Baltic path

Arrival dates in 2015: May 30, June 13 and 27, August 1, 15 and 29, September 12.

Day 1. Warsaw

Arrival in Warsaw and accommodation at the hotel. Night in Warsaw.

Day 2. Warsaw

Visit to the Polish capital, Warsaw and its main monuments. Walk by the Royal Lazienki Park (The Royal Baths) with the monument to Frederic Chopin, the Palace on the Water and the Theatre on Island. Transfer to the ancient Jewish part of the town. The grounds of the former ghetto and the monuments to commemorate the places where occurred the martyrdom of the Jews at the time of the Second World War, such as Umschlagplatz and the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. Transfer to the Old Town (UNESCO). Walk through the medieval streets from the Royal Palace and the cathedral, visiting the Market Square and the Barbican to the New Town. Night in Warsaw.

Day 3. Warsaw – Kazimierz Dolny – Zamosc

Kazimierz Dolny is the city of artists located on the shores of the Vistula. Walk through its most important places: the Market Square surrounded by the noble Renaissance houses, Baroque parish church, castle ruins and the mountain of the Three Crosses, from which a wonderful view of the valley of the River Vistula, Kazimierz and the castle in Janowiec extends. This wonderful landscape of fields, forests, meadows and hop gardens forms the framework of Kazimierz Landscape Park. Free time in the Old Town to lunch and admire the works of regional craft presented in numerous art galleries. In the afternoon, transfer to Zamosc. A short walk through the city also known as "Padua of the North", a perfect example of the Renaissance city of the sixteenth century that maintains its original layout and fortifications and also a number of buildings that combine Italian and traditional Central European architecture. Therefore, its historic center is listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Night in Zamosc.

Day 4. Zamosc – Zalipie – Krakow

After breakfast departure to Zalipie. This small town, for almost 80 years, marvel with exquisite ornamentation technique characterized by the colorful design of the walls of the houses, chapels and furniture. Visit to the Farm Felicja Curylowa, a branch of the Museum District Tarnow where numerous examples of traditional Polish folk art of the area are preserved. Walk around the village. Home lunch included with traditional dishes. In the afternoon, transfer to Krakow. Night in Krakow.

Day 5. Krakow – Wieliczka – Krakow

Krakow, the former capital of Poland, has deserved the title of World Heritage in the first list created by UNESCO. Visit of the Wawel Hill, where the castle with arcaded courtyard, the former seat of the Kings of Poland, and the cathedral are located. Walk around the Market Square in the Old Town with emblematic monuments such as the Cloth Hall, the church of the Virgin Mary or the Tower of City Hall. Continue to the Barbican and the walls which were surrounding the medieval city. Free afternoon in the Old Town. Night in Krakow.

Optional: In the afternoon, departure to Wieliczka. Visit to the oldest salt mine in the world still functioning (UNESCO) to see the magnificent chapels, underground lakes and original tools and equipment. Return to Krakow.

Day 6. Krakow – Oswiecim (Auschwitz) – Czestochowa – Warsaw

In the morning transfer to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Oswiecim. Auschwitz-Birkenau (UNESCO), the largest concentration and extermination camp, is a global symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. It was built by the Nazis in 1940 in the outskirts of town called Oswiecim. During the army of Hitler' occupation of this region the camp was the site of greatest sacrifice of people from different countries of Europe (mainly people of Jewish origin). Transfer to Czestochowa. Free time to lunch. Visit to the Monastery of Jasna Gora known for the image of the Black Virgin of Czestochowa, which since XIV century attracts many pilgrims from around the world. The Virgin was proclaimed as Queen of Poland by King John Casimir of Poland (Jan Kazimierz). Visit to the Basilica of Jasna Gora, the chapel of Virgin Mary with the miraculous painting, Treasury and Armory. Continue to Warsaw. Night in Warsaw.

Day 7. Warsaw

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Warsaw. Night in Warsaw.

Optional: Excursion to the Royal Palace in Wilanow, one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Warsaw. This unique Baroque residence owes its exceptional character to the original construction, being a mixture of European and Polish canons of art. The complex of Wilanow is one of the most important monuments of Polish history. During the tour we will visit the palace built by King John III Sobieski, which was his summer residence. Then we'll pass to the beautiful French and English garden surrounding it.

Day 8. Warsaw – Bialowieza – Bialystok

After breakfast departure from Warsaw to Bialowieza. Walk by the Bialowieza National Park, the largest in Europe that protects the European most primeval forest, known for its bison reserve (Heritage and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO). Visit to the bison reserve in Bialowieza. Transfer to Bialystok. Night in Bialystok.

Day 9. Bialystok – Vilnius

After breakfast departure from Bialystok to Vilnius. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Free afternoon. Night in Vilnius.

Day 10. Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius

City tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Walking through the historic city center (UNESCO) and visiting to the most important monuments of the place: the neoclassical Cathedral, the University, Gates of Dawn, the magnificent Gothic church of St. Anne and the Old Town Hall. Free afternoon. Night in Vilnius.

Optional: Transfer and visit to Trakai, the former Lithuanian capital, located about 25 kilometers to the south of Vilnius. Visit to the famous Trakai Castle, situated on the small island on the Galve Lake.

Day 11. Vilnius – Kaunas – Siauliai – Rundale – Riga

Departure to Kaunas, a place of the rich history and the ancient capital of Lithuania. City tour and lunch. In Lithuania, a stop at The Hill of Crosses, a hill with thousands of the votive crosses. In Latvia, visit to the famous Rundale Palace, the former residence of the Dukes of Courland, built in the baroque style by Rastrelli, a Russian architect of Italian origin. In the castle the paintings of Italian artists Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucci call attention, and the Golden Hall, White Room, the Porcelain Room, which houses a magnificent collection of porcelain figures of different styles, and Duchess Dressing Room have a singular beauty. Arrival to Riga. Night in Riga.

Day 12. Riga

In the morning, city tour of Riga, the capital of Latvia, an old Hanseatic city, situated between the Daugava River and the city canal. Walk trough the city filled with examples of all architectural styles from Gothic to Neoclassical, highlighting its Art Nouveau buildings. Visit the most important sights like the old Powder Tower, buildings of ancient guilds, Riga Castle or the House of the Three Brothers, the Church of St. James and St. Peter. Free afternoon. Night in Riga.

Optional: Visit to Jurmala, a popular because of its mild climate and mineral waters summer place. Time to relax on the beautiful beach and admire the traditional mansions built of wood.

Day 13. Riga – Sigulda – Turaida – Gutmanis – Parnu – Tallinn

Departure to the Gauja National Park, also known as the Latvian Switzerland, one of the most beautiful parks in the Northern Europe. Time to admire the wonderful nature of this place, its green forests, caves full of mystery and crystalline rivers. Visit to Sigulda, a charming town in the valley. Then visit to Turaida to see its famous medieval castle, the tomb of Maija and Gutmanis Ccaves with amazing paintings on the walls and ceilings. Lunch. City tour of Parnu, the summer capital of Estonia. Transfer to Tallinn. Night in Tallinn.

Day 14. Tallinn

In the morning, visit to the Tallinn city, capital of Estonia, with an outstanding, perfect symbiosis of the oldest traditions and modernity. Walk through the historic city center with the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Olaf, the Town Hall Square, the Toompea Tower and the old city walls. Free afternoon. Night in Tallinn.

Optional: Excursion to the Ethnographic Open Air Museum "Rocca-al-Mare" of Tallinn where traditional Estonians rural buildings, some of which date from the seventeenth century, are situated. The visit to the museum helps to discover the rural life of Estonia of the XVII-XIX centuries.

Day 15. Tallinn

Free day in Tallinn to rest and enjoy the city. Night in Tallinn.

Optional: In the morning, a trip on train to Helsinki. Visit to the capital of Finland. Helsinki is a truly exceptional place. Only one half of the city is urbanized. The other part consists of the forests, lakes and parks. Walk through the city to see the Temppeliaukio Church, the house of Sibelius, the diplomatic district and much more.

Day 16. Tallinn

Departure after breakfast. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport. Possible continuation in St. Petersburg or Helsinki.