Day 1: Arrive in St. Petersburg (Russia)
Arrive in St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation
Day 2: St. Petersburg
Full day sightseeing in St. Petersburg. We will visit Peter-and-Paul fortress, a former prison for political prisoners and the Romanovs' place of bury; the legendary Hermitage museum and see other sites of the city.
Day 3: St. Petersburg
Visit one of the summer tsar's residences in St. Petersburg suburbs (Peterhof or Tsarskoe Selo or both) to see their incredible parks and palaces.
Day 4: St. Petersburg
Some more time to explore St. Petersburg. It is possible to arrange special visits, master-classes etc. Among the options are: to attend morning service in the Kazan Cathedral, to take a boat ride along rivers and channels, to take matryoshka (Russian doll) painting master-class, to visit the porcelain factory and other possibilities. In the evening take train to Pskov. The train ride takes about 5 hours so around 11 p.m. we will find ourselves in the old Russian city of Pskov. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Pskov.
Day 5: Pskov and Izborsk
Tour of Pskov and Izborsk. The main sight of Pskov is its nearly 1000-year old Kremlin with the formidable Pokrovskaya Tower (90 m in circumference). We will also see the 14th century Snetogorsky monastery. In Izborsk we will enjoy a scenic view from hill and see the remains of the ancient settlements. Overnight in Pskov.
Day 6: Pskov – Pechersky Monastery – Tartu (Estonia)
Drive to Tartu (ca. 187 km). On the way visit to the Pechersky Monastery. It was founded in 1473 and the service has not been interrupted since then. The Pechersky Monastery consists of 11 temples, 3 of them are in the cave. Cross the Russian-Estonian border. Accommodation in Tartu. Short walk in the afternoon through the historical centre (Old Town) of Tartu, the oldest Baltic city.
Day 7: Tartu
Tour of Tartu. The city's main sight and architectural dominant is the University founded in 1632. Besides the University we will visit the Ethnographic museum and continue to explore the Old Town.Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Tartu.
Day 8: Lahemaa National Park
Drive to Lahemaa National Park, the biggest and the oldest national park of Estonia, representing the diversity of the country's landscapes. Accommodation in Palmse Mois or in other local hotel in the National Park. In the afternoon enjoy some nice walks in the area at your own pace. Overnight in Lahemaa National Park.
Day 9: Lahemaa National Park
In the morning see a short film about Lahemaa. Then enjoy the bus supported tour around the National Park including short walks to see the beauty of the local nature and some home visits to local families.Later in the afternoon take a short ride to Kasmu, a small “captain’s village” and visit a private marine museum where we can also have lunch. Some short walks in this coastal part of the Lahemaa park. Overnight in Lahemaa National Park.
Day 10: Lahemaa Natinoal Park - Tallinn
This day we move on to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. On the way we will make a short stop at Kiiu to see the smallest castle in Estonia. Then drive to Jagala, to see the waterfall which is called “mini Niagara Fall”. Arrive in Tallinn late in the afternoon and if time permits take an evening walk in the Tallinn Old Town. Overnight in Tallinn.
Day 11: Tallinn
Full day to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Talllinn, the ancient city located in a cozy picturesque bay. We will explore the Old Town, see Kadriorg park and Palace and St.Birgit's Monastery. Visit to a handicraft workshop at Estonian handicraft house. Overnight in Tallinn.
Day 12: Tallinn
More time in Tallinn. It is possible to organise some special visits, like going to a local farm near the town, or visiting local artist.
Day 13: Tallinn - Muhu - Saaremaa
Drive to the coast of the Baltic Sea and take a ferry to get finally to the Saremaa Island and Kuressaare. The ferry will get us to the island of Muhu. Short tour of Koguva village. Lunch in Koguva village in an authentic local restaurant at Vanatoa Farm. Visit Angla village to see a nice wind mills exhibition and as well see the meteorite crater in Kaali. Late afternoon arrival in Kuresaare. Overnight in Kuresaare.
Day 14: Kuuresaare
Full day exploration of Kuuresaare, the resort city situated on Saaremaa Island, which keeps the memory of Viking raids. The town here had developed since ancient times thanks to the sea trade, while Kuuresaare itself emerged on the site of the former castle founded by the Bishopric of Ösel -Wiek. Walking tour of the castle museum in Kuresaare. Drive to Panga cliff to see the steep slopes of Baltic Glint. Then stop in Lumanda village for a lunch in a former local church school. Drive back to Kuresaare. On the way we will stop at St. Michael’s Church in the village of Kihelkonna (1280). And if time permits, we will have a look at the manor house at Loona, located in the Vilsandi National Park. It’s possible to have a short walk stroll through the Vilsandi Park. It is also possible to visit to the Mihkli Farm Museum at Viki (18th century farm) Return to Kuresaare. Overnight in Kuresaare.
Day 15: Saaremaa – Parnu – Riga (Latvia)
Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive to the Estonian Summer Capital - Parnu. Walking tour of the Old Town and lunch in Parnu. Continue driving to Riga. Arrive in Riga in the late afternoon. Overnight in Riga.
Day 16: Riga
Walking tour of the Old Town of Riga, one of the most beautiful European old towns. At noon we can listen to the organ performance in the magnificent Dome cathedral. Riga is regarded as the capital of Art Nouveau, since 40% of buildings in the city belong to this style. We will visit the Art Nouveau quarter and the Art Nouveau Museum. Finish the day taking a nice boat ride along the channel and Old Riga to see this wonderful town from the other perspective. Overnight in Riga.
Day 17: Riga
Another day in Riga. It is possible to go to Jurmala, a famous resort town on the shore of the Baltic sea or enjoy the majic beauty of Riga at your own pace.
Day 18: Riga – Cesis, Turaida, Sigulda – Riga
Explore the medieval heritage and atmosphere in Cesis, Turaida and Sigulda. In the morning we drive to Cesis (ca. 80 km) and take a short tour of Cesis and part of the castle. Then we will visit a unique and special village on the lake, a reconstruction of the ancient “Araishi lake castle” of the old Baltic peoples (9-10 century). It is also possible to visit a private bee farm and have lunch at the farm with the beekeeper, honey-tasting as a desert. After lunch we will drive to Turaida to visit the Castle and have a look at the Guteman's Cave. Finally take a quick look of Sigulda and return to Riga in the evening. Overnight in Riga.
Day 19: Riga – Rundale Palace – Klaipeda (Lithuania)
Drive to the Rundale Palace & Park and tour there. We will get acquainted with the pearl of Latvian Baroque and Rococo. Then visit to the local authentic beer brewery which keeps old authentic recipes. Drive to the port city of Klaipeda, if time permits stop at Siauliai to see the Hill of Crosses, Christianity pilgrimage centre. Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 20: Curonian Split
We will spend this day on the Curonian Split - thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. The Curonian Split is a unique nature reserve boasting pure nature and magnificent views. In the morning we take the ferry for a 10 minutes ride to the Curonian Split. We will first stop at the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante to walk along the wooden path and enjoy pretty wooden carved statues devoted to the local myths and tales. Then continue to a nice small town of Nida, to enjoy it's calm beauty and visit to the amber workshop. After lunch in Nida we will drive to a magnificent viewpoint over the Gulf and the Sea, from where you will see how narrow is the Split itself. Return to Klaipeda in late afternoon. Evening short walking tour of Klaipeda. Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 21: Klaipeda - Kaunas
Drive to Kaunas (ca. 210 km). First stop to see wonderful Pazaislis Monastery, situated near Kaunas. Kaunas city tour. Kaunas was founded in 1280 at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers Nemunas and Neris. It was an important trading port and the western outpost of the country. We will visit the Curlionis museum, a famous Lithuanian Artist or the Siguhara museum. Siguhara was a Japanese ambassador in Kaunas before the Second World War who helped thousands of Jews to escape from Kaunas just before the Nazi invasion.
Day 22: Kaunas – Trakai - Vilnius
Drive from Kaunas to Vilnius. Stop in Trakai for the tour of the unique Castle and town surrounded by lakes. Visit to the Island Castle. Then we will have lunch in Trakai in local Karaim’s restaurant. This restaurant is run by local national minority Karaims. They appeared here in old times coming from Crimea as bodyguards of the local Duke. Nowadays there are ca. 300 people only in the whole country. They are trying to keep thier traditions and culture for many years. Continue driving to Vilnius (ca. 45 km). Accommodation in Vilnius. Evening walk in the Old Town of Vilnius, meeting its beautiful architecture. Overnight in Vilnius.
Day 23: Vilnius
Day in Vilnius: bus supported walking tour of the ancient Lithuanian capital including entry to the Vilnius University Campus. Visit Uzupis district, the so-called independent republic in Vilnius where there are many modern artists and art centres. See the exhibition of the Sacral Art of Lithuania. Visit to the museum of Occupation (the KGB museum) telling the story of the Soviet and Nazi occupation of Lithuania. Overnight in Vilnius.
Day 24: Vilnius
Some more time in Vilnius with a possibility to visit some off the beaten track places or take a master class.
Day 25: departure
Fly out of Vilnius.