taxes, one check in luggage (23 kg), transportation according to our program in the Baltic States, 5 x overnights incl. buffet breakfast and 4 x dinner in 4 star hotels, 1 x farewell dinner in a restaurant, entrance and tour Castle Rundale, sample of Riga Black Balsam, entrance Cathedral and 20 minute concert, entrance castle Turaida, visit of brewery incl. craft beer tasting, city tour of Vilnius, Riga, Sigulda and Tallin, visit of the Hill of Crosses and the Gauja National Park including a guided visit of the "Secret Sovietbunker", service of a local guide, service of an Interra Reisen escort, all hotel taxes
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: € 300,-- for 5 overnights. Persons booked on share basis must pay single supplement if no share is available. Share basis means double or triple occupancy.
SUPPLEMENTARY COSTS: meals, which are not included in the tour price, drinks, personal expenses, tips.
UPGRADES for flight arrangements such as business class, special seat reservations (please let us know by booking).
VISA: no visa required for US citizens.
CHILDREN`S PRICE: € 500 age 0-1,99 years, € 1849 age 2-11 years
EARLY BIRD: discount is already taken into account in the published sales price. The sales price will increase by € 100 per person on January 31st, 2025
DOCUMENTS: Valid US passport (more than 6 months valid)
PAYMENT: 10% down payment per person by booking. Rest payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATION CHARGES for flight with hotel overnight trips: up to 96 days prior to departure 10% of the tour price; 95-61 days prior to departure, 20% of the tour price; 60-35 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour price; 34-16 days prior departure: 75% of the tour price; 15-7 days prior departure: 90% of the tour price; 6 days until day of departure: 100% of the tour price will be charged. NO REFUND FOR NOSHOWS!
TRAVEL INSURANCES: please book with our Insurance partner USAA (see our website “Insurance”)
INTERRA REISEN is not responsible for lost and stolen articles. Liability: We are only acting as agents for various contractors (hotels, bus companies, airlines etc.) and are therefore in no way responsible for the fulfillment of their obligations, nor are we to be held liable for accidents, delays, losses etc. The liability of all these contractors, remains unprejudiced. Right is also reserved to program changes and alterations as well as substitution of services listed above, when and where necessary, without prior notice. INTERRA REISEN reserves the right to cancel the tour if minimum participation is not reached. Conditions accepted upon booking.
