TBA for June 2024
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Trip Highlights
Visit the three Baltic States countries – Estonia, Lithuania, & Lavita.
Marvel at the ice-blue sea, sand dunes, green forests, and lakes.
Discover the Medieval towns with narrow cobblestone streets.
Explore markets each with its own national foods, and crafts.
Trip Summary
Trip Facts
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11 Days/ 10 Nights
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multi-country tour, cultural immersion, site visits and nature walks
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sightseeing, hands on experience, nature walks, scenic drive, wine/beer tasting and cuisine experience
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private vehicle (van/minibus)
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National Deaf Guide and local guides with some who are Deaf
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ASL, International Sign and English
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easy - walking on concrete, cobblestones, dirt paths, boardwalks, some climbing stairs & hills, standing, long drives
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Deaf World Adventures
In this tour you will make your way through both national parks and historical cities and towns, taking in the old town districts, Gothic cathedrals, and natural scenery.
You discover the region’s heritage, medieval roots, Baltic folklore and traditions, Eastern Europe and Scandinavian cultural influence and architecture, political history, and many war monuments of their bloody fights for independence against the Germans, Poles, and Soviets. You will be amazed at how the three tiny countries so close to each other have managed cultural and linguistic diversity
Travel the three countries in a private vehicle with a national driver’s guide. Drive through the natural scenery, passing crumbling castles on some hills, and agricultural regions to small towns. Along the way, you stop to see some history and special landmarks. Enjoy a leisure walk in thick forest natural parks with magical streams and lakes. And Spent overnight at the three antique capitals, Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. These old towns are lively with restaurants, museums, art galleries, specialty shops, and bar scenes.
And last take a ferry crossing the Gulf of Finland which is a part of the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, Finland for some more historical and cultural sightseeing. Did you know that Finland was a part of the Baltic States after World War? In 1955 Finland changed to the Nordic council with four other countries, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.
Arrive at Vilnius Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel. Join in a welcome meeting with a complimentary drink.
Overnight in Vilnius. Hotel: Railway Apartment & Hotel – 2 nights
Railway Apartment & Hotel (2 nights)
Your most romantic industrial sleep on the rails! Track’s romance, traveling mood, changing stories, endless goodbyes, and greetings. We are located on the last, 5th floor, so everyone will enjoy the unique panoramas of Vilnius.
Apartments are located just 50 meters away from the main transportation hub: bus and train stations, buses and trolleybuses and Vilnius airport are just 10 minutes with a train / 7 minutes with a taxi. The Old Town of Vilnius is around 10 minutes walking.
We have 47 rooms, 157 sleeping places. Choose from double and twin rooms to a big 8 person apartment. All rooms are equipped with a satellite TV, a mini-fridge, coffee/tea making facilities, a table for work, private spacious bathrooms. Bigger studio rooms have a microwave and sofa. You can order delicious breakfasts which we deliver to your room at an agreed time!
(information from Railway Apartments & Hotel website)
After breakfast, you go on a walking tour of old town Vilnius. The town has 1,200 preserved medieval buildings and 48 old churches. In the afternoon your guide will take you to Hales market, the oldest food market in Vilnius. There you will see a variety of fresh produce, dairy products, and other delicacies. You have an opportunity to meet local food farmers and producers, and also taste the best of Lithuanian handcrafted cheese, rustic meat products, bagels, and juices. Your evening is free or you may sign up for the the optional activities (see below).
Optional Activities
Beer Tasting – Try some of the best local Lithuania beer (sign up, extra fee)
Fine Dining – Experience a 6-course Lithuanian dinner at the Historic Lithuanian Cuisine, restaurant (sign up, extra fee)
After breakfast, you drive to Trakai, a historic and picturesque place with a castle on an island in the middle of the lake. The site is a popular day trip with locals. You will go around the castle and the lake with beautiful views. You take lunch in the area or you may sign up for an optional lunch of kibinani, a local specialty.
After Trakai, drive to the countryside, pick up keys for your cabin. The evening is free. The sun doesn’t set until late around 9 pm. You may take a leisure walk, exploring the nature around you, or stay cozy inside your cabin. A warm local dinner is included this evening.
Optional Lunch
Try the special Karaim dish, Kinbinai. The dish is typical for Trakai town because it’s home to the oldest ethnic group of Karaims living today in Lithuania. (sign up, extra fee)
Overnight in Trakai Countryside. Lodge: Dabintos Slenis Homestead
Dabintos Slenis Homestead (1 night)
Dabintos Slėnis is a beautiful set of cottages situated in a unique natural setting on the shore of „Dabinčius“ lake, surrounded by rivers and authentic oak forests dating back centuries. Cottages are newly fitted, however, they design and built with respect to ancient Lithuanian traditions, using local logs of wood. Every guest should feel at home with cozy and comfortable accommodation with no lack of modern amenities. Dabintos Slėnis is a great choice for a getaway with your family or friends, special family occasions, birthdays, and even marriage celebrations. We have plenty to offer to all! You can simply enjoy the peace and beauty of the surrounding nature, sunbathe on a terrace, have a swim in clear lake water, or if it is chilly – take a rowboat instead – you can even fish! We also offer stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and have modern tennis and volleyball courts on site. If water activities are not quite for you, we advise taking a walk through ancient Oak Park where you can enjoy the beautiful sights, clean air, and maybe even get your eye on a few wild animals. After energizing day, we advise to wind down in a sauna or outside a Jacuzzi overlooking the lake. (information from Dabintos Selnis website)
After you check out your lodge, and drive out to see the most precious and admired stip of land known as the Curonian spit. The place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prepare for picturesque sand dunes, forests, small fishing villages, woodland colonies as we drive through the narrow peninsula with stops at various interesting places.
At Juodkrante you stop for the Hill of Witches, a fascinating place with folk traditions. You exchange greetings with the cormorants who have settled a colony in the forest. And you take a little hike uphill for a 360 degrees panoramic view of the beautiful Curonian spit.
You also stop at Nida, the best place for a leisure stroll is by the lagoon with a breathtaking panorama of the Parnidis dune.
By evening you arrive in Klaipeda, Lithuania’s only harbor city, and spend a night there.
Overnight in Klaipeda. Hotel: Memel Hotel – 1 night
Memel Hotel (1 night)
The hotel is a 3-star hotel located in the Old Town of Klaipeda. The hotel is a historic cultural heritage building from the 19 century that has been restored in 2012 and transformed into a cozy 50 room hotel. It is situated in the Old Town of Klaipeda within easy walking distance of the city‘s main tourist attractions, close to shopping, theatres, museums, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Memel Hotel offers a hot breakfast buffet, including hot and cold breakfast items, crepes and omelets, European deli meats and cheeses, fresh seasonal fruit, and pastries. They serve the traditional Lithuanian cake Shakotis at breakfast. (information from Memel Hotel website)
In the morning you drive to Riga. Along the way, you stop at Šiauliai for the Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania. The place is spectacular. The exact number of crosses is unknown, estimates have it at about 100.000.
After crossing into Latvia, you enter the Pilsrundāle, the city with magnificent Rundale Palace. The palace was the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. You go on a guided tour of the palace.
Following the tour, hit the road again for a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to Riga. The evening in the city is at your leisure.
Overnight in Riga. Hotel: ibis Riga Center or similar – 2 nights
ibis Riga Center (2 nights)
The ibis Riga Centre is a vibrant hotel that has recently been refurbished into one of the outstanding midscale hotels in the center of Riga, 90 meters from Central Station.
A hotel before ibis used to be here. It was always a hotel. The building was built in the year 1895 by Karl Johan Felsko. The inspiring design of our rooms, the modern Book Lounge, and the charming round-the-clock light meal restaurant represent the new concept of the ibis brand.
Riga’s old town, Freedom monument is within a 500 m radius. You’re right inside the town.
(information from ibis Riga Center website)
After breakfast, you go on a walking tour to the old section of town. Riga was a German settlement in the 2nd century. Bishop Albert also from Germany founded the city in 1201. Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles.
In the afternoon, you are free to further explore the old town of Riga or join the optional tour to Jurmala and the Kemeri National Park.
In the evening, you may want to sign up for the optional dining experience of a contemporary Latvian dinner at the Forest, restaurant.
Optional Activity
See Jurmala is a vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture, and sandy beaches. And also the Kemeri National Park with spectacular bogland and undersized pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes, and the scent of wild rosemary. (sign up, extra fee)
Optional Dining
Experience a contemporary Latvian dinner at the Forest, restaurant. (Sign up, extra fee)
Breakfast then drive out of Riga about 10 minutes to the Latvian ethnographic open-air museum situated in a green forest. The place is the oldest and largest open-air museum in Europe that introduces authentic architecture and culture from all regions of Latvia.
In the afternoon you arrive in Sigulda, a small medieval town in the valley of the Gauja River. The town has breathtaking views of the valley and interesting culture and heritage. A local guide accompanies you to see the Gutman’s Ala, the largest sandstone cave in the Baltic States, and the ruins of the Turaida Castle with the Museum-Reserve. Your guide shows you accompanies and shares with you you a Latvian medieval legend about the Rose of Turaida.
Sigulda is also a gateway to majestic Gauja National Park. Latvians call the park the Switzerland of Latvia. The park is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia. It is characterized by great biological diversity, a variety of natural landforms, natural springs, and sandstone outcrops.
Overnight in Sigulda. Hotel: Hotel Sigulda – 1 night
Hotel Sigulda (1 night)
The hotel has a perfect location to travel around the lovely Latvian countryside. Hotel Sigulda is located in the heart of the city where all the most sought-after tourist destinations are within a hand’s reach –Sigulda Livonian Order Castle and Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track is only at a 10 minutes walking distance. 43 rooms can accommodate 85 guests, but conference rooms and a recreation centre with a sauna and pool can host events with up to 100 people. Hotel Sigulda offers its guests A la carte restaurant, free parking and WiFi Internet access. In the restaurant, every gourmand will enjoy a marvellous meal and professional service.
Hotel Sigulda was built in 1889 when the Riga-Petersburg railroad was created which contributed to the number of holidaymakers coming to Sigulda. Sigulda manor hotel hosted guests of the nobleman Nikolai Kropotkin (1872-1939) from Petersburg who developed Sigulda as a popular tourism destination. Initially, the hotel had 15 rooms but throughout the time the number of rooms has changed. After the reconstruction in 1998, the historic hotel building resumed its operation after several years of interruption. In 2001, the new wing of the hotel was opened with guest rooms, seminar and conference halls and a recreation centre.
(information from Hotel Silguda website)
In the morning, after breakfast, you continue your drive to the northern part of Estonia. You stop for a break at Pärnu another charming coastal town of the Baltic States.
Pärnu is a small colorful resort town with sandy beaches, shallow waters, and a promenade. The long sunny days make Pärnu an excellent place for summer vacation.
Pärnu is called the “Summer Capital” of Estonia. It was a major city harbor in the 12th century. The city is tucked into a large bay and sheltered from the Baltic Sea, that gives the region a pleasant, temperate weather and often times iceless during the winter. You have a few hours with a local guide who will show you around and talk about Pärnu that was a famous trade center during the medieval times and how it was transformed into a summer resort.
After Pärnu, you drive to Tallinn, the capitol of Estonia and check in your hotel. The evening is at your leisure.
Overnight in Tallinn. Hotel: Hestia Hotel Seaport – two nights
Hestia Hotel Seaport (2 nights)
The hotel is located right next to the D-terminal of the Port of Tallinn and is only a ten-minute walk from Tallinn’s Old Town.
The hotel has a lively reception area, a café with a sun terrace, and spacious rooms, and is the right place to stay for exploring the city.
All rooms in Seaport Hotel are decorated in colors inspired by the sea and feature environmentally-friendly cork floors. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, shower, work desk, free WiFI. All guest rooms are non-smoking and allergy-free.
(Information from Hestia Seaport Hotel Website)
Following breakfast, you start your walking tour of the old town of Tallinn. The place is a charming fairy-tale-like town with medieval defensive walls around the old city, cobblestone streets, and narrow alleys. Tallinn has a blend of medieval tranquility and love. It is a busy place in the summer with many museums, outdoor cafes, restaurants, art galleries, Estonian specialty shops, and souvenir markets. Your guide also takes you outside of the old town to see other interesting sites. The afternoon is free at leisure or you may join one of the two optional activities to the Kadriorg Park and a visit to the KUMU contemporary art museum.
Optional Activity
See the Kadriorg Park that was established by Peter the Great in 1718 with the construction of Kadriorg Palace and the elegant Flower Garden. And with a visit to the KUMU, an award-winning Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. (sign up, extra fee)
Breakfast, check-out and you catch a ferry to Helsinki which is just 2 hours away. Upon arrival, your guide transfers you to your unique hotel.
In the afternoon, you meet your guide and go on a spectacular walking tour of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. You explore the city that is truly the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture. It is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. You see the harbors and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, the Sibelius Monument, the famous Church-in-the-Rock, and other interesting sculptures and architecture. The evening is free for your leisure.
Overnight in Helsinki. Hotel: Glo Art Hotel – 1 night
Glo Art Hotel (1 night)
The impressive GLO Hotel Art is an arresting sight. Since 1903, it has been one of Helsinki’s premier cultural-historic landmarks – and an archetypical example of the breath-taking turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau style. It is more castle than building, with its majestic towers and balconies. Its imposing walls of grey granite cast an enticing aura, and the playful arch windows and statuesque doors do more to draw you in. Inside there is plenty of ornamentation to delight the eye, with stylized and boldly colorful nature motifs that fascinate at every turn.
Architecture such as this is truly one-of-a-kind, a union of the delicate European Art Nouveau tradition with its offshoot, Finland’s National Romantic style. The building tells the story of a nation rediscovering its roots and waking up its ancient shared identity.
GLO Hotel Art is one of Helsinki’s best-loved architectural gems. Designed by Karl Lindahl and Walter Thomé, the striking edifice was originally intended to serve as the leisure headquarters for the students of the nearby Polytechnical Institute.
Now, after years of living quietly, the castle on Lönnrotinkatu has been restored to its former magnificent glory. Every inch of GLO Hotel Art has been painstakingly renovated to reveal its original beauty. Standing in the building one can sense the swirl of emotion that Finland experienced in the early 20th century, as it dreamed of achieving sovereign nation status.
GLO Hotel Art is located in Helsinki’s trendy design district area, surrounded by interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants. Modern rooms in a trendy design district. This 100-year-old castle is surrounded by separate hotel buildings with 171 modern hotel rooms. Comfortable rooms can be found in four different room categories.
(information from Glo Art Hotel Website)
It’s time to say “Goodbye” and we hope to see you again in the future.
Optional transfers on request.
What is included and not included in the tour?
Included
- Transfers from/to airport, ferry, and hotel transfers
- Welcome drink on arrival
- 9-nights hotel accommodation (3-star hotels with breakfast)
- 1-night at countryside homestead with local dinner and breakfast
- Private vehicle (minivan and driver)
- Lithuanian food tasting at Hales Market in Vilnius
- Admission fees to historical and cultural sites
- Tour Guides (National and locals with Deaf or signing guide or interpreter)
- Vilnius city tax
- Curonian spit ecological tax
- Ferry ticket from Tallinn to Helsinki
Price DOES NOT include
- International Flights
- Flight Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Other meals not stated on the itinerary
- Snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, and desserts
- Optional activities, tours, luncheons, and dinners
- Concierge services
- laundry nor dry cleaning
- Internet services
- Souvenirs
- Tips/Gratuities
