On Day 13 we tour Peterhof, former summer palace of the czars that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Vilnius, Lithuania
Day 2: Arrive Vilnius After connecting in Europe,
a short flight this morning brings us to Vilnius, the
attractive Lithuanian capital with Baroque architecture, numerous churches, medieval towers and
fortifications, and one of Eastern Europe’s oldest
“Old Towns.” Our afternoon in this historic city is at
leisure before tonight’s dinner at our hotel. D
Day 3: Vilnius We see the highlights of the city, a
UNESCO World Heritage site, on this morning’s
tour, including Cathedral Square, Gedimino Tower,
Vilnius University, and the President’s Palace.
We also tour the fascinating KGB Museum. The
remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps to relax
at one of the many outdoor cafés; explore the old
Jewish Quarter and ghetto; or admire the city’s
architectural diversity. B
Day 4: Vilnius/Trakai Today we travel about 20
miles outside Vilnius to Trakai, the medieval capital
of Lithuania set in a resort village surrounded by five
lakes. Here we tour 15th-century Trakai Castle, with
exhibits commemorating the days when the Grand
Duchy of Lithuania stretched all the way from the
Baltic to the Black Sea. After a turbulent history of
Russian rule, in 1991 Lithuania became one of the
first of the Soviet Union’s breakaway republics and
today, again, is a sovereign democratic nation. B,D
Day 5: Vilnius/Riga We leave this morning for
Riga, the Latvian capital. En route we stop for
lunch in Siauliai where we visit the Hill of Crosses,
a pilgrimage site and symbol of Lithuanian nationalism. After crossing the border into Latvia, we travel
through gentle countryside to the restored 18th-
century Baroque palace of Rundale. Designed by
Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale’s construction took more
than 30 years and 1,500 workers. From here we
continue on to surprisingly sophisticated Riga, once
known as the “little Paris of the North.” We dine
tonight at our hotel. B,L,D
Day 6: Riga This morning’s city tour reveals the
special treasures of this Baltic gem, once Russia’s
coveted warm-water port and the largest of the Baltic
capitals. Riga boasts lovingly restored architecture
ranging from medieval to art nouveau; a well-preserved Old Town; magnificent churches, including
St. Mary’s Cathedral (the Dom), with its 6,789-pipe
organ; and a lively arts scene. The afternoon is free;
our well-located hotel offers easy access to Riga’s
attractions. B
14 days from $3,998 total price
from Boston, New York
($3,295 air & land inclusive plus $703
airline taxes and fees)
The curtain opened, and finally we could see what lay behind ... now, sophisti-
cated travelers are drawn to witness a world
transformed. Visiting four distinct nations,
four thriving capitals and their provincial out-
skirts, we discover for ourselves the fascinating
heritage and stimulating contemporary life of
this remarkable and diverse region.
ST. PETERSBURG & THE BALTIC CAPITALS
Your Small Group Tour Highlights
Comprehensive tour of a fascinating region • Visit to KGB
Museum in Vilnius • Trakai, medieval capital of Lithuania •
Rundale Palace, architectural highlight of provincial Latvia
• Sigulda National Park, the “Switzerland of Latvia” •
Estonia’s open air Rocca-al-Mare village museum • Historic
Tallinn • Tour of St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, one of the
world’s greatest museums • Lunch with a St. Petersburg
family • Peterhof, royal estate of czar Peter the Great
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating
1 Depart U.S. for Vilnius
2-4 Vilnius Radisson Blu First Class Astoria Hotel
5-7 Riga Radisson Blu Sup. First Class Elizabete Hotel
8-10 Tallinn Radisson Blu Sup. First Class Sky Hotel
11-13 St. Petersburg Belmond Grand Deluxe Hotel Europe
14 Depart St. Petersburg for U.S.
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel
industry standard reference.
Avg. High (°F) Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Riga 50 61 69 71 70 63 52
Tallinn 45 59 66 70 68 57 48
St.Petersburg 46 59 68 70 69 60 48
Riga
Vilnius
Tallinn St. Petersburg
Destination
Motorcoach
Entry/Departure
Map Legend
Baltic
Sea