Historically, all three Baltic cultures depended mainly on agriculture and fishing. Music and song play an important role in the lives of the Baltic people. Nationwide song festivals are organized regularly and young and old in tens of thousands join to celebrate their heritage and culture.

Highlights

◊ Grutas KGB Park – near Vilnius

◊ Jewish history and Jewish Museum in Vilnius

◊ Jewish tour in Kaunas

◊ Hill of Crosses in Shauliya

◊ Rundale Palace – the “pearl of Latvia”

◊ Riga Opera & Ballet Theater show

◊ Kuressaare Spa Resort in Estonia

We recommend: 6 nights trip: 2 nights in Vilnius, 2 nights in Riga, 2 nights in Tallinn. We recommend to stay 10 nights if you would like to stay at SPA hotels.

About the tour: This tour we would recommend for small groups of four travelers plus, when it makes sense to share transportation with a private van driver and have all special visits and concerts prearranged for you.

The three Baltic countries are unique. Until recent times, political developments affected the countries differently, especially in the area of religion. By the 14th century, German crusaders conquered Estonia and Latvia, and as a result the two countries are primarily Lutheran. But in Lithuania, in the 13th century, through a royal marriage arrangement with Poland, the population was converted to Roman Catholicism. It was the last country in Europe to abandon paganism. During the Soviet occupation religious expression was banned, and churches were often closed or turned into galleries, museums, or even warehouses. Today, many churches have been restored as houses of worship. The Baltics offer a rich Jewish history for those who are interested in it; side trips to Klaipeda and Kaunas are advised.