9 Day Private Lithuanian Highlight Tour

Arrive in Vilnius. Your driver will meet and take you to Kaunas located 60 miles northwest of Vilnius. Arrive in Kaunas and check into the Hotel Daugirdas or similar

Begin your tour of this marvellous 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, Lithuania’s most celebrated artist; the Devils Museum (probably the only one of its kind in the world) ; visiting of Zilinskas Art Museum . On three floors, this museum features both applied and pure art from Europe and Asia from the 17th to the 20th century including some fine Flemish tapestries and Japanese porcelain, the War Museum which has a first rate collection ; the 13th century Kaunas Castle ; the lovely Town Hall of Kaunas, known locally as the White Swan; and the 14th-century Church of Vytautas, the principal church of Kaunas, Ninth Fort .

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.

Today’s tour of Palanga, you’ll visit the Botanic Garden and the Amber Museum in the palace of Count Tyszkiewicz . The museum has 25,000 pieces of amber on display, 15,000 of them containing insects. Afternoon free time.

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, the Nobel Prize-winning German author. Fishermans House-Museum . Also see a typical fisherman’s village and walk along some impressive sand dunes.

After breakfast depart for Vilnius. On the way you’ll stop in Siauliai at the Hill of Crosses, oneof 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

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 . 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, Town Hall Square, the TV tower, the KGB Museum. You will also visit the Gediminas Castle . From the top of this castle, you will witness some of the most spectacular views of the city and its surrounding rivers.

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 . 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, Town Hall Square, the TV tower, the KGB Museum. You will also visit the Gediminas Castle . From the top of this castle, you will witness some of the most spectacular views of the city and its surrounding rivers.

Transfer to airport for your flight home.