Join us on our exciting Baltic Amber Tour and discover how this ancient gem has influenced the traditions, history, and cities of Lithuania. This combination tour includes workshops, visits to scenic UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a trip to the seaside resorts of Kuldiga and Jurmala in Latvia!
Experience the fascinating traditions and history that surround the world of amber, known as "Lithuanian Gold". Join our knowledgeable guides as they take you along the Baltic Amber Route. You’ll start your tour in Lithuania’s historic capital of Vilnius and end in the seaside resort towns of Latvia. We meet in Vilnius, where you’ll be led on a walking tour of the old city and treated to an informative amber tasting. Next, it's off to the seaside where resident experts will help us dive into the ancient art of amber catching and processing. Participating in our fun hands-on workshops, you will learn all about the work that goes into turning the resin into gold. During this exciting trip to the Baltic Coast, the group will enjoy some fun cultural visits to the iconic attractions of the Great Amber Museum and the Great Amber Concert Hall. Our journey is capped off by city tours of the famous seaside towns of Kuldiga and Jurmala!
Our multi-day excursion begins in the historic capital city center of Vilnius, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Led by our knowledgeable tour guides, you will visit the famous landmarks of Vilnius Old Town, while learning interesting facts about the area. Some noteworthy stops of your walking tour include the Presidential Palace, Cathedral Square, and Vilnius University, in addition to some gorgeous baroque and gothic churches. Following the city center, we will make our way to the colorful district of Užupis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known for its artsy aesthetic and fascinating history. While it may appear to be just another neighborhood, the local community of Užupis declared itself to be an independent republic back in 1998. Today it is referred to as the Republic of Užupis and even has its own president, constitution, and cabinet of ministers. Home to around 1,000 artists, this is the perfect location to buy handcrafted souvenirs.
Following your walking tour, we will have our first amber experience of the day – an amber tasting. Indulge your senses and sample amber tea, cheeses, cookies, and other sweets, as well as sniffing amber incense. Your guide will give you a history lesson during the tasting and you’ll learn some cool facts. What a way to end your first day!
Overnight in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Day Highlights
Included
On the second day of your tour, it’s off to the Baltic Sea. In the morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you’ll head to Klaipeda. This scenic seaside city is the third city in Lithuania and has the country’s only seaport. Here we wi...)
On the second day of your tour, it’s off to the Baltic Sea. In the morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you’ll head to Klaipeda. This scenic seaside city is the third city in Lithuania and has the country’s only seaport. Here we will meet with a professional amber hunter, who will teach you about the origin and properties of amber as well as show you their personal gem collection. Next, it’s out to the sea to learn the ins and outs of catching, picking, and gathering. The adventurous bunch in the group can even try their hand at scooping up some Lithuanian gold with a net among the waves.
The evening will be spent in Klaipeda where you can take the opportunity to walk the historic streets of the city’s old town. The center is unique from other old towns in Lithuania due to the German and Scandinavian architecture. Some of the main attractions and historic buildings date all the way back to the 13th century!
Overnight in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
As we head down the Curonian Spit Peninsula, prepare to be greeted by picturesque sand dunes, vast pine forests, and charming resort towns. Stretching 98 kilometres (61 miles) into the sea, the sandy peninsula and its one-of-a-kind landscape have man...)
As we head down the Curonian Spit Peninsula, prepare to be greeted by picturesque sand dunes, vast pine forests, and charming resort towns. Stretching 98 kilometres (61 miles) into the sea, the sandy peninsula and its one-of-a-kind landscape have managed to survive the waves and wind since prehistoric times. During our visit we will walk along the sand dunes that decorate the beach. Some of them tower as high as 60 meters (197 feet), making them the largest drifting sand dunes in Europe. These unique natural features, combined with the cultural significance, earned the peninsula a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list in the year 2000.
There are only four main villages on the Curonian Spit Peninsula – Nida, Pervalka, Juodkrantė, and Preila – which are collectively known as Neringa. Today we will be visiting the resort town of Nida, a popular summer destination for tourists. Here we will stroll alongside the lagoon and witness the breathtaking views from Parnidis dune. Make sure you bring a camera. While in town we will attend a workshop on amber processing, using antique tools, and learn history on the mystical beliefs held about amber by ancient Lithuanians. Baltic tribes worked with amber as early as 2000-1800 BCE to create tools and jewelry and believed the resin had protective properties. During this workshop you will get the chance to make your own amulet!
Overnight in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
In the morning we head to the last Lithuanian city of our Baltic Route: Palanga. The biggest seaside resort town on the coast it is extremely popular with summer tourists and features restaurants, bars, games, souvenir shops, and more along its board...)
In the morning we head to the last Lithuanian city of our Baltic Route: Palanga. The biggest seaside resort town on the coast it is extremely popular with summer tourists and features restaurants, bars, games, souvenir shops, and more along its boardwalk. One of the town’s main attractions, today we will visit the Amber Museum, founded by the Lithuanian Museum of Art in 1963. The impressive exhibit holds one of the largest amber collections in the world, with about 30 displays in total, and is one of the most visited museums in the country. Housed in the magnificent Tiškevičius Palace, the former estate of Count Feliksas Tiškevičius, the grand building is surrounded by the Palanga Botanical Gardens. After the exhibit we will give you time to admire the flora and fauna of the scenic grounds.
Liepaja is the first city on the Latvian leg of our tour. The historic seaside town is a popular location for locals to catch some sun and features lovely parks and gardens. One of Liepaja’s newest landmarks, we will visit the Great Amber Concert Hall. Designed by architect Volker Giencke, the cone-shaped building was inspired by the Baltic gemstone and appears to glow in the sunlight. The impressive hall has received numerous prestigious awards for its architecture and acoustics.
Overnight in Liepaja, Latvia.
Our Latvian experience continues in the town of Kuldiga. Nicknamed “the Venice of the North," this medieval town features stately brick bridges, historic buildings, picturesque churches, and restored timber houses. Historic attractions we’ll visit in...)
Our Latvian experience continues in the town of Kuldiga. Nicknamed “the Venice of the North," this medieval town features stately brick bridges, historic buildings, picturesque churches, and restored timber houses. Historic attractions we’ll visit include St Catherine's Church, originally built in 1252 featuring baroque wood carvings; the old brick bridge across Venta River, built in 1874 and the longest of its kind in Europe; and the Central Library of Kuldiga, built in 1875 and once a Jewish synagogue until World War II. Overflowing with history, the city is a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage list. During our walk, enjoy the rustic atmosphere and the beautiful views as we walk by the Venta River, where you can marvel at Venta Rapid (Ventas Rumba) – the widest waterfall in Europe at 249 meters (817 feet).
Following our city tour, we will make our way to the seaside city of Jurmala. The oldest resort town on the Baltic coast, it actually consists of around 14 smaller resorts. Founded back in 1920, the area earned a reputation as a spa destination, which it holds to this day. Jurmala’s 33 km (21 mi) long beach features pristine white sand and shallow coastal waters. In the city center, we will pass charming houses and modern spa buildings. In the evening you will be transported to Riga, the capital of Latvia, where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Riga, Latvia.
