ST. PETERSBURG, MOSCOW & THE BALTICS

14 days / 13 nights, Helsinki - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Kremlin - Pedrodvoretz

Departures: May 19 / June 02, 05, 16,  19, 26, 30 / July 03, 10, 17, 31
August 07, 14, 21, 28 / September 04, 11, 18, 25, 2006

The carefully designed and choreographed itinerary is a refreshing combination of sightseeing, leisure, adventure and culture. You'll experience spectacular scenery and exciting events other travelers only dream about. This 14-day journey explores the hidden treasures of Helsinki and the architecture, art and historic legacies of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Spend three nights in Moscow and four nights in magnificent St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital. Featured are specially arranged visits; in Moscow, by special permission, an exclusive visit to Stalin’s hidden bunker, which had been closed to the public for decades. In St. Petersburg a special early morning visit to The State Hermitage Museum has been arranged. A first class tour, offering the finest hotels in Russia and the Baltic States. (May through September).

Day 1 ARRIVAL HELSINKI (D)
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Hotel Kämp, Helsinki, Finland. Welcome to Finland! A transfer is included from Helsinki – Vantaa Airport to your first night’s hotel, Hotel Kämp. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2 BEST OF HELSINKI (B)
Explore Helsinki today, where parks and waterways provide a stunning backdrop to the different architectural styles of the city. See the lovely Neo-Classical Senate Square, the green cupolas and white Corinthian columns of Helsinki Cathedral, and the colorful Market Square. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 CRUISE TO TALLINN (B, D)
Cruise across the Baltic Sea to the dynamic country of Estonia aboard the high-speed SuperSeaCat ferry this morning. During the 14th century, Tallinn was the largest port town in Northern Europe, an important stop on the trading routes of Russia and Europe. Take a guided walking tour through narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares; see the 13th-century Toompea Castle (which today houses the Estonian Parliament) and bustling Market Square. The afternoon is free. Enjoy dinner tonight at a specially chosen local restaurant.

Day 4 TRAVEL TO LATVIA (B, L, D)
Journey to the culturally rich country of Latvia, stopping in Parnu, the summer capital of Estonia, for an Estonian beachfront barbecue. Your final destination this afternoon is Riga, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Once a major center of the Hanseatic League, it was an important economic center from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and again in the 19th century. Your hotel is centrally located in the heart of the old city.

Day 5 DISCOVER HISTORIC RIGA (B)
Boasting one of the finest collections of art nouveau buildings in Europe, Riga blends its historic past with a vibrant big city bustle. Drive through New Town Riga to Old Town Riga; a walking tour on cobblestone streets takes you to centuries-old buildings dating back 800 years. For those who wish, we invite you to join us this afternoon to explore some of the somber reminders of the tragic years of the Holocaust.
 

Day 6 TREASURES OF VILNIUS (B, L, D)
Travel to Lithuania for an overnight stay in the heart of Old Town, Vilnius; its historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its impressive complex of classical buildings featuring Renaissance, gothic and baroque architecture. Vilnius has influenced much of the architectural and cultural styles of eastern Europe. The city also boasts a rich legacy of history dating back to the medieval age, observed in the mix of architectural styles that vary street by street in Old Town.

Day 7 TRAKAI CASTLE - FLIGHT TO MOSCOW

(B, L, D)
Join us for a walking tour of Old Town to experience a virtual living museum of baroque architecture. See the 16th-century, Renaissance-style Gates of Dawn, originally formed as part of the town’s fortifications, and Cathedral Square. Enjoy lunch in Trakai, once the capital of Lithuania in the Middle Ages; its ancient castle is a testament to its strategic significance. Fly to Moscow this evening for a memorable three-night stay in one of the world’s most fascinating cities.
 

Day 8 MOSCOW, PAST AND PRESENT (B)
Awaken to the excitement of the city of Moscow, the powerhouse of Russia. Meet a Kremlin insider and learn about the city’s illustrious past and how Moscow reinvented herself for life in the 21st century. Your journey continues inside the 64-acre Kremlin, praised as the eighth wonder of the world. Visit the Armory Chambers to see treasures of the Tsars, and Cathedral Square.

Day 9  INSIDE THE CITY OF MOSCOW (B, D)
Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery, which is the National Museum of Russian Fine Art. The Gallery consists mainly of great works by Russian artists, including 11th- to 20th-century paintings, sculptures and graphics. Enjoy a privileged look at the Icon Gallery, which houses a collection of symbolic Russian icons that are still not allowed to travel outside of the country. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city as you wish, perhaps via Moscow’s famous metro as you enjoy additional sightseeing.

Day 10  RED SQUARE - STALIN'S BUNKER (B, L, D)
Take a walking tour of Red Square this morning. We have arranged, by special permission, an exclusive visit to Stalin’s hidden bunker – closed to the public for decades. Relive history in the central command room, see his personal effects in his private office, and have lunch and a wine tasting. An evening rail journey brings you to spectacular St. Petersburg for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Note: services and accommodations aboard the train are basic, yet comfortable.

Day 11 EXPLORE ST. PETERSBURG (B, D)
St. Petersburg entices with a legacy of history, the arts and striking beauty. We take you on a guided tour of must-see sights this morning. Visit the imposing 18th-century Peter and Paul Fortress, and the adjacent Cathedral topped with a soaring golden spire; it is the burial ground for the Romanov Dynasty, including the tomb of Peter the Great. The afternoon is free.

Day 12  PETRODVORETZ - RUSSIAN BALLET (B, L)
Journey into the countryside to Petrodvoretz to explore the Summer Garden and opulent Palace of Peter the Great, located on the Gulf of Finland; experience a wonderland of parks and gardens, enhanced by an array of fanciful fountains. Return by hydrofoil after lunch to St. Petersburg for an afternoon at leisure. Experience a long-standing Russian tradition tonight, when you attend a performance of Russian ballet. Note: schedule times and performances may vary.

Day 13 STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM (B, L, D)
We have arranged a special early morning visit to The State Hermitage Museum, renowned as one of the largest museums in the world; featuring approximately three million pieces of art and rich archaeological collections, the museum remains a great source of pride for the Russian people. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure in St. Petersburg. Join us for a festive farewell dinner tonight.

Day 14 JOURNEY HOME (B)
Tour ends: St. Petersburg, Russia. A transfer is included from Hotel Astoria to St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for check-in.
 

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Departure Dates 2006

Guaranteed departures

May 19

June 02, 05, 16,  19, 26, 30

July 03, 10, 17, 31
August 07, 14, 21, 28
September 04, 11, 18, 25

Prices in US Dollars