This fascinating tour includes a three night stay in each city, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, with plenty of time to see the highlights of the cities and some of the surrounding areas. There will also be an opportunity to explore on your own, or if you prefer, to simply relax at one of the fine hotels.

A walking tour will be included through ESTONIA'S old capital TALLINN. Tallinn’s old-world ambience is beautifully preserved in the medieval walls, turrets and towers standing tall in the ‘Old Town’, a charming muddle of historic buildings dating back to the 13th Century. Overshadowed by the hilltop Toompea Castle, churches with spires and onion domes, cathedrals and narrow windingstreets, perfect for leisurely strolling, are all part of the city scene. There are a host of museums including the City Museum housed in a beautiful 14th Century building.

Other sights include the Parliament building, the onion-domed Nevsky Cathedral, National Library, and the two towers, ‘Pikk Hermann’ (50 metres) and ‘Kiek in de Kok’ (Peep in the kitchen – 45 metres) offering superb city views.

Outside the city on a full day tour we explore LAHEMAA, Estonia’s largest National Park stretching for 40km along the Baltic coast, with a variety of scenery and wildlife iincluding herds of elk. There are also many fine manor houses, which are being restored to their former grace and style and we will visit Palmse Manor and also the fishing villages of Altja and Kasmu.

Flat and forested,LATVIA retains an enduring architectural footprint from centuries past when Russians, Germans, Swedes and Poles all ruled this important country at the heart of the old ‘Baltic States’. The ‘Old City’ of RIGA capital of Latvia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its remarkable range and concentration of architectural styles and attractive medieval streets and squares. Riga also has one of the largest and best collections of Art Nouveau architecture which characterizes the ‘New Town’. Highlights of the visit include the Powder Tower, Swedish Gate, Executioner’s House, Riga Castle (which now houses three museums) and the Parliament Building.

En route to Vilnius, Lithuania, a visit will be made to RUNDALE PALACE, an ornate Italianate building dating from 18th Century, designed by Rastrelli who was also responsible for the WINTER PALACE in St. Petersburg.

VILNIUS, the cosmopolitan capital of LITHUANIA, is one of the most frequently visited cities in Europe. Vilnius’ Old Town is the largest in Eastern Europe and offers a wealth of interest and the most valuable historic and cultural sites are concentrated here. In 2009 Vilnius will be ‘European Capital of Culture’.

The buildings in the ‘Old Town’ were established over several centuries, creating a splendid blend of many different styles including Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic. Main sights include the majestic Cathedral and Belfry, two castles, Church of St. John and a complex of medieval buildings dating from 16th Century that make up the University.  We also visit the lakeside town of Trakai, 28 km from Vilnius, and once the national capital, whose main sight is the Island Castle dating back to 1400.