13 days / 12 nights - from £1,185 per person

Our Poland and Baltic Highlights tour offers an outstanding introduction to this historically and culturally rich area, once the centre of the Lithuanian Empire that stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. You will visit Krakow, which was the royal capital of Poland for centuries. Explore this cultural and historic city, enjoy the cafe culture and beautiful architecture.  The tour continues to Warsaw, with its beautifully reconstructed Old Town. Then it is off to Kaunas, the former capital of Lithuania.   After a brief stop in Kaunas, we arrive in Vilnius, with its magnificent array of medieval churches and buildings.  From Vilnius it is on to Riga, the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the Baltics.  Our tour ends in Tallinn, where you will have the opportunity to explore the charming Old Town.

Package price is from £1,185 per person based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room, single room supplement is £390.

2012 guaranteed departure dates:

Package includes:

• Direct flights from London  to Krakow  and return from Tallinn
  (we can also arrange flights from other UK airports)
• Airport transfers in Krakow and Tallinn
• Welcome meeting with champagne cocktail or juice
• 12 nights accommodation at centrally located 4 star hotels. 
• Breakfast at the hotels
• Entrances to Wavel Castle in Krakow, Jasna Gora Monestary in Czestochowa, St. John's Cathedral in Warsaw, Old University in Vilnius, Rundale Palace, St. Peter's Church Riga and Old Town Hall in Tallinn.
• English speaking guide on all tours
• Quality motor coaches or minivans throughout the itinerary
• Portage at hotels
• Service and VAT

Optional tours and meals:
- 4-hours excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine: £50.00 pp
- Polish dinner at Resturant Hawelka: £34.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion to Royal Lazienki Park with the Palace on the Water: £34.00 pp
- 4-hour excursion to Zelozawa Wala: £50.00 pp
- Polish dinner at Restaurant Podwale: £34.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion to Trakai Castle: £34.00 pp
- Folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas: £34.00 pp
- 4-hour excursion to Gauja National Park: £43.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion to Open Air Museum - £34.00 pp
- Organ concert at Dome Cathedral: £30.00 pp
- 4-hour excursion to Jurmala: £34.00 pp
- Latvian dinner at Restaurant La Boheme : £34.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion to Kadriorg Park and Palace: £30.00 pp
- Medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack: £34.00 pp
- Half board at hotels (12 x 3 course dinner): £250.00

Poland - Lithuania Highlights itinerary:

DAY 1 (TUESDAY):  ARRIVAL KRAKOW
Arrival in Krakow, transfer to Hotel Novotel Centrum Krakow **** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.

DAY 2 (WEDNESDAY): KRAKOW
The morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town with St. Mary’s Church, the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Halls, the Wawel Castle and the Wavel Cathedral.  The afternoon offers an optional excursion to the famous Wielizcka Salt Mine, an amazing labyrinth of tunnels going down as far as 327 meters.  In the evening there is an optional Polish dinner at Restaurant Hawelka.

DAY 3 (THURSDAY): KRAKOW - WARSAW
We leave for Czestochowa, the spiritual heart of Poland, where we visit the Jasna Gora Monastery with the Black Madonna.  Through the flat, low lying plain of Central Poland we travel to Warsaw.  In the early afternoon we check in at the Hotel Novotel Centrum Warsaw **** or similar.

DAY 4 (FRIDAY): WARSAW
Warsaw is essentially a post-war city with a meticulously reconstructed Old Town. The morning sightseeing tour includes the Royal Route, and the Old Town area with the Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral and the Old Town Market Square and the Barbican. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to Royal Lazienki Park with the Palace on the Water.

DAY 5 (SATURDAY): WARSAW
The morning offers an optional excursion to Zelozawa Wala, the romantic birthplace of Polish composer and pianist, Fredryk Chopin.  The afternoon is free to explore Warsaw individually.  In the evening there is an optional Polish dinner at the Restaurant Podwale.

DAY 6 (SUNDAY): WARSAW - VILNIUS
We continue through the thick forests of North Poland, along the eastern fringe of the Masurian Lakeland, a myriad of post glacial lakes representing some of the most beautiful nature in Poland.  We reach Kaunas, the former capital of Lithuania. Take a stroll in the Old Town with its elegant Old Town Hall and Gothic cathedral. We continue on towards Vilnius and check in at Hotel Radison Blu Lietuva **** or similar.

DAY 7 (MONDAY): VILNIUS
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas.

DAY 8 (TUESDAY):  VILNIUS - RIGA
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. After a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radison Blu Latvija**** or similar

DAY 9 (WEDNESDAY): RIGA
Before we get acquainted with Riga we’ll have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We’ll listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, and see Maija’s Tombstone, the ruins of the Episcopal Castle, the ruins of the and the mysterious Gutman Cave before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life.  In the evening we offer an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

DAY 10 (THURSDAY): RIGA
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian summer resort town known for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening, enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant La Boheme.

DAY 11 (FRIDAY): RIGA - TALLINN
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu, with a short tour of the resort and a leisurely stroll along the beach. The balance of the day goes through the North Estonian land of forests to Tallinn, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar.

DAY 12 (SATURDAY): TALLINN
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park, with a visit to Kadriorg Palace and its art collection. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at the Restaurant Peppersack.

DAY 13 (SUNDAY): TALLINN DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.