5. Tallinn – Tartu

Tallinn – one of the largest mediaeval cities – seaports. Hanseatic city, which has preserved mediaeval cities organization structure of designations of houses and streets. Tartu – the oldest city in Baltic States, one of the Orthodoxy centres.

Itinerary of excursion:

1st day.
We depart from Riga in an early morning. Our road will go along the Vidzeme seacoast of Baltic Sea, through the oldest maritime resort villages – Vecaki, Pabazi, Saulkrasti, Ainazi and Ikla. Ikla and Ainazi are places, where developed navigation centre of Vidzeme.
At 13.00 – we arrive in Tallinn, Check-in at the hotel. The sightseeing tour of the city. Old Tallinn – it has a distinctive geographical location – it is situated on a hillock and a valley. It has an effect on the overview of the architecture. The old part of the city is located on ancient hill – Tompea. It is the Upper city, which has partly preserved fortification wall, mediaeval streets and the entrance, Dome Cathedral and other old buildings.
There are few sight squares in Upper City, from which you can view a beautiful sight of the city, which lies underneath. Lower city – the other part of the city developed at the same time as Upper City.
The fact that in mediaeval Tallinn developed two independent, parallel historical units of architecture is the most characteristic feature of this city. They meld only later, when one united populated mediaeval city was made. It is difficult to imagine Tallinn without Tall Hermann’s Tower, Fat Margarita, many gates built in middle Ages, 4km long mediaeval fortification wall, unique and diverse St.Oleviste and Niguliste Churches, wonderful Town Hall and so many other things.
Beside the Old City – the museum – under the open sky there are settled houses, which are built in the second part of the 19th century. Some of them were built right on the old mediaeval fortifications.
One of the greatest highways leads to the direction of Pirita. During the summer time there are large amount of vacationers. Pirita is and old populated place, whereof witnesses the ruins of St. Brigita monastery – the one of the most interesting places of this kind in Baltic States. There are many seamen, which come from other Scandinavian countries, who gather in Pirita.
A wonderful monument of 18th century’s architecture is Kadriorga Palace with its park. Close by is also found monument of little Mermaid – sculptor’s Adamson work of art.
After the excursion – free time. Everybody will have a possibility to walk in Tallinn freely. Sleep at the hotel.

2nd day.
Breakfast. We will continue acquaintance with Estonia. Passage to the mediaeval city Tartu. Excrusion in Tartu – a sightseeing tour in Old City. It is born in the olden times on the hill Toomemjag (Toomemagi). Ruins of the mediaeval fortification, Dome Cathedral, Tartu Observatory. Tartu today – one of the largest culture centres in Estonia. After excursion you will have a possibility to go to aqua park – AURU.
At 18.00 pm – we depart to Riga. We will be at home late in the evening.