This full-day tour starts at 09.00 AM when you’re picked up at your centrally located Vilnius Hotel. After about an hour’s drive you’ll reach the Ukmergė District, stopping at a park established to remember those who fought against the Soviet regime. You’ll see crosses dedicated to the partisans, to the most important dates of Lithuanian history and to famous individuals, such as Pope John Paul II and US President Ronald Reagan. Learn about the symbolism of the cross in Lithuanian culture and history. Continue to the Siauliai area, where you’ll visit the Hill of Crosses, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Lithuania. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant and taste traditional Lithuanian dishes. After lunch you’ll head back to Vilnius arriving at around 5:00-6:00 PM.

Starting from any location in Siauliai, you will be collected and driven to the famous Hill of Crosses. Explore this striking religious site and see more than 200,000 crosses, crucifixes, statues of the Virgin Mary, tiny effigies, rosaries and carvings of Lithuanian patriots that have been brought to the hill by Catholic pilgrims.  Enjoy a small group experience and the knowledge of your local, English-speaking guide.

During this private day tour you will be able to explore the most interesting sites, which Pope John Paul II visited. Pope John Paul II was the first Roman pontiff who visited Lithuania in September 1993. His pontificate is related with Lithuanian religious and national revival, and the re-establishment of the Lithuanian Republic in 1990. In the very beginning of his pontificate, John Paul II spontaneously pronounced his famous phrase: “Half of my heart is in Lithuania”.  The tour will include two sites which were visited by the Pope: Siluva Shrine of Our Lady and Hill of the Crosses, and one extra site of the beautiful monastery of Tytuvenai. The tour starts from Vilnius and heads to Siluva. Since the beginning of the 16th century, Siluva has been famous for the indulgenced Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Siluva is famous for the first widely known apparition of the Mother of God in Europe. Today Siluva is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Lithuania with its ancient tradition of the indulgenced Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   Next stop will be Tytuvenai monastery. Tytuvėnai’s Church of Our Lady of the Angels and Bernardine monastery complex are among Lithuania’s largest and most significant specimens of 17th and 18th century sacred architecture, reflecting as they do a multi-layered harmony of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles. The last stop of the tour is the Hill of Crosses. The Hill of Crosses has about 100,000 crosses, it is a historical architectural monument and a unique composition of folk art. The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania left a deep impression on Pope John Paul II. After the tour, head back to Vilnius.

Explore the palace’s Baroque and Rococo architecture, stroll around the Versailles-inspired gardens, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), then visit the fairy-tale fortress of Bauska Castle. RUNDALE PALACE Arriving at Rundale Palace is a true “wow” moment as you may not expect to see such an 18th century gem in the Latvian countryside. The grounds of Rundāle Palace ensemble amount to 85 hectares including the palace and the stables, French baroque garden, the former hunting park, orchards, the pond and canals, the foundation of the old 16th century Grotthuss’ castle, the 18th century tavern and the former servants’ house, the orangery and greenhouses, car parks… Rose garden The bosquets feature an impressive, almost one hectare large, rose garden that spreads on both sides of the parterres. The garden reflects the history of cultivating roses in Europe from the early 18th century till these days. BAUSKA CASTLE Bauska Castle is the only castle in Latvia illustrating the expressions of renaissance and mannerism architecture and decorative arts in the Duchy of Courland HILL OF CROSSES(LT) Myth surrounds this unusual site of pilgrimage with no confirmed version of its story. For years, even centuries, visitors have placed crosses here, each for their own reason. The hill has been reborn numerous times after attempts to destroy it under Soviet rule.

The journey will start with a pick-up from your centrally located hotel. Then, drive to the pilgrim shrine of Siluva town, where The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared four centuries ago.  Here, visit the Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one the finest examples of late Baroque architecture in Lithuania and famous by miraculous altar painting. Another sightseeing spot - The Chapel of Apparition marks the exact place of the apparition – its altar is constructed upon the same rock where, according to tradition, the Marian apparition took place. Then the trip continues to Tytuvėnai’s Church of Our Lady of the Angels and the Bernardine monastery complex, which is one of Lithuania’s largest and most important religious architecture ensembles from the 17th and 18th-centuries. The ensemble consists of a church, a courtyard with the Holy Steps Chapel, and the stone wall of a two-story monastery. The main altar of the church features a famous and beautiful painting of the Mother of God and her Child. Last but definitely not the least stop is at The Hill of Crosses -  a mysterious and authentic monument to the suffering, endurance and love of Lithuanians for their freedom, both political and spiritual. After this, the tour ends and you will return to Vilnius.

Vilnius,Lithuania’s capital,is a beautiful city worth exploring.Its historical value as a Unesco World Heritage Site means that there is street after The distance between these two charming Baltic capitals can be covered in half a day, but taking enjoyable stops turns this drive into a wonderful day of new discoveries. Hill of Crosses is one of the most unique sites of prayer. This ever expanding collection of countless crosses is an idyllic place for remembering loved ones and getting in touch with ones inner thoughts before ending our day trip in Vilnius.