Be prepared to be impressed and join this lovely 10 days program to discover the Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki and St-Petersburg! Four great cities thriving today, each defending its identity and heritage of exceptional value. Riga to start with is the Art Nouveau capital of Europe, boasting 800 buildings some built up by one of the most renowned architect of his time: Michael Eisenstein. Then Tallinn awaits you with medieval walls, its Danish flags, its cute narrow passage ways and its old gothic town hall built in 1404! After that, Helsinki will show you its secret corners of the sea fortress of Suomenlinna or the acoustics of the Church-in-the-Rock. And it is not all! You have to keep some energy to explore St-Petersburg, the three-centennial city built by none other than the czar Peter the Great himself. The beauty of the imperial palaces, canals and streets will leave you speechless!
Day 1
Tuesday: Arrival in Riga
Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija 4* or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Day 2
Wednesday: Riga
Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the morning takes to Art Nouveaux district and Old Town including Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.
Day 3
Thursday: Riga
After we got acquainted with Riga, we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographical Open-Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Kalku Varti.
Day 4
Friday: Riga - Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia 4* or similar.
Day 5
Saturday: Tallinn
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.
Day 6
Sunday: Tallinn - Helsinki
This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Glo Art 4* or similar.
Day 7
Monday: Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors.
Day 8
Tuesday: Helsinki - Lappeenranta
In the morning we go to the railway station and depart with train bound for Lappeenranta, where we arrive shortly after midday. Transfer to Hotel Scandic Patria 4* or similar. Lappeenranta is beautifully set at the shores of Lake Saimaa and was an important Swedish fortress town in the 18th century. Nowadays it is an attractive and popular resort town. The afternoon walking tour of Lappeenranta takes us to the historical Old Town, the port area and Lappeenranta Fortress with its wooden and redbrick buildings, artisans’ shops, museums, wooden Orthodox Mary the Virgin Church and cafes. Return to hotel and check-in. Late afternoon we walk to the pier to embark on spectacular evening cruise on Lake Saimaa and to the Saimaa Canal. The ship has a restaurant, where we can enjoy drinks and snacks or a full dinner while we are stunned by the views of the lake. After three hours we return to port and walk back to hotel.
Day 9
Wednesday: Lappeenranta - Helsinki
The day offers the possibility to the explore Lappeenranta resort town on own hand. The hotel is located between the Old Town and the port area and both are easily accessible on foot. Go shopping in the small boutique in the Old Town, try the Karelian cuisine or enjoy the atmosphere and the views at the port. In the late afternoon transfer to the train station anddeparture by train back to Helsinki. Arrival to Helsinki early in the evening and transfer to Hotel Glo Art 4* or similar, check in.
Day 10
Thursday: Helsinki departure
Optional transfer to the airport.
