Day : 1
Warsaw, Poland
Number of Days : 1
Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day : 2
Warsaw
Number of Days : 1
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 CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN, a masterpiece of post-war reconstruction. In the HISTORICAL MUSEUM, watch a moving film showing the city before and after war-time destruction. 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. In the late afternoon, [LF] attend a private Chopin concert. Tonight, why not join an optional Polish dinner? (B)
Day : 3
Warsaw–Vilnius, Lithuania
Number of Days : 1
The next five days are dedicated to the three small Baltic countries that quite recently regained their independence. Each has its own language and distinct culture. Today, travel to Lithuania, the largest and southernmost of the three. Late-afternoon arrival in the capital, Vilnius, once the splendid center of the mighty Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where [LF] dinner with wine and regional specialties, like Borscht soup and Cepelinai, awaits you at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day : 4
Vilnius–Riga, Latvia
Number of Days : 1
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. An interesting visit has been included to the KGB MUSEUM. 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. (B,D)
Day : 5
Riga
Number of Days : 1
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. Afternoon and evening at leisure; exciting optional excursions are available. (B)
Day : 6
Riga–Tallinn, Estonia
Number of Days : 1
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. This afternoon, sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Hanseatic Old Town with its 15th-century Lühike Jalg Gate, and visits to the TOWN HALL and the onion-domed ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL. (B)
Day : 7
Tallinn–Helsinki, Finland
Number of Days : 1
Today, travel by FERRY across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, proud capital of Finland. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)
Day : 8
Helsinki
Number of Days : 1
Guided sightseeing of Helsinki features 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, a farewell dinner awaits at your hotel. (B,D)
Day : 9
Helsinki
Number of Days : 1
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
