Beyond the Expected: Revealing Europe’s Culturally Rich Baltic States
~ Brendan Vacations Facilitates New Discoveries with Gems of Northeastern Europe ~
Brendan Vacations wants to expose travelers to a Europe that delivers a “beyond the expected” journey. While many Americans have enjoyed truly magnificent sights such as the Eiffel Tower, London Bridge and the Roman Coliseum, treasures revered by people the world over, just beyond the famous capitals of Paris, London and Rome are emerging cultural experiences highly engaging in their own right.
In this edition, we highlight the Western Coast of the former Soviet Union - the beautiful and culturally diverse countries that make up the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Having gained their independence in 1991, these are now some of the more prosperous regions of the former Communist states. “The history and culture of the Baltic states is just tremendous,” commented one recent Brendan traveler. “I just couldn’t get over how fabulous the countries were, with so much variety and things to see! From the cobblestone streets to the fascinating museums to the stunning castles, we were entranced from beginning to end. And we cannot imagine having done it without a Brendan host there to help us in every aspect of our adventure. ”
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is one of Europe’s most captivating cities. The Historic Centre, or Old Town, is considered a medieval jewel of Estonia, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th Century, when a castle was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order. The options for sightseeing and the cultural adventures are endless in this timeless yet modern city - you can even see Lady Gaga in concert should you choose to go in August, or attend the International New Music Festival in October.
Riga, the remarkable capital of Latvia, is famous for both its medieval architecture and extravagant Art Nouveau buildings - regarded as some of the finest in Europe. You can visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum; the bustling Markets; the infamous Cat House, named for two black felines perched on the points of its towers; the Freedom Monument, and so much more. The marvelous Riga Cathedral - the largest place of worship in the Baltic’s - has one of the largest organs in Europe (6,768 pipes) and is so impressive Franz Liszt composed a piece for its dedication in 1884.
Vilnius, the beautiful capital of Lithuania, is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, Baroque churches, interesting museums, beautiful parks, and outdoor markets. Explore Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and be fascinated by its eclectic jumble of Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and classical architecture. Although most people come to Vilnius to visit this remarkable area, there are so many other things to see: the extraordinary cemeteries; towering churches and monasteries; the beautiful Vilnia River; and the Centre of Tolerance, commemorating seven centuries of Jewish culture in Vilnius and the approximately 100,000 lives lost during the Holocaust.
Brendan Vacations, a leader in independent and guided vacations, offers fantastic insight into Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, the capital cities of these historic and unique destinations. With Brendan’s unsurpassed 7, 9 or 10 day Locally Hosted Vacation itinerary Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius, travelers have the flexibility to choose their preferred class of hotels in each city and will then explore the destinations at their own pace with the assistance of a local, English-speaking Local Host to suggest itineraries, cultural and gastronomic visits, among other activities. Whether it is magnificent medieval architecture or modern museums, travelers can create their ideal itinerary with their free time, or choose a full day Hop-On Hop-Off tour in Tallinn and Riga; in Vilnius a private sightseeing adventure is facilitated by a local guide.
For more information on Brendan’s Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius Locally Hosted itinerary and other great vacation options to this destination, please go to www.BrendanVacations.com or call Brendan Vacations at 1 (800) 421-8446 for more details.
Arnelle Kendall
Vice President of Public Relations
The Travel Corporation USA
110 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 325
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Telephone: (561) 330-0850
Email: arnelle.kendall@travcorpusa.com
About Brendan Vacations
Brendan Vacations, the Ireland Specialist, is a leading US tour operator offering a wide selection of Guided, Customized, Locally Hosted Vacations and Group travel options. Established in 1969, its portfolio includes thousands of hotels and unique accommodations, as well as uniquely-inspired customized travel options in Ireland and immersive Guided Vacation experiences in the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe & the Balkans, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, South and Central America. With high quality products, friendly service and competitive pricing, Brendan Vacations offers memorable experiences for every client. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company is a respected brand of The Travel Corporation. Brendan has made Ireland its second home for over 40 years, and a Dublin office contracts product and manages inbound traffic for cruise lines, incentive houses, meeting planners and tour operators. Brendan Vacations is a founding member of USTOA and other professional affiliations include ASTA, PATA, OSSN and NTA. CST#2084503-20.
