Warsaw, The Baltics & Helsinki

Itinerary :

Day 1/ Warsaw: Welcome to Warsaw at 6 pm and meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Overnight in Warsaw. (D)

Day 2/ Warsaw: Today after breakfast, Hear about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway between East and West during your guided sightseeing tour. Visit the medieval STARE MIASTO (Old Town) with its market square and the 14th-century ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, a masterpiece of post-war reconstruction. Sightseeing also features the “wedding cake” Palace of Culture and Science, the remnants of the Jewish ghetto, and a picture stop at the Ghetto Monument. Later, attend a PRIVATE CHOPIN CONCERT. Overnight in Warsaw. (B)

Day 3/ Warsaw – Vilnius: After breakfast, next days are dedicated to the three small Baltic countries that quite recently regained their independence. Each has its own language and distinct culture. First, travel to Lithuania, the largest and southernmost of the three. Arrive in the capital, Vilnius, once the splendid center of the mighty Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Overnight in Vilnius. (B,D)

Day 4/ Vilnius: Today after breakfast, Enjoy your sightseeing in Vilnius. Vilnius’ picturesque historic nucleus is clustered around the remains of a castle built by Prince Gediminas in 1323. Your Local Guide will accompany you on a walk from Cathedral Square through narrow, winding lanes to the OLD UNIVERSITY, founded by Jesuits in 1569. Also visit the KGB MUSEUM, and end your tour with a special visit to Vilnius’ artist quarter, UŽUPIS. Later return back to hotel. Overnight in Vilnius.(B)

Day 5/ Vilnius – Riga: After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive from the Neris River through a landscape of alternating dark forests, swamps, and lush pastures. Stop at the Hill of Crosses memorial site on your way to the Baltic port of Riga, the Latvian capital. Overnight in Riga. (B,D)

Day 6/ Riga: After breakfast, Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide features the historic center on the right bank of the Daugava River and a walking tour of the OLD TOWN and the ART NOUVEAU QUARTER. Don’t miss the opportunity to TASTE Riga Balsam (a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur) and Laima chocolate. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Exciting optional excursions are available. Overnight in Riga. (B)

Day 7/ Riga – Tallinn: After breakfast, Trace the coastline of the Gulf of Riga past the Estonian health resort of Pärnu, a site inhabited since the early Stone Age, on your way to Tallinn, capital of the smallest of the Baltic countries. During your afternoon sightseeing with a Local Guide, discover the Hanseatic Old Town with its 15th-century Lühike Jalg Gate, and visit the TOWN HALL and the onion-domed ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL. Later return back to hotel. Overnight in Tallinn. (B)

Day 8/ Tallinn – Helsinki: This morning after breakfast, travel by FERRY across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, proud capital of Finland. Guided sightseeing includes the City Hall and Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railroad station, the great LUTHERAN CATHEDRAL, the Olympic Stadium, and the SIBELIUS MONUMENT. Browse for souvenirs in Helsinki’s local arts and crafts OPEN-AIR MARKET. Tonight, dinner has been prepared at the hotel to celebrate the success of your Baltic vacation. Overnight in Helsinki. (B,D)

Day 9/ Helsinki: After breakfast, you vacation ends here. (B)