PREMIUM

10D7N ESCAPE TO THE BALTICS TOUR CODE: ENVNOA A land of crumbling castles, soaring dunes, enchanting forests and magical lakes – a trip to the Baltics proves that fairy tales do come true.

RIGA,

24 Northern Europe | EU Holidays Tallinn 2 Estonia HIGHLIGHTS Flight path Parnu Traverse by coach Traverse by cruise • Basilica Featured destinations • Pilies Street 2 Riga • St. Anne’s, Bernardine’s and St. Overnight stays 1 2 3 Latvia Michael’s Churches • Orthodox Church • Gate of Dawn Lithuania • Vilnius University LATVIA 2 RIGA Vilnius • Dome Cathedral (entrance included) • St. Peter’s Tower • Old Guild Houses • Riga Castle Poland • Swedish Gate 1 Warsaw ESTONIA TALLINN • Old Town tour • Gothic Town Hall • Toompea • Alexander Nevski Cathedral DAY 1 • Kadriorg Palace • Parnu HOME VILINUS on Board DAY 4 POLAND Assemble at the airport and take-off to VILINUS RIGA the city of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, , Latvian Dinner WARSAN known for its baroque architecture, seen Today, on route we will make a stop • Royal Castle especially in its medieval Old Town. Hill of Crosses • St John Cathedral at the , a unique place in Lithuania where millions of crosses and • Holy Cross Church DAY 2 rosaries are put on two hills by Lithuanians • Royal Park VILINUS and others from all over the world in an • Jewish Ghe‚o Meals on Board, Lithuanian expression of spontaneous faith, and as a symbol not of grief and death but of faith, Today, you will experience Vilnius, the love and sacrifice. Visit the Rundale splendid architectural blend of Gothic, Palace, the most magnificent masterpiece DELICACIES Renaissance, and Baroque styles makes of baroque architecture in the Baltic this a wonderful city to explore. During Plan States. The professionally renovated sightseeing tour you will visit Old town, 7 , 3 , 3 Dinners palace interiors are decorated with which is included to the UNESCO World authentic 18th century furniture, paintings Heritage. See the Cathedral Square and and china. The palace boasts a beautiful pass by Avenue, the 4★ HOTELS Parliament and President’s Palace, French-style park. This evening, arrive at Riga, Latvia’s capital, is set on the Baltic Vilnius University and Town Hall. Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava. TALLINN Tallink Continue walking along the narrow RIGA Tallink old streets, visit the St. Anna’s Church - a gem of Gothic architecture, Gates of VILLNIUS Grand Resort Dawn and St. Peter-Paul Church. DAY 5 WARSAW Hotel Harenda RIGA Breakfast, Lunch DAY 3 VILINUS Start your day with a city tour of Riga, a Breakfast medieval Hanseatic town, which will include sights of the St. Peter’s Cathedral, Today, free day at leisure or you may from whose steeple will provide the best wish to take an optional tour to the views in the city, including the Riga castle Trakai Castle, a 14th century red brick with its three wonderful museums, Dome SPECIALITIES castle that now houses the Art Museum. Cathedral, which boasts one of the The Castles of Trakai are the best world’s largest pipe organs, and the Old • Estonia known for works of defensive Guild Houses. You may wish to take an architecture in Lithuania. The Old Town optional tour to Sigulda, a town near the • of Trakai, which includes the Island and river Gauja, also known as the Switzerland the Peninsula Castles, surrounded by of Livland. On this day tour, you will visit • lakes, is one of the most impressive and the Turaida Museum Reserve, Gutmana • most picturesque locations in Europe. Cave, Sigulda Castle and New Castle, and A small national minority of Karaites still the Sigulda Bobsleigh and the Luge Track. reside here.

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10D7N ESCAPE TO THE BALTICS

YELLOW BAROQUE PALACE WITH GARDEN IN FOREGROUND

DAY 6 Palace. The palace, constructed as a gift DAY 10 RIGA PARNU TALLINN by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I HOME SWEET HOME Breakfast, Estonian Dinner in the 1720s, is an excellent example of We hope you enjoyed your vacation with Make our way to Parnu, the best known Baroque architecture. The Foreign Art our company and we look forward to Estonian resort and also a Hanseatic city, Museum of the Kadriorg Palace displays seeing you again for your next trip. a harbor city and a university city. The paintings, sculptures, graphic art and sleepy rhythm of Pärnu changes applied art of Western Europe and the Suggested Excursions: completely when the flag of the Estonian Russia from the 16-20 century. • summer capital starts flying high on the • (Vilnius) Trakai Castle: €89 summer equinox – life on the beach, dozens of festivals, night clubs and the DAY 8 big party crowd that have moved here. TALLINN WARSAW Minimum group size may apply and it is subject to The city is very charming and it contains Breakfast, Polish Dinner a nice 19th century shopping district. Today, take a flight to Warsaw, the capital While walking in the city enjoy the sight Tipping Guideline: (based on 10D7N) of Poland. We will explore the parks, • €80 per person of its parks and the streets. After lunch, plazas and palaces of this fascinating continue to capital of Tallinn, Estonia’s Polish capital. Stroll around the NOTE: capital on the , the country’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, marvel at the • A minimum group size of 15 passengers is required cultural hub. Royal Castle, then stop to snap photos of St. John’s Cathedral, the Holy Cross • Church and the Royal Park. Next, learn the event of unforeseen circumstances. DAY 7 more about Warsaw’s tumultuous history as you walk through the Jewish Ghetto, • TALLINN • Breakfast, Lunch pay your respects at the Tomb of the may be re-located to outside of the city or in Unknown Solider and visit the site of the Take a city tour of Tallinn, a picturesque Mila 18 Bunker. old city where whole districts date back to the Middle Ages. You will visit the Old Town with its quaint narrow streets and beautiful merchants’ houses DAY 9 exemplifying the best of Gothic WARSAW HOME architecture, the Toompea Castle, the Breakfast 13th century Dome Church, the Enjoy the rest of the day 19th century Russian orthodox Cathedral at your leisure till it is of Alexander Nevskij, the 15th century time to transfer to the town Hall Square, the Old Guild built to airport for your flight celebrate Tallinn’s membership in the home. Hanseatic League, and St. Olaf’s Church. In the afternoon, visit the Kadriorg

ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL IN TALLINN

32 Nortern Europe | EU Holidays FEATURE An Unforgettable Journey to the BALTICS Be inspired by the multitude of experiences when you visit the Baltic countries. Lithuania

Lithuania has always charmed visitors with its heterogenous offerings. For instance, Vilnius, land of baroque beauty, is the largest capital of Lithuania. It is home to people of different races, creeds and cultures such as Germans, Slavs and Jews. The city also houses buildings that encompass neoclassical architectural styles.

The Vilnius Cathedral Basilica, situated on the edge of the bustling Cathedral Square, is the main venue where many local events such as fairs, parades and concerts take place. The structure of the building is similar to that of a square Romanesque building. It includes a massive tower and is surrounded by more that 40 artworks dating as far back as the 16th-19th centuries. Rumours has it that if you step on the ‘magic tile’, which is located between the Vilnius Cathedral and the Bell Tower, close your eyes and turn around three times, your wishes SSceniccenic ssummerummer aaerialerial ppanoramaanorama ofof thethe OOldld ToTownwn iinn TTallinn,allinn, EEstoniastonia will come true.

From sights encapsulating the past, to traditions and practices as diverse as the countries St. Anne’s Church will also fascinate themselves, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania captivate travellers from all walks of life. you with its unique exterior. Gothic masterpieces that were built in the Latvia end of the fourteenth century virtually remained unchanged until Besides being known for its unspoiled Today, the gate or wall is the part of the countryside. Latvia is also famed for its residential buildings in the area. Retaining today. Countless arches, graceful medieval architecture and places steeped its ancient facade, the distinct structure towers and artworks captivate in historical significance. The capital city of stands conspicuously among its relatively visitors from all the world. Located modern counterparas. Riga is famed for its age-old buildings and just opposite of St. Anne’s Church attractions that reflect the ancient history is the Bernardine Church and of Latvia. Estonia Monastery. It is much more Comprised of urban attractions and natural spacious and possesses a different The Dome Cathedral in Riga dates as far highlights. Estonia is renowned for its back as 1211, when the foundation stone eclectic mix of attractions. Its dramatic architectural style, with strong was laid, it is the oldest and grandest sceneries contrast with many of its age-old Renaissance and Baroque features. church in Latvia, and to this day it remains buildings and structures. One place that is Art lovers will be able to admire the actively utilised for hosting major concerts, notable for its diversity is Tallinn, the capital sixteenth century wall paintings and city of Estonia. various musical performances and official the Lithuanian crucifix sculpture services. One of the main highlights of the from the fifteenth century. While cathedral is the enormous organ, which is From its vibrant nightlife to its rich cultural believed to be around since the 16th scene, the popular destination caters to here, do visit the Gothic bell tower, century or earlier. travellers from every walk of life. Its standing 17 metres tall with spiral medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World staircase that provides a panoramic Heritage Site, is comprised of medieval city Situated in Riga, the Swedish Gate is one of walls and towers that have remained intact view of the city. the must-visit places in Riga Old Town. to this day. Within these fortified walls, you Erected in 1698, it is the only will find old buildings with red tile roots, remaining gate from the medieval city hidden courtyards and winding walls. It was used by the Swedes to enter cobblestone streets. Riga when the city was a part of Sweden.

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