Day
1, arrive Moscow, Tuesday
Upon your arrival you'll be met at the airport
and transferred to your hotel by the local host.
The rest of the day is free to rest and relax,
or you may take an optional tour of the Moscow
subway.
Day
2, in Moscow, Wednesday
Moscow, one to 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.
We will have an early dinner followed by a cultural
performance.
Day
3, to Novgorod, Thursday
After an early breakfast we depart for Tver, an
ancient trading port, nestled against the banks
of the River Volga. 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 1,110 years ago near the Lake
Snezhskoye. 520 km
Day
4, to St. Petersburg, Friday
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. Afternoon at leisure or suitable
for optional activity (visiting Petrodvorets,
Peter the Great's summer palace standing at the
edge of the Gulf of Finland.)
Day
5, in St. Petersburg, Saturday
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 Czars’
era and is located in the Winter Palace.
Day
6, to Tallinn, Sunday
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 old town has the typical narrow medieval
streets, towers, town walls, Gothic churches,
trading and residential houses of the 13th to
17th centuries. 360 km
Day
7, to Riga, Monday
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 (Toompea)
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
and the main shopping streets of Old Town. In
the afternoon, depart to Riga, the capital of
the Republic of Latvia. 310 km
Day
8, in Riga, Tuesday
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.
Day
9, to Vilnius, Wednesday
Morning departure for Vilnius, the capital of
Lithuania. 330 km
Day
10, In Vilnius, Thursday
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 Church 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 at leisure or you may
take an optional excursion to Trakai.
Day
11, to Warsaw, Friday
We bid farewell to the former Soviet Union and
cross the border to Poland. At day's end we reach
Warsaw. 540 km
Day
12, in Warsaw, Saturday
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.
Day
13, to Krakow, Sunday
During the morning journey to Krakow we stop in
Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of
St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly
called the "Black Madonna". After the
lunch break (on your own), we proceed to Krakow.
During the journey, there is time for an optional
side trip to one of the most somber memorials
of our past, Auschwitz. We end our day Krakow.
400 km
Day
14, in Krakow, Monday
Sightseeing will start with visit to Wawel Hill,
viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal
Cathedral. Enjoy the walking tour of the Old Town
where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance
Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon
is free for strolling around the city on your
own.
Day
15, to Prague, Tuesday
After a drive through the Polish countryside,
we cross the border of Slovakia, Czech Republic
and then on to Prague, with its Baroque churches,
promenade, parks and ancient city walls. 495 km
Day
16, in Prague, Wednesday
Built on the seven hills more than 1000 years
ago and situated on the both banks of Vltava River,
Prague is one of the most attractive cities in
the world. Your city tour starts with panoramic
drive to the Wenceslav Square, the Strahov Stadium
and the Castle Square. During a walking tour visit
the Royal Castle of Hradcany with its Gothic St.
Vitus Cathedral, Royal Palace and Loretto Church.
Then over the Charles Bridge, dating back to 1400s
to view the Jewish Ghetto and see the world famous
Astronomical Clock. The balance of the day is
free for an optional visit to a cultural performance.
Day
17, depart Prague, Thursday
After breakfast we transfer to the airport, where
we board our homeward bound flight.
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