Hill of Crosses , Lithuania
Riga , Latvia
DAY 3 • Explore Vilnius • KGB Museum visit Our city tour of Vilnius will focus on the restored Baroque buildings and medieval charm of its Old Town , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . We ’ ll also view the linked courtyards of 16th-century Vilnius University , and speak with a local student about their studies . Later , join a tour of the KGB Museum .
Meals : B , L | Congress Avenue Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Vilnius • Trakai • Karai culture • Home-Hosted Dinner
After a conversation with a local expert about Lithuanian independence , we ’ ll visit Trakai , the medieval Lithuanian capital . Later , we ’ ll meet with some local Karaims , members of an ancient Turkish tribe , and enjoy a Karai cooking demonstration before returning to Vilnius . Tonight , enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family .
Meals : B , L , D | Congress Avenue Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum • Klaipeda On our way to Klaipeda , stop at Rumsiskes , an openair ethnographic museum of rural dwellings and farmsteads from Lithuania ’ s past . We ’ ll also stop by one of the original railway cars used during deportations in the 1930s .
Meals : B , L , D | National Hotel Klaipeda or similar
DAY 6 • Klaipeda • Curonian Spit • Hill of Witches • Amber workshop
Begin today with a visit to the Curonian Spit , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , where we ’ ll hunt for amber . Then we ’ ll hike to the “ Hill of Witches ,” a forested path dotted with unique wooden sculptures . After lunch in the private tavern of a local family , visit an amber workshop for a hands-on demonstration on the uses of this fossil resin .
Meals : B , L | National Hotel Klaipeda or similar
DAY 7 • Klaipeda • Riga , Latvia On our way to Latvia , visit Lithuania ’ s Cold War Museum and legendary Hill of Crosses , a grassy double hillock blanketed by several thousand crosses . We ’ ll arrive in Riga later this afternoon .
Meals : B , L , D | Radisson Blu Ridzene Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Riga • Controversial Topic : The removal of Soviet-era monuments in Latvia • Rumbala Holocaust Memorial & Salaspils labor camp
We ’ ll start off the day with a conversation on the Controversial Topic of Soviet monuments in Latvia and why they are being dismantled . Then , our tour of Riga continues at the Salaspils labor camp and stops at sites such as the World War II monument .
Meals : B | Radisson Blu Ridzene Hotel or similar
DAY 9 • A Day in the Life of a Latvian goat farm Today we ’ ll enjoy our New ! A Day in the Life of a family-owned goat farm outside of Riga . We ’ ll tour the farm , have an opportunity to help out with some farm chores , and assist in preparing our lunch .
Meals : B , L | Radisson Blu Ridzene Hotel or similar
DAY 10 • Tallinn , Estonia • Song Festival Grounds On our way to Estonia , stop briefly in Parnu for a glimpse of Estonia ’ s premier seaside resort before arriving in Tallinn , the northernmost Baltic capital . Then visit the Song Festival Grounds , the site of the city ’ s famous Singing Revolution .
Meals : B , L , D | Hestia Hotel Europa or similar
DAY 11 • Explore Tallinn Enjoy a walking tour of Tallinn ’ s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town , whose cobbled streets are lined with 14th- and 15th-century buildings .
Meals : B , L | Hestia Hotel Europa or similar
DAY 12 • Tallinn • Conversation about Estonian independence • Optional Rocca al Mare tour
Begin your day with a conversation about Estonian independence . Afterward , you may choose to join our optional tour to Rocca al Mare , a district of the city that contains an open-air museum and local farm .
Meals : B | Hestia Hotel Europa or similar
DAY 13 • Tallinn • Ferry to Helsinki , Finland Today , we ’ ll board a ferry for the 50-mile journey across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki , Finland . After lunch in the Finnish capital , we ’ ll take an orientation walk , which concludes at a nearby library .
Meals : B , L | GLO Hotel Art or similar
DAY 14 • Explore Helsinki Enjoy a walking tour of Helsinki ’ s historic city center . Our walk concludes in Market Square at the Old Market Hall , where you can explore the vendors ’ stalls and have lunch on your own .
Meals : B , D | GLO Hotel Art or similar
DAY 15 • Helsinki • Local farm visit • Explore Porvoo
Visit a farm in the Finnish countryside and stop for lunch in the 14th-century town of Porvoo . After returning to Helsinki for free time , gather together for a Farewell Dinner .
Meals : B , L , D | GLO Hotel Art or similar
DAY 16 • Return to U . S . Fly back to the U . S ., or begin your post-trip extension to Lapland , Finland .
Meals : B
For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / blt2024pricing
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Poland : Krakow , Auschwitz & Warsaw PRE-TRIP : 5 nights from $ 1,895
Lapland , Finland POST-TRIP : 4 nights from $ 1,995
ARRIVE EARLY We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip . Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer .
• Arrive early in Krakow before your Poland pre-trip extension from $ 140 per room , per night
• Arrive early in Vilnius before your main adventure from $ 100 per room , per night
SCANDINAVIA & THE BRITISH ISLES
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / blt 155