| On Friday depart for Moscow, Russia |
| DAY 1/SAT - ARRIVE MOSCOW. |
| Upon your arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel by our local host. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax or you may take an optional tour of the Moscow subway. (D) |
| DAY 2/SUN - MOSCOW. |
| Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing tour begins at the Red Square, dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. We will visit the Armory, the Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district, drive on wide boulevards and stroll through GUM, the largest Russian department store. Our dinner will be followed by a cultural performance.
(B)
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| DAY 3/MON - MOSCOW/NOVGOROD. |
| After an early breakfast, we depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled against the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures including
Putevoy Dvorets, built for Catherine II., as a resting place on her journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of this remarkable city. We end the day in Novgorod, founded 1110 years ago, near the Lake Snezhskoye. (B,D) |
| DAY 4/TUE - NOVGOROD/ST. PETERSBURG. |
| A morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at the Kremlin with visit
to St. Sophia Cathedral in the Citadel. Cross the river via pedestrian
bridge to visit Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon travel north to St.
Petersburg, the former capital of Romanov Czars. On the way, stop to visit
and explore Petrodvorets, Peter the Great's summer palace standing at the
edge of the Gulf of Finland. (B,D) |
| DAY 5/WED - ST. PETERSBURG. |
| There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St.
Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe's
best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over
100 islands linked by over 600 bridges it is often referred to as the
"Venice of the North". In the morning visit Peter and Paul
Fortress, which houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. Visit also St.
Isaac's Cathedral followed by free time for lunch on your own. Afternoon
sightseeing features the highlight of the tour - the famous Hermitage, which
houses many treasures from the Czar's era and is located in the Winter
Palace . (B) |
| DAY 6/THU - ST. PETERSBURG/TALLINN. |
| We depart via Narva, where we stop for lunch, for Tallinn, the capital
of the Republic of Estonia, situated on the southern coast of the Finnish
bay. This is old town has the typical narrow medieval streets, towers, town walls, Gothic churches, trading and
residential houses of the 13th-17th centuries. (B,D) |
| DAY 7/FRI - TALLINN/RIGA. |
| Our sightseeing tour of Tallinn starts with bus drive seeing the park of
Kadriorg (founded by Peter the Great in 18th century) the Song Festival
grounds where National Song Festivals are being held, the ruins of the 15th
century St. Brigit's convent (Pirita klooster) in Pirita. Our walking tour
of the Old Town (Vanalin), a UNESCO World Heritage site starts in the Upper
Town (Tooompea) visiting the Toompea Castle, the present seat of the
Parliament, orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Dome Church (Toomkirik)
from the 13th century. In the Lower Town see the 14th century gothic Town
Hall (Raekoda Gooti-style), Niguliste church an the main shopping streets of
Old Town. In the afternoon, depart to Riga, the capital of the Rupublic of
Latvia. 310 km. (B,D) |
| DAY 8/SAT - RIGA. |
| Riga is another major Baltic port dating back to the age of the
Hanseatic League, situated at the mouth of the Dougava River. The city's
narrow medieval streets display a wide variety of architectural style:
Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical. During your
sightseeing tour, see the Riga Castle, the magnificent Dome Cathedral, St.
Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Parliament building, the Liberty
Monument, the Academy of Art, the State Art Gallery and the district of Art
Nouveau houses. The afternoon is at leisure. (B) |
| DAY 9/SUN - RIGA/VILNIUS |
| Morning departure for Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania 330 km. (B,D) |
| DAY 10/MON - VILNIUS |
| The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and
Velnele Rivers. It has been inhabited since the 9th century. In the Old
Vilnius visit Peter and Paul Chruch and St. Anna's Church. View Vilnius
University, dating back to 1570, Gedimeno's Tower in the Upper Town and
Vilnius Castle. The afternoon is free or you may take an optional excursion to
Trakai. (B) |
| DAY 11/TUE - VILNIUS/WARSAW. |
| We bid farewell to the former Soviet Union and cross the border to Poland. At day's end we reach Warsaw, our destination of the day.
(B, L,D) |
| DAY 12/WED - WARSAW. |
| This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of Nationhood and the
will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive
along the famous Royal Route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park
with its Palace, summer residence of the last King of Poland. Pass by the
Palace of Science and Culture (known as a "wedding cake"), the
Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of
the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the
Old Town, Old Market Square, and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day
is free for shopping, a stroll through the city or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B) |
| DAY 13/THU - DEPART WARSAW. |
| After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your homebound flight. (B) |
HOTELS:
MOSCOW - Marriott Grand
NOVGOROD - Beresta
ST PETERSBURG - Pulkovskaya or Park INN
TALLINN - Meriton Grand
RIGA - Reval Hotel Latvija
VILNIUS - New Vilnius or similar
WARSAW - Holiday Inn
For reservations complete Reservation Form or call: 1-800-388-0988
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