Best of Lithuania and Riga 8d/ 7n.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN VILNIUS

Arrival to Vilnius City, transfer to the hotel, check-in and welcome meeting.

Meals included:  Dinner

Day 2: VILNIUS – TRAKAI – VILNIUS

Following a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we are headed for Vilnius sightseeing City Tour which features major impressive attractions of the Old Town. During this tour, you will get the chance to view the magnificent blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism architectural styles of the buildings. Places and sights included in our visit list: St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, KGB museum, Cathedral Square and Bell Tower, St. Anne’s and Bernardine Church, Gates of Dawn. After interesting walk around the Old Town, we will stop for a tasty lunch. After we will departure to Trakai where we will go through a breathtaking tour of Trakai Island Castle and finishing our day tasting national heritage pastries–the so called “Kibinas”. Return to Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch 

Day 3:  VILNIUS – DRUSKININKAI

After breakfast at the hotel, we are headed to the largest and one of the most exciting resorts in Lithuania – Druskininkai. Here we will start our tour from visiting a place where a folk artist and wood carver Antanas Česnulis has lived over 30 years. His country house streams is an open-air museum of wood carvings. Here you will explore a four-story windmill, unique collection of the Men of Sorrows created by Lithuanian folk artists and many other stunning sculptures. Afterwards, you will be having the culinary education of baking an authentic traditional tree cake (šakotis) and become acquainted with the history of (šakotis), its recipe, production process and tools. The best part of the program is live-baking by an open fire where you can take part, and tasting of the self-made tree cake. Full of joy, we will head to the (šakotis) museum where you will see The Guinness World record holder – the world’s highest (šakotis). After a brief tour of the museum you will enjoy traditional Lithuanian cuisine dishes at “Romensa” restaurant.  Overnight in Druskininkai.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

Day 4: DRUSKININKAI – KAUNAS

Today we proceed to Kaunas – second largest city in Lithuania for old town sightseeing tour. Before the tour starts we will have our lunch at the restaurant which is located in the very heart of Kaunas. After the hearty meal we will have fabulous tour round Kaunas Old Town. Places and sights included in our visit list: Kaunas Castle – one of the oldest gothic style castles in Lithuania, Town Hall known as “White Swan” of the city – most beautiful building in the temporary capital city, “Thunder” House is one of the most original and impressive residential houses of Gothic style in Lithuania, Vytautas the Great Church of the Assumption of The Holy Virgin Mary and Franciscan Monastery – this church is considered the oldest church in Kaunas and our last stop will be Parochial Arch-cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and Paul – is the only church in the Gothic style of basilica design and the biggest building of Gothic sacral type in Lithuania. Overnight in Kaunas.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

Day 5: KAUNAS – KLAIPEDA – CURONIAN SPIT – KLAIPEDA

Early in the morning, after the breakfast, we will head to Klaipėda – the third biggest city in Lithuania. The day will be reserved for a full-day optional tour to the Curonian Spit, a thin, 100 km stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon with small fishing villages, pine forests, and endless sand dunes. Our first stop is the Hill of Witches in the resort town of Juodkrante. We then visit the resort town of Nida, with the High Dunes and Thomas Mann’s summerhouse, where you’ll have time to get acquainted with this charming town before driving back to Klaipeda. Ferry to Klaipeda, check-in at the hotel. *In the evening there is an optional Lithuanian dinner. Overnight in Klaipeda.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch  *Dinner (optional)

Day 6: KLAIPEDA – SIAULIAI – RIGA

After the breakfast, we will departure to the biggest metropolis in the Baltic’s – Riga. Before entering this largest city of Latvia, we stop at the Hill of Crosses – this ever-expanding collection of countless crosses is an idyllic place for remembering loved ones and getting in touch with one’s inner thoughts. After lunch the journey continues to the Rundale Palace – former residence of the Duke of Courland and one of the most amazing Baroque Palaces in Baltic States. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Riga.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

Day 7: RIGA

Today, after the breakfast, you will get to know wonderful capital of Latvia. Your guide will take you through the medieval old town and most picture-square sights. Places you will visit: Streets of the Old Town, Riga Castle, the Dome Square with the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Town Hall Square with the House of the Blackheads, the Great and Small Guilds, the medieval ensemble of three dwelling houses called “Three Brothers”, the Swedish Gate. After lunch we will have a tour by bus including views of the masterpieces of the marvelous Art Nouveau architecture, the Latvian National Opera, and the Freedom Monument among other sights. Overnight in Riga.

Meals included:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

Day 8: DEPARTURE

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport.

Meals included:  Breakfast

*The itinerary and its length can be adjusted according to clients ‘wishes and interests. It is also possible to start the tour in Riga and end it in Vilnius.

Image source: www.romnesa.lt/druskininkai