BALTIC COUNTRIES

Πρόγραμμα

DAY 1 ATHENS – TALLINN
Fly via stopover to the “Queen of the Baltics”, Tallinn, with its 13th-14th century air and many small architectural masterpieces in its historical center (UNESCO). Arrival, transfer to our hotel and settling in the rooms. Overnight.

DAY 2 TALLINN
After our breakfast we will tour the old town, starting from the Toumbea Hill area, where we will admire the panoramic view. We will see the Estonian Parliament and the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the city. We continue towards the lower neighborhood with the heavy door that was closed every night to separate the upper from the lower city. Passing by the Church of the Holy Spirit and Saint Nicholas we will head to the Gothic Town Hall of Northern Europe and tour the Medieval section. Next is Kadriorg Palace Park (optional entry) and Birgitta Promenade. Our last stop is the monastery of Agia Pirita and the Olympic facilities. Return to the city, afternoon free. Overnight.

DAY 3 TALLINN – HELSINKI (OPTIONAL)
Breakfast and free day. We suggest you join us on our optional excursion to Helsinki. Transfer to the port and boarding the boat. Arrival and guided tour during which we will see the impressive Art Nouveau railway station, the hill of Tsar Alexander the Liberator Square, the imposing Cathedral overlooking the southern old harbor and the eastern harbor with its characteristic sailing ships and old mansions. Then there are the old sailors’ restaurants and pubs, the Orthodox hill of Our Lady of Uspensky, the closed traditional Esplanade open-air market with its small shops and the Eira neighborhood, with its neoclassical houses. We will admire the department store boulevard, the square with the mermaid fountain, the old tram and the Belle-Epoque café-patisserie-restaurant. We will tour the old town, with the most modern tram passing by modern buildings, squares and port facilities reminiscent of airports of the future as ships are moored with magnets. Transfer to the port and return to Tallinn. Overnight.

DAY 4 TALLINN – TARTOU – TURAIDE KNIGHT CASTLE – SIGULDA – RIGA
After our breakfast, departure through a route with lakes, rivers and plenty of greenery to the Tartu campus. We will admire the pedestrianized historic center and the aristocratic buildings. We continue with the castle of the Turaide Knights, from the 13th century and a visit to the green environment of Sigulda, with its special natural beauty, in the valley of the river Gauja, also known as the “Switzerland of Latvia”. We will see the caves on the river and then Riga. Arrival early in the evening and optional first acquaintance with the city. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 5 RIGA – CAR MUSEUM – JOURMALA
Breakfast and guided tour of Riga. We start from the Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums), in the “heart” of the old town, with the statue of the patron saint St. Roland, the Town Hall, the Occupation Museum, the Trades Museum and the “House of Blackheads”. Next is the church of Saint Peter, built in 1209 and completed in 1746. We will walk through the medieval cobbled streets of the historic center and see the square of the Cathedral, built in 1211 by Bishop Alberto. Inside it houses the Riga History Museum and the impressive church organ. We recommend an optional romantic canal boat ride. We continue with a visit to the Car Museum. Walking tour of the old town and in the afternoon transfer to the spa town of Jurmala. The city has a 33 km long beach. with white sand and is characterized by its Art Nouveau architecture. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 6 RIGA – ROUNDALE PALACE – HILL OF CROSSES – VILNIUS
After breakfast we leave Rundale, where we will see the homonymous palace and its magnificent garden, a work of the 18th century. We continue with the “Hill of Crosses”, a pilgrimage area of ​​about 12 km. north of the city of Xiaolyai. Over the centuries, the “pilgrims” left at the site larger and larger crosses, sculptures of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and prayer books. In 1990, in an attempt to record, the number reached 55,000, while in 2006 it had almost doubled. Next is Vilnius. Arrival and first acquaintance with the city. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 7 VILNIUS – TRAKAI CASTLE
Breakfast and panoramic city tour. We will admire the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul as well as the Church of Agia Anna. Next is the Trakai region, surrounded by more than 200 natural lakes, 14 artificial and 21 small islands, with the homonymous Castle dominating in the middle of a lake. We continue with the old town, built at the confluence of the rivers Villenelle and Neris. We will walk down Pilies Street and reach the first and historic Vilnius University. We will see the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, with its impressive chapel, the Gate of Dawn, with its unique wooden carving of the Virgin Mary, and the Ouzoupi quarter. You can visit the Genocide Victims Museum, opposite Lukiskes Square. Afternoon free. Overnight.

DAY 8 VILNIUS – ATHENS
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the return flight to Athens.