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Due to the ongoing pandemic, HAT Tours, LLC – European Opera Tours has not cancelled but postponed the 2020 tours. All the rescheduled tours will be carried out in 2022. The dates of the listed tours will depend on the reopening of the venues, and the safety of travel. If you are interested in any of our listed tours, please contact us through the inquiry form to save your spot. Please check our Terms and Conditions for further details.
TALLINN, ESTONIA & RIGA, LATVIA - 2022
Tallinn, Riga
Departure: April 06, 2022 - 10 Days
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Return: April 15, 2022
In Tallinn, the beautifully restored medieval Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with distinctive cobblestone streets, boasting Gothic spires, and enchanting architecture.
Riga is famous for its Old Town and city center, in which over 800 buildings are of the Art Nouveau style of architecture. The Art Nouveau style involves intricate building facades, with carvings of flowers and mythological creatures, with ornate doorways and windows.
We have selected the centrally located hotels, TELEGRAAF, in Tallinn, and the deluxe KEMPINSKI HOTEL in Riga.
Opera Performances
April 08 – IL TROVATORE by Verdi
April 10 – THE TSAR’S BRIDE by Rimski-Korsakov
In Riga:
April – To be announced January 2022
Itinerary
Wednesday, April 06. (D)*. DEPART FOR TALLINN
Depart this evening, aboard any airline of your choice from U.S.A. to Tallinn, Estonia. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.
Thursday, April 07. (B.D). TALLINN
Upon arriving at the Tallinn airport, take a taxi to the deluxe Hotel Telegraaf, where we stay four nights. Briefing, cocktails and Gala Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Friday, April 08. (B). TALLINN
Morning sightseeing to stop by Toompea, and see the Parliament Building, enjoy fantastic views from Harju Hill, wander through Freedom Square and Town Hall Square, and discover romantic courtyards. This evening we see the opera Il Trovatore by Verdi, at the Estonian National Opera.
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is strategically located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea and is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe with distinctive cobblestone streets, boasting Gothic spires, and enchanting architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tallinn was occupied in 1219 by King Valdemar of Denmark. Then followed a period of alternating Scandinavian and Tutonic rules. Due to its strategic location, the city became a major trade hub, especially from the 14th to the 16th century, when it grew in importance as part of the Hanseatic League.
Tallinn has many European head offices of International high technology companies including Skype and Ericsson. It was selected as the home of Nato Cyber Defence Center.
Saturday, April 09. (B). TALLINN
This morning we walk through Old Town and visit Saint Nicholas church, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and Alexander Newsky Cathedral. Afternoon free.
Sunday, April 10. (B). TALLINN
Today is free to visit KUMU Art Museum, the Museum of Photography, or the Estonian Art Museum. This afternoon we will see the rarely performed opera The Tsar’s Bride by Rimski-Korsakov, at the Estonian National Opera.
Monday, April 11. (B). TALLINN - RIGA
Today drive from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia. We transfer you to the deluxe centrally located Kempinski Hotel.
RIGA the capitol of Latvia lies at the mouth of Daugava River, where it meets the Baltic sea. Riga has the largest collection of Art Nouveau houses built between 1904 to 1913. Riga is famous for its Old Town and city center, in which over 800 buildings are of the Art Nouveau style of architecture. The Art Nouveau style involves intricate building facades, with carvings of flowers and mythological creatures, with ornate doorways and windows. RIGA is a wonderful surprise to many visitors. A big city in feeling and sophistication, she has come to life again after half-a-century of Soviet domination. The moment you walk her streets, you understand why in the 1930s she was known as “The Little Paris of the North.” Perhaps the best indicator of Riga’s cultural strength is that far from old buildings being torn down to make way for high risers, they are being lovingly restored. Almost symbolically, one of the first to be brought back to its former glory, was the Opera House.
Tuesday, April 12. (B). RIGA
Morning orientation tour by bus to see how Peter the Great of Russia expanded this seaport on the Baltic and made it into the important trading center that it is today. Among the sights are Saint Peter’s Church, Riga Castle and the Dome Cathedral. Later, we will take a walking tour in the Art Nouveau quarter to see the buildings, which are now recognized as architectural monuments of national significance. We will finish the tour by visiting Art Nouveau museum. Afternoon is free. This evening or the next, we will see an opera (to be announced) at the Latvian National Opera.
Wednesday, April 13. (B,D). RIGA
This morning we will take a walking tour of the Old Town. Among the sights to see is St. Peters Church, Town Hall square, House of Blackheads, St Johns Church, Koventa Seta, Dome Cathedral and Square. Afternoon is free. This evening we have our Gala Farewell Dinner at a gourmet restaurant.
Thursday, April 14. (B). RIGA
Today is free to visit any of the museums or art galleries in the city.
Friday, April 15. (B). RIGA
Depart from the hotel to the Riga Airport for departure aboard your airline back home arriving the same afternoon. See you on another HAT TOUR.
* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)