Walking tour of Tallinn, the medieval city, which is considered the oldest in Northern Europe. Today, the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, offers a perfect symbiosis of ancient traditions and modernity. The Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Unlike many European cities, which have mixed old and new buildings, Tallinn's Old Town has been preserved as it was centuries ago, with its ancient walls, narrow cobbled streets, glowing torches and secret alleys, which have made the city known as the "Forgotten Pearl of the Baltic".
Visit the historic city centre, where you will visit the famous towers of "Long Hermann" and "Fat Margarete", as well as the Town Hall Square and the churches of St. Olaf and St. Nicholas. Toompea Hill is home to a large concentration of historical monuments, including the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Lutheran Toomkirik Cathedral from 1233; the Estonian Parliament, housed in Toompea Castle; and the Kiek-in-de-Kök, a tower-museum built in 1475.
Tallinn – the capital of Estonia, largest city and port of the country. You will be fascinated by the unusual architecture of the city, because most of the buildings of the medieval era are built from limestone. That gives a very unique look. The well preserved old town that consist of the upper and lower part will be interesting even for most demanding visitors. You will be surprised by the arrangement of the city, just five minute walk from the old town there is the modern part of the city with commercial and shopping centres. The city's historical background is also very interesting, because there are many marks left by previous rulers of the country like Swedes, Danes, Russians and Germans. During the tour we will visit the upper part of old town called Toompea, there we will find Alexander Nevsky Orthodox church built in 1900, the oldest country's church Toomkirik built in 1233, the Estonian parliament and the upper part of the old town surrounding fortress walls and towers. For sure during the tour we will visit two different viewpoints, from which opens an amazing view of Tallinn. Later on we will go down to the lower part of the old town to find famous Tallinn Town Hall Square with medieval gothic Town Hall, Merchant Guild houses, a rich selection of local souvenirs, a market of handicrafts, one of the oldest region's pharmacy open since 1422 and finally impressive looking Hanseatic League merchant warehouses, where today we can find restaurants decorated in middle age style.
Transfer to Pirita Monastery and the Song Festival Grounds – the monastery of Pirita was built in 1417, but later destroyed and only the frame and walls are remaining. It is an interesting place to look around and to listen to an interesting story about the nuns who found it. While taking this tour we will see a sailing base built for 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, which today is used as a sailboat dock. Later we will stop by the Song Festival Grounds. This place is very important for Estonians because here every couple of years they have song festival, which origins go back to 1869 when a choir of 51 men sang along with other 845 people for the first time Estonian national songs. In 1988 exactly in this place started the Estonian singing revolution against the occupiers and helped to liberate. Because of the big importance to the cultural Estonian consciousness the song festival is included in to UNESCO's heritage list.
Helsinki, called by Finns "Daughter of the Baltic Sea" is spread across over 300 islands and surrounded by the sea from three sides. Numerous peninsulas, bays and low buildings create unique atmosphere of this capital and largest city of Finland. Helsinki gained popularity after hosting Olympic Games in 1952. Since then, every year more and more foreign visitors have come to the city. Today thousands of people arrive on big cruise ships in summer season. If you are one of them, please let us introduce you to our offer.
During our standard city tour we will show you highlights of Helsinki. We will drive along Mannerheimintie (Mansku) – major street with seats of most important institutions like Parliament, Finlandia Hall, Olympic Stadium. In our program we also include magnificent Temppeliaukio Church In The Rock, picturesque Sibelius Park and Monument Passio Musicae raised to the memory of famous Finnish composer. We will not forget to see such highlights like Senate Square in the historic centre with the famous white Tuomiokirkko Cathedral, Fish Market (Kauppatori) with Presidential Palace, the Finnish icebreaker fleet and impressive Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral.
Helsinki, called by Finns "Daughter of the Baltic Sea" is spread across over 300 islands and surrounded by the sea from three sides. Numerous peninsulas, bays and low buildings create unique atmosphere of this capital and largest city of Finland. Helsinki gained popularity after hosting Olympic Games in 1952. Since then, every year more and more foreign visitors have come to the city. Today thousands of people arrive on big cruise ships in summer season. If you are one of them, please let us introduce you to our offer.
During our standard city tour we will show you highlights of Helsinki. We will drive along Mannerheimintie (Mansku) – major street with seats of most important institutions like Parliament, Finlandia Hall, Olympic Stadium. In our program we also include magnificent Temppeliaukio Church In The Rock, picturesque Sibelius Park and Monument Passio Musicae raised to the memory of famous Finnish composer. We will not forget to see such highlights like Senate Square in the historic centre with the famous white Tuomiokirkko Cathedral, Fish Market (Kauppatori) with Presidential Palace, the Finnish icebreaker fleet and impressive Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral.
The tour continues to Porvoo - one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Finland. It has less than 50 000 inhabitants and is situated nearly 50 km east from Helsinki which makes it most popular destination for excursions from the capital city. Porvoo maintained its medieval layout of streets but main attraction are small, wooden buildings from 18th century which are called the pearl of Finnish architecture. Those low buildings are very colourful and are separated from each other by extremely narrow streets. During our tour we will admirepanoramic view of old part of Porvoo from the side of river Porvoonjoki and enter the Old Town (Vanha Porvoo), medieval Cathedral and most important historic buildings.
Copenhagen - Denmark's capital city tour will bring you to see the Nyhavn waterfront, home to 500-year-old gabled houses and the Old Stock Exchange, once the center of Copenhagen's finance and trade; at over 370 years old, this building is one of the city's oldest. Note the structure's 196-foot "dragon-spire" tower topped with three golden crowns symbolizing the union of the Nordic countries. Next to the Old Stock Exchange is Holmens Church. Built in 1563, it was the site of the 1967 royal wedding of Queen Margrethe, Denmark's reigning monarch. Near City Hall Square sits City Hall, one of the tallest buildings in Copenhagen.
Next, you'll head to the center of Copenhagen to Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks. Your guide will lead you to a designated meeting place where you will have free time to explore Tivoli on your own. Known for its beautiful parade of flowers, restaurants, cafés, and a concert hall, it's also famous for two spectacular rides. The wooden roller coaster that was built in 1914 is not only the world's oldest but it's still in operation! Plus, the Star Flyer ride is the world's highest carousel, standing over 262 feet high! Take a walk around Tivoli Lake, visit the Tivoli Aquarium or hop on one of the many fun and exhilarating rides.
Before returning back to the pier you will make a stop by the Little Mermaid. No visit to Copenhagen is complete without seeing the city's most famous symbol. Completed in 1913, this famous statue was erected to express gratitude to Hans Christian Andersen and his world-known fairy tales
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is a city of contrasts. The city, which forms a horseshoe around the Oslofjord, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, having been first settled around 1,000 A.D. As a modern and diverse city it has something special to offer to everyone.
Drive through the city of Oslo passing the Akershus Fortress, the new Opera House and the Royal Palace, on your way to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) made them in bronze, granite and cast iron, including "The Angry Boy", "The Monolith" and The Wheel of Life". Centrally placed in the park is a 55-foot-high monolith featuring 121 stone figures of men, women, and children in their struggle for life. There are more than 200 sculptures, all symbolizing the different stages in the life of mankind.
Along the way, we will do a photo stop by the very famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump with excellent views over the city. And last but not the least we will stroll along Tjuvholmen (‘Thief Island’) and Aker Brygge, the city’s new urban waterside development. Back in the 1800s, this was a den for drug-dealers and delinquents; today, it boasts quirky cafes and bars, colourful street performers and a jetty moored with millionaires’ speedboats.
Stockholm, known as the Venice of the North, is spread over 14 islands, connected by 60 bridges (the oldest of which dates back to the 18th century). The islands are located between the Nobles' Cove and the Baltic Sea.
This tour will allow you to get to know the city and enjoy its beauty for a few hours in the company of a professional guide, who will inform you about daily life, the social system, the history and the architecture of the city.
During the tour you will have stops so you can take photos with views of the city. Something unique in Stockholm is the Old Town or Gamla Stan, which includes a walk through its narrow cobbled streets. Here you will find buildings such as the Royal Palace, the Protestant Cathedral and the Old Stock Exchange from the 18th century, next to the Main Square or Stortorget. After the walk you will have some free time on that island.
During the tour you will pass islands such as: Södermalm, or South Island, birthplace of Milenium, the trilogy by Stig Larsson. The Nobility Island, where the oldest building in the city is located, originally a Franciscan church from the 13th century. The Parliament Island, opposite the Opera House. Djurgården = Animal Park Island, which has been a recreation area for several centuries and is now part of the city's Ecological Park. Djurgården is home to Stockholm's biggest attraction, the Vasa Ship Museum. The ship sank 20 minutes after leaving port on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was found, salvaged and restored 333 years later. Not only the original ship is on display, but also objects found inside it.
Riga is the capital of Latvia - situated by the Daugava river is not only the biggest city of the country but also one of the biggest and oldest in northern Europe. In 1997 UNESCO declared Riga's historical centre a World Heritage Site. Today this area on the right bank of Daugava is the heart of the city and very popular tourist destination. During our tour you will discover all its highlights and experience fantastic atmosphere of this relatively small and compact quarter of Riga.
Our guide will meet you at the harbour and from there you will take a very short walk to the Old Town. We will show you there one of the most beautiful buildings in the city – Latvian National Opera House constructed in 19th century and unique building of House of the Blackheads with fantastic ornaments reconstructed in late 1990s. Of course we will not miss one of the oldest monuments – Riga Castle which was founded in 1330. Another important site on our way will be Dome Cathedral well known for its size and large pipe organ. You will also see defensive town walls with Powder Tower and Swedish Gate, building of Latvian Parliament, St Peter's Church (one of the symbols of Riga), the Freedom Monument and many others sites with interesting architecture and long history.
Riga is the capital of Latvia - situated by the Daugava river is not only the biggest city of the country but also one of the biggest and oldest in northern Europe. In 1997 UNESCO declared Riga's historical centre a World Heritage Site. Today this area on the right bank of Daugava is the heart of the city and very popular tourist destination. During our tour you will discover all its highlights and experience fantastic atmosphere of this relatively small and compact quarter of Riga.
Our guide will meet you at the harbour and from there you will take a very short walk to the Old Town. We will show you there one of the most beautiful buildings in the city – Latvian National Opera House constructed in 19th century and unique building of House of the Blackheads with fantastic ornaments reconstructed in late 1990s. Of course we will not miss one of the oldest monuments – Riga Castle which was founded in 1330. Another important site on our way will be Dome Cathedral well known for its size and large pipe organ. You will also see defensive town walls with Powder Tower and Swedish Gate, building of Latvian Parliament, St Peter's Church (one of the symbols of Riga), the Freedom Monument and many others sites with interesting architecture and long history.
In the afternoon visit to the Art Nouveau district, including entrance to Art Nouveau Museum. The Art Nouveau District – Riga has more than 800 Art Nouveau buildings built in the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century. We would visit the most beautiful and most important part of the city hosting the Art Nouveau style buildings that were built by the famous and incredibly talented Latvian architect Mikhail Eisenstein. Riga could be easily called the northern form of Art Nouveau if you compare it to the buildings of Gaudi in Barcelona. Remarkable expression, individuality, artistry and aesthetic beauty will leave a lasting impression on the visitors.
Klaipeda – the third largest Lithuanian city, situated 300 km from Vilnius on the Baltic coast. Klaipeda is the only and most important port of the country that can be reached by highway from the capital. The city has deep German roots, and not so far away used to be called Memel. During the World War II Klaipeda suffered a lot and many buildings were destroyed, but still there are interesting thing to see. We would visit a German style old town, which has many merchant houses and warehouses with 'fachwerk' decorations. Will pass by the theatre square and enjoy a little statue of the Ann of Thar, she is the main character of the traditional German love and marriage song. The song was created by Simon Dach, famous German poet born in Klaipeda in 17th century. We would also visit the old post building and the symbol of Klaipeda sailing ship Meridianas.
Later on continuation to Palanga. Palanga - the most favourite summer resort in Lithuania situated only 25 km from Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea coast. This town will offer you a wonderful walk on the J. Basanavicius pedestrian alley, which hosts a lot of restaurants, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Palanga is also famous for the Amber museum which is the only kind in the Baltic States. Museum is located in a neoclassical palace built by Count Tyszkiewicz in 19th century and surrounded with picturesque views. Museum offers to discover various types of amber, insect and plant inclusions, history of amber and processing methods of that precious stone. A 24 thousand amber object collection is held in the museum and about 4.5 thousand is at display. A very nice walk waits for you to climb the Birute hill, which in reality is a 22 meter high dune. The guide should tell some interesting story about the origins of the hill name. Definitely you will be given an opportunity to walk the Palanga Bridge, which starts on a coast and goes forward to the sea or you can just enjoy walking barefoot the Baltic sandy beach.
KLAIPEDA - is the gateway to the Baltic in Lithuania and the main city port of the country. The first references of settlements in the area, date back to the first century, and refer to a fishing village. In 1252 after fierce resistance against the Germanic invaders, fell to the Livonian Order. From this period dates the Memelburg Castle, built on the banks of the River Dane. The Lithuanians attempted to retake the city but always were rejected; even after the victory in the Battle of Zalgiris in 1410, when the Lithuanians managed to recover most of the lost territory (northwestern side), Klaipeda remained in German hands. In the following centuries the city continued under foreign rule. In the seventeenth century Klaipeda was devastated by the Swedish army. A mid-eighteenth century the city was for five years under the rule of tsarist Russia. In 1807 the city became capital of Prussia after the occupation by Napoleon's troops in Berlin. The advent of the Second Reich in 1871 led to a rapid process of Germanization of all minorities. After the defeat of Germany in the First World War, the city and the entire region was placed under the protectorate of the Entente States (1919). From the February 13, 1920 Klaipeda was administered by French forces. In December 1923 a large popular uprising was organized with the help of the Lithuanian government. The survey determined the future of Klaipeda region. The whole territory and port were returned to Lithuania, retaining the right to self-government. In 1939 the Nazis occupied the city, which was not released until January 1945.
At present Klaipeda is not only one of the largest ports in the Baltic Sea, but also an important cultural center of the country.
After the visit we pick the ferry that takes us to the Curonian Spit-Neringa: It's a salient between the Baltic Sea and Lake Kursiu, unique in Europe. This area is a natural reserve with dunes, pine forests, coast and native animals. Nida is the oldest settlement in Neringa. Fishing village that retains all its buildings more than 150 years ago. Until the eighteenth century the village was located at another site but due to the strength of the dunes its inhabitants decided to change the current. The other towns in this area are: Pervalka, Preila and Juodkrante. Highlight is the "Hill of Witches" in Juodkrante.
We followed the visit to Palanga, located 25km from Klaipeda. Summer capital of the country. It is a modern seaside resort with many hotels, restaurants and clubs. Here you can enjoy its magnificent beaches full of dunes and pine forests. Palanga is also famous for its Amber Museum and Botanical Garden.
* The tour can differ from the order, respecting all visits included.