Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

Tallinn Kuressaare Riga Vilnius

Baltic Gems:
July 18-29, 2012

Tallinn Kuressaare Riga Vilnius

Program Highlights
Enjoy a special cultural performance on the beautiful Estonian island of Saarema Explore Gauja National Park, with its ancient red sandstone caves and ruins of the Riga archbishops Turaida Castle Discover Latvias rich chocolate-making tradition at one of Rigas best-known shops Get a unique look inside Vilnius KGB Museum, where thousands of Lithuanians were held before being deported to Siberia Enjoy an exclusive piano concert inside the intimate Ciurlionis house museum

Study Leader
Frank Wcislo is Dean of The Ingram Commons and Associate Professor of History and European Studies. He teaches courses on modern Russia, Eurasia, and Europe. His research and writing incorporates issues of politics, identity, and culture in the pre-Revolutionary Russian Empire. His latest book, Tales of Imperial Russia: The Life and Times of Sergei Witte, 1849-1915, is a biography of one of the great statesmen of the tsarist empire and a history of the Victorian world he inhabited. He has enjoyed teaching courses with VUs Osher Senior Learning Program and traveling with Vanderbilt alumni to Russia, Eastern Europe, and the eastern Mediterranean.

Day by Day Itinerary

July 18-21 Tallinn Tallinns winding cobbled streets, red roofs and turreted fortress wall are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Discover the Old Town Hall Square, with its Gothic Town Hall, the early Pharmacy, the Great Guild Hall, 13th century St. Catherines Dominican Monastery and the House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. Visit Kadriorg Park and Palace, built by Peter the Great in 1718. Hotel Clarion Euroopa or similar (2B, L, 2D) July 22 Tallinn ferry to Saarema Island Kuressaare Take a ferry over to Saaremaa Island, inhabited for at least 5,000 years. Before it was conquered by the Teutonic Knights in 1227, notorious Estonian pirates apparently operated from the island. Today the island is famous for its bread, its beer and its windmills. It also is an up-and-coming destination for spa tourism. Check in to a select spa hotel in Kuressaare. Gerog Ots Spa Hotel or similar (B, L) July 23 Kuressaare, Saarema Island Visit Karja Church, decorated with fascinating stone carvings created in the 13th and 14th centuries. Admire the Angla Windmills, the only remaining working windmills on the island, and Kuressaare Castle, the best preserved of the medieval Baltic castles. Later, enjoy a special cultural performance. Gerog Ots Spa Hotel or similar (B, L) July 24 Kuressaare ferry to Virtsu drive to Riga Continue to Latvias charming capital, Riga, making a stop in Gauja National Park, with its ancient red sandstone caves and the ruins of the Riga archbishops Turaida Castle. Nordic Hotel Bellevue or similar (B, L) Riga July 25 UNESCO-listed Riga was first a fishing village founded by native Livonians, and today is the largest city in the Baltics. On a walking tour, pass by the Dome Cathedral, St. Peters Church, the old Guild Houses, the Three Brothers and Riga Castle. Explore the Art Nouveau district a few blocks north of the city center. Many of the imaginative and decorative buildings are designed by Mikhail Eisenstein (father of film director Sergei Eisenstein). Discover Latvias rich (literally) chocolate-making tradition at one of Rigas best-known shops, Gustavs. Nordic Hotel Bellevue or similar (B, D) July 26 Riga drive to Vilnius via Rundale & Hill of Crosses On the way to Lithuania, stop at the Castle of Rundale, designed in the early 18th century by Rastrelli, who also built St. Petersburgs Winter Palace. After entering Lithuania, stop at the Hill of Crosses, a powerful symbol of faith and perseverance. This small hill is totally hidden by a multitude of crosses planted in the ground by local believers. The evocative atmosphere of this sacred place draws thousands of believers and pilgrims each year. Artis Hotel or similar (B, L)

Saarema Island Kuressaare

Virtsu

Tallinn

ESTONIA

Baltic Sea July 27-29 Vilnius L AT V I A Wander through Riga Vilnius squares, archHill of Crosses ways and courtyards, LITHUANIA down Piles Street Vilnius with its 16th to 18th century structures, and by diminutive red brick St. Annes church, representing the pinnacle of Gothic architecture in Lithuania. Get a unique look inside Vilnius KGB Museum, where thousands of Lithuanians were held before being deported to Siberia. Venture outside of Vilnius to restored Trakai Castle, built in the style called Brick Gothic on a little island in Lake Galve. Artis Hotel or similar (3B, L, D)
M A P A R E A

Dear Vanderbilt alumni and friends: Join us as we explore the little countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, three strategic nations clustered along the northern Baltic Sea coast. The Old Towns of each of their capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with cobbled streets, handsome medieval churches and a wealth of fascinating and variegated cultural heritage. Roam these beautiful pastoral countries, admiring ancient pagan sites, red brick castles, and three different nationalities united by a love of freedom. Begin in Tallinn, Estonia, admiring its medieval Town Square and turreted city walls. Discover Kadriorg Park and Palace, built by Peter the Great in 1718. Ferry to the beautiful Estonian island of Saarema to appreciate its great beer and lovely windmills. In Riga, Latvias capital, explore the imaginative Art Nouveau district and sample chocolates at Gustavs. Explore baroque Rundale Castle, designed in the early 18th century by Rastrelli, who also built St. Petersburgs Winter Palace. Admire Vilnius diminutive red brick St. Annes church, representing the pinnacle of Gothic architecture in Lithuania. Pay your respects at the evocative Hill of Crosses and tour restored 14th century Trakai Castle. Sincerely, John Hindle, BA68, PhD81 President, Vanderbilt Alumni Association
For more information, contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at 615-3223673 or email alumni.travel@vanderbilt.edu.

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-Trust) or credit card information to The Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program, PMB 407735, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7735 or call 615322-3673. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by April 19, 2012, 90 days prior to departure. Payment of balance due by check only. Space is limited. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability. PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE WI PERMIT NO. 4053

Enclosed check, payable to MIR Corporation-Trust

The enclosed non-refundable deposit of $ _________ ($500 per person) to hold ______ place(s). Visa Mastercard American Express Discover

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Credit card number Exp date

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature of cardholder

The Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program PMB 407735 2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37240-7735

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Full name #1 (as listed in passport) Date of birth

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Full name #2 (as listed in passport) Date of birth

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing address (no PO boxes please)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone (Home) (Work) Email

I am traveling alone and prefer a single room wherever available at the single supplement rate ($795). I will share accommodations with ______________________________________________________________ I would like to share with a Non-smoker Smoker (shares are not guaranteed)

Please note preferences:

International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the tour price. Roundtrip economy class airfare from Nashville is approximately $2,100 including taxes, as of August 2011, subject to change without notice.

Please send me a recommended air itinerary and fare estimate between _________________ and Tallinn/Vilnius in: Business class Economy class

For more information, contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at 615-322-3673 or email alumni.travel@vanderbilt.edu.

Land Program Rate: $4,295

(per person land tour based on double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $795 Included: All accommodation, hotel taxes Meals per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Group arrival/departure transfers for passengers arriving/departing on scheduled start/end days All land transportation per itinerary including overland by private vehicle throughout, and one ferry for a short distance between Saarema Island and Virtsu Special cultural events and extensive sightseeing, including entrance fees Welcome and farewell receptions Services of a tour manager throughout the land program Gratuities to tour manager, guides and drivers Comprehensive pre-departure packet Not Included: Travel insurance Round trip airfare from/to your home city. Our tour operator MIR Corporation can assist with reservations. Passport and visa fees Personal items such as telephone calls, alcohol, laundry, excess baggage fees Air Arrangements: Program rates do not include international airfare. Because there are a number of flight options available, there is no group flight for this program. Information on a recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation. What to Expect: This trip is moderately active due to the substantial distances covered and the
extensive walking and stair climbing required; parts of the tour will not always be wheelchair accessible. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day (with or without the assistance of a cane) and stand for an extended period of time during walking tours and museum visits. Flexibility and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are highly recommended as delays or changes in the itinerary are likely.

Reservations and Payments: Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-Trust) or credit card information to The Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program, PMB 407735, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7735 or call 615-322-3673. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by April 19, 2012, 90 days prior to departure. Payment of balance due by check only. Space is limited. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability. Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing to the Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program and the following cancellation charges will apply: Cancellations received 91 or more days before departure, deposits paid or due in full of $500 per person; those received 61 days to 90 days before departure, 50% of land tour cost per person; those received 60 days or less before departure, no refund.
Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason at all. The Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program and our tour operator MIR Corporation reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced (i.e., cancel a tour). Our tour operator, MIR Corporation, reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from a tour at any time at his/her own expense, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interest of the health, safety, or general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant, and subject only to the requirement that the recoverable cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any. Note: Neither the Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Program nor MIR Corporation accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket in connection with this tour. It is recommended that you not purchase international flights until instructed by the tour operator.

Single Travelers: Prices are based on double occupancy; single rates are available. We make every effort to match single travelers who request a roommate. However, shared accommodations cannot be guaranteed and a single supplement rate will apply. Insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended and should be considered for your financial protection. Also important is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. Information on insurance is available and will be mailed upon receipt of your reservation. Responsibility: A detailed statement of limitations and exclusions of liability of the Vanderbilt
Alumni Travel Program and MIR Corporation for loss of property, injury, illness or death will be provided to passengers upon enrollment and is available to prospective travelers upon request. A signed release of liability/assumption of risk agreement is required for trip participation.

MIR Corporation: CST #2082306-40. WST #601-099-932. 2011 MIR Corporation, all rights reserved. Photos: Estonian Tourist Board. Jaak Kadak, Jaak Nilson MIR Corporation