Local families, hormone-sozzled youths and German, Swedish and Finnish holidaymakers join together in a collective prayer for sunny weather while strolling the beaches, sprawling parks and picturesque historic centre of Pärnu (pair-nu), Estonia’s premier seaside resort. In these parts, the name Pärnu is synonymous with fun in the sun; one hyperbolic local described it to us as ‘Estonia’s Miami’, but it’s usually called by its slightly more prosaic moniker, the nation’s ‘summer capital’.
In truth, most of Pärnu is quite docile, with leafy streets and expansive parks intermingling with turn-of-the-20th-century villas that reflect the town’s fashionable, more decorous past. Older visitors from Finland and the former Soviet Union still visit, seeking rest, rejuvenation and Pärnu’s vaunted mud treatments.
ItineraryDay 1: Vilnius-TrakaiStop At: Vilnius Old Town, Vilnius, Vilnius CountyMorning city tour of Vilnius includes the Historical Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral and its square, the complex of Vilnius University, Pilies street with historical and architectural monuments dating back to 16-18th century, Gothic corner of Vilnius with St. Anne’s and Bernardine churches, the former Town Hall square, the Dawn/Aušros Gate with a miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, 17th century Baroque church of St. Peter and Paul where inside everything is in white color.Afternoon tour to Trakai with lunch degustating traditional cuisine of Karaites. Trakai is the ancient capital of Lithuania located 28 km from Vilnius. This place is famous of beautiful 14-15th castle surrounded by lakes and housing an exhibition on prehistoric findings and the 17th-18th century art, the way of life of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes and Karaites, a Judaistic sect brought by Grand Duke Vytautas from Crimea. Accommodation in Vilnius 3* hotel.Duration: 8 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: a 3 star hotelDay 2: Siauliai-Rundale-RigaStop At: Riga Town Hall Square, Riga, Riga RegionDeparture to Riga with en route stops at the Hill of Crosses, a unique place of national pilgrimage, and after crossing the border of Latvia, the impressive Baroque Rundale Palace created by the Italian architect B. Rastrelli. Close to Rundale you will try traditional Latvian cuisine in the farmstead (optional). Afternoon excursion of the Old Town of Riga features it's most famous architectural monuments: 13th century St. Peter's Church, St. George's Church, St. John's Church, 14th century Riga Castle, Big and Small Guild houses, medieval dwelling houses “Three Brothers” and the Dome Square with its famous Dome Cathedral boasting one of the biggest organs in Europe. Free time for souvenirs and relaxation. Accommodation in Riga 3* hotel.Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: a 3 star hotelDay 3: Parnu-TallinnStop At: Tallinn Old Town, Tallinn, Harju CountyLeave Riga for Tallinn. En route you will stop in Parnu for traditional Estonian cuisine (optional). You will continue trip to Tallinn to discover its Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved and authentic medieval capitals in Europe, filled with churches and merchant houses. Morning city tour of Tallinn showing the surroundings of Tallinn and its Old Town. Among other attractions, it includes a visit of Catherine’s Valley Park and Palace, the Song Festival Amphitheatre, the venue of 120-years-old song festival tradition. You will also see Tallinn's number one attraction: Toompea Hill and the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tall Hermann, Kiek in de Kök and Dome Cathedral. The tour ends in Town Hall Square with a view of the Town Hall, a Gothic masterpiece of 13th-14th centuries. Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
Dec 28: Arrival VilniusArrival in Vilnius, optional transfer to Hotel Artis Centrum**** or similar, check-in, welcome meetingDec 29: VilniusVilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning walking tour of the Old Town includes Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, 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 BelmontasDec 30: Vilnius-RigaHeading for Riga, the first stop is the Hills 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. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Ridzene***** or similar.Dec 31: Riga Today's 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. In the afternoon we offer optional tour to Riga Art Nouveaux district and tour along Riga Boulevard circle. The tour ends with warm-up Riga black balsam drink at a central cafe. In the evening we enjoy an up-scale and entertaining Fabulous New Year Gala.Jan 1: RigaToday we offer an optional guided shopping tour that will take us to interior decoration and design stores, art galleries and fashion boutiques in the Old Town with the main focus on local brands and artists. En route we enjoy a warm cup of coffee with Latvian Christmas pastry in a cosy café. In the evening we offer excursion to the Lido Recreational Centre, a large restaurant and entertainment centre located in the largest blockhouse in Europe and surrounded by a lot of winter attractions. Jan 2: Riga-TallinnThe tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel L’Ermitage**** or similarJan 3: TallinnThe walking tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.Jan 4: Tallinn departureOptional transfer to airport.