As part of our on-going commitment to our clients to explore and introduce new regions and possibilities for groups, this month we are featuring the Baltic states.

Nestled between Russia and Poland, and on the opposite side of the Baltic Sea as Finland and Sweden, the Baltics have always played an interesting and often stormy role in history. We were pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the people, the modern facilities and the relaxing ambiance. We must admit to being spellbound by the beautiful sights in Riga & Tallinn! Both cities have a huge amount to offer the traveller, and are very welcoming to visitors.

You will be charmed by Riga's cobbled streets, its pedestrian-friendly squares filled with outdoor cafes and restaurants, glorious churches, and the remarkable Art Nouveau district which has the greatest concentration of stunningly restored Art Nouveau buildings in the world.

The medieval port city of Tallinn is another gem of the Baltics. Partly surrounded by its ancient city walls & towers, you'll be fascinated by its winding streets, centuries old buildings and squares. In spite of its historic charm, you'll be surprised by its modern new town with its gleaming shops, modern hotels and variety of international restaurants and cafes on every corner. English is widely spoken in both cities and as the old towns are very compact, you will find it easy to get around without getting lost or having to battle with traffic. We were also impressed by the effort which was made in Tallinn to provide detailed information in English on signs on many historic buildings, which makes exploring all the more enjoyable.

Hotel accommodation is of a high standard, with lower prices than in Western Europe, giving you excellent value for money. Also, your money will go further when shopping or eating out on your own.

Another additional bonus is that in both Latvia & Estonia, wi-fi is almost always available and free of charge in all hotels!

Those of you who look after performing groups will be pleased to know that they are received very warmly, as music and song is embedded in the history of these countries. Latvia in fact calls itself "The Land of Singing"! There is a great variety of venues such as historic guild halls, churches, museums and society houses which would be ideal for choirs or orchestras in both cities and where an appreciative audience awaits. There are also many possibilities for joint concerts with local choirs.

Latvia & Estonia can also be easily combined with other destinations in the area — Baroque style Vilnius in Lithuania is only a half day's drive away from Riga, Tallinn is a short ferry ride from Helsinki in Finland which is a train ride from fascinating St Petersburg. Therefore, these areas can also be combined with Poland or Norway, or Sweden and Denmark, so there is a great variety of itineraries which can be tailor made for any group with either a general or special interest.

We look forward to introducing your groups to The Baltics.

Travelink still has space available in 2010 for ~
Scandinavia Tour - September 2010, Escorted by Ed Seabough, Senior Vice President of our Group Division
The Passion Play + Italy Tour, escorted by Chuck Bridwell
The Passion Play + Danube River Cruise with Houghton College
The Baptist World Alliance Congress in Honolulu
Many who are participating in the 2010 International Church Music Festival in Coventry are making their way across the Atlantic on the majestic Queen Mary 2 – what a way to travel!

Travelink is able to customize a tour for your group - based on your special interest - to any destination in the world

Now is the time for you to begin planning your next group trip and we’d be pleased to work hand-in-hand with you to help organize it.  We look forward to partnering with you in 2010 – do let us know how we can be of service to you!

Love Never Dies . . . The long awaited sequel to Phantom of the Opera opened in London on March 9th. The new Andrew Lloyd Webber production continues the story of ‘The Phantom’, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic.‘Phantom’ has been seen by over 100 million people across the world. Initially, the sequel can only be seen in London, before opening in Broadway at the end of 2010. This will be the ‘must-see’ theatre event of 2010, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Private viewing of the Crown Jewels . . . Make your groups feel special by suggesting a private viewing of the British Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Available in the morning and in the evening, before and after the crowds, your group will be accompanied by a Jewel House Warder as their guide as they view this magnificent collection, including the famous Koh-i-noor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world. The Koh-i-noor was first mentioned in 1306, and later belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers. It became part of The Crown Jewels of Britain at the time of Queen Victoria.

When in Bath . . . Encourage your groups to visit Bath Abbey, where they can climb the 212 steps of the tower for unique views of the city of Bath, sit inside the clock, stand alongside the Abbey bells, and walk on the hidden side of the famous fan vault. Less energetic groups may wish to visit the little-known American Museum in Bath. Situated in a glorious Georgian manor house surrounded by stunning scenery, this museum is home to the finest collection of Americana outside the US, where visitors will find out about the Founding Fathers, the pioneers’ West, native Americans, Slavery and the Civil War.

Stonehenge – Private Viewing at Sunrise. Built nearly 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge is the most popular prehistoric monument in the world. Most visitors to the site are not allowed direct access to the stones. However, with forward planning, we can arrange that access for your groups. Your group will get a private viewing of the mysterious monoliths, and will be able to enter the stone circle itself, and stand beside the mighty Sarsen rocks towering above. They will have time to enjoy the peace, away from the crowds, and watch the sunrise and experience Stonehenge at its most mystical and atmospheric best. Not to be missed! Why not ask for a copy of our ‘Stonehenge; facts & legends’ itinerary?

Backstage Tours – London offers some of the best backstage theatre tours:

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Discover the history of one of London’s oldest theatres, brought to life by two costumed actors. The knowledgeable guides lead you through the front-of-house and backstage areas, as well as underneath the stage, to see the impressive hydraulics system.  
Royal Opera House – One of the world’s leading theatres opens its doors as it prepares for the evening performance. The Backstage Tours include an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House, and a look at aspects of current productions. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation.
National Theatre – Go behind the scenes in a building which houses three theatres and produces 18 shows per year. Fascinating historical details and ingenious tricks of the trade are revealed as experienced, entertaining guides brimming with anecdotes and information lead the backstage tours through the National’s three auditoriums and backstage areas. Production workshops and paintframe (which are unique amongst London theatres) where sets and props are built and decorated, are also visited.
Royal Albert Hall - Engaging guides take groups on a personal journey through this iconic building, bringing to life the Hall’s fascinating history and sharing some of its secrets. It is likely that those on the tour will see the Hall prepare for one of its 350 events, or witness rehearsals for that evening’s performance.