Photography Tour: Baltics Through the Lens

Arrival to Vilnius airport. Guided pick up from an airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in.

Today you will start off by visiting Vilnius. Best known for its historical charm, particularly its UNESCO listed Old Town. On the included sightseeing walk, you will visit the historic streets of the Old Town, the most important church in Lithuania - Vilnius Cathedral and “Miracle” tile, masterpiece of the 17th-century St. Peter and Paul Church, Roman Catholic church St. Anna’s Church, an Old University and the world-famous Gates of Dawn. After the lunch we will take you to the medieval Trakai Castle located on the shores of a picturesque lake. This is the only Gothic castle in the Baltic States built on a lake island. Transfer back to Vilnius. Dinner. Overnight in Vilnius.

After breakfast, we continue to Klaipeda, the third biggest city in Lithuania located on the Baltic Sea coast. En route we will stop at the city of Kaunas, which has an informal title of The Basketball Capital and has recently held a title of European Capital of Culture. On the included sightseeing walk we will admire Kaunas castle - the oldest masonry castle in Lithuania, lovely Town Hall, known by locals as “White Swan”, the 14th century Church of Vytautas, the Cathedral-Basilica, the Perkunas House, the Art Museum of M. K. Čiurlionis and the Museum of Devils. Our second stop is Ventė Cape - a small peninsula in the Eastern Part of Curonian Lagoon. This place is one of the major north-south bird migration routes. Millions of birds are crossing this place during their migration and choosing the Ventė Cape for the rest period. We will climb up to the lighthouse and look around for birds. From here we might see the Curonian Spit, golden dunes, and Preila, which is distanced by 8.5 kilometers to the West. After some free time drive to Klaipeda. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in Klaipeda.

After breakfast, we will take a ferry to Curonian Spit - unique and vulnerable, sandy and wooded cultural landscape on a coastal spit which features small Curonian lagoon settlements. After making the short ferry crossing over from Klaipeda, we stop at the Hill of Witches and go down the spit to Nida. With its location at the Curonian Lagoon and its combination of old-fashioned fishing village and fashionable sea resort, Nida is one of the most attractive places on the entire Baltic Sea Coast. We visit the High Dunes and get acquainted with the charming resort town. Free time for lunch at a local café. After lunch, we go back to Klaipeda from where we continue to Dutchman's Cap hill which is constantly washed by the waves of the sea and descends to the seashore as a 16-18-metre-high cliff. There are no other cliffs on the Lithuanian seashore that are so high. Moreover, the Dutchman's Cap cliff is included into the List of Natural Heritage of Lithuania. Head back to vivid city Klaipeda to visit the Old Town. Dinner at a local restaurant. Back to your hotel for rest. Overnight in Klaipeda.

Today we will start off by visiting one of Lithuania's most awe-inspiring sight - the legendary Hill of Crosses. “No matter how many times the government tried to level it, this unique pilgrimage site endures.” After this photo stop visit we will take a lunch and proceed to the pearl of Latvia – Rundale Palace built in the 18th century as the summer residence of the Duke of Courland, Ernest Johann von Biron. We will have the tour of the Palace and its gardens. Late afternoon arrival to Riga - the largest city in the Baltic States. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Riga.

In the morning you will see the very best of Riga. Discover the cobblestone lanes, churches, medieval houses of the Old Town and view the city’s historical highpoints. Top rated and must see attractions of Riga includes: one of the largest medieval castles in Latvia - Riga Castle, the largest place of worship in Latvia and the Baltics - Riga Dome Cathedral, the St. Peter’s Church with the tallest church tower in Riga, an exclusive gate of Riga wall - Swedish Gates, medieval dwelling houses – The Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. After lunch a relaxing time exploring Latvia’s famous seaside town – Jurmala. With miles of sandy beaches, swaying pine trees and deliciously fresh air. Transfer back to Riga. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Riga.

The tour today continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian undisputed summer capital - Parnu. En route we will visit Sigulda – a town which is considered to be one of Latvia's most beautiful - and Turaida Medieval Castle. The Museum Reserve is a vast territory, rich in art and history gems – the Castle itself, the wooden church and many other buildings, as well as the sculpture garden. Late afternoon arrival to Parnu. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Parnu.

In the morning, we enjoy a beach walk - "Nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the Beach” and take a ferry to Saaremma Island – largest island in Estonia. Because of the authentic setting, tranquility and sustainable way of life the West Estonian Archipelago is part of UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve. Here you will find pine forests and juniper groves covering Saaremaa Island. En route we stop at Kaali Meteorite Crater. The Kaali Meteorite Crater Field is a site of myth and legend on Saaremaa, as it is the most recent example of a large crater falling in a populated area. Approximately 7,500 to 7,600 years ago, a large meteorite entered the Earth’s atmosphere and broke into numerous smaller meteorites. The largest meteorite left a crater 110 meters in diameter and 22 meters deep. Late afternoon arrival to Kuressaare – a small town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. Check-in at your hotel. Free time to enjoy a big variety of treatments in your hotel wellness center. Overnight in Kuressaare.

After breakfast, before we arrive to Tallinn let’s discover the island. First stop at the Kuressaare episcopal castle. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum which is devoted to the island’s nature and history. One room near the bishop’s chamber looks down to a dungeon where, according to legend, condemned prisoners were dispatched to be devoured by hungry lions (recorded growls reinforce the mental image). Next we proceed to Panga cliff (photo stop) - the highest bedrock outcrop in western Estonia and its islands. Perfect spot to take beautiful nature photos and admire the views. After we take a ferry back to mainland and proceed our way to Tallinn. Late arrival to Tallinn. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Tallinn.

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the medieval old town of Tallinn – one of the best-preserved old town in northern Europe. You will stroll around the oldest streets and see most significant sights such as the Aleksander Nevskij Cathedral - a beautiful Orthodox church on the top of Toompea Hill, the gleaming medieval Dome Church, the social heart of the city Town Hall Square, a gothic symbol of Tallinn St. Olav’s Church, Toompea Castle - home of the Estonian parliament, the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes – Catherine’s passage and etc. After the lunch we proceed to the most outstanding palatial and urban park in Estonia - Kadriorg Park and picturesque beach of Pirita. Drive through a beautiful residential area drowned in greenery to the Pirita marina – the former sight of Olympic yachting and still home to many international competitions (photo stop at the coast). Overnight in Tallinn.

After breakfast, at 10:30 am we take a ferry to Helsinki. Upon arrival we stop at Helsinki Cathedral, the Senate Square which is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, we pass by the Esplanadi Park, the Old Market Hall and the Equestrian statue of Marshal Mannerheim. As well we visit the Sibelius Monument which is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and excavated directly into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio church. After the lunch, check-in to your hotel. Free time. Overnight in Helsinki.

Check-out from hotel and transfer to Porvoo city. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists. Porvoo’s most well-known symbol and attraction are the lovely red shore houses. They were once used to store merchandise and exotic delicacies from distant lands. Old Porvoo is one the most picturesque places in Finland and inspires photographers around the world. It has retained its traditional shape right down to the cobblestone streets. Transfer to the Helsinki Airport, departure back home.