12 Day Classic Baltics with Krakow

Escorted Package Includes

• Flights Montreal-Tallinn, Krakow-Montreal
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 10 nights First Class accommodations
  • 2 nights Tallinn
  • 2 nights Riga
  • 2 nights Vilnius
  • 2 nights Warsaw
  • 2 nights Krakow
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
• 17 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Services of local guides in all major cities
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

• Discover centuries-old folklore, historic towns and diverse cultures in the Baltics
• Marvel at the medieval architecture and history in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius
• View Toompea Castle and visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn
• In Riga, view the Liberty Monument, St. Jacob’s Cathedral and Riga Castle
• Visit the St. Peter and Paul Church, view Gediminas Tower and the Castle in Vilnius
• View Warsaw’s Lazienki Park, Old Town, Market Square and visit St. John’s Cathedral
• Visit the Shrine to the Virgin Mary at the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa
• Solemn visit to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum in Krakow
• In medieval Krakow, visit St. Mary’s Church; view historic 16th century Wawel Hill Royal Castle and visit the Royal Cathedral

DAY 1, Wednesday – Depart for Estonia
Depart for Estonia

DAY 2, Thursday – Arrive in Tallinn
Arrive in Tallinn and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with you Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Tallinn
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday – Tallinn City Tour
Discover this World Heritage city today with cobbled streets set beneath spires of 14th-century churches. Tallinn, the northernmost Baltic capital, was a favored port location coveted by its more powerful neighbors, starting centuries of war until it finally achieved its own independence. You can see layers of Tallinn’s history at Peter the Great’s Kadriorg Palace with its splendid Royal Gardens, and the private cottage he occupied on his visits. Continue to the Song Festival grounds, and the spectacular ruins of the 15th century St. Bridget’s Convent rising along the banks of the Pirita River. Then, a walking tour of the upper part of the Old Town and view the pink Baroque-style Toompea Castle, Estonia’s traditional seat of power, and the Gothic Town Hall. Visit the still active Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral built in the style of a 17th century Moscow church. The rest of the day is at leisure to visit some of Tallinn’s markets or stop at a lovely cafe or boutiques within the carved stone walls of the Old City. Dinner together tonight
Overnight: Tallinn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Saturday – Travel to Riga
Morning drive to the Latvian capital of Riga situated at the mouth of the Daugava River. This sophisticated and beautiful historic city on the Baltic coast was named the “Little Paris of the North.” The afternoon is at leisure to get acquainted with this charming city’s delightful Old Town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll enjoy finding treasures here and exploring the narrow medieval streets, Gothic and Baroque churches and 19th-century buildings. Be sure to visit Riga’s lively Central Market, with its abundant displays from all over the Baltics ranging from smoked fish and fresh produce to handmade souvenirs – it’s one of the most famous markets in Europe. Tonight, have dinner together and share some of the day’s highlights
Overnight: Riga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Sunday – Riga City Tour
Today, explore Riga’s impressive architecture encompassing Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical facades. On your tour, view Riga Castle, dating back to the 1440s, St. Jacobs Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church, one of the oldest and most valuable monuments of medieval architecture in the Baltic States, among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stop at the impressive and very popular Freedom (Liberty) Monument honoring soldiers killed during the War of Independence, bearing a symbolic female holding aloft three stars representing the 3 regions of Latvia during the first republic. The rest of the day is on your own. Or, participate in the optional tour to the open-air Ethnographic Museum that depicts 18th-century farm life. The over 72 historic structures re-create a proper village preserved from this era
Optional: Open Air Ethnographic Museum
Overnight: Riga
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Monday – Scenic Drive to Vilnius
Depart Riga for Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Along the waystop to visit the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage center. View the many thousands of crosses covering the famous Jurgaiciai Hill, and learn about the events that made this hill sacred. Upon arrival in Vilnius, check into your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Tuesday – Vilnius City Tour
Tour Vilnius, a vivacious university city, and one of the most beautiful “Old Towns” in Eastern Europe. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city’s architectural landmarks are a striking mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Visit the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul with its extraordinary sculptural decorations and view St. Anne’s Church, a superb example of Gothic architecture. View Vilnius University, Gediminas Tower and Vilnius Castle in the Upper Town. Time on your own to wander along the charming lanes of the town with its quaint shops and enjoy lunch on your own at a local café. Don’t miss the optional afternoon tour to red brick Trakai Castle on Galve Lake, regally standing on an island by itself completely surrounded by water. This is truly such a beautiful sight and one you’ll always remember. Trakai Castle is one of the most photographed places in Europe. This historic and world-famous Gothic Palace was built by Lithuanian Dukes and once served as their residence. Time to stroll the grounds and visit the Palace Museum to see the extensive display of medieval exhibits before returning to Vilnius
Optional: Excursion to Trakai Castle
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Wednesday – Scenic Drive to Warsaw
Depart Lithuania and cross the border into Poland. After lunch en route, arrive in Warsaw, Poland’s cosmopolitan capital and cultural center of the country on the banks of the Vistula River. The balance of the day is at leisure to get acquainted with this city on your own. Enjoy dinner together tonight
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Thursday – City Tour of Warsaw
Today’s introduction to bustling Warsaw includes glorious Lazienki Park one of the jewels of the city. Here, stand before the striking bronze monument to Frederic Chopin, the famed Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era, born in a small village west of Warsaw. Continue along the Royal Route with its historic monuments and residences to the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto; stop at the inspiring Memorial that commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Walk through the Old Town with its cobbled streets to Market Square. Visit the Cathedral of St. John and see the Royal Castle, the former residence of Polish kings, lovingly restored after its destruction during World War II. The remainder of the day is at leisure or, perhaps, join the optional tour to Wilanow Palace*. This former summer residence of the Polish kings was built at the end of the 17th century for King Jan Sobieski III and is situated just outside of Warsaw. The tour of the palace makes Polish history come alive. Later in the afternoon, attend an optional Chopin Recital*, a highlight of the day. A piano recital of Chopin’s most favorite works is performed in a stunning setting. Enjoy a glass of champagne during intermission
*If booking both Wilanow Palace & Chopin Recital optional tours, please keep in mind that you may have limited time in between for dinner
Optional: Wilanow Palace
Optional: Chopin Recital
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Friday – Czestochowa & Auschwitz Memorial Museum
Depart Warsaw and travel south to Czestochowa, known for the famous Pauline monastery of Jasna Gora*, home of the Black Madonna painting. Every year millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to Czestochowa to visit the Shrine to the Virgin Mary as it is said to have miraculous powers. Then, continue on a journey to the town of Oswiecim where the Nazis built Auschwitz, their largest concentration and death camp. The stories of those who were sent there, and who perished in this place, emphasize the scope of Hitler’s extermination efforts. The solemn visit includes a guided tour of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum. After the visit, arrive in Krakow, former residence of the Polish kings for overnight
*On Aug 15, the shrine will be very crowded and viewing of the Black Madonna painting will be from afar.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Saturday – Krakow City Tour
Begin the day in medieval Krakow with a visit to historic 16th century Wawel Hill; view the Royal Castle and visit the Cathedral. A walking tour then takes you to the Old Town with its lively Market Square. Stop at stately St. Mary’s Church with its tall brick tower overlooking the square and the Renaissance Cloth Hall where traders offer a variety of wares as their predecessors did many generations ago. The afternoon is at leisure or, participate in the interesting optional tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the oldest in Europe. The mine’s historical importance, as well as the amazing works of art carved into the walls by miners, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. In the evening, return to Krakow for dinner
Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Sunday – Depart Poland
Transfer to the Krakow airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast