Baltic Signature: Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn

This stunning Baroque palace and former residence of the noble Lithuanian Pacai family dates back to 1677. In its palace days, it witnessed the times of Lithuanian-Polish Commonwealth, the rule of Russian tsars and Napoleon who famously addressed the Vilnius townsfolk from the balcony in 1812.

Having undergone a complete renovation in 2018, the hotel combines the noble traditions of earlier centuries, its bon-vivant lifestyle and historical architecture with vibrant modern design. It enjoys the most sought-after location in the heart of the Old Town, its main entrance being right on Didzioji Street, an elegant street filled with high-end boutiques, restaurants and embassies. The stately facade of the property, with its famous balcony, faces the street and the key landmarks of the city are, literally, a couple of minutes away.

The hotel's public spaces and rooms are handsomely designed in a blend of deep grey walls and tufted leather finishes, surprising guests with wall portions of original bricks and barn timber and patches of ancient frescoes. This is the perfect place for couples seeking contemporary, five-star luxury in an authentic historical building.

Your tour begins in your hotel lobby, where you'll meet your private-guide and set off on foot toward the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Vilnius. With more than 1,200 medieval buildings and some 48 churches, Vilnius is a dreamscape for architecture enthusiasts. Baroque-style buildings feature most prominently in this area, though remarkable examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture are also found in the district. During your walking tour, you'll visit Vilnius Cathedral, the Lower Castle and Upper Castle (host to Gediminas Tower), St. Anne's Church (the 16th century masterpiece of Gothic architecture), the Old University (the oldest University in Eastern Europe), Pilies Street, which is the best place to find local gift and souvenir shops, as well as the Gates of Dawn, which houses a holy image of the Virgin Mary that is believed by some to have miraculous powers. After a few hours exploring wondrous Vilnius, you will be escorted back to your hotel to conclude the tour.

Enjoy a visit to Kaunas, beautifully located at the confluence of two rivers, its old town and the splendid Pazaislis Monastery. Your private tour starts at your hotel in Vilnius, when your guide picks you up for the relatively short, 90-minute, drive to Lithuania's second largest city. Set between the Neris and Nemunas rivers, Kaunas is known for its old town, which, though smaller than that of Vilnius, is thought to be in better condition. Since distances between points of interest are quite short, your itinerary can be a little more flexible. Old Town Kaunas, the medieval heart and architectural focal point of the city gathers most of the museums, churches and lively streets, with City Hall Square at its center as well as a nearby castle.

The most beautiful part of the Old Town is Vilnius Street so make sure not to walk past it. Kaunas Castle, Lithuania's oldest defensive site, has a long and rather sad history. One-third of the castle is still standing and today it is used as a museum, with interactive exhibitions showcasing its history. It is well worth exploring, though, and your guide might tell you about some of its ghosts or the 'Moaning of Bona Sforza's soldiers in the dungeons'. Talking about ghosts, the Museum of Devils is one of the unique places to visit in Kaunas because it holds a collection of over 3,000 depictions of the devil from around the world. All paintings, sculptures, carvings, masks and even soft toys come with a description of their age and origins. It is, apparently, the only devil's museum in the world.

After lunch (not included), continue the journey along Freedom Avenue, part of the New Town and considered the most famous street of Kaunas. For the best panoramic view of the city, its picturesque red roofs and the glimmering river below, plan to go up Aleksotas Hill.

Finally, your last stop today is the Pazaislis Camaldolese Monastery, a beautiful example of mature baroque architecture. Founded in 1662 for the Order of the Camaldolese Hermits, it has experienced many bitter moments in history. The monastery's church, decorated with highly polished marble, was damaged by the horses of Napoleon's army during their Russian campaign. In 1832, the monastery was, initially, closed by Russian authorities but later converted into an Orthodox church. During World War I, the Orthodox monks were forced to abandon the monastery but not before stealing many of its treasures, including the St. Mass Cup, decorated with over 400 diamonds, 300 rubies and 200 emeralds. After 1920, the now bankrupt monastery became Roman Catholic and was restored by sisters of the Lithuanian convent of St. Casimir. After World War II, the Soviet authorities converted the church and monastery into an archive, a psychiatric hospital and finally, in 1966, an art gallery. After Lithuania gained independence in 1990, the complex was returned to the nuns of the convent. Yes, history can do that to you.

After an incredibly varied day of exploration in Kaunas, it is time to return to your hotel in Vilnius. This trip is an excellent choice for families with teenage children or couples of all ages.

Following an extensive renovation project in 2018, the Hotel Grand Poet by Semarah is truly a design hotel reborn in the city's historic heart. It directly overlooks Bastion Hill Park and a walk to Riga's Old Town will take less than ten minutes. The Freedom Monument landmark is just a three-minute walk away.

The interior of the hotel is the brainchild of an award-winning Swedish design firm, creating an ambience that playfully blends bohemian with formal. Dramatic views in two different directions are available. You can look at the Freedom Monument, but we suggest that you choose the view across the park that, ultimately, reaches the panorama of Old Riga on the other side of the canal. This hotel is the perfect choice for travelers of all ages looking for quieter surroundings, but in good proximity to the Old Town.

Enjoy a private walking tour of Riga, revolving around two amazing stops, starting with your guide picking you up from your hotel. While the distances between stops are relatively short, we suggest 10am as a good time to begin your walk. Over the course of four hours you are going to experience a marketplace so extraordinary and unique that its territory was added to Riga's existing UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998. The other key visit is the Black Magic bar where you can taste Latvia's famous Black Balsam. In case you wonder, in 2018, thirty bartenders from 15 European countries participated in the Riga Black Balsam Global Cocktail Challenge, creating a little buzz for both the drink and the city. A leisurely walkabout from your hotel, invariably, leads you to the Dome Square and the gorgeous cathedral, and past many other buildings, around 500 of them, that were constructed at different times in the city's history. Romantic, Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau, you name it. Look for the House of Blackheads and a building known as Three Brothers to get the full historic flavour. Importantly, let your guide take you around some of the Old Town's fabulous, medieval alleyways. Try to spread your arms out on Rozena Street, the narrowest street in Riga, where you can easily reach and touch opposite walls. Ultimately, you'll get to the appropriately named Black Magic bar, located in an 18th century building. Entering through its beautiful wooden door is like stepping back in time. Handmade chocolates are displayed in apothecary jars on the countertop, while medicine bottles and clay jars containing the Riga Black Balsam, line the shelves. All this is dimly lit by candles, adding an air of mystique. The recipe was crafted in Riga in 1752 by a pharmacist named Abraham Kunze and its original purpose was purely medicinal. It blends 24 herbs and botanicals such as valerian, wormwood, black pepper and ginger. Roots, berries, grasses and buds are then added to vodka and aged in oak. The establishment also offers some fabulous confectionary, cakes and cookies and even a Black Mojito made with currant-flavoured Black Balsam. Your second key stop is under a quarter of an hour's walk away, still very close to the Old Town, on the banks of the River Daugava, next to the Central Railway Station. When it opened in 1930 it was considered the largest and most advanced marketplace in Europe. An average of 80,000 to 100,000 people shop here every day. You can buy Latvian-grown products, exotic fruit and spices, as well as many types of manufactured goods. The market includes five pavilions, each for different products, but there is also an outdoor area with numerous stalls, as well as a "Night Market" and a "Round the Clock Farmers Market". Honey still in honeycombs, flower dust, hemp butter, sand thorn syrup or fried lampreys, are among the many things that can be found here. Your lunch stop is usually, but not always, at "Silkites un Dillites", conveniently located between the Fish and Vegetable pavilions. Its name means 'Herring and Dill' and there are few things more Latvian than dill. Combined with Baltic Herring, a regional delicacy, you have a winning Latvian combination. Latvia has a strong fishing tradition and the bustling Fish Pavilion next door proves it. After lunch, your guide ensures your safe trip back to the hotel. This is a great excursion for families with teenagers or couples of all ages.

The Hotel Schlossle is a historical building (15th century) in 1998. Last renovation was in 2016. Exclusive boutique style hotel has restaurant for 36 persons, bar, guarded parking lot, Valet Parking service, business center, conference room for 29 persons, gym, sauna and disco lounge. Located in the Old Town.

Discover how Estonia's food, like its history, has been influenced by other cultures, leaving an indelible and, yes, quite tasty mark. What exactly is Estonian cuisine? It certainly has a Nordic twist but is often inspired by Russian and German kitchens. This private 'Tallinn Food Tour' offers you a glimpse into a surprisingly vivid culinary scene. Moreover, as you stroll around the historical cobblestone streets of Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town, you might just discover the real soul of the city through its food while your guide adds more flavours with stories about the city today and historical tidbits from yesteryear. Your three-hour walk around the Old Town and the nearby Kalamaja quarter usually includes 6-7 food and drink stops that offer an introduction to the city's traditional and modern cuisine. Please be aware that while you are not going to be left with an empty stomach, don't think of the tour menu as the equivalent of a full 3-course meal. Food samples might include a traditional soup, maybe creamy pumpkin, and open-faced spiced sprat sandwiches. The Baltic Sea is full of sprats; served on fresh baked dark-rye bread with a boiled egg and a sauce, they are delicious. Kama is one of the most iconic Estonian foods and probably not found anywhere else in the world. It is used as an ingredient to make delicious Estonian desserts; however, locals also mix kama with buttermilk and serve it as a beverage for breakfast. You might want to try Kali, a mix between beer and cola with a natural fizz, but very low alcohol content. Estonia does, of course, offer some serious drinks too: local schnapps comes in many flavours, some made with genuine Estonian berries and rye spirit. There is lots more to see as you make your way around the medieval taverns, cafés, deli-shops, a typical Estonian restaurant, or a nearby market with smaller specialty shops and food concession stands. Be sure to remember that Estonia makes fabulous chocolate and marzipan. This is a wonderful tour for couples of all ages.

Enjoy a private tour to Lahemaa National Park, approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) east of Tallinn, and home to the most beautiful manors in Estonia, unique and legendary fishing villages, as well as pristine natural landscapes. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel and you can look forward to discovering Estonia's most popular nature reserve, just about an hour's drive from the city. The fabulous and completely restored Sagadi Manor complex is one of the trip highlights, and from here, a very short drive takes you to Vihula Manor, which highlights 800 years of history and in an expansive woodland park. It's home to migrating cranes and magnificently restored historical buildings, and you might just want to come back and overnight here. The fishing village of Altja dates back to 1465 and has many restored or reconstructed traditional buildings, including a wonderfully ancient-looking tavern. Lunch is optional but the tavern is definitely a great choice to sit down and reflect on the trip thus far. Among the truly pristine scenery in the area are the enchanting Oandu Forest, the incredibly unique wetlands of Viru Bog, as well as ancient coastal landscapes when you reach the village of Kasmu, located on a peninsula by the same name. It is one of most beautiful seaside villages in Estonia and, time permitting, you can follow a short part of the Kasmu trail from the end of the village, allowing you to emerge from a beautiful old forest onto the beach. The Vana-Juri kivid, huge boulders also known as the "erratic stones", add a lovely touch of mystery. This is a private excursion to provide many wonderful memories and is a great choice for active travelers of all ages.