Although small, and squeezed in between the lands of the north, the Baltic Sea has been the most strategically important place in Northern Europe throughout centuries, with its adjoining countries trying to establish themselves around its shores. The oldest capitals, Tallinn and Riga, have been constantly battered by various invaders. Helsinki appeared on the map in the late 16th century as a rival to Tallinn, and the latest addition, the splendid St. Petersburg, evoked jealousy with its elegance and majesty. Our Baltic discovery takes you also through charming small villages where life is lived at a slow, rural pace, and along the astonishingly fine sand dunes of the Baltic Sea; essentially combining the best of the region.
PRICE
LAND-ONLY PRICE: £999
PACKAGE PRICE: £1,149
Travel style: discovery journey ITINERARY: Day 1. Arrival in Riga. Transfer to your hotel. Check in. Welcome meeting. Day 2. We leave Riga and go to the stunning and unspoiled Gauja National Park (90km.) Named after longest Latvian river Gauja (452km.) it offers amazing river scenery, with red cliffs, some rising as high as 90m. It is often called the Livonian Switzerland. Its beauty can be admired between the small towns of Sigulda and Cesis. We visit Sigulda, a popular walking and kayaking base, set on the shores of the Gauja. We will visit the Episcopal Castle and the ruins of the Sword Knights Castle, Maja’s tombstone and the mysterious Gutman cave. Return to Riga. Overnight at a hotel. Day 3. Founded in 1201, Riga is the biggest Baltic city with more than 720,000 inhabitants, a third of the country’s population. Once major trade centre and home of Protestantism, modern Riga has retained its cosmopolitan character. It is a Baltic megapolis, bursting with colour, sophistication, and urban sleekness combined with medieval churches, merchant houses and Art Nouveau buildings. Our tour will take you through the old town (also included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list), a maze of narrow cobbled narrow streets, lined with red brick houses and churches. The biggest Cathedral in the Baltics is in Cathedral Square in the heart of the city. Riga’s castle - the former headquarters of the Livonian Order,now the residence of the Latvian President. We will also visit the surrealistic Three Brothers and Freedom monument.
In the afternoon we will relax at Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort. Jurmala is a picturesque town with wooden houses, sleek new hotels, Soviet style buildings and sandy beaches. In Soviet times Jurmala housed the most important musical event, the Song Festival. It was considered the most upmarket Soviet resort, attracting the elite and bohemian from all over the USSR. In the evening you will enjoy a traditional Latvian dinner at one of city’s restaurants. Day 4. We bid farewell to Latvia and travel to Estonia – the smallest of the three Baltic States. We drive by coach along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu, often called “the summer capital” since almost every Estonian visits this place at least once every summer. We will enjoy the Baltic Sea famous for its fine sandy beaches and we will stroll along Parnu’s most famous asset - its 7km. long beach. Upon arrival in Tallinn transfer to hotel and check in. Day 5. Tallinn is without question one of the most attractive capitals in Europe. You will be mesmerised by its well preserved medieval old town, the network of narrow streets, the charming buildings, and churches. Tallinn was started as a Viking trading post, with its membership of the Hanseatic League and its strategically excellent location it emerged as an important trade centre, this position declining with the fall of Livonian Order. Today Tallinn is growing rapidly with new business centres, modern buildings, and a busy life style. Our guide takes you to the Town Square, as old as Tallinn itself, the Town Hall , a beautiful Gothic arcade dating from the time of the Hanseatic League; one of oldest working pharmacies dating back to 1422; Toompea castle, originally a Danish fortification; and Alexander Nevskij church an architectural reminder of Tsarist Russia’s presence in Estonia. In the evening you will enjoy traditional Estonian dinner at one of city’s restaurants.
Day 6. Today we leave Tallinn and continue our Northern adventure by ferry to Helsinki, the white capital of Finland. Upon arrival check in at a hotel. Free time. Day 7. Helsinki is located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere. This green and lively Finnish capital, “A little bit Swedish, a little bit Russian - totally Finnish” was founded by Swedes in 1550 as a rival to neighbouring Tallinn. Helsinki retains its Swedish roots with its name – Helsingfors which is derived from Swedish language. With Russian annextion in the 19th century Helsinki became the capital and developed into a major city, rebuilt in the style of St. Petersburg. Helsinki is a harbour city par excellence, so we start our sightseeing tour around its harbours. We continue up to the central Mannerheim Street visiting the Parliament Building, Senate Square, the neoclassical heart of Helsinki, nearby Uspenski cathedral with its clearly Russian architectural influences, Finlandia Hall, the Sibelius Monument and the famous Church-in the-Rock. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel. Day 8. Today we continue our Baltic adventure and head towards St. Petersburg. After Russia border formalities we arrive to Vyborg and have a short sightseeing tour around the town. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg. Check-in. Overnight at a hotel. Day 9. In the morning you will enjoy a tour around the imperial city of St. Petersburg. You will see the major sights of St. Petersburg, including St. Isaacґs Cathedral - one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals, the Church of Christ’s Resurrection (The Saviour of the Blood), which revives the traditions of 17th century Russian church-building and other major highlights of this legendary city. You will also have a guided visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress – the historic kernel of St. Petersburg dating from 1703. The fortress, the first building of the new city, was founded in order to protect the Neva lands, regained during the Northern War, from possible attacks by Swedish troops. The sacred site in the fortress complex belongs to the Cathedral of Peter and Paul. The design of the Cathedral, by architect Tresini, features a gilded spire 122.5 meters high, which is a dominant attribute of the city skyline. The fortress was used as a political prison before 1917. Nowadays this doughty fortress-cum-prison has had many of its buildings converted into museums and features a splendid cathedral containing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
In the afternoon guided visit to one of the world famous museums, the Hermitage, housed in the former Winter Palace. The museum contains an enormous collection of Western Art, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and many other great masters. There are also Historical, Russian and Oriental sections which are definitely worth visiting. From the 1760s, the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tsars. Magnificently located on the bank of the Neva River, this baroque-style palace is perhaps the major attraction of St. Petersburg. Overnight at a hotel. Day 10. Half day tour to the suburbs of St Petersburg to visit one of the magnificent summer palaces. In summer: Transfer to Petrodvorets. Best known for its glorious fountains and Summer Gardens, the palace is often compared to France's Versailles. In winter: Transfer to Tsarskoye Selo (formerly known as Pushkin settlement), one of St. Petersburg's numerous Imperial estates. Free time in the evening.
Day 11. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Major Highlights of this Tour:
Riga – the Baltic megapolis
Tallinn – a modern city with a medieval twist
Unspoiled stunning Gauja National Park
Helsinki – a city with Swedish and Russian heritage
Accommodation & meals: 10 nts 4* hotel DBL 10 breakfasts Transport: coach Tour staff & support: English-speaking guide, transfer driver Other services & Info >>>
TOUR MAP
If you want to view the Map of Russia, please click here
){kind=link}