Vilnius

On arriving to Vilnius, your driver will meet and take you to the Hotel Vilnia **** or similiar.

Kernave

Today you will begin a tour to Kernavė. This village is said to have been the first capital of Lithuania before Trakai and Vilnius. Archeological excavations uncovered several old settlements as well as the remnants of a wooden castle and large wooden encampment dating back to the 12th century. There are four old castle mounds in rural surroundings. Because of its uniqueness, Kernave was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Visiting of Kernave museum (entrance). On your way back you will make a stop and visit Antakalnis Cemetery. Some notables who were buried there were Algirdas Brazauskas (Independent Lithuania’s 1st President in 1993), the border guards who were murdered by the Soviets at Medininkai on July 31, 1991 and the civilians killed by Soviet paratroopers during the January 1991 demonstrations, all guarded by a stunning Pietà.

Today we travel to Kaunas. En route visit Rumsiskes (entrance) , an open-air museum created to show something of Lithuania’s vibrant peasant culture over the last 200 years. There you’ll explore Lithuanian country life as it was a hundred years ago. Original country houses and wooden churches from all four regions of Lithuania have been brought together from their original locations. Continue to Kaunas. On the way visiting 16th-century Pazaislis Convent (entrance), situated on the banks of Nemunas river.

Kaunas

Begin your tour of this marvelous old city that served as Lithuania’s capital between the two world wars, spending most of our time in Old Town. While there, visit a museum dedicated to the works of Ciurlionis (entrance), Lithuania’s most celebrated artist; the Devils Museum (probably the only one of its kind in the world) (entrance), the War Museum, which has a first rate collection (entrance); the 13th century Kaunas Castle, the lovely Town Hall of Kaunas (exterior), known locally as the White Swan; and the 14th-century Church of Vytautas, the principal church of Kaunas Ninth Fort.

Klaipeda

Departure to Palanga with a stop at the IX fort for a short visit outside. By way of the castles of Panemune leave for the city of Klaipeda, Lithuania’s main seaport. Once there, visit Theatre Square with its statue of Annchen von Tharau, the Old Post Office and the Old Town. Then continue to Palanga where you’ll have some free time

Palanga

Today’s tour of Palanga, you’ll visit the Botanic Garden and the AmberMuseum in the palace of Count Tyszkiewicz (entrance). The museum has 25,000 pieces of amber on display, 15,000 of them containing insects. In the afternoon, you will be able walk around Palanga.

Nida

After breakfast, depart for a full day tour of the Kuronian Peninsula. During the day, you’ll make a stop at Juodkrante and visit the Hill of Witches, a park filled with life-size wood carvings of characters from Lithuanian folktales and legends. The carvings are works of various folk artists. Driving to Nida, you’ll visit the Amber Gallery, where you’ll get a chance to view and buy some unique works of amber. In Nida visit the summer residence of Thomas Mann (entrance), the Nobel Prize-winning German author, Fisherman’s House-museum. Also see a typical fisherman’s village and walk along some impressive sand dunes. Then return to your hotel in Palanga .

Siauliai

After breakfast depart for Vilnius. On the way you’ll stop in Siauliai at the Hill of Crosses, one of Lithuania’s holiest shrines. Since the 14th century, pilgrims have been placing crosses here. Until today there are hundreds of thousands of them. In 1993, the Pope concelebrated Mass here. Then continue to Vilnius .

Vilnius

Today we will begin with a full day tour of Vilnius. From its first ruler, the Grand Duke to today’s democratically elected government; Vilnius has a rich and varied history. First visit St. Peter and Paul’s church, St. Anne’s and St. Bernadine’s church, the Gates of Dawn with the Holy Image of the Virgin Mary, the Russian Orthodox church of the Holy Spirit and the Cathedral with its underground catacombs (entraance). From there, you will get an opportunity to see Vilnius University — one of the oldest universities in eastern Europe (founded 1579) with St. John’s Church (entrance), Town Hall Square, the TV tower, the KGB Museum (entrance). You will also visit the Gediminas Castle (entrance). From the top of this castle, you will witness some of the most spectacular views of the city and its surrounding rivers.

Trakai

A half-day tour to the lovely Trakai Castle (entrance), completed in the 14th century and built on an island amid lakes and forests. On the way back to the hotel you will make a short stop by the TV tower.

Druskininkai

his morning you will depart for Druskininkai, the oldest health resort in Lithuania. The pride of the town is its mineral springs. In 1794 the king of Poland and Lithuania announced a decree officially designating Druskininkai as a health resort. During a visit to the Health Centre, everybody can try mineral bath procedures. Spa treatments can be arranged in advance.

Grutas

After breakfast, transfer to Grutas village for a visit to Gruto parkas- an open-air exhibition of the Soviet era sculptures and monuments (entrance). Continue to Vilnius. Dinner at a city restaurant.

Vilnius

Transfer to airport.