Poland and Baltic Discovery

Welcome to Poland and the beautiful city of Krakow. Upon arrival at Krakow airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure. A welcome meeting will be held this evening, in the lobby, at around 7pm.

This morning we explore the former royal capital of Krakow, holding this title for over 500 years it is a city which holds many traditions, secrets and stories within it. The morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town where we see St. Mary’s Church, the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Halls and Wawel with the Wawel Castle and the Wawel Cathedral.

This afternoon is free for your to further explore Krakow independently. There is also the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the impressive Wielizka Salt Mine. This incredible labyrinth of tunnels is often referred to as 'the underground salt Cathedral of Poland' due to its stunning interior.

Krakow - Warsaw. The morning offers an optional excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum (note: this optional excursion must be pre booked before departure, due to limited availability). Alternatively enjoy a free morning to explore Krakow on your own. Early afternoon transfer to Krakow railway station and departure by train to Warsaw. Arrival to Warsaw railway station and transfer to our hotel for check in.

Today we discover the history of Warsaw, a city which saw near complete destruction by the end of World War Two. In the years since the old town has been meticulously rebuilt to its former glory. On a morning sightseeing tour we take in the Royal Route and the Old Town, where we see the Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square and the Barbican.

This afternoon there's free time to explore Warsaw independently. Alternatively there's an optional excursion to the Royal Lazienki Park, home to Lazienki Palace, also know as the Palace on the Water. This evening there's an optional Polish dinner.

Warsaw - Biaylistok. Today we continue through Eastern Poland with its dense forests to the Podlasie region and Bialowieza National Park, with its famous European Bison Show Reserve. After a leisurely stroll along the nature trails of the forest, we continue to Biaylistok where we check into our hotel. In the late afternoon we visit Bialystok and see its landmark Branicki Palace (exterior only).

Biaylistok - Vilnius (Lithuania). Departing Biaylistok we travel through attractive resort towns into Lithuania and on to its capital Vilnius. We stop en route in Kaunas, the former capital of Lithuania, to admire the beautiful Old Town and the elegant white Baroque Town Hall before our late afternoon arrival in Vilnius.

This morning we explore Vilnius, capital of Lithuania on a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town. On our walking tour we see Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn.

This afternoon is free for you to explore Vilnius independently. There's also the option to join an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania and home to the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully perched on an island in Lake Galve.

This evening there's the opportunity to indulge in an optional Lithuanian dinner.

Vilnius - Riga (Estonia). This morning we depart Vilnius and make our way to one of the most holy sites in Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses. It's believed that nearly 100,000 crosses of different sizes and designs have been left here over the years. It's uncertain when the tradition started but it has come to symbolize the fortitude of Catholicism in Lithuania.

This afternoon we make our way across the border into Latvia, reaching the impressive Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. This beautiful baroque palace is ornately decorated and surrounded by stunning gardens. We continue on towards Riga later this afternoon, travelling through the rolling hills of the Southern Latvia.

Today we discover the fascinating city of Riga, the capital of Latvia and the largest of the three Baltic capitals. Officially founded by the German bishop Albert in 1201, Riga is a city full of colourful architecture and mesmerising old world charm. On our walking tour this morning we visit the Art Nouveaux District and the Old Town. In the Old Town we see Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gates along with other fascinating parts of the city which demonstrate its rich history.

This afternoon is free for you to further explore Riga independently or to join an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian seaside resort. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Today offers free time to further explore Riga independently or join our optional excursions. In the morning you can discover medieval Latvia on an optional tour of stunning 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 returning to Riga.

In the afternoon an optional trip to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum will be offered, with its spacious exhibition of 18th century country life.

Riga - Tallinn (Estonia). Departing Riga this morning we make our way along the coastal highway, crossing into Estonia. From here we journey on to the beautiful summer resort of Parnu where we enjoy a short tour of this pretty city bisected by the Parnu River. Continuing on towards Tallinn, we make our way through the thick green forests of Northern Estonia. Arriving into Tallinn early afternoon the rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast we head out on a sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Tallinn is a enchanting blend of medieval and modern. The picturesque old town is a friendly, bustling place during the summer months with locals and tourists sampling the many fantastic cafes, galleries and shops. 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.

This afternoon is free to explore Tallinn independently or you may wish to join an optional excursion to Kadriorg Park and a visit to the KUMU, the award winning new Estonian art museum. This evening there's an optional medieval dinner to celebrate the last night of our tour.

Your Baltic experience ends after breakfast this morning and hotel check out. A transfer will be provided to take you to Tallinn Airport.