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10 Day Baltics Discovery
Highlights: Tallinn, Riga, Klaipeda, Kaunas, Vilnius
Trip start: Tallinn
Trip end: Vilnius
Price Range from £1,420 to £1,670 *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Explore the unique history of the Baltic nations with your private guide. A proud maritime tradition, mix of Soviet culture and today's westernized capitals all combine to make this trip memorable. Visitors will enjoy a richly rewarding stroll through the compact old cities lined with cafes, boutiques, spectacular churches and castles. Private transfers between cities offer the chance to explore the countryside or stop at a quaint shop on a whim. Enjoy it all with the convenience of a personal vehicle and driver.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Tallinn
  • Tallinn: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Welcome package
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
My City Hotel (4*) (B)
Day 2
Tallinn
  • Private - 1/2 d City Tour with Old Town - Vehicle/Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
My City Hotel (4*) (B)
Day 3
Riga
  • Transfer - Riga via Parnu and Sigulda, incl. Turaida Castle - Vehicle/Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Gutenbergs (4*) (B)
Day 4
Riga
  • Riga: Private - 1/2 d Walking tour - Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Gutenbergs (4*) (B)
Day 5
Klaipeda
  • Transfer - Klaipeda incl. Hill of Crosses - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Radisson Blu (4*) (B)
Day 6
Klaipeda
  • Klaipeda: Private - Curonian Spit Tour (8 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Radisson Blu (4*) (B)
Day 7
Kaunas
  • Transfer - Private - Klaipeda - Kaunas [via Palanga with Amber Museum ] - Vehicle/Guide
  • Kaunas: Private - 1/2 d Walking tour with Devil's Museum - Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Best Western Hotel (4*) (B)
Day 8
Vilnius
  • Transfer - Kaunas - Vilnius [1.5 hrs] - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Hotel Grotthuss (4*) (B)
Day 9
Vilnius
  • Vilnius: Private - 1/2 d Walking city tour - Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Hotel Grotthuss (4*) (B)
Day 10
Vilnius
  • Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

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.

Situated in the old city of Tallinn, My City Hotel (4*) is surrounded by the business and entertainment districts and is adjacent to fashionable shops and restaurants. Reflecting a tradition of classical style and elegance, the hotel offers a charming setting, ideal for any traveler. All 68 elegantly designed guest rooms feature amenities to satisfy the needs of the most demanding customer and include a computer with high-speed internet in each room. The warm atmosphere and professional staff of My City Hotel will make your stay in Tallinn pleasant and memorable.

Overnight at My City Hotel (4*).


Tallinn
Tallinn
The Domina Inn City situated in the old city of Tallinn
The Domina Inn City situated in the old city of Tallinn
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 My City Hotel (4*).


Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Day 3 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.

Gutenbergs (4*) is a boutique style hotel located in the center of the Old Town in Riga. The buildings of the hotel were built in the XVI and XIX centuries for needs of a printing-house and in 2001, it was opened as a hotel.  Famous for its gorgeous interior, romantic and historical style, it has 38 rooms of various design with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.  With beautiful paintings, engravings, antiques, and old books in the guest rooms and corriders, it will be as if it is centuries ago. 

Overnight at Gutenbergs (4*).


Riga
Riga
Gutenbergs
Gutenbergs
Day 4 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 Gutenbergs (4*).


Riga, view over Old Town
Riga, view over Old Town
Day 5 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.

Located in the heart of the city, the Radisson Blu Hotel (4*), Klaipeda is a prime seaside destination for families on holiday and to the Baltics. The 74 rooms and four Suites offer stylish New England maritime décor and first-class amenities. Dine in-house at the maritime-themed Newport Restaurant or catch happy hour at the Lobby Bar. All guests have access to the fully equipped fitness studio and steam bath. Offering the best in amenities, such as Free high-speed, wireless Internet access and a restaurant and bar, this Klaipeda hotel offers something for everyone. 

Overnight at Radisson Blu (4*).


Klaipeda
Klaipeda
Radisson Blu Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel
Day 6 Klaipeda

The Curonian Spit is a 98 km long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. Meet your guide at your hotel for a private tour, on which you will visit an area which hosts some of the worlds’ most precious sand dunes and a menagerie of elk, deer and avian wildlife. The fragile spit, which Unesco recognised as a World Heritage site in 2000, is divided roughly evenly between Lithuania and Russia’s Kaliningrad region in the south. After your tour concludes you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at Radisson Blu (4*).


Curonian Spit
Curonian Spit
Day 7 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.

Meet your driver and guide for a private transfer from Klaipeda to Kaunas via Palanga. Visit Amber Museum on your way to Kaunas. The museum's collection of amber comprises about 28,000 pieces, of which about 15,000 contain inclusions of insects, spiders, or plants. About 4,500 pieces of amber are exhibited; many of these are items of artwork and jewelry. Continue to your final destination Kaunas.

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*).


Kaunas
Kaunas
City Hall of Kaunas
City Hall of Kaunas
Best Western Hotel
Best Western Hotel
Day 8 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.

Boutique Grotthuss hotel (4*) is located on an idyllic cobble-stone street in the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town secured by UNESCO, within several minutes walking distance of all the major points of interest (Town hall only 3 min. away). The hotel offers 20 beautifully appointed rooms and suites with original paintings and artworks. The aristocratic atmosphere and elegant service, along with all conveniences to modern life, including Internet access in all hotel (ISDN in rooms + wi-fi everywhere), makes this the ideal hotel for the discerning traveller. The restaurant “La Pergola” with a beautiful terrace is ideal place to have a lunch or dinner with a glass of wine in a good company. You will be surrounded by waitress attention and elegance. Restaurant “La Pergola” is one of the leading gourmet restaurants in Vilnius, with a wide wine selection the sommelier will recommend for You most impressive wine to each dishes. The restaurant is away from city noise, rush You will find a cosiness and calm, guests are calling “it is a pearl in a shell”. The shell is a part of ancient Vilnius defence wall. 

Overnight at Hotel Grotthuss (4*).


Vilnius
Vilnius
Hotel Grotthuss
Hotel Grotthuss
Day 9 Vilnius

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.

Overnight at Hotel Grotthuss (4*).


Gates of Dawn, Vilnius
Gates of Dawn, Vilnius
Day 10 Vilnius

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Villnius airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure – Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.