For delegates from Japan
October 5, Wednesday
08:00 Departure from hotel to The Gauja National Park
09:00 – 12:00 Turaida and Sigulda visit
Turaida Medieval Castle. In the 20th century there were only Turaida castle partial fragment left to be seen - parts of the defensive wall and some buildings – main tower, semi rounded tower and western section . Since 1976 regular archeological excavations were carried out, followed by restoration and conservation works. Today the castle regained a part of its initial shape. Exhibitions about history of brick castle and Gauja Livs are available in the renovated buildings. The Tower viewing platforms open a bird’s eye view on the unique landscape of the Gauja valley. http://tourism.sigulda.lv/turaida-medieval-castle/
Cable Car over Gauja River
With a height of 42m you can view the Gauja valley from the cable car that connects both banks of the river with the span of 1020 m. It provides a view of castles, the bobsleigh track and the charming scenery. http://tourism.sigulda.lv/cable-car-over-gauja-river-eng/
Castle of Livonian Order in Sigulda Originally built eight centuries ago, the castle reopened it’s walls to visitors in 2012 and now encourages everyone to step back in time and enjoy the surroundings that bore witness to many historical events. http://tourism.sigulda.lv/castle-of-livonian-order-in-sigulda/
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the Latvian national cuisine restaurant Kungu Rija
15:00 Cesis visit
Cesis Medieval castle The origin of Cesis town dates back to 800 years long history. The first chronic record of Cesis is connected with The Cesis Castle, and the town was built around it. Over the centuries The Castle shared its history with the town of Cesis through battles with Russian, Polish and Swedish troops. Repeatedly built and expanded The Castle got its present architectural appearance at the beginning of the 16th century. http://tourism.cesis.lv/en/what-to-see/?object=10
16:00 Weaving workshop " Vēverīšas " Demonstration of weaving skills, with visitors active participation in this ancient craft.
Tour proceeds to Valmiera
18:00 Valmiermuiža Manor and Brewery visit Back in the Middle Ages, before brewing a great beer, one had to build a great manor first. Valmiermuiža’s origins date back to 1624. More than 130 casks of beer were sold at the local castle inn that year. Brewing traditions are well kept to produce the same excellent beer throughout the centuries! http://www.valmiermuiza.lv/en/history/1624
Tour proceeds to Liepupe
20:00 Arrival at Liepupe Manor http://www.liepupesmuiza.lv/en/manor
20:00 – 21:00 Dinner and overnight at Liepupe Manor restaurant
October 6, Thursday
Breakfast at Liepupe Manor restaurant
08:30-11:30 Departure from Liepupe Manor, Latvia. Drive to Estonia, Pärnu.
Pärnu is a historical resort seaside city with a small harbor in the Southwestern part of Estonia.
The ultimate summer holiday destination in Estonia, Pärnu attracts holidaymakers with its large sandy beach, numerous restaurants, cocktail bars, spas and a relaxed, laid-back vibe.
White sandy beaches, shallow waters, rich cultural scene and numerous cafés and restaurants – there is plenty to see and do. Pärnu is the Estonia's Summer Capital.
This medieval city has an easygoing and romantic flair to it. Being largest resort in Estonia, Pärnu is also a home to a variety of spas from large water parks to more intimate and historical bath houses.
11:30-12:00 Check in one of the best resort hotels Hedon Spa&Hotel
12:00-12:30 Hotel site inspection
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-16:00 Pärnu City sightseeing with kick bikes. Kick bikes are modern, light and wonderful means of transport for the city
16:30-19:30 Time for SPA and wellness. Experience the Estonian WoW! – Way of Wellness inspired by nature and ancient herbalists, who have refined the foundation of Estonian traditions for centuries.
20:00-22:00 Dinner at hotel’s à la carte Restaurant Raimond. Raimond's cuisine is inspired by clean Nordic flavors; the food is prepared with local produce, most of which has been grown in the surrounding area.
October 7, Friday
08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out.
09:00-10:30 Drive to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia
10.30-11.00 Check in. Luggage drop off at Hotel Palace. The four star superior Hotel Palace has during its 80 years of history earned certain status in Tallinn – its location by the main square of the city and the high quality of service have granted it the reputation of the most legendary hotel in Tallinn for several decades running
11:30-12:30 Visiting Seaplane Harbor. Seaplane Harbor accommodates one of Europe’s grandest maritime museums. The museum and the Seaplane Hangar have been recognized with a number of awards: Estonia’s Most Tourist-Friendly Museum 2012, Europa Nostra Grand Prix 2013, Special Commendation from the European Museum of the Year 2014 and, according to TripAdvisor, second most visited site in Tallinn after Old Town.
12:45-13:45 Lunch in Telliskivi Creative Hub district. Telliskivi Creative City has become the centre of Kalamaja, where Estonia’s urban gentrification stands tallest. Telliskivi's indoor shopping street sells everything from organic cosmetics to Estonian design, and the place also nurtures its own vibrant restaurant scene, with new joints popping up regularly offering quality dishes using locally sourced ingredients in inventive interiors of the restored industrial giants overlooking the majestic Tallinn Old Town.
14:00-16:30 Medieval incentive sightseeing tour in Tallinn Old Town. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is known around the world for it’s authentic Hanseatic architecture. It is also crucial that Tallinn has not been massively rebuilt or ‘improved’ in the interest of modernizing the town and sacrificing the old. In the year 1997, Tallinn Old Town became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is often referred to as the “medieval pearl of Europe”.
16.30-19:30 Free time
20:00-22:00 Dinner with the view - NOA restaurant is remarkable for its location, architecture and interior design. Naturally, you can find the best flavors here accompanied by a million dollar view of the Tallinn skyline and the sea.
October 8, Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
Departures from Tallinn according to individual schedules.
Further daytime activities are a subject to discussion individually
The organizers reserve the right to make changes in the program.
