Day 1: Vilnius
Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania and accommodation in your hotel.
The afternoon tour features Vilnius Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site highlighting the main attractions of the Old Town with it endless church domes, steeples and gloriously restored buildings; the tour begins at Cathedral Square dominated by the Cathedral itself and Gediminas Castle, the principle landmark of Vilnius, then via the President’s Palace to Vilnius University. After visiting the University courtyards the tour continues along the main street of the Old Town, Pilies St., to the Gothic corner of Vilnius showing St. Anne’s Church. Then, by coach, the tour continues to the 17th century Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul, past the only remaining city gate, the Gate of Dawn, famous for its miraculous icon of The Virgin Mary and ends at the old Town Hall Square.
Day 2: Vilnius
Vilnius - Trakai - Kernave - Vilnius
Morning tour to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and one of the country’s oldest towns, now famous for its 15th century red-brick Gothic Castle built on one of the many small islands in lake Galve. Once the seat of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, the Castle now houses a museum of local history and an enormous collection of objects d’art including furniture, ceramics, snuff boxes, pipes, etc.
Return back to Vilnius via Kernave, known among the locals as a Lithuanian Troy testifying to the country’s 13th-14th century history. The site is a complex ensemble of archaeological properties, encompassing the town of Kernave, forts, some unfortified settlements, burial sites and other archaeological, historical and cultural monuments.
Day 3: Kaunas
Vilnius - Kaunas
Departure to Kaunas, the interim capital of Lithuania between the two World Wars with an en route stop at Rumsiskes outdoor Ethnographic Museum. Covering a total of 176 hectares, the Museum offers an understanding of the architecture, traditions, crafts and lifestyle of farmers at the end of 18th - 19th centuries. The museum boasts an impressive collection of old houses, farms, schools, pubs and mills representing the major regions of the country.
An afternoon tour of Kaunas shows off the main architectural and historic sites of the Old Town: Town Hall Square, the Jesuit Church, 14th century Cathedral, Vytautas Church, the Perkunas (Thunder) House, courtyard of the Theological Seminary and the ruins of Kaunas Castle. The tour ends with a visit to Ciurlionis Picture Gallery preserving and exhibiting works of the famous Lithuanian artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis who painted and composed music at the turn of 20th century.
Day 4: Klaipeda
Kaunas - Klaipeda
This morning we drive to Klaipeda, Lithuania’s window on the Baltic Sea with an en route visit to the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, a place to express gratitude to God for divine favors.
Afternoon city tour of Klaipeda focusing on the Old Town with its Theatre Square dominated by the statue of a girl “Ann from Tharau”, narrow alleyways with attractive courtyards, art galleries, cafes and small boutiques, blocks of lattice-work buildings, old warehouse reflecting the influence of Germanic architecture of the Hanseatic period.
Day 5: Klaipeda
Klaipeda - Curonian Spit - Klaipeda
Full day sightseeing on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World heritage site and the National Park located between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. You can walk on the Hill of Witches in the fishing village of Juodkrante, enjoy an unforgettable view from a majestic 60 meter high seaside dune and visit Thomas Mann’s summer house in Nida. Your overnight stay is back in Klaipeda.
Day 6: Vilnius
Klaipeda - Palanga - Vilnius
Quick drive to Palanga in the morning, Lithuania’s most popular seaside resort, just 25 km from Klaipeda. Visit the Amber Museum, housed in the former mansion of Count Tyszkiewicz surrounded by an elegant park created by French arborist Eduard Andre. You can find about 4,500 pieces of amber on display in the museum. Visitors are familiarized with the formation, processing, practical use, and structural variations of amber. Late afternoon return to Vilnius.
Day 7:
Vilnius
After a leisurely morning in Vilnius, transfer to the airport.
