Grand tour of the three Baltic States

• Arrival in Riga/pick up hire car at the airport. Check-in at hotel and collect map and detailed itinerary from hotel reception.


• In the afternoon, free time in Riga. Attractions include Hanseatic Old Town, the Art Nouveau district, the wooden buildings of Pardaugava, Ethnographic open-air museum and an excellent opera house.

Overnight in Riga.

Breakfast. Sites and attractions en route:

• Ethnographic open-air museum located in a beautiful lakeside spot in pine forest.


• Sigulda - Latvia’s most beautiful landscapes in the Gauja National park and the Turaida castle museum complex with its observation tower and sculpture park. Numerous well-marked walking trails along the Gauja river valley.


• Ligatne nature trails where indigenous wild animals can be seen.


• Araisi Lake Fortress is an authentic reconstruction of a 9th century lake settlement. An functioning windmill is nearby.


• Cesis – a charming medieval town with impressive medieval castle ruins.


• In the evening free time in Valmiera. Attractions include  St. Simon’s church, original Soviet cinema, castle ruins and the river Gauja.

Overnight in Valmiera.

Breakfast. Sites and attractions en route:

• Parnu, historic Estonian seaside spa resort town.


• The ethnographic Koguva village of Muhu island.


• Valjala church and hill fort.


• Kaali meteorite lake – perhaps the most impresive meteorite crater in Europe (main crater is 110 m in diameter and 22 m in depth).


• In the afternoon free time at Kuressaare. Attractions include impressive and well preserved medieval Bishop's Castle, art galleries, craft shops and cafes, beach and spas.

Overnight at the guest house in Kuressaare.

Breakfast. Sites and attractions en route:

• Panga cliff- the tallest cliff in Estonia.


• Haapsalu – charming seaside town with castle with the legendary 'White Lady' ghost, open-air ethnographic museum.


• In the evening free time in Tallinn. Attractions include Old Town, Kadriorg Park, KUMU art museum.

Overnight at the hotel in Tallinn.

Breakfast. Sites and attractions en route:

• Jagala juga waterfall.


• Kolga Landgut – one of the leading examples of estate architecture in Northern Europe.


• Jaani-Tooma kivi – one of the largest freestanding boulders on Baltic sea shores is typical of the Lahemaa National park.


• Käsmu fishing village – former Estonian naval center.


• Rakvere castle ruins - the castle was built by Danish crusaders.

Overnight at the guest house in Tartu.

Breakfast.
In the morning free time in Tartu. Attractions include the oldest Baltic university, the old observatory, Tartu Dome church and the hill Toomemägi.
Sites and attractions en route:

• Aluksne town - Bible museum and the castle ruins on the island of Lake Aluksne.


• Rezekne - capital of Latgale region, which is famous for its lakes and pottery.


• Visit to the workshop of the traditional Latvian potter A. Uspelis, who uses ancient pottery techniques to make his signature “black ceramics”. Chance to to see the pottery process.


• Aglona - the Aglona’s basilica is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the North of Europe.

Overnight at the guest house in Aglona.

Breakfast. Sites and attractions en route:

• Daugavpils - the second largest city in Latvia and birthplace of artist Mark Rothko. Reproductions of his works can be seen in the city's museum. Daugavpils fortress is one of the mightiest in Europe.


• Visaginas - the newest town in Lithuania, built in Soviet times for the workers of the Ignalina nuclear power station.


• Aukstaitija National Park - Palusee church and ethnographic villages (many lakes for swimming)


• The Centre of Europe – the spot that claims to be the geographical centre of the continent.


• European Park contains sculptures and nontraditional installations by artists from more than 30 countries.

Overnight at the hotel in Vilnius.

Breakfast.
In the morning free time in Vilnius. Attractions include the Old Town with its numerous churches, university buildings and Gediminas Hill.
Sites and attractions en route:

• Trakai – picturesque  castle built on an island (14th-15th cent).


• Rumsiske - open-air museum of country life in Lithuania.

Overnight at the hotel in Kaunas. 

Breakfast.
In the morning free time in Kaunas - the former Lithuanian capital with a charming Old Town.
Sites and attractions en route:

• Valley of the river Nemunas with beautiful vistas from various castle mounds.


• Cape Vente - a popular bird observation point, lighthouse.


• Delta of the river Nemunas and the island Rusne with a small ethnographic open-air museum.


• In the afternoon free time in the port city of Klaipeda.

Overnight at the hotel in Klaipeda.

Breakfast. Ferry to the Couronian spit. Drive through the Curonian Spit national park with sand dunes up to 60 m tall.
Sites and attractions en route:

• Walking trail at Juodkrante forest with the hill of witches.


• Dolphinarium located within a former Prussian fortress.


• Ferry back to Klaipeda.

Overnight at the hotel in Klaipeda.

Breakfast. Drive along the Baltic sea coast through the Pajurio Regional Park to Palanga. Cross the Lithuanian/Latvian border. 
Sites and attractions en route:

• Nature trails of Lake Pape with several bird observation towers and wild horses in meadows.


• Sightseeing in Liepaja with many nice pubs and a fine white sand beach. Visit to the former military port in Liepāja. This territory was off limits during Soviet times and contained a military town and port for ships and submarines.

Overnight at the hotel in Riga.

Breakfast.
Return the car at Riga International Airport.
Departure.