Baltics: Ultimate Arts, Culture & History Experience
This top tour of the Baltics focuses on its amazing arts, culture, and history. The Baltic states, where medieval meets modern, is a geopolitical term typically used to group the three sovereign states in Northern Europe on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The majority of people in Latvia and Lithuania are Baltic people, the majority in Estonia are Finnic. The three countries do not form an official union, but engage in intergovernmental and parliamentary cooperation, including being members of NATO the European Union. All three countries were formerly in the Soviet Union. You’ll debut in Lithuania, the southernmost of Europe’s Baltic states bordering Poland, Latvia and Belarus. Its capital, Vilnius, near Belarus’ border, is known for its medieval Old Town. It also has Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture, and 18th-century cathedral built on a pagan temple site. Hilltop Gediminas’ Tower, a symbol of the city and the nation, offers sweeping views. The amazing architecture that defines the Baltics is complimented by the hard-working and friendly locals who welcome their new way of Western living — as well as you!
Latvia is a tiny country with a big heart, Latvia and its two Baltic neighbors, Lithuania and Estonia, have been free from Soviet occupation since 1989. It’s ridiculously photogenic capital, Riga, has a reputation in Europe as being the perfect inexpensive getaway to let your hair down.
Your tour concludes in Estonia, a country whose history is discovered in its songs. Estonia lacks military might and has always been surrounded by much larger countries with intimidating armies. Russia, Germany, and Sweden all vied for its control, creating a tug of war that lasted centuries. Inspired by the fall of the Iron Curtain, Estonia symbolically overcame its latest suppressor, the U.S.S.R., when country-wide choir jam-bands launched their Singing Revolution. Here, choirs outrank sports as a national pastime—some attracting as many as 30,000 singers. Song festival fairgrounds, with their signature bandshell arches, are everywhere. You’re going to love the Baltics!
Highlights
- Vilnius city tour starting at Cathedral Square, a place full of myths and legends
- Trakai National Park’s stunning pine forests and lakes
- Riga’s (Latvia) incredible Rundale Palace, built by the famous Italian architect Rastrieli
- City tour including Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, and the Church of St. Peter
- Tartu, a university city with rich historical heritage and culture
- City tour of Tallinn, once a prosperous town of Hansa merchants in the 15th century
- Estonia’s 13-century Dome Church
- Destination
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Included
AccommodationsActivities as SpecifiedEnglish Speaking GuideGovernment taxesTransportation
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Not Included
Domestic AirfareInternational AirfareMeals as SpecifiedTips For Tour GuidesTravel InsuranceVisa Processing
From our gallery
VILNIUS ARRIVAL
- The Vilnius city tour starts at the Cathedral Square, a place full of myths and legends. Later, you'll visit Vilnius University, the oldest university in the Eastern Europe (1579), the Town Hall of Vilnius built in the end of 18th century, the beautiful ensemble of the Orthodox Monastery, St. Theresa church, and Gates of Dawn's holy image of the Virgin Mary. The city tour of Vilnius will conclude at St. Anne's church which represents the peak of Gothic architecture in Lithuania -- and finally St. Peter and Paul's church, wonderful examples of Lithuanian baroque. Dinner at a restaurant or the hotel.
- You are doing the Baltics right!
VILNIUS / MO MUSEUM
- After breakfast we'll drive to Trakai National Park (25 km from Vilnius) and enjoy its pine forests and lakes, and the ancient Lithuanian capital -- the residence of the Grand Dukes. You'll also behold the 15th-century insular castle which hosts the Museum of Lithuanian History. After lunch, you'll return to Vilnius for an artsy tour including street art and a visit to the MO modern art museum. Lucky you!
RIGA
- Today you'll drive to Riga (Latvia). En route you'll visit Rundale Palace which was built by the famous Italian architect Rastrieli. After breakfast and departure to Riga, we'll stop by the Hill of Crosses, an unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Then we'll continue to Riga with a stopover in Rundale Palace and Park, a beautiful late Baroque palace in Latvia.
- Welcome to Riga!
RIGA / ART NOUVEAU
- Today you'll enjoy a city tour of Riga, which includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter, the buildings of the Great and Small Guild Halls, the fortification wall of Riga, the Swedish Gate, the building of Parliament of Latvia-Saeima, and the Monument of Liberty. Wow.
- The tour continues by car along the central boulevards of Riga, passing by city canal parks, the Bastion Hill, the Powder Tower, the Latvian National Theater, the Fine Arts Museum, the Art Nouveau buildings from the beginning of the 20th century, the Freedom Monument, University of Latvia, the Opera House, and the Daugava River and its scenic bridges.
- In the afternoon you'll visit the Art Nouveau Museum.
TALLINN
- Today we'll drive to Tallinn (Estonia) via Tartu, a university city. Tartu is a modern city with a rich historical heritage and culture. The capital of Southern Estonia is the second largest city in the country and the oldest in the Baltic States. During the Tartu sightseeing tour you'll see Tartu Town Hall Square's “Kissing students” fountain that's surrounded by buildings built in the classical style. You'll also behold the main building of the University of Tartu, which was founded in 1632 by the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus, and a gift from Czar Paul 1st to the Universtiy, Toome Hill. You'll also see Gothic St. John's Church, Toomemegi Hill's Dome Church's ruins and other interesting sights in Tartu. What a day!
- Continue onto gorgeous Tallinn.
TALLINN / KUMU MUSEUM / ROTERMANNI QUARTER
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today you'll enjoy a city tour of Tallinn. This walking tour provides an introduction to Tallinn's historical heart, which was a rich and prosperous town of Hansa merchants in the 15th century. The tour starts at the Dome Hill (Toompea) at Castle Square where Toompea Castle was the seat of the Estonian Parliament which also faces the 19th-century symbol of the Tsar's power in Estonia, Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
- After visiting the 13-century Dome Church and enjoying a breathtaking view from a viewing platform, the tour continues with a stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets down to the Town Hall Square that features the Gothic Town Hall from the 13-14th centuries, one of Northern Europe's oldest.
- Afternoon excursion to KUMU Museum and Rotermanni Quarter.
DEPARTURE FROM BALTICS
- Departure from Tallinn. Ps, the Baltics love you, too!
- INCLUDED: TRANSPORTATION, BREAKFAST, LUNCH, & DINNER
Dates
Unlike most tour operators, you are not required to choose a fixed date or travel with a group. You can choose to begin your private tour on any date. These are EVERYDAY DEPARTURES.Tour Price
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| Low Season (Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Nov, Dec) |
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- Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
- Single supplement price for single room as part of a group of 2 or more.
- One person traveling alone will incur a higher price due to private tour.
- All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.
- Please note: Prices for 4 & more travelers available upon request.