DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Tallinn airport in the late afternoon we settle into our luxury, historic, 4 star hotel, ideally located in the mediaeval town centre, then walk through the cobbled lanes to the splendid main square. A chilled vodka aperitif introduces a dinner of Baltic specialities in an atmospheric cellar restaurant.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
From the ramparts of Toompea, the upper town inhabited by the German nobility after Tallinn joined the Hanseatic League in 1284, there are fine views across to the islands offshore. We visit the Toomkirik whose Lutheran simplicity contrasts with the nearby Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, then walk down through the mediaeval defences into the lower town. Old Town square contains both the magnificent Gothic Town Hall and a remarkable pharmacy dating from 1422, and we also see some eccentric Art Nouveau buildings and the delightful small Gothic Church of the Holy Ghost en route to lunch. A 15 minute tram ride whisks us out to Kadriorg for an afternoon visiting Empress Catherine’s Kadriorg Palace (an opulent setting for an excellent art collection), or the ultramodern KUMU gallery, and strolling through Peter the Great’s beautiful park. Dinner in the celebrated Russian restaurant of our hotel recalls this era of imperial splendour.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
We begin today’s explorations at the 16C Great Sea Gate, where we visit the Maritime Museum housed in ‘Fat Margaret’s’ Tower, then proceed to the Tallinn City Museum, a vividly presented collection arranged over three floors of a handsomely restored merchant’s house. Following a light lunch we turn our attention to the outstanding collection of mediaeval art displayed in the atmospheric setting of the 13C-15C St Nicholas Church. The remainder of the afternoon is free for individual wanderings, perhaps investigating the many linen, wool and amber shops, or people watching from a traditional café on the Old Town Square.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
En route south to the Latvian border we pause to walk on a quiet forest trail - silver birch, oaks and poplars, with an understorey of blueberries and cloudberries. We find marsh orchids by the shoreline overlooking the Gulf of Riga, stroll along the sandy beach and have a simple picnic in a bird reserve. Arriving in the Latvian capital, we first ascend to the top of St Peter’s Church for a stunning view over the mediaeval rooftops, then walk to our hotel, an elegant 4 star conversion of an historic mansion in the Old Town centre.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
The ‘New Town’ contains an eclectic collection of Art Nouveau and National Romantic houses, plus the National Museum of Art with an extensive collection of paintings, drawings and graphics. After a salad lunch we explore the extensive Old Town on foot, concentrating on the fine mediaeval houses of the Great and Small Guilds, including the House of the Cat and the House of the Blackheads (named for their patron saint, St. Maurice), and the 13C Dome Cathedral with its famous organ. Some free time permits visits to the harrowing Museum of the Occupation, or an authentic mediaeval merchant’s house, or the huge Zeppelin sheds which now cover the market. We attend a performance of Puccini’s opera ‘La Bohème’ in the ornate 19C Riga Opera House before a fish dinner in a celebrated city restaurant.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
In 1736 the Duke of Courland summoned Rastrelli, architect of St Petersburg’s Winter Palace, to build a new palace on his remote estates in southern Latvia. We visit this magnificent Baroque palace and walk and picnic in the grounds before crossing the border into Lithuania. Storks on their nests, wooden farmhouses and working horses are common sights as we travel inland towards Vilnius and the spires and domes of the mediaeval city appear perfectly in keeping. Our 4 star hotel is a charming conversion of a merchant's townhouse, with a good traditional restaurant.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
After a leisurely breakfast we set off on foot to explore the historic centre, densely packed with churches, including the flamboyant late Gothic brick church of St. Anne and the wildly pink and white striped Baroque St. Catherine’s. We visit the Amber Museum, documenting one of the best-known natural products of the Baltic shores, and see the Russian Orthodox church where Peter the Great had Pushkin’s great grandfather (an Ethiopian slave) baptised. After lunch we visit the Lithuanian State Jewish Museum and the rest of the afternoon is free for individual pursuits. Our farewell dinner is in a restaurant known for its French influenced cuisine.
DAY 8
B included
After a guided tour of the frescoed interiors, courtyards and library of the 16C Jesuit University, our Baltic journey concludes with a late morning transfer to Vilnius international airport.