Itinerary

Day 1 Tallinn

Tallinn is an ancient Hanseatic city and the capital of Estonia, Tallinn has a wealth of historical and architectural monuments, particularly in the old town center which is dominated by the soaring steeple of the medieval Town Hall (14th to 15th centuries), the oldest in northern Europe. More than two-thirds of the original City Wall still stands and a superb view of the narrow streets, the gabled roofs and the towers and spires of old Tallinn is afforded from Toompea Castle, situated on a cliff top. A favorite recreation spot is Kadriorg Park, which contains the palace built for Peter the Great. The Open Air Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the way of rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

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

In 2003, three of Tallinn’s splendid merchant houses, built in 1362, were renovated and united to create The Three Sisters Hotel (5*), which now offers five-star amenities with modern design and a backdrop of medieval history. Located within the 16th century walls of Tallinn’s fabled Old Town, The Three Sisters Hotel enables you to explore the crevices of Old Hansa without sacrificing style, convenience and luxury. Each of The Three Sisters' spacious luxury rooms and suites are unique in shape and size, owing to its 14th century origins and have convenient features and deluxe amenities. Dining in Tallinn is not complete without at least one visit to the hotel's restaurant, with its abundant wine collection.

Overnight at Three Sisters (5*).

Day 2 Tallinn

Your private guided tour starts at St. Charles’ Cathedral and the National Library in the city center and goes on to Pirita where the Olympic Yachting Regatta was hosted in 1980. Here you can take a look at the Olympic Center from the other side of the Pirita River. Continue to visit the ruins of St.Bridget’s Convent. On the way back to the city, a stop is made at the Song Festival Grounds, the venue of the 120-year-old Estonian song festival tradition. Afterwards, drive by the residential area of Lasnamäe and pass Kadriorg Park and Palace. Start your short walk at the Toompea Hill. Tallinn was founded on Toompea in the 11th century, visit the Parliament building and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its onion domes, built in 1900. Visit the Dome Cathedral, built 13th-14th centuries, with its interesting collection of coats-of-arms, tombstones. The tour then takes you to two viewing platforms that offer breathtaking panoramic views of Tallinn. Long Leg or Short Leg (Streets) then take you to the Lower Old Town. In the Lower Town, the tour passes St. Nicholas Church, and ends in the Town Hall Square where you can see the Town Hall Pharmacy, and the Town Hall, a Gothic masterpiece. Entrance fees are not included in the tour cost.

Overnight at Three Sisters (5*).

Day 3 Tallinn

Enjoy a full day tour to Lahemaa National Park. Created in 1971 to protect the characteristic North-Estonian landscapes and the national heritage of the area, and to preserve harmonious relations between man and nature. This was the first national park in the Soviet Union. Originally the area of the national park was about 440 km², but later the territory was expanded towards the south. Now its area extends over 725 km², 474 km² lies on land, 251 km² is the sea. The tour takes 8 hours and includes private vehicle and guide. The entrance fee to Palmse Manor House is included in the tour price.

Overnight at Three Sisters (5*).

Day 4 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.

Enjoy a private transfer from Tallinn. On your way you can choose to have a stop in Parnu, Estonian "Summer Capital". Visit Sigulda with Gauja National Park. The park, located about 50 km from Riga in the Gauja River valley, is known as the most popular tourist and leisure destination. Tour enables one to experience a genuine whiff of the Middle Ages, a time of romantic legends, castles and heroic figures by visiting the ruins of the 13th century Turaida Castle, and a local History Museum, viewing “the garden of Gods” from the 30 m high fortification tower, walking to the sandstone grottoes on the ancient river bank. During this tours you have private vehicle and English speaking driver at your disposal as well as local English speaking guide for Turaida Castle and entrance fees to Turaida Castle.

Grand Palace Hotel (5*) is located in the cobble stoned 15th century old city of Riga, surrounded by ancient monuments and near the vibrant shopping and business community, The Grand Palace Hotel emanates charm with its blend of Old Russian and European influences. Guest rooms at the hotel are specially designed to provide luxury and privacy and all accommodations are elegantly decorated, while the famous Seasons restaurant provides guests with the best culinary creations in the Baltic region. Voted Latvia's leading hotel for four years in a row, by the body of World Travel Awards, and the only member of The Leading Hotels of The World in Latvia, a stay at The Grand Palace Hotel is a must when visiting this region.

Overnight at Grand Palace (5*).

Day 5 Riga

During this panoramic city tour, admire the most famous sights of Riga. Drive along the embankment of the River Daugava, providing wonderful panoramic view of the city. It follows through the center of the town to Jugendstil district, Alberta Street - the real open-air architectural museum, where the most explicit collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe is located. The City Tour follows through the modern part of the city. You'll observe University building, National Opera, Academy of Arts and central train station. Continue your tour with one of the best Latvian museums, the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum was founded in 1924. Reconstructing the life of Latvia in the 17-19 centuries, it features farmsteads, churches, windmills, fishing villages and other structures, all relocated from the countryside. In the museum you can watch craftsmen - blacksmiths, spoon-carvers, bee-keepers, potters and others. In the small tavern the wide range of traditional Latvian dishes and beer is offered (not included in tour price). The tour includes the entrance to the museum.

Overnight at Grand Palace (5*).
    
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 Riga to Vilnius. During your transfer visit Rundale Palace located 66 km away of Riga. One of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Latvia was built in 1736-1740 as a summer residence for the Duke of Courland, Ernst Johann Biron. The palace was designed by outstanding Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The Rundale Palace is unique; it is one of the few remaining places in Latvia, where the very essence of the 18th century may still be experienced. During this tour you will have a local guide at your disposal. Continue your tour with Hill of Crosses. Entrance fee to Rundale Palace is included in the tour cost.

Originally built in 1901, the Radisson SAS Astoria (5*) is superbly located in the heart of the Old Town in Vilnius. Despite its renovation in 1998, the hotel has held on to its turn-of-the-century charm and offers guests a unique hotel experience. It is within walking distance of main tourist attractions, shopping centers and the business district. All 120 rooms have a classic décor and are fully equipped with high-quality amenities expected of a high class hotel such as free high-speed and wireless internet access. The Brasserie Astorija serves modern international cuisine, while the Astorija Bar is the ideal place to take a break. The new Health Club has a fitness room, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and whirlpool. Experience this fabulous Baltic hotel for yourself!

Overnight at Radisson SAS Astoria (5*).

Day 7 Vilnius

During this panoramic city tour, admire the most famous sights of Riga. Drive along the embankment of the River Daugava, providing wonderful panoramic view of the city. It follows through the center of the town to Jugendstil district, Alberta Street - the real open-air architectural museum, where the most explicit collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe is located. The City Tour follows through the modern part of the city. You'll observe University building, National Opera, Academy of Arts and central train station. Enjoy a half day tour to the picturesque town of Trakai, the ancient capital of Lithuania situated 30 km from Vilnius. The Trakai region features unique relief: the combination of numerous unbelievably pure lakes and moraine hills create a breathtaking sight. There are ancient legends explaining the exceptional lucidity of the lakes. The "town on the water", as Trakai is usually called, is particularly rich in architectural and cultural monuments. The main landmark of the town is the famous insular Trakai Castle - the only insular castle in Eastern Europe - situated on the island in the Galve Lake. These days the castle houses the ethnographic museum, which displays authentic furniture, porcelain, crockery, articles made of glass and bone, seals, hunting trophies and archeological findings discovered in the Trakai Castle. Entrance fee to Trakai Castle is included in the tour cost.

Overnight at Radisson SAS Astoria (5*).

Day 8 Vilnius

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Villnius airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

More information from Kensington Tours:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.kensingtontours.com/tours/europe/baltics/baltics-exclusiv…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips