03-13-2009, 07:24 PM
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 Lithuanian economy tour 9 days Depart from the US on Finnair or SAS for overnight flight to Vilnius. Day 2 Vilnius - Kaunas On arrving in Vilnius, Lithuania's Capital, drive to Kaunas, located 60 miles west of Vilnius. Day 3 Kaunas-Rumsiskes-Kaunas After breakfast, begin your tour of this marvelous old city which served as Lithuania's capital between the two world wars, spending most of our time in the Old Town. While there, visit the Devils Museum (probably the only one of its kind in the world); the 13th-century Kaunas Castle; the lovely Town Hall, known locally as the White Swan; and the 14th-century Church of Vytautas, the principal church of Kaunas. Then to the Open Air Museum in Rumsiskes (22 km from Kaunas). 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. Return to Kaunas. (B) Day 4 Kaunas - Palanga On this day you will be transferred to Palanga. Palanga is a year-round health resort, but is famed more for what happens during the short summer period between the beginning of June and September. During this time, the population ballooned from a regular 20,000, to 100,000 or more, especially during the weekends. A hotbed of hot people, sunbathers and all-night party animals, Palanga is the number one Lithuanian hedonist institution. In the early afternoon, your tour of Palanga will begin. Visit the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, where over 25,000 pieces of amber and 15,000 inclusions of insects are on display. (B) Day 5 Palanga - Klaipeda - Nida - Palanga After breakfast, depart for excursion to Nida. On the way, there will be a brief tour of Klaipeda. Departure from Klaipeda by ferry to the Kuronian Peninsula. Upon arrival, you will visit Juodkrante for a walk on the Hill of Witches, which is full of the wood carvings of folk artists, many of them are characters from Lithuanian fairy tales. Continue to Nida and visit a small Amber Gallery, where it is possible not only to admire nice pieces of amber, but buy souvenirs as well. You will also visit a typical Fisherman's House, the summer house of Thomas Mann, the Nobel Prize-winning German author, and walk on impressive sand dunes, some up to 60 meters high. return to Palanga. Overnight at hotel in Palanga. (B) Day 6 Palanga-Siauliai-Siluva-Vilnius After breakfast, depart for Vilnius with stop at the Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, 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, Pope John Paul concelebrated Mass here. Lunch at local restaurant. Further driving to Siluva - one of the main holy sites of Lithuania. Arrive Vilnius in the evening. (B)(L) Day 7 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 St. John's Church, Town Hall Square, the TV tower, the KGB Museum and Vilnius University — one of the oldest universities in eastern Europe (founded 1579). 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. (B) Day 8 Vilnius-Trakai-Vilnius A half day tour to the lovely Trakai Castle, completed in the 14th century and built on an island amid lakes and forests. (B) Day 9 Vilnius - USA Transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B) LITHUANIAN ECONOMY TOUR Tour Price Includes
From New York* Per person, Double Occupancy
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