Day
1, arrive Moscow, Saturday
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your
hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Welcome
dinner this evening. (D)
Day
2, in Moscow, Sunday
Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the
symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing
begins at the Red Square, dominated by St. Basil’s
Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the kremlin.
Visit the Armory Museum, proceed to see the Moscow University
and the popular Arbat shopping district. Continue with
a drive along the wide boulevards and then stroll through
GUM, Russia’s largest department store. Rest of
the day is at leisure. You may take part in an optional
tour by night of Moscow and its subway. (B)
Day
3, to Tver and Novgorod, Monday
After an early breakfast, depart for Tver, an ancient
trading port nestled on the banks of the Volga River.
The city offers fascinating treasures, including Putevoy
Dvorets, built for Catherine II as a resting place on
her journeys from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Enjoy a
short sightseeing tour of this remarkable city. End
the day in historic Novgorod, founded almost
twelve centuries ago. (B, D)
Day
4, to St. Petersburg, Tuesday
A morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at the
Kremlin with a visit to St. Sophia Cathedral. Then,
cross the river via a pedestrian bridge to visit the
Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon, travel north to St.
Petersburg, the former capital of the Romanov Czars.
Upon arrival enjoy a first sightseeing tour of the city
starting with the visit of Peter and Paul Fortress,
quarter of the City museum and its cathedral, which
houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. Next, visit
St. Isaac’s Cathedral. (B, D)
Day
5, in St. Petersburg, Wednesday
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
“Venice of the North”. This morning sightseeing
tour will feature highlight: the world-famous Hermitage,
which houses many treasures from the Czarist era. The
rest of the day is free at leisure. (B)
Day
6, to Tallinn, Thursday
Journey to Estonia, where your first stop is Narva.
Continue to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and situated
on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. (B, D)
Day
7, to Riga, Friday
On a walking tour of the Upper and Lower Old Town, a
UNESCO World Heritage site, visit orthodox Alexander
Nevsky Cathedral. Next, visit Toompea Castle and see
the 14th century gothic Town Hall. This afternoon, on
to Riga, the capital of Latvia. (B, D)
Day
8, in Riga, Saturday
During your sightseeing tour, see Riga Castle, the magnificent
Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter’s
Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument and
the district of Art Nouveau houses. Your afternoon is
free. (B)
Day
9, to Vilnius, Sunday
Morning departure for Vilnius, capital of Lithuania.
The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, D)
Day
10, in Vilnius, Monday
The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of
the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit
Peter and Paul Church and St. Anna’s Church. View
Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, Gediminas’
Tower in the Upper Town and Vilnius Castle. The afternoon
is free or you may take an optional excursion to Trakai.
(B)
Day
11, to Warsaw, Tuesday
Cross the border into Poland and reach Warsaw at day’s
end. (B, L, D)
Day
12, in Warsaw, Wednesday
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 and
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 relaxing, shopping, a stroll through the
city or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B)
Day
13, depart Warsaw, Thursday
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure
flight. (B)
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