The best of the Baltic – Fly & Drive

Arrival in the capital of Lithuania - Vilnius. Rental car pickup at Vilnius airport. Accommodation at the hotel in Vilnius.

After breakfast, departure to visit the capital city of Lithuania. The historic center of Vilnius is one of the largest in all of Eastern Europe. In 1994, this part of the city was included in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. The churches of Santa Ana and São Pedro and São Paulo stand out, as well as the cathedral. Also significant are the courtyards of the ancient Vilnius University (founded in 1579, the oldest university in Eastern Europe), the Gediminas castle tower, with impressive views of the entire city, the so-called "Gates of Dawn" and the Gallery of Amber. In the afternoon, we recommend visiting Trakai, 28 km from Vilnius. It is the former capital of Lithuania, where the famous Trakai castle stands out, located on one of the islands in Lake Galve. This unique fortress served to deter crusaders during the Middle Ages. Accommodation in Vilnius.

Buffet breakfast. Trip to Kaunas. Along the way, we recommend a visit to the Rumsiskes open-air ethnographic museum. The museum is a mosaic representing ancient traditional Lithuanian villages in complete harmony with the impressive nature of the place. Continue to Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania. In the historic center, Kaunas Castle stands out, the Town Hall building, known as the "White Swan", as well as the Vytautas church, the house of "Thunder", the Cathedral, founded in 1408. Accommodation in Kaunas .

After breakfast, departure towards Klaipeda, known as "Lithuania's gateway to the sea", as it is Lithuania's main seaport and the only port in the Baltic that does not freeze in winter. The city has a great Germanic influence in its heritage, highlighting the old Post Office, the old theater and Simon Dach Square. In the afternoon, we recommend a trip to Palanga, where the Botanical Garden and the Amber Museum stand out, located in the Palace of Count Tyszkewitcz. Accommodation in Klaipeda.

Buffet breakfast. Then, departure to catch the ferry towards the natural wonder that is the Curonian Peninsula - Neringa National Park. An inland sea separated from the Baltic by a thin arch of dunes. The main town is Nida, a welcoming fishing village. Highlights include the Lutheran church (1888), the lighthouse (19th century) and the house where the writer Thomas Mann spent the summers of 1930 and 1931. Accommodation in Klaipeda.

After breakfast, departure to cross the border with Latvia, following the coast to Liepaja, which is located between the Baltic Sea and the large lake Liepaja. We recommend visiting the Church of the Holy Trinity with its impressive 7000-pipe organ and the fabulous panoramic views from its bell tower, the craftsmen's house, St. Joseph's Cathedral. To the north of the city, there is the former Soviet military base of Karosta, which since 1890, by order of Tsar Alexander III, was a fortress with the rights of an independent city in relation to Liepaja. At dusk it is always pleasant to stroll along Liepaja beach. Continue to Ventspils and accommodation.

Buffet breakfast. Next, we recommend visiting the province of Kurzeme, which is home to the northernmost vineyards in the world. Possibility to visit the palaces of Jelgava and Rundale (18th century) or the castle of Bauska (15th century). Rundale Palace, former residence of the Dukes of Courland, and the most prominent Baroque-Rococo style building in the Baltic States, was built by the Italian architect F.B Rastrelli. Continue to Riga. Accommodation.

After breakfast, departure to visit the city. Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals, with almost a million inhabitants. Located on the banks of the Daugava River, old Riga was badly damaged in World War II but has been beautifully restored, as shown by Dome Square in the center of the old city. Known as the "Paris of the Baltic Countries", it stands out for the beauty of its historic center, where all architectural styles are reflected: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Art Nouveau, etc. The city dates back to medieval times, and is therefore full of medieval structures, numerous alleys, parks, rivers and canals. Accommodation in Riga.

Buffet breakfast and departure towards Estonia, recommending a visit to Gauja National Park, the most important in the country and known as Latvian Switzerland. The city of Sigulda is its administrative center, where you can find the most prominent Livonian castles in the region, such as Turaida, a tourist center to visit the medieval castle, the best preserved in all of Latvia, the Sigulda Local History Museum , the Daina Park of folk sculptures and the tomb of the Rose of Turaida. Continuation of the route, stopping in Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia, to observe the Baltic Sea coast. We continue to the village of Virtsu, to board the ferry towards the island of Muhu. Then, travel to Kuressaare, capital of the island of Saaremaa. Accommodation in Kuressaare.

After breakfast, visit the city of Kuressaare. It is recommended to visit the episcopal castle, the best preserved and picturesque in Estonia, where several museum exhibits show a large part of the history of this island. It is also essential to take a tour of the two islands, passing by a medieval church, a lake created in a crater created by a meteorite and the group of mills located to the north of the island. Board the ferry to continue the journey to Tallinn. Accommodation in Tallinn.

Buffet breakfast and departure towards Narva, stopping at P.N. Lahemaa, located on the rocky coast of the Gulf of Finland. The park, in addition to its vast fauna and flora, stands out for its small fishing villages and the stately homes of Sagadi and Palmse. It is interesting to take a walk to admire the landscape and wild animals. Travel to Narva, a city on the border with Russia. Accommodation in Narva.

Buffet breakfast and departure towards Narva, stopping at P.N. Lahemaa, located on the rocky coast of the Gulf of Finland. The park, in addition to its vast fauna and flora, stands out for its small fishing villages and the stately homes of Sagadi and Palmse. It is interesting to take a walk to admire the landscape and wild animals. Travel to Narva, a city on the border with Russia. Accommodation in Narva.

Buffet breakfast. In Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, it is possible to appreciate a perfect symbiosis between the oldest traditions and the most current modernity. The historic center is included in UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Unlike many European cities that have mixed old buildings with new ones, Tallinn's historic center is preserved as it was centuries ago, maintaining its ancient walls, narrow cobbled streets, bright torches and secret alleys, which makes the city is known as "The Forgotten Pearl of the Baltic". Accommodation in Tallinn.

After breakfast, return the rental car at the airport. Boarding and departure formalities on the flight to Portugal.