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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