2nd Day/Sat - MOSCOW. On arrival in Moscow you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free for independent activities and rest. Meet your fellow travelers at the welcome dinner. (D)
3rd Day/Sun - MOSCOW. Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing begins at Red Square, dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and the massive red walls of the Kremlin. We visit the Armory, Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district, drive on wide boulevards and stroll through GUM, the largest Russian department store. Afternoon is free for you to experience Moscow on your own - ride on the elegant and efficient subway or try some of the delicious local ice cream from one of the many street vendors. (B)
4th Day/Mon - MOSCOW/Tver/NOVGOROD. After breakfast, we depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled against the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures, including Putevo Dvorets, built for Catherine the Great as a stopping place on her journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg. We end the day in Novgorod, founded more than 1,100 years ago and settle-in at our hotel. (B,D)
5th Day/Tue - NOVGOROD/ST. PETERSBURG. Our morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at theCitadel with a visit to St. Sophia Cathedral . Cross the river over a pedestrian bridge to visit Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon travel north to St. Petersburg, former capital of Romanov Czars. Upon arrival visit Peter and Paul Fortress, which houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. (B,D)
6th Day/Wed - ST. PETERSBURG. A day of continuous sightseeing includes a panoramic view of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman, Nevsky Prospekt, Kazan Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Spilled Blood - a brightly pained, multi-domed structure whose beauty belies its name. Highlight of the tour, the famous Hermitage, which houses a fabulous art collection, including Renoir, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse, and many treasures from the time of the Czars. Afternoon is free. (B)
7th Day/Thu - ST. PETERSBURG. Enjoy a whole day at leisure to do as you please. Take an optional excursion to the summer Palace of Peter the Great (Petrodvorets). Tonight you may attend an optional performance with a folklore performance. (B)
8th
Day/Fri - ST. PETERSBURG/WARSAW(Poland). After
breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart for Warsaw, Poland. On arrival
at the Chopin Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city
center. Balance of day at leisure. (B)
With land only services, flight from St.
Petersburg to Warsaw is not included in the tour cost.
9th Day/Sat - WARSAW. After breakfast time at leisure to get acquainted with Warsaw on your own. At 6 pm meet your guide and the rest of the group in the lobby of the NOVOTEL CENTRUM Hotel and depart for dinner with folklore show. (B,D)
10th Day/Sun - WARSAW. Highlights of your half-day tour include Old Town, rebuilt with great care after WW II, with its colorful Old Market Square, remnants of the defense walls, St. John's Cathedral. Continue to Jewish Ghetto Memorial and along the Royal Route to beautiful Lazienki Park built by the last monarch of Poland. (B, L)
11th Day/Mon - WARSAW/Czestochowa/Auschwitz/ZAKOPANE. After breakfast, depart for Zakopane one of the most popular vacation resorts in the Tatra Mountains. En route, stop in Czestochowa to tour the Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna Shrine with miraculous icon. Next stop is made in Auschwitz, where you will tour the Martyrdom Museum of the former Nazi concentration camp. In the evening arrive Zakopane and check-in at your hotel beautifully situated overlooking the Zakopane Valley. (B, L)
12th Day/Tue - ZAKOPANE/KRAKOW. After breakfast sightseeing tour of Zakopane. Admire the breathtaking views of the Tatras from the top of Gubalowka Mountain and shop for souvenirs of arts and crafts of the highlanders (Gorale) in the local bazaar. In the afternoon take a raft trip down the Dunajec River through the spectacular scenery of the Pieniny National Park. Continue to the medieval city of Krakow for dinner at the local restaurant and overnight. (B,D)
13th Day/Wed - KRAKOW-Wieliczka. This morning tour of the charming city of Krakow includes Wawel Coronation Cathedral, Old Town Square and St. Mary's Church with famous Gothic altar. Enjoy a stroll along the shops of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) where you can buy souvenirs. In the afternoon excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine, an unforgettable tourist attraction with underground walk (1.3 mile) through chambers, grottoes, and chapels carved from salt. Dinner with folklore show at a local restaurant. Entrance fees to the Coronation Cathedral and St.Mary's Church are included. (B,D)
14th Day/Thu - KRAKOW/WARSAW. This morning your motorcoach returns to Warsaw. After lunch in your hotel in Warsaw, time at leisure. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
15th
Day/Fri - WARSAW. After
breakfast, termination of the tour services. (B)
Transfer to the airport is available at
additional cost of $45 per taxi (2 to a taxi)
If
you wish to stay in Krakow on your own, we will deduct $60 per person for the
last overnight in Warsaw.
If you want to stay an extra night in Krakow and would like us to make a
reservation for that extra night there is no deduction.
YOUR HOTELS:
MOSCOW
- Hotel Marriott Grand
NOVGOROD
- Hotel Beresta Palace
ST PETERSBURG
- Hotel Holiday Inn
WARSAW
- Novotel Centrum
ZAKOPANE
- Mercure Kasprowy
KRAKOW
- Novotel Bronowice
For reservations, e-mail or call:1-800-388-0988.
