Odysseys Unlimited - Issue 5, 2017

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