10 Days Baltic States Self Drive trip 

Itinerary

DAY 1. Arriving in Vilnius. Transfer from airport to Hotel

Arrival to Vilnius

Private transfer to hotel

Overnight in Vilnius Rinno hotel or similar

DAY 2. Exploring Vilnius

Breakfast at hotel

Vilnius city tour
Vilnius is a modern city with the most colourful history imaginable. The easiest way to have a closer look at that is simply walking through it. One street reminds the Jews living there, another brings you to the Medieval times, the third one takes You to the times when Lithuania took back it‘s freedom from the Soviet Union. The same streets are now filled with young people creating vibrant life here. Now art galleries, contemporary restaurants, green parks, live music, boutiques with handcrafted goods made by the best local artists are where the history of the city is made. You can see modern lifestyle blooming from the past times by listening electronic music concert in a church, having lunch in TV tower (higher than the Eiffel tower) with a panoramic view of the district where Chernobyl TV series was filmed or simply reading manifest of freedom in Your language in bohemian Užupis district. Just one city and many stories.Vilnius is known for more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Walking tour includes visiting of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St. Anne’s Church, Old University, the Gates of Dawn, Uzupis district which is known as the independent republic of Vilnius city.  

Overnight in Vilnius Rinno hotel or similar

DAY 3. Pick up rental car. Morning trip to Trakai. Overnight in Margis

Breakfast at hotel

Pick up rental car.

Drive to Trakai

Exploring Trakai
Trakai used to be a medieval residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. Once a significant and powerful town, nowadays Trakai is enjoying tranquility and a status of summer resort with its only 5000 residents. The town is located next to Vilnius (about 25 km) and surrounded by several beautiful lakes. The main attraction is the Island castle which was initiated by Lithuanian Grand Duke Kestutis in the 14th century, finished and mostly used as a residence by his son Grand Duke Vytautas in the first half of 15th century.

Lunch

Drive to the countryside hotel

Overnight in Margis Hotel or similar

DAY 4. Kaunas - Hill of Crosses - Rundale palace - Riga

Breakfast at hotel

Drive from Trakai to Hill of Crosses.


Visit Hill of Crosses
Hill of Crosses visitingThe Hill of Crosses is one of the most extraordinary sites in Lithuania. The old 14th century hill-fort is covered in more than 100.000 crosses that symbolise Lithuanian nationalism and beliefs. Some of the crosses are devotional, while others are memorials for many people deported to Siberia. They vary greatly in size: a few are finely carved folk-art masterpieces and some are accompanied by mournful statues of the Virgin Mary. This is definitely a place where you will learn and better understand the local community’s difficult past, learn of its unshakable faith, and feel hope for the future.
Driving to Rundale palace (optional visit).Visit Rundale palace and French gardenLunch before or after Rundale palace. Driving to Riga

Overnight in Riga 3-4* hotel

DAY 5. Explore Riga on your own

Breakfast at hotel.

Riga city tour
From all the capitals of the Baltic states, Riga has the most diverse architecture. Given the unpredictable history of a country, its capital now has many faces reflecting in the architecture and the streets – the city guests can find the highest concentration of Art Nouveau, repetitive apartment buildings of Soviet modernism or pointed towers of the churches built by German crusaders.This surrounding not only reveals all the layers of how Riga became the modern capital of nowadays but gives the perfect background for modern or classical art exhibitions, theatre performances, full-spectrum music concerts, gastronomical experiences or joyful nightlife. This colorfulness can create different moods, but all of them can be correct – from French-like quality food to rooftops same as Amsterdam, from churches similar to Copenhagen to business districts just like in London. Visiting Riga will be like reviving the unparalleled history of the city in the best ways of modern society.

Overnight in Riga 3-4* hotel

DAY 6. Gauja National Park visit - Sigulda and Cesis

Breakfast at hotel.
The Gauja National Park exploring
Gauja National park often called Switzerland of Latvia by locals is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia, characterized by great biological diversity, variety of landforms, natural springs, sandstone outcrops, picturesque views and unique natural, cultural and historical monuments.The Gauja national park exploration starts in Sigulda, a small medieval town in the valley of the Gauja river. You will explore it's cultural sights and nature surroundings and get some breathtaking views of the Gauja valley. During the trip you will also visit a Gutman’s cave – the largest in the Baltics sandstone cave which is also a geological protected monument. You will get to know the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Turaida castle, a former Livonian order settlement that is the most pictured monument of the area.
Drive to Gutman's cave.Visit Gutman's cave.
Drive to Turaida castle.Visit Turaida castle.
Drive to Cesis.
Exploring Cesis
Cesis – is characterized as a typical European medieval town and you can see it strolling around the old town. The emblem, a defensive stone wall, Town Hall and other characteristic elements of the medieval city, in Cesis can be dated back to at least the 14th century.

Overnight in Cesis 3-4* hotel

DAY 7. Cesis - Valmiera - Tartu - Tallinn

Breakfast at hotel
Drive from Cesis to Valmiermuiza brewery.Optional Tour at Valmiermuiza brewery (if booked).Valmiera townValmiera, the northern gateway to Gauja National Park, delights visitors with its beautiful nature and its cultural and historic monuments, along with hosting interesting cultural and sporting events, and providing breathtaking stories and legends.
Drive to Tartu.
Explore Tartu. Tartu lays claim to being Estonia’s spiritual capital, with locals talking about a special Tartu vaim (spirit), created by the time-stands-still feel of its wooden houses and stately buildings, and the beauty of its parks and riverfront. Tartu was the cradle of Estonia’s 19th-century national revival, and escaped Soviet town planning to a greater degree than Tallinn. Its handsome centre is lined with classically designed 18th-century buildings, many of which have been put to innovative uses.
Driving to Tallinn.

Overnight in Tallinn 3-4* hotel

DAY 8.Tallinn Exploring

Breakfast at hotel Free day to explore Tallinn.
The capital of Estonia – Tallinn welcomes city guests by its stony streets going straight to one of many medieval fortresses. From these fairytale towers breathtaking panoramic views suddenly appear and leave everyone stunned. This is one of many layers of this city and it creates a great impression for better knowledge. In these medieval streets, between colorful houses, counting hundreds of years, life itself happens. Fairs of handcrafted goods by locals full of freshly baked pastries happening in the squares, outdoor cafes and restaurants full of smiling people. Furthermore – urban and hip districts with non-traditional and modern activities – galleries of contemporary art, fashionable bars and restaurants, concert venues, welcomes every guest that comes to enjoy Tallinn. That is where medieval fairytale and modern lifestyle meet, connect and create unforgettable journeys through history and culture of these days. This old city with a young spirit somehow makes this mix perfect.

Overnight in Tallinn 3-4* hotel

DAY 9. Lahemaa National Park Daytrip

Breakfast at hotel.
Lahemaa National Park
Located on the northern coast of Estonia, Lahemaa is perfect for a hiking trip and nature watching. Here you will find stony and sandy seashores, picturesque bogs, pine and cliff forests, rivers that cut into the limestone cliff as well as erratic rocks left over from the last Ice Age.Lahemaa is one of Europe’s most important forest conservation areas, where many large mammals live.
Drive to Sagadi manor Visit Sagadi manor.Drive to Oandu forest nature trail.Hike in Oandu forest nature trail.Drive to Altja Village.Free lunch at Altja Tavern.Exploring Altja village.Drive to Viru bog.Hike in Viru Bog.Drive to Tallinn

Overnight in Tallinn 3-4* hotel

DAY 10. Driving to airport. Car drop off. Departure

Breakfast at hotel.Drive to Tallinn airport.Drop off rental car at Tallinn airport

Departure flight

Inclusions

Included:

  • 9 nights at centrally located 3-4 star hotels with breakfast
  • Arrival airport transfer to hotel
  • 8 days car rental from Vilnius to Tallinn (based on compact size car Toyota Corolla or similar);
  • Private Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn walking tours with local guides
  • One way car rental fee (pick up in Vilnius, drop off in Tallinn);
  • Visit to 3 national parks, 3 UNESCO world heritage sites
  • Nice variety of nature and culture
  • Itinerary and detailed program schedule.
  • 24/7 emergency support by phone during the trip.

Exclusions

  • Flights
  • Optional tours and services
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

  • OPTIONALS BOOKABLE:
  • Hale food market guided tour with food sampling - 140 eur (1-4 pax)
  • Tour at Rundale palace and French garden - 70 eur (tickets additionally - 17 eur each)
  • Tour at Turaida castle and grounds - 50 eur (tickets additionally 7 eur each)
  • Optional Brewery tour and beer tasting in Valmiermuiza (non alco options available)

Cancellation Policy

  • More than 60 days before tour start date – 10% of tour price will be charged
  • 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
  • 59-35 days before tour start date – 25% of tour price will be charged.
  • 25% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
  • 34-22 days before tour start date – 75% of tour price will be charged. 75% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
  • 21-0 days before tour start day – 100% of tour price will be charged. 100% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.