Grand tour: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia
Krakow
Day 1
Krakow city tour. The city's classical buildings are filled with medieval customs, and there are many attractions worth visiting: the largest central square in Europe, the Renaissance architecture - the textile hall, the St. Mary's Church, and the oldest Jagelon of Poland University, the cathedral, the palace museum.
Krakow - Wieliczka - Auschwitz
Day 2
Visiting Wieliczka Salt Mines. Become part of the 1.2 million tourists that visit the famous UNESCO’s World Heritage listed Wieliczka Salt Mine located in the town of Wieliczka within the Cracow area and admire the chapels and statues carved out of rock salt within the mines. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch visit Auschwitz concentration camp. The sombre highlight of the day is a visit to Oswiecim, better known by its German name of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous network of concentration camps from World War II. It has since been turned into a museum by the Polish government and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After an introduction and historic film, the solemn visit includes a guided tour of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum. Then drive back to Krakow.
Krakow - Warsaw
Day 3
City tour of Warsaw including Royal Route with its famous statues, buildings and churches; the Royal Lazienki Park with F. Chopin’s monument and numerous edifices like e.g. Palace on the Water. Old Town area, listed on UNESCO World Heritage List, features the Royal Castle Square with Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral , the picturesque Old Town Market Square.
Warsaw - Bialystok
Day 4
Continue through well forested North Poland into the Masurian Lake District, a myriad of post-glacial lakes representing some of the most beautiful nature in the whole of Poland.
Bialystok - trakai - Vilnius
Day 5
Today, continue along the eastern fringe of the Masurian Lake District with endless blue lakes and attractive resort towns into Lithuania. Stop in Trakai. Visit to the 15th century insular castle hosted the museum of Lithuanian history nowadays.
Vilnius
Day 6
Morning city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. You will start a tour at the Cathedral Square - the place full of myths and legends. Further you will visit Vilnius University - the oldest university in the Eastern Europe - founded in 1579, the Town Hall of Vilnius, built in the end of 18th century, beautiful ensemble of Orthodox monastery, St. Theresa church and Gates of Dawn, with the holy image of the Virgin Mary. The city tour of Vilnius will be followed by St. Anne's church, representing the peak of Gothic architecture in Lithuania and St. Peter and Paul's church - the example of Lithuanian baroque.
Riga
Day 7
Drive to Riga, visiting Rundale palace on the way. city tour of Riga including outside visits: Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter, the buildings of the Great and Small Guild Halls, the fortification wall of Riga, the Swedish Gate, the building of Parliament of Latvia-Saeima, the Monument of Liberty. The tour continues along the central boulevards of Riga, passing by City Canal parks, the Bastion Hill, the Powder Tower, the Latvian National Theatre, the Fine Arts Museum, the Art Nouveau buildings of the beginning of the XXth century, the Freedom Monument, University of Latvia, the Opera House, and the Daugava River with its bridges.
Tallinn
Day 8
Today we will travel along the Baltic coast to tallinn. The walking tour gives an introduction to the historical heart of Tallinn, which especially during the 15th century was a rich and prosperous town of Hansa merchants. Tour starts from the Dome Hill (Toompea), from Castle Square where Toompea Castle, the seat of the Estonian Parliament is facing the 19th century symbol of the Tsar's power in Estonia, Alexander Nevski Cathedral. After visiting the Dome Church (13th century) and enjoying a breathtaking view from a viewing platform, the tour continues by strolling along the narrow cobblestone streets down to the Town Hall Square that features the gothic Town Hall from 13/14th century - one of the oldest in Northern Europe.