Itinerary

Day 1 Riga

Riga is one of the most beautiful of the Baltic cities featuring remarkable Gothic, Baroque, Classical and Art Nouveau buildings. The center of the city is considered to contain the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Riga contains a remarkable diversity of architectural styles, perhaps best epitomised by the Dome Cathedral. Begun in 1211, the building has been added to throughout the centuries, resulting in a fascinating blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical styles. The numerous other historical buildings in Riga bear witness to Latvia’s chequered history. Since its restoration after World War I, the old quarter of the city has been a protected area. Merchants’ houses from the Middle Ages such as the Three Brothers and the 24 warehouses in the old quarter are also picturesque examples of Latvian architecture.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Situated in the center of Riga, Hanza Hotel (3*) is close to the bridges across the Daugava River and the Academy of Science. This hotel offers 80 comfortable rooms that are equipped with standard amenities. Relax in the comfort of their room after a busy day of sightseeing. Most of the rooms overlook the Church of Jesus, the tallest wooden building in Latvia. The in-house Hanza Pub Restaurant offers a variety of delicious foods, along with delectable cocktails. The banquet hall with 40 seats is an ideal environment for a private party or for a family celebration, a coffee break or lunch.

Overnight at Hanza (3*).

Day 2 Riga

The guided walking tour of the Old Riga takes you down the streets of the center of this medieval Hanseatic old town. Marvel at the splendors of the Dome Cathedral, the Old Guild house, the Riga Castle, and the architectural wonders of the Jugendstil district. The walking tour continues to the Monument of Freedom then proceeds to the newly renovated Opera House. From there the tour takes you into Old Riga with the stops at Konveta Seta, the colorful 13th century buildings which formerly housed the Convent of the Holy Spirit and is now a modern hotel complex; St. Peters Church, which offers a panoramic view over the old town, the House of the Blackheads, first mentioned in 1334, destroyed in 1941, and recently rebuilt in time for the celebration of Riga’s 800th anniversary; the Dome Cathedral, built in the 13th century, contains one of the biggest organs in the world with 6718 pipes; the Riga Castle, now the residence of the President of Latvia; and the houses of the Latvian parliament building, the Saeima. The tour also includes visits to many other sites of historical and architectural interest such as Jackob’s Barracks and the Powder Tower.

Overnight at Hanza (3*).

Day 3 Klaipeda

Klaipeda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Curonian Lagoon where it flows into the Baltic Sea. As Lithuania's only seaport, it has ferry terminal connections to Sweden and Germany. Some of its older buildings have picturesque half-timbered construction, similar to that found in Germany, France, England, Denmark and southern Sweden. Klaipeda's main attractions are the historic buildings in the city's centre, dating from the 13th to 18th centuries such as: the remnants of the Memelburg Castle, built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order; the Žarde ancient settlement, situated on the right bank of the Smiltele River, dated to the late Iron Age (10th century), and was inhabited until the 16th century; the remnants of the so-called 'Dutch' defense system around the entire town from the 17th-18th centuries; the maritime museum in Fort Wilhelm, built at the end of the 19th century at the spike of the Curonian Spit .

Enjoy a private transfer from Riga to Klaipeda with private vehicle and driver. During the transfer stop to Siauliai and visit the the Hill of Crosses located 12km from Siauliai. It is considered that there was a castle and it was burned by Sword bearers in 1348. The crosses were mentioned for the first time in written chronicles in 1850, though their appearance is connected with the suppression of the rebellion of 1831.

The Old Port Navalis Hotel (3*) situated in the midst of Klaipeda old town on the bank of the River Dane within the territory of the Old Castle houses 46 spacious and cosy rooms. There are two hotel buildings next to each other (the bigger hotel – modern Scandinavian style, the little yellow hotel – soft classic style). XVIII century turning bridge connects two hotels of different styles. The Old Port Hotel restaurant offers international cuisine specialties made of natural and fresh products, while at the Rice Mill pizza/pasta restaurant you may try delicious pizza and pasta specialties. Through the hotel windows opens panoramic view to the Danë river, Curonian lagoon, old castle port and yacht-club.

Overnight at Old Port Navalis (3*).

Day 4 Klaipeda

Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town of Klaipeda. The tour will focus on its Theatre Square dominated by the statue of a girl Ann from Tharau, narrow alleyways with attractive courtyards, art galleries, cafes and small boutiques, blocks of lattice-work buildings, old warehouse reflecting the influence of Germanic architecture of the Hanseatic period.

Optional. Enjoy a visit to the Clock and Watch Museum that introduces the development of the construction of time measuring devices from older times until today. View originals, models or reconstructed copies of ancient calendars, sun, water, fire and sand clocks, mechanical time measuring devices; exhibits which show the change of clock forms from Renaissance to modern styles. Together with the clocks from different countries, characteristic furniture and artistic works are selected and displayed according to particular periods. The entrance fee to the Clock Museum is included in the tour cost.

Overnight at Old Port Navalis (3*).

Day 5 Kaunas

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania and a former temporary capital. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania. Central Kaunas is defined by two pedestrian streets: the 2-km-long Laisves aleja (Liberty Avenue), a central street of the city, lined by linden trees, and its continuation, Vilnius Street, leading to the oldest part of Kaunas. Some of the most prominent features in Kaunas include: the Kaunas Castle, a 14th century fortification; the Vytautas' Church, one of the oldest churches in Lithuania and the oldest in Kaunas; the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, the largest Gothic building in Lithuania, with a late Baroque interior; the St. George's Church, the Pažaislis abbey, an impressive complex in Baroque style; the massive Neo-Byzantine church of St. Michael the Archangel; the Christ’s Resurrection Church with an unfolding panoramic view of the city; KaunasFortress, a 19-20th century military fortress, which includes a Holocaust site of the Ninth Fort; Napoleon's Hill; House of Perkunas; Town Hall and the square. Kaunas is often called a city of museums, because of the abundance and variety of them. The museums in Kaunas include: Kaunas is often called a city of museums, because of the abundance and variety of them. The museums in Kaunas include: the War Museum of Vytantas the Great, the M.K. Ciurlionis National Art Museum, the Devil`s Museum, Lithuanian Sports Museum, Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy, Historical Presidential Palace, displaying exhibits from the interwar period.

Enjoy a private transfer from Klaipeda to Kaunas with personal vehicle and driver.

As the 2nd largest town in Lithuania, Kaunas has a primarily Lithuanian population, ensuring a truly authentic experience. The past and present are deeply intertwined in this historic town with numerous architectural monuments, gothic and baroque churches and beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings on display. Visit the fortification, built in the 13th century but later destroyed by crusaders. Explore the Town Hall Square, in the heart of the Old Town, where municipal meetings took place. Marvel at the beauty and the tumultuous history of The Jesuit Church, the first Baroque Church constructed in 1666 and renamed after Saint Alexander Nevsky in 1825. The Cathedral, The Church of Vytautas and The Perkunas House are all notable sites that must be seen for their history and varied architectural influences. At the end of the tour visit Devil's Museum. Entrance fee included in the tour cost.

The Best Western Hotel (4*) Santakos is situated on a very calm and quiet street in the very heart of Kaunas, considered to be the most Lithuanian town in Lithuania. Built in 1895 as a wine cellar with ascetic exterior, 100 years later, in 1995, the building was transformed into a cozy hotel with elegant exterior; later it was one of the first to become a prestigious visiting card of the city. In 1999, the hotel was the first to be awarded the four-star rating. The rather modest ascetic red-brick exterior of the building emphasizes the coziness and homelike atmosphere of the interior, where rational forms with classical elements and features of historicism prevail. Wooden beams, decorative stoves, fire places and nice ceramic art work are only a few of the features that can be found at the hotel.

Overnight at Best Western Hotel (4*).

Day 6 Vilnius

Vilnius is surrounded on three sides by wooded hills and situated in a picturesque valley formed by the rivers Neris and Vilnia, the ancient yet modern center of the city lies on the southern or left bank of the river. Vilnius' Old Town is the biggest in Europe and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike Riga and Tallinn in the other Baltic Republics, Vilnius is not of Germanic origin. Almost all major European architectural styles are represented, although ultimately it was the Baroque which came to dominate. The heart of the capital is the beautiful and spacious Gediminas Square, the main feature of which is the Cathedral built in the Classical style. Other interesting churches are the Gothic St Ann’s Church and the St Peter and St Paul’s Church. To enjoy a view of the whole city, visitors should climb the Gediminas Tower. High on a hill in the center of the city, it rises above Vilnius and is the symbol of the Lithuanian capital.

Enjoy a private transfer from Kaunas to Vilnius with private driver and car.

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. In the 14th century, at the foot of the hill, the town started to develop. In 1503, Vilnius was surrounded by the defensive wall and since then the town was growing outside. Old Town of Vilnius is not only one of the most beautiful, but one of the biggest in Europe. The heart of Vilnius, Old Town, is a mixture of different epochs and architectural styles. Light and elegant town architecture is presented by the gothic buildings: Church of St Francis, Church of St Anne, and others. Austere Renaissance buildings - Gates of Dawn, St Michael Church, some of the university buildings - add classical sounding to the Old Town ensemble. The Noble Cathedral and Tower Hall, the outstanding examples of Classicism, dominate the Cathedral Square. The masterpiece of Vilnius baroque by right is considered to be St Peter and St Paul's Church. There are more than one thousand archeological, historical, architectural and cultural monuments in the Old Town. That's why in 1994 Vilnius was included in the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage. Visit Vilnius Cathedral and Town Hall Square, Vilnius University, built in various styles: gothic, renaissance, baroque and classicism. Continue to St Anne's and Bernardine Churches, Gate of Dawn and St Peter and Paul's Church. Entrance fees are not included in the tour cost.

Ideally located in the picturesque Old Town of Vilnius, close to the City Gates, City Gate Hotel (3*) is warm and hospitable; ideal for discerning travelers who require a host of facilities. All rooms are spacious and stylish with modern amenities, such as free wireless internet connection, and guests can make use of the hotel’s 2two conference halls, as well as the stylish and comfortable internal courtyard. Begin your day with a rich buffet breakfast and end it with a delicious dinner at the stylish restaurant.

Overnight at City Gate (3*).

Day 7 Vilnius

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Villnius airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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