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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Vilnius, Lithuania

Day 2: Arrive Vilnius After connecting in Europe, a short flight this morning brings us to Vilnius, the attractive Lithuanian capital with Baroque architecture, numerous churches, medieval towers and fortifications, and one of Eastern Europe’s oldest “Old Towns.” Our afternoon in this historic city is at leisure before tonight’s dinner at a local restaurant. D

Day 3: Vilnius We see the highlights of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on this morning’s tour, including Cathedral Square, Gedimino Tower, Vilnius University, and the President’s Palace. We also tour the fascinating KGB Museum. The remain­der of the day is at leisure, perhaps to relax at one of the many outdoor cafés; explore the old Jewish Quarter and ghetto; or admire the city’s architectural diversity. B

Day 4: Vilnius/Trakai Today we travel about 20 miles outside Vilnius to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania set in a resort village surrounded by five lakes. Here we tour 15th-century Trakai Castle, with exhibits commemorating the days when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched all the way from the Baltic to the Black Sea. After a turbulent history of Russian rule, in 1991 Lithuania became one of the first of the Soviet Union’s breakaway republics and today, again, is a sovereign democratic nation. B,D

Day 5: Vilnius/Riga We leave this morning for Riga, the Latvian capital. En route we stop for lunch in Siauliai where we visit the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site and symbol of Lithuanian nationalism. After crossing the border into Latvia, we travel through gentle countryside to the restored 18th-century Baroque palace of Rundale. Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed St. Peters­burg’s Hermitage, Rundale’s construction took more than 30 years and 1,500 workers. From here we con­tinue on to surprisingly sophisticated Riga, once known as the “little Paris of the North.” We dine tonight at our hotel. B,L,D

Day 6: Riga This morning’s city tour reveals the special treasures of this Baltic gem, once Russia’s coveted warm-water port and the largest of the Baltic capitals. Riga boasts lovingly restored architecture ranging from medieval to art nouveau; a well-preserved Old Town; magnificent churches, including St. Mary’s Cathedral (the Dom), with its 6,789-pipe organ; and a lively arts scene. The afternoon is free; our well-located hotel in Old Town offers easy access to Riga’s attractions. B

Day 7: Riga/Sigulda Today we travel east of Riga to Sigulda to visit Gauja National Park, Latvia’s premier nature preserve. Our excursion includes a visit to Gutmanis’ Cave, a 35-foot cavern bubbling with fresh spring water believed to have curative powers; and the ruins of Turaida Castle, whose round red brick tower rises above the forest canopy. We return to Riga mid-day and dine together tonight. B,D

Day 8: Riga/Parnu/Tallinn En route to the Estonian capital of Tallinn, we stop for lunch in sea­side Parnu, Estonia’s “summer capital.” We reach Tallinn late this afternoon; dinner is at a local restaurant. B,L,D

Day 9: Tallinn This northernmost Baltic capital has endured a history similar to that of its cousins: ­ a favored port location often coveted by its more powerful neighbors; centuries of war with brief periods of independence; 20th-century an­nexing by Russia; and finally, again, in­dependence. We see layers of Tallinn’s tumultuous his­tory on this morning’s city tour featuring the surprisingly well-preserved Old Town and a visit to the Rocca-al-Mare open-air muse­um, housing 18th- and 19th-century wood­en buildings from rural Estonia. This afternoon is at leisure. B

Day 10: Tallinn Today’s excursion to Lahemaa, ­Estonia’s largest national park, features lovely scenery: coastal bluffs, dense forests, lakes, rivers, cascading waterfalls; former Soviet Coast Guard barracks now housing a maritime museum; and the 18th-century Palmse manor house with period furniture and land­scaped grounds. We also visit the 400-year-old fishing hamlet of Altja. B,L

Day 11: Tallinn/St. Petersburg We depart this morning by coach for St. Petersburg, stopping for lunch in Narva, Estonia. After arriving late this afternoon we dine tonight at our hotel. B,L,D

Day 12: St. Petersburg Czar Peter the Great’s “window on the West,” St. Petersburg was built in the early 1700s on 44 islands, mostly swampland – a feat that took the lives of millions of workers. Today it’s a beautiful city, laced with canals, graceful bridges, and Empire-style buildings. Our daylong tour begins with some highlights, including a visit to awe-inspiring St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose construction took more than 40 years. We see the Peter & Paul Fortress, the Bronze Horseman statue of city founder Peter the Great, and the main thorough­fare of Nevsky Prospekt. Then for a fascinating window on Russian life, we join a local family for lunch and conversation. This afternoon we embark on a guided tour of the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, housing one ­of the world’s greatest fine arts collections. B,L

Day 13: St. Petersburg/Peterhof This morning we travel to Peterhof, one of the many royal “summer” palaces built by the Romanovs during the last two centuries of their rule. Most of these palaces were virtually destroyed by retreating Germans during World War II and later rebuilt to their original designs, complete with gilding. Known for its elaborate fountains with gold statues and 142 jets, Peterhof sits in a huge park with a formal ­18th-century garden. Our tour includes both the Grand Royal Palace and the Upper and Lower gardens. Tonight we gather for dinner to bid “da svidniya” to St. Peters­­burg and to our traveling companions. B,D

Day 14: Depart for U.S. We depart this morning for our connecting flight to the United States. B

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
  
• 12 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels
  
• 24 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
  
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all ­entrance fees
  
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
  
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
  
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next ­Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2009 Tour Dates & Prices

Prices Reflect $300 Savings	Sep 29	Sep 15	May 12 Jul 14 Aug 4	Jun 16
Boston, New York	$3,895	$3,995	$4,295	$4,595
Phil, Wash, DC	$4,095	$4,195	$4,495	$4,795
Atlanta, Baltimore, Char, Chicago, Cincinnati, Miami, Orlando, Tampa	$4,195	$4,295	$4,595	$4,895
Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Minn	$4,295	$4,395	$4,695	$4,995
Los Ang, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Fran, Seattle	$4,395	$4,495	$4,795	$5,095

 

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occu­pancy. Single travelers please add $1,695 May, Jun; $1,395 all other dates. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $2,895 per person

Airline taxes and departure fees of $362 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Vilnius 2-4 Vilnius Radisson SAS Astoria First Class 5-7 Riga Europa Royal Riga Sup. First Class 8-10 Tallinn Radisson SAS Tallinn Sup. First Class 11-13 St. Petersburg Radisson SAS Royal Sup. First Class 14 Depart St. Petersburg for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.