Tour Director: Anne Thompson

Framed by the Baltic Sea to the north and west and their former Russian rulers to the east, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have cast off the shadows of the past and embraced a brilliant spirit of independence, honoring their rich history and heritage while looking ahead to a prosperous, bright future. The capital cities of Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn sit amid spectacular Nordic landscapes and offer a unique insight into Northern Europe that is like taking a trip back in time, walking down peaceful lanes, where the locals are friendly, the food is hearty, and beauty is found around every corner. From medieval town squares and lanes to the splendid Art Nouveau showcases, from magnificent fairy-tale castles to seaside resorts, and from meticulously restored palaces to wide spaces filled with bright yellow flowers and birch forests, there is a wealth of art, culture, and the natural beauty in the region that makes these hidden gems shine like no place else.
During the Baltic Renaissance tour, history will come to life as we tour impressive castles and soaring cathedrals, beautiful palaces surrounded by elaborate gardens, and a day spent at an old-fashioned beach resort. We’ll start with Vilnius, home to over 1,200 medieval buildings as well as splendid churches and palaces constructed in Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles; in Riga, “the Paris of the Baltics”, we’ll marvel at the Renaissance buildings lining the cobblestone streets, see the city from the perspective of its canals and admire the elegant Art Nouveau architecture; we’ll end our journey in Tallinn, where the grandeur and serenity of the city’s medieval layout complement the urban growth and vibrant culture of modern Estonia. From Tallinn, we'll venture out for a day trip to Helsinki, the Nordic capital of Finland.

The Baltic Renaissance tour will start in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, where we'll experience the living history of Northern Europe's oldest and largest surviving medieval town. Vilnius is a small city of monumental attraction, the streets glowing warm and golden beneath the breathtaking steeples of countless churches built in exquisite detail. Flourishing in the air of independence and freedom after years of strict Soviet rule, and an independent country since 1991, Lithuania was one of the first breakaway republics from the Soviet Union. The city honors the spirit of its struggle by protecting its past while embracing new influences, including world-class cuisine, vibrant cultural performances, and even some modern skyscrapers to compete with centuries-old, towering cathedral spires.

While in Vilnius, we'll explore the cobble-stone lanes, as we tour 16th-century cathedrals and appreciate the well preserved medieval Old Town and the Baroque architecture in the famous Cathedral Square with the Gediminas’ Tower, as well as the Vilnius University and the President's Palace. Beyond Vilnius, we’ll tour the legendary 15th century Trakai Castle, take a boat tour on the lakes surrounding the castle island and learn about the days of glory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, when it stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. We'll also see the Lithuanian Open-Air Museum, one of the largest in Europe, located on the picturesque shores of the Kauna Lagoon.

• We'll spend 3 nights in the city of Vilnius, staying in an Old World luxury hotel, perfectly located in the heart of the Old Town. The hotel's location will place us in the center of the city and will allow for easy individual exploration.
• We'll take an in-depth private tour of the Old Town and Cathedral Square.
• We'll cruise around Trakai Castle Island, visit the famous Trakai Castle and the Lithuanian Open-Air Museum.
• We'll admire the splendid Gothic architecture of St. Anne’s, Bernardine’s and St. Michael’s churches; and the 16th-century Gate of Dawn, containing an icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy, said to have miraculous powers.
• We'll visit the revered Hill of Crosses, a monument to Lithuanian martyrs and the spirit of survival.
• We'll enjoy authentic Lithuanian cuisine and locally-brewed beer.

The second city we’ll visit during the Baltic Renaissance tour will be the Latvian capital of Riga, “Paris of the Baltics,” and the largest city in the Baltic States. Riga is divided into the Art Nouveau New Town, home of the most Art Nouveau buildings in Europe and the medieval Old Town, populated by buildings first constructed 800 years ago. We’ll tour both sides of the city, on foot and by boat, cruising its canals.

On our way to Riga, we’ll visit the fairytale Rundale Palace, a baroque residence built for the Dukes of Courland and recently renovated after suffering damage during the Latvian War of Independence. We’ll tour the most fascinating sights of Riga's Old Town, including the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter, the Three Brothers Medieval Houses, the Riga Castle, and the Swedish Gate. In the New Town, we'll admire the enduring style of its Art Nouveau architecture. Venturing out of the city, we'll visit the town of Sigulda in the primeval Gauja River Valley, set among pristine birch and pine forests and dotted with red sandstone caves, to admire the 13th century Crusader fortifications, the lovingly restored Sigulda Castle, and the medieval Turaida Castle.

• We will spend 3 nights in Riga, experiencing the best that the city has to offer while staying at a luxury hotel just across from the opulent National Opera House.
• We'll visit Rundale Palace, the most outstanding monument of Baroque and Rococo art and architecture in Latvia, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed St. Petersburg’s Hermitage.
• We'll tour the picturesque town of Sigulda, home to the Neo-Gothic Sigulda Castle and medieval Turaida Castle, overlooking the primeval Turaida Reserve.
• We'll dine at authentic restaurants to experience the atmosphere of historic taverns featuring both traditional and contemporary Latvian cuisine.

 

The final city on the Baltic Renaissance tour is Tallinn, the capital and cultural center of Estonia. Often called the “Silicon Valley of Europe”, Tallinn is a fantastic blend of historical riches and progressive movements, the birthplace of many influential companies such as Skype. In contrast to the skyscrapers and glittering lights of the business district, Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, its skyline bracketed by Gothic spires, ancient fortifications, and Hanseatic merchant houses, laid out on winding streets within the well-preserved city walls. This fairy-tale town is so bursting with beauty and wonder, it’s as if time hasn’t touched it at all.

In Tallinn, we’ll tour the two distinct halves of the Old Town; the Upper Town, also known as Toompea, home to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Gothic Dome church, and the Lower Town, populated by the guild and merchant houses, churches, and the Gothic Town Hall. We’ll visit the gorgeous Kadriorg Palace, built for Catherine I of Russia and currently housing the Kadriorg Art Museum; the park on the palace grounds is also the venue for the famous Estonian Song Festival. We'll also visit an old-fashioned seaside resort of Parnu, Latvia's summer capital, known as the French Riviera of Northern Europe.

• We'll spend 3 nights in Tallinn, staying in a boutique hotel in the picturesque medieval Old Town, close to Toompea Castle and within walking distance of the town’s attractions.
• We'll take in-depth private tours of the historic Old Town, including Toompea Castle, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Dome church.
• We'll visit the elegant Kadriorg Palace, once the residence of Catherine I of Russia and now home to a prized collection of art.
• We'll stop at the seaside town of Parnu, where we'll enjoy the beachside promenades and have lunch at an elegant spa hotel.
• We'll take a day trip, crossing the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki, Finland and enjoy a guided tour of the Nordic highlights of the city.
• Throughout the tour, we will enjoy the best of Estonian cuisine at carefully selected fine restaurants.

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