Day 1: Arrival to Riga, Latvia's capital city. Car pick-up at the airport. Hotel accommodation.
Enjoy the beauty of Hanseatic city. A stroll through the picturesque cobblestone streets of the Old Town will lead you to the Dome Cathedral, St Peter’s Church, the Old Guild House, Riga Castle, the Powder Tower, and the Opera House. Don’t miss the Art Nouveau architecture from the beginning of the 20th century which made Riga the Art Nouveau Capital of Northern Europe.
Day 2: This morning you may wish to spend in Jurmala (20 km away from Riga), the summer capital of Latvia full of charming wooden summer cottages, decorated with fascinating carvings dating back to the 1900's and successfully harmonizing with more recently built cottages and spa health centers. You may stroll along the flat sea coast or just walk along the central pedestrian Jomas street full of cafes and souvenir stalls. Proceed to Liepaja, the third largest city in Latvia, a city of successful changes, known for it's wonderful beaches and rock music festivals. Among it's main attractions is Karosta - former military base from Tsarist and Soviet times, and Holy Trinity Church organ. Overnight in Liepaja.
Day 3: After a leisurely morning in Liepaja, head to the border of Lithuania. The first recommended stop is Palanga, Lithuania's prime resort. Visit the Amber Museum, the best place to learn history of amber, the Baltic gold. Take a walk through the park to the beach where you can enjoy a walk and along the beach to the main pedestrian street of the town full of cafes and restaurants. Later in the day proceed to Klaipeda, the main coast town of the country, always young, ambitious, creative and tolerant. Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 4: Take a morning ferry to Smiltyne and enjoy the rest of the day on the Curonian Spit (UNESCO World Heritage site, Lithuania's National Park), a sandy stretch of land, 98 km long and varying in width from 400 meters to just a few kilometers, between the waters of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. A great holiday site, filled with the sweet scent of pines, water and fresh air. Enjoy the day visiting small fishermen villages Juodkrante and Nida, stopping at Thomas Mann House, walking on the sand dunes as high as 50 meters above the sea level. In the evening, take a ferry boat back to the mainland. Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 5: Take the highway connecting Klaipeda with Kaunas and Vilnius. Kaunas, the second biggest town and Lithuania’s capital in between the World Wars has preserved its fame for the Old Town, original museums, pedestrian street - Liberty avenue - bustling with street vendors, musicians, full of cafes and souvenir shops. Just an hour drive to Vilnius may leave you with a free evening to explore the Old Town of Vilnius boasting numerous architectural and historic buildings: the Cathedral, the Gothic corner with St. Ann’s Church, University campus, Town Hall Square. Enjoy dining at one of many excellent restaurants catering to every taste. Overnight in Vilnius.
Day 6: Continue your acquaintance with the capital of Lithuania. You may wish to go up Gediminas Hill for a panoramic view of the city or visit St. Peter and Paul’s Church, one of the most impressive Baroque churches in the country.
Early afternoon drive to Riga (highway A2). Upon entering Latvia in Bauska, turn in direction of Rundale Palace. The palace built in the 18th century is an outstanding example of the early work of Italian - Russian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who has also designed the famous Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The professionally renovated palace interiors are decorated with authentic 18th century furniture, paintings and china. Continue on to Riga for overnight.
Day 7: Leave the car at the car rental office in Riga airport. Departure.
