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L I T H U A N I A

The country’s beauty lies in the diversity of its landscape, rolling hills and gentle plains, quietly flowing rivers and lakes. On the shores of the Baltic Sea lies Lithuania’s famous "amber coast". Called the Curonian Spit, it is a sixty-mile-long bank of sand dunes and pine trees. For centuries, amber, Lithuania’s precious harvest of the sea, has been washed onto these golden sands.

LITHUANIA AND THE AMBER COAST
Vilnius – Kaunas – Klaipeda - Vilnius
7 days / 6 nights

Day 1: Arrive Vilnius. Afternoon walking tour features St. Anne’s Church, the Gates of Dawn, University campus, the main street, Pilies Street of old town with its numerous cafe and souvenir stalls and  St. Peter and Paul’s Church.
Overnight Vilnius.
Day 2: Morning tour to Trakai to visit the magnificent 15th century Trakai Castle. Return to Vilnius with enroute stop in Kernave,, known among the locals as a Lithuanian Troy. This site is a complex ensemble of archaeological properties with forts and unfortified settlements and burial sites.
Overnight Vilnius.
Day 3: Depart for Kaunas, En route stop at the Rumsiskes Open-Air Ethnographic Museum.
Afternoon tour of Kaunas includes the Old Town, an excursion to Ciurlionis Art Gallery and Devils’ Museum.
Overnight Kaunas.
Day 4: Morning drive to Klaipeda. En route visit to the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai.
Afternoon tour of Klaipeda.
Overnight Klaipeda.
Day 5: Full-day tour in Neringa, the Spit between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea, north of Klaipeda. Visits to the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante and the majestic dunes in Nida.
Overnight Klaipeda.
Day 6: Morning drive to Palanga, 25 km from Klaipeda. Visit to the Amber Museum to learn the history of amber, "Baltic gold". Late afternoon return to Vilnius.
Overnight Vilnius.
Day 7: Transfer to airport.

INCLUDES:
• Transfers and tours by private car
• Accommodation per itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• English-speaking guide
• Admission fees

HOTEL	Economy	Standard	Superior
Double	$1690.00	$1790.00	$2010.00
Single supplement	$240.00	$320.00	$460.00

Tour cost will be adjusted at time of booking based on current exchange rates between Euro and USD.
We reserve the right to invoice participants should a currency supplement be required at final payment.  

City	Economy	Standard	Superior *
Vilnius	Panoram	Scandic Hotel Neringa	Radisson BLU Astorija
Klaipeda	Amberton	Europa Royal Klaipeda	Radisson BLU Klaipeda
Kauna	Magnus	Reval Hotel Neris	Best Western Santaka

* Superior category only:  during May-Jun 18, 2010 and Sep 06-Oct 22 tour must begin on Friday.

AREAS OF INTEREST

VILNIUS – The capital of Lithuania is built at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia Rivers surrounded by picturesque wooded hills. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical architecture stand side by side and compliment each other – churches, fortifications, secluded medieval courtyards and narrow streets are also testimony to the city’s rich history.

TRAKAI – Set on Lake Galve in a region of forests and rolling hills, this town was once the medieval capital of Lithuania. It offers some examples of exquisite old wooden architecture. One of the loveliest sights is the town park located on a peninsula. The grounds surrounding the restored Traku Castle on the peninsula make a lovely setting for a walk.

KAUNAS – Lithuania’s second-largest city is a university town and before World War II, the capital of Lithuania. Like many cities in the region Kaunas has an Old and New Town. In Old Town are the Gothic Church of St. George and the nearby 11^th century Kaunas Castle. The Town Hall is in the center of Rotuses Square, together with the Basilica of Kaunas, the largest Gothic building in Lithuania and the Church of Vytautas.

RUMSISKES COUNTRY LIFE MUSEUM – Located 80 km from Vilnius this outdoor museum offers an opportunity to see 18-19^th century rural Lithuania, its architecture, traditions and crafts.

PALANGA – Is Lithuania’s prime sea resort 25 km from Klaipeda. A tour offers a visit to the Amber Museum, a walk in the Botanical Park and a stroll along the pier.

 SIAULIAI - HILL OF CROSSES – Siauliai is the closest town to the Hill of Crosses, 12 km northeast. Many conflicting legends are associated with the early history of the hill and the original crosses are believed to have been dedicated to those who died in the 1831 rebellion against Czarist rule. Crosses have been added over the intervening years with the last-named cross, donated by Pope John Paul II commemorating his visit in 1993. The Hill has become a potent symbol of Lithuanian nationhood and deep religious faith.