The Baltics Revealed

Step into another time in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Stay in the heart of medieval Old Town (UNESCO) – a relic of a bygone era, where cobblestone streets lead through a seamless mosaic of cultures. The city's Baroque arches, neoclassical siding, and 300-year-old frescoes creates an indescribable charm. Joining new friends tonight, get a taste of the culture at a local restaurant where you will excite your palate with warm and hearty comfort food. (D) Stay: Artagonist Hotel (3 Nights)

Discover Vilnius University, the oldest in the Baltic states. Decide how to see the city because it's your choice! Stroll the winding streets with a local expert and peek into Vilnius's Jewish heritage, Bohemian lifestyle, and budding art district -OR- explore by bike with a local guide, passing the vibrant colors of imaginative street murals. Then, uncover the nation's dark past at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, better known as the KGB Museum. Located in the former Nazi and Soviet headquarters, the museum hosts personal accounts from the victims and their families. (B)

Embrace the fairy-tale aura around you at the Trakai Island Castle. Surrounded by curving coastlines and towering pines, the burnt orange walls of the fortress appear to rise directly out of the gentle waves of Lake Galve. Enjoy free time to explore the castle grounds and village. Make sure to stop in one of the cozy restaurants for a bite of a kybyn – a traditional Karaim dumpling. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Vilnius on your own. (B)

Depart Vilnius and make your way to the Hill of Crosses, a mystical shrine from the 1800s that has been rebuilt and expanded continuously over time. Cross over the Latvian border to Riga, the country's capital and the largest city in the Baltic region. Take advantage of your centrally located Art Nouveau hotel before an interactive cooking class, where you'll use traditional ingredients with a modern twist. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as you dig into the flavorful feast. (B/D) Stay: Neiburgs Hotel (3 Nights)

Discover the capital's hidden secrets with an expert guide, venturing along historic squares reflective of German and Russian tastes. Take a ride through the Art Nouveau district, where you'll see stately apartments and elegant façades. Visit the Art Nouveau museum, located inside the former home of Latvian architect K. Pekšens. Marvel at the iconic spiral staircase, adorned with unexpected artistic touches.

Explore Riga's famous central market, where flowers, fruit, and pastries overflow the stalls of this converted airplane hangar. Tonight, get a taste of local flavors in historical center of Riga. (B/D)

The day is yours. Bask in the charm of Riga, one of the oldest Baltic cities. Stroll along its narrow cobblestone streets, colorful squares and Medieval era buildings. Explore Riga's old town architectural treasures. Perhaps you'll join a full-day optional excursion into the Latvian countryside and the town of Sigulda, travelling through beautiful natural scenery, to then visit the Olympian training grounds and the largest cave in the Baltics countries before enjoying an included lunch at a local restaurant. (B)

Head to Pärnu, Estonia's seaside resort town. Wander on your own before joining a local naturalist for an Estonian tradition – bogging. Choose how you explore because it's your choice! Traipse through the wetland with a pair of bog shoes,* trekking over the sodden moss and tasting berries from the water -OR- walk above the shrubs on a boardwalk, winding your way across the bog.

Continue on to Tallinn – the country's capital – and settle into Hotel Palace, built in 1937 and located next to the city's main square. Dine at a medieval restaurant, lit by candles and set in a wealthy merchant's house. Enjoy authentic food and traditional music as you are transported back to a night in the 15th century. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Palace (3 Nights)

Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum which you can explore on foot or by horse and carriage. Delve into the rural history, wandering by preserved houses and timeworn windmills. Discover Tallinn's twisting cobblestone streets with an expert guide, feeling as if the Middle Ages live on. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. (B)

This morning, choose how you connect with the city's culture because it's your choice! Experience Tallinn's age old tradition of Marzipan, painting your own edible sculpture to take home as a tasty souvenir -OR- visit Raeapteek, Europe's oldest continuously working apothecary, where you can learn about an intriguing range of herbal remedies. Spend afternoon on your own, exploring Tallinn, one of the most beautiful Eastern Europe cities.

This evening, toast the end of your whirlwind adventure as you reflect on your excursion through the Baltics. (B/D)

As your tour draws to a close, say goodbye to winding medieval villages and three Baltic beauties. (B)