DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VILNIUS

Welcome to the capital of Lithuania! A private transfer from Vilnius airport to the hotel is organized for you and from there start to explore the city. 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.

Overnight in Vilnius:

• Neringa Hotel **** or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

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!

Overnight in Vilnius:

• Neringa Hotel **** or similar

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3: 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. Before returning back to Vilnius you will get the best panorama of the city, go to the Aleksotas Hill either on foot or by the Aleksotas Funicular.

Overnight in Vilnius:

• Neringa Hotel **** or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4: ŠIAULIAI – STOP AT THE HILL OF CROSSES & PAKROJIS MANOR

In the morning, you will go to Šiauliai, the fourth largest city in Lithuania and return to Vilnius. On the way, you will stop at 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.

Next stop is Pakruojis Manor, one of the biggest, most impressive, and most beautiful manors in the Baltic States. The manor offers time travel back to the 19th century by strolling around its splendid interiors and wonderful garden, exploring the curiosity room and clock room, peeking into the beer brewery and distillery, as well as visiting a fortune teller. If you wish, you can rent a 19th-century costume and feel like a real noble person. After, continue south through the Aukstaitija National Park, the oldest national park in Lithuania rich with charming lakes and hills. Arrive late afternoon in Vilnius

Overnight in Vilnius:

• Neringa Hotel **** or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5: DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS

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

Meals included: Breakfast

• 4 overnights in centrally located hotels with breakfast;
• English-speaking tour leader throughout the program;
• Private transportation per program;
• Walking tour in Vilnius, Trakai, Kaunas and Siauliai;
• Cepelinai culinary master class and a traditional Lithuanian dinner;
• Entrances in Vilnius University historical complex, Trakai Castle, Aleksotas Funicular and Pakruojis Manor.

2 persons: 1100.00 EUR per person

4 persons: 750.00 EUR per person

6 persons: 650.00 EUR per person

Double room for a single-use supplement is 320.00 EUR per room.

Upgrade your room to Superior Class (EUR 200.00 per room)