Best of Lithuania - 8 days
Private tour

Best of Lithuania

  • 8 days / 7 nights
  • Lithuania
  • Vilnius - Trakai - Kernave - Kaunas - Palanga - Klaipeda - Siauliai - Naisai - Vilnius

Program

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VILNIUS

Welcome to the capital of Lithuania! Like many European capitals, Vilnius has a rich history. This city, located on the banks of the Neris River, dates to the 14th century, and in its heyday was a melting pot of cultures. People flocked here from as near as Poland and as far as Eurasia, many coming to attend Vilnius University. Founded in the 16th century, it was one of the premier learning institutions in Europe. Over the next few centuries, Lithuania was conquered by everyone from Napoleon to Hitler, and it fell under Russian rule after the WWII until it seceded from the Soviet Union in 1990.

DAY 2: VILNIUS

On the guided walking tour of the Old Town you will see the medieval heart of Vilnius. The highlights of Vilnius are Cathedral Square and Vilnius University’s historical complex. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1783. It is Lithuania’s premier Roman-Catholic church. Moreover, its mausoleum is the final resting place for some notable figures throughout history, including the grand dukes of Lithuania and even King Alexander of Poland. On the tour, you will also see the Gediminas Tower, the 15th-century St. Anne’s Church, the Gate of Dawn, and many more landmarks of Vilnius. At the end of the tour you will enter the Vilnius University historical complex, the oldest university in the Baltics.

In the afternoon you will go out of Vilnius to the medieval capital of Lithuania – Trakai. It is situated on a peninsula on Lake Galvė. This village, home to about 5,000 people, is as much a scenic national park as it is a town. Here, amid the unspoiled woodlands and lake islands, rises medieval Trakai Castle, the star landmark of the area. You will visit this handsome fortification, which was built in the latter half of the 14th century out of red brick and stone, and is done in the Gothic style.

In the evening have a Cepelinas culinary master class and a traditional Lithuanian dinner. The traditional dish of Lithuania is called cepelinas. It is a delicious big potato pie filled with meat, cottage cheese or mushrooms. Try with your own hands to make the cepelinas!

DAY 3: FROM VILNIUS TO KAUNAS – STOP IN KERNAVE

In the morning, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for the 1.5-hour drive west from Vilnius to Kaunas. En route, you will stop in the village Kernavė and visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 13th century when it was the medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The area is also an archaeological site, as there are ruins of ancient human settlements dating to 9000 BCE.

After visiting Kernavė, you will continue on to Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. Upon arrival, join a guided walking tour around Old Town and visit such landmarks as Town Hall Square and the House of Perkunas, a Gothic merchant house that dates to the 15th century. You will of course also visit Kaunas Castle, a Gothic fortress built on a hill overlooking the Nemunas River which dates to the middle of the 14th century.

DAY 4: FROM KAUNAS TO KLAIPEDA – STOP IN PALANGA

In the morning you will leave Kaunas on a 2.5-hour drive west to the Lithuania coast and Palanga, Lithuania´s most popular seaside resort town. Besides its wide beaches, Palanga is known for its Amber Museum, which you will visit too. Located in a 19th-century palace, it features a collection of about 28,000 amber pieces, many of which contain insects, spiders, and plants.

Afterward, you will continue south to the port city Klaipėda. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and then embark on a guided walking tour. It begins in Klaipėda’s Old Town, known for its old cobblestone streets lined with medieval guild houses. You will then visit Theatre Square and the Ann from Tharau Fountain. The fountain is dedicated to Simon Dach, a famous German poet born in Klaipėda, and it features a sculpture of his muse Ann.

DAY 5: DAY TRIP ALONG THE CURONIAN SPIT

In the morning you will leave from Klaipėda and head south along the Curonian Spit, a long, thin sandspit that runs 62 miles (100 km) between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. On this narrow strip of land one can find sleepy fishing villages, isolated pine forests, and endless sand dunes.

The first stop on this route will be at the Hill of Witches, located at the lagoonside village of Juodkrantė. Despite the spooky name, this landmark is actually a collection of wooden sculptures atop a forested sand dune. There are over 80 sculptures created by local artists that depict themes of paganism and Lithuanian folklore.

After that, you will continue south towards the border with the Russian province of Kaliningrad. Here you will stop at another resort town, Nida. It is a popular summer vacation spot and home to high coastal sand dunes and Thomas Mann’s summer house. You will take a stroll around town and enjoy lunch at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant before driving back to Klaipėda.

DAY 6: FROM KLAIPEDA TO ŠIAULIAI – VISIT THE HILL OF CROSSES

From Klaipėda, you will head east to Šiauliai. Just north of this city lies the Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest Catholic sites in Lithuania. Pilgrims have been leaving crosses on this small rural hill since 1830 when the site was a pivotal landmark in Lithuania’s resistance against Russian aggressors. In the intervening years, the arrival of pilgrims has been so regular that today the hill has over 100,000 crosses, crucifixes and statues of the Virgin Mary.

DAY 7: FROM ŠIAULIAI TO VILNIUS – STOPA AT NAISAI 

In the morning, you will leave Šiauliai and return to Vilnius. On the way, you will stop at the village Naisiai, which has a famous public park featuring wooden sculptures of Lithuanian pagan gods. The park offers hiking trails with great views of the artwork and surrounding nature.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS

After breakfast, at the appropriate time, you will transfer to the airport for your flight home. This concludes your grand Baltic adventure. Until next time!

Reserve this trip
Price in double occupancy
  • In 4-star hotels for 2 persons traveling is 1890 EUR per
  • In 3-star hotels for 2 persons traveling is 1775 EUR per person.
  • In 4-star hotels for 4 persons traveling is 1190 EUR per person.
  • In 3-star hotels for 4 persons traveling is 1075 EUR per person.
  • In 4-star hotels for 6 persons traveling is 960 EUR per person.
  • In 3-star hotels for 6 persons traveling is 840 EUR per person.
  • In 4-star hotels for 8 persons traveling is 840 EUR per person.
  • In 3-star hotels for 8 persons traveling is 730 EUR per person.

Single supplement

Single supplement in 4-star hotels – 350 EUR

Single supplement in 3-star hotels – 260 EUR

Services included

  • 7 overnights in centrally located hotels with breakfast;
  • English speaking driver and tour leader throughout the program;
  • Transportation in private car or minivan per program;
  • Walking tour in Vilnius, Trakai, Kaunas and Klaipeda;
  • Cepelinas culinary master class and a traditional Lithuanian dinner;
  • The Curonian Spit sightseeing tour;
  • Entrances in Vilnius University historical complex, Trakai Castle, Kaunas Castle, Amber museum and Thomas Mann’s summer house.
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What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT
36 reviews on
Carmen Daams
Carmen Daams
2023-09-22
I took the Kuldiga trip with Valdis. The experience was amazing. The entire day was great. He is a great guide, and knows a lot of interesting information. He would definitely make your whole experience even better. Kuldiga is such a captivating city, very unique with a very special style and soul. If you are visiting Latvia, don't hesitate to take this trip, it is a "must".
Stanley Wallerstein
Stanley Wallerstein
2023-08-29
Great Tour and great guide. Baltic Nature Travel is excellent.
Maria M Andrade
Maria M Andrade
2023-08-28
Valdis organized an absolutely wonderful 10 day trip to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania trip for my sister, a friend, and myself. He arranged all details including our private chofer and tour guide up the last detail. He went far and beyond when he knew I had an accident in Estonia. We met him Latvia and he make us feel welcome. He recommended the most amazing restaurants for us and he took care of my doctor needs where he was the interpreter. In every country we had the best guys one can possibly ask for. All hotels were walking distance from city centre. Thank you Valdis we will always remembered this trip!!!!
Sarah Daniels
Sarah Daniels
2023-08-21
Thank you, Valdis, for helping my family have a wonderful two week trip to the Baltics! Your advice and recommendations were very helpful, and our tour guides in 4 different cities were each outstanding! I highly recommend a vacation in the beautiful and fascinating Baltics, and I highly recommend using Valdis to help you plan it.
Rita Derencius
Rita Derencius
2023-08-09
Tours and tour guides, Tomas and Mindaugas, exceeded my expectations. We were able to curate our tour of Lithuania. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and adapted the tour based on our input. Valdis was responsive and easy to work with. Extremely happy we chose to have private tour guides. Best trip ever!
Deniz Demirors
Deniz Demirors
2023-08-08
Valdis did amazing job to organize us a 15 day, 14 night self drive adventure trip to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Thanks to his valuable advise before and immaculate documentation with names of the locations, guides etc we had a magical experience. We hiked, biked, walked, beached and off course drive all over in all 3 beautiful countries. We felt very safe. Everyone we met were very friendly. The car was delivered to our first hotel in Tallinn and picked up from last hotel in Vilnius. They were professional and kind people. We encountered few minor issues but Valdis resolved very promptly so our program was not impacted. We met him in Riga as he was our guide. Thanks to Valdis & his team of guides we had an unforgettable time and experience. Valdis is very gently, kind, hears his clients wishes and makes adjustments in his existing programs. Job well done Valdis. Thank you very much.
Catherine Herway
Catherine Herway
2023-06-24
These are the only places on earth where eastern and western architecture can now meet in harmony. The architecture tells a social history translated into excellent English on this tour! The hotels were clean, comfortable, and safe. The food was outstanding as well, I only wish I had more time!
Artur Iwański
Artur Iwański
2023-05-03
A very good and interesting guide. Customized trips - which is very useful. If you want to get to know Latvia (which is worth it!) there is no one better. Highly recommended.
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
2023-01-07
Very interesting trip. Definitely worth it!

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Baltic Nature Travel
Baltic Nature Travel