Baltic Capitals and Jewish Heritage

Vilnius, often called the "Jerusalem of the North", has a deep and rich Jewish heritage. Before World War II, it was a major center of Jewish learning and culture, home to the famed Gaon of Vilna. Today, visitors can explore sites like the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum, the former Jewish Ghetto, and the Choral Synagogue—the only surviving synagogue in the city. The Ponary Memorial, just outside Vilnius, honors the tens of thousands of Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. These sites offer a powerful glimpse into the city's vibrant Jewish past and its enduring legacy.

We start the day with a walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO-listed space of cobblestoned streets and Baroque architecture. Pilies Street is the oldest and most vibrant in the Old Town of Vilnius. It has preserved its old and unique look, and you can see traces of old architecture everywhere: small yards, arches, arcades, original steps, and basements. Nowadays, it is also where you can find numerous cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

During the Vilnius city tour, we will also see Gediminas  Square and Tower, named after the city’s founder, Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The impressive Vilnius University ensemble was established in 1579 and represents different architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicism. The churches of St. Anne and Bernardine are a fine Lithuanian Gothic ensemble located right next to each other.  The Užupis district is a self-declared republic of artists. Gediminas Avenue is the main street of Vilnius, where most of Lithuania’s governmental and cultural institutions are concentrated. Nowadays, it is also a very popular shopping and dining street.

• Breakfast
• Narutis 5* or similar

In the morning, we drive to Paneriai Memorial (Ponar), one of the most solemn and haunting Holocaust sites in Lithuania, located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Vilnius. Hidden within a peaceful forest, this site was the location of a horrific massacre during World War II, where over 70,000 Jews—along with Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, and other victims—were murdered by Nazi forces and their Lithuanian collaborators between 1941 and 1944.

Continue to Trakai, the medieval Lithuanian capital famed for its beautiful island castle and a unique Jewish community with Turkic roots — the Karaites, a local ethnic group from Crimean peninsula which has been living here since XIV century. Visit the Karaim Ethnographic Museum and sample traditional Karaim food "kibinai".

• Breakfast
• Narutis 5* or similar
• 30 km

Kaunas is Lithuania’s second-largest city and former capital. Its Old Town is a historic district where cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and vibrant culture create one of Lithuania’s most picturesque areas. Situated at the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers, this well-preserved part of Kaunas is filled with architectural gems, lively squares, and centuries of history waiting to be explored.

Town Hall Square is a lively gathering place surrounded by colorful buildings and overlooked by the elegant Kaunas Town Hall, often called the “White Swan” due to its tall, graceful tower. Nearby is Kaunas Castle, a 14th-century fortress that once defended the city from invaders. Today, its ruins and restored towers serve as a museum and popular photo spot.

We will visit Kaunas Synagogue, with its colorful stained-glass windows and striking blue dome.

We will also visit Sugihara House, where the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara saved thousands of Jews by providing transit visas during World War II, and Slobodka, a former Jewish ghetto and home to the world-renowned Slobodka Yeshiva.

Return to Vilnius overnight.

• Breakfast
• Narutis 5* or similar
• 220 km

Today we continue our trip to Latvia. The drive from Vilnius to Riga takes about four hours and offers a scenic journey through the Baltic countryside. Along the way, travelers can stop in the charming town of Šiauliai to visit the famous Hill of Crosses, a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. As you cross into Latvia, the landscapes transition from rolling fields to dense forests before arriving in Riga, a city known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and rich history. Arrive in Riga in the evening.

• Breakfast
• Grand Poet by Seamarah 4*
• 350 km

We spend the day exploring Riga’s Old Town, Art Nouveau District, Central Market, and the Jewish heritage of Latvia.

The heart of Riga is its Old Town (Vecrīga), a maze of cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and charming squares. This UNESCO World Heritage Site reflects Riga’s long history, from its Hanseatic trading roots to its days under Swedish, Polish, and Russian rule. We start sightseeing at Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics. Continue to the Town Hall Square to see Riga’s most striking landmarks: the House of the Blackheads.

Leaving the medieval charm of the Old Town behind, a short walk brings you to Alberta Street, the heart of Riga’s Art Nouveau District and home to more than 800 Art Nouveau buildings, the reason why Riga is often called the “Art Nouveau Capital of Europe.” The facades here are unlike anything else in the city—ornate, elaborate, and filled with mythical creatures, sculpted faces, and flowing lines.

To experience Riga’s daily rhythm, we visit Riga Central Market. Housed in five former Zeppelin hangars, this market is one of the largest and oldest in Europe. Here, you will find an abundance of homegrown fresh produce, fish, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and traditional Latvian specialties.

During the tour, we will explore Riga’s Jewish history. We will visit the Riga Ghetto and Holocaust Museum, a somber tribute to victims of the Nazi occupation, and Peitav Synagogue, the last remaining synagogue in Riga. We will stroll through the Moscow District, the wartime Jewish ghetto. We will visit the Rumbula Memorial, memorializing the location where thousands of Latvian Jews were murdered in 1941.

• Breakfast
• Grand Poet by Seamarah 4*

Today we drive to Estonia's capital Tallinn. The drive from Riga to Tallinn takes around four and a half hours, offering a picturesque route along the Baltic coastline. A perfect midway stop is Pärnu, Estonia’s beloved seaside resort, known for its sandy beaches, charming Old Town, and relaxing spa culture. After a refreshing break in Pärnu, the journey continues north through scenic forests and coastal landscapes before reaching Tallinn, a city famous for its beautifully preserved medieval Old Town.

• Breakfast
• Schlössle Hotel 5*
• 370 km

Today, we will explore Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Heritage site paved with old cobblestone streets, adorned with Gothic spires, and lined with centuries-old buildings.

Town Hall Square is the central gathering place, home to the imposing Gothic-style Town Hall and the historic Raeapteek, one of Europe’s oldest continuously operating pharmacies. You will also see the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - a striking example of Russian Orthodox architecture. Toompea Castle, with its pink baroque facade, serves as the seat of Estonia’s Parliament.

For a touch of imperial elegance, the Kadriorg district features the magnificent Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great, surrounded by a vast park with fountains and gardens.

We also visit the Tallinn Synagogue, a modern synagogue for the country’s small but active Jewish community, the Jewish Community Center and hear about Estonia’s Jewish revival after the Soviet occupation, and the Klooga Memorial, dedicated to thousands of Jews who died in the labor camp.

• Breakfast
• Schlössle Hotel 5*

Free morning in Tallinn before transfer to the airport.

• Breakfast
• Private Transfer