2019 Moscow to Baltic States, Poland & Prague

day 01 Moscow-Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Welcome dinner in the evening to meet your tour guide and fellow travellers. D

day 02 Moscow

Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Your sightseeing tour begins at Red Square, dominated by colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral and the massive red walls of the Kremlin. After a visit to the Armory Museum, see Moscow University, then drive along the wide boulevards and stroll through GUM, Russia’s largest department store. You’ll pass the baroque Novodevichy convent and end the tour at the Arbat shopping district. The rest of the day is free. B

day 03 Moscow

Today we travel 75 km North of Moscow, to a small town of Sergiev Posad – founded in the 14th century and renowned as a centre of ancient Russian art and architecture. For centuries it served as a place of pilgrimage and the religious capital of Russia. Within the old walled city admire the fairy-tale golden and blue domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most beautiful of all monasteries. After lunch return to Moscow, the rest of the day at leisure. This evening take an Optional tour Moscow by night & Subway, to see the metro stations which Stalin called “Palaces for the People”. BL

day 04 Moscow-St Petersburg

Time at leisure in Moscow, before transfer to railway station for our four hours high speed Sapsan train ride to

St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, transfer to your hotel. Dinner at hotel. BD

day 05 St Petersburg

There aren’t many cities in the world that can match the grace and grandeur of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, the city is spread over 100 islands and linked by over 600 bridges. It is often called the “Venice of the North”. Today we’ll visit Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Senate Square with the monument to Russian Emperor Peter the Great, St. Isaac’s Square with St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Smolny Cathedral, Cruiser Aurora, Field of Mars, and Nevsky Prospect. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, built in 1703 on a small island and meant to protect the city from enemy attacks. Visit Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the centre of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors from Peter I. Your evening is free or join an optional Russian Folklore evening or Evening Canal Cruise. B

day 06 St Petersburg

This morning you’ll visit the world-famous Hermitage museum, housing more than four million works of art. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and ranks amongst one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. Admire world-famous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, van Dyck, Goya, and French impressionists. The largest building of the Hermitage is the Winter Palace and former residence of Russian Emperors. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city on your own or perhaps you may choose to take an optional tour. BD

day 07 St Petersburg-Tallinn

Today’s journey will take us to Estonia, where your first stop is Narva, set just across the border with Russia. Continue to Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. BD

day 08 Tallinn-Riga

On a walking tour of Tallinn’s Upper and Lower Old town, visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Next, visit Toompea Castle and see the 14^th-century gothic Town Hall. This afternoon, travel to Riga, the capital of Latvia. BD

day 09 Riga

On a morning sightseeing tour, see Riga Castle on the banks of the Daugava River, the Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument, and the district of Art Nouveau houses. Your afternoon and evening are free. B

day 10 Riga-Vilnius

This morning we depart for Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure. BD

day 11 Vilnius

The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit baroque St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and striking St. Anne’s Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, Gediminas’ Tower in the Upper Town, and Villnius Castle. The afternoon is free to continue exploring, or you may want to join an optional excursion to the town of Trakai, beautifully set on three lakes. B

day 12 Vilnius-Warsaw

Drive through the landscapes of Lithuania on your way to cross the border into Poland. Then take in the Polish countryside, cities, and towns as you head to Warsaw, arriving at the day’s end. BLD

day 13 Warsaw

This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood with the will to survive against great odds. The 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. B

day 14 Warsaw-Czestochowa-Krakow

Travel to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, known as the “Black Madonna”. In the afternoon, tour somber Auschwitz-Birkenau. The notorious World War II concentration camp is now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then continue to Krakow. BD

day 15 Krakow

A sightseeing tour today starts with a visit to Wawel Hill, where you’ll view the Royal Castle and visit the Royal Cathedral. Then take a walking tour of the Old Town, and see the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall, and St. Mary’s Church. The afternoon is free. B

day 16 Krakow-Prague

After a drive through the Polish countryside, we cross the borders of Slovakia and Czech Republic. Continue on to Prague with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls. BD

day 17 Prague

Prague has a long and colourful history. Built across seven hills on both banks of the Vltava River, it is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your sightseeing starts with a panoramic drive to Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium, and Castle Square. Then, on a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basillica and the Golden Lane with the Daliborka Tower. Cross the Charles Bridge to the old quarter of Prague to see the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is free. B

day 18 Prague Departure

Your tour comes to an end in the morning. You will be transferred to airport for your departure flight. B

Inclusions: twin share in first class hotels, arrival and departure transfers, English speaking tour director throughout, deluxe coach, local tour guides, breakfast daily, two lunches, nine dinners, porterage, service charges, taxes.

Sightseeing: Moscow, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague.

Entries: Moscow-Kremlin, Armoury Museum, St Petersburg-St Sophia Cathedral, Yaroslav Court, Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Hermitage, Riga-Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle, Vilnius-Peter and Paul Church, St Anna’s Church, Birkenau-Auschwitz, Czestochowa-Yasna Gora Monastery, Krakow-Royal Cathedral, St Mary’s Church, Prague-Cathedral of St Vitus, Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower.

Hotels: Moscow-Marriott Grand, St Petersburg-Courtyard by Marriott Center West Pushkin or Radisson Royal, Tallinn-Sokos Viru or Meriton, Riga-Radisson Blu Latvija, Vilnius-Radisson Blu Astorija/ Radisson Blue Lietuva, Warsaw- Radisson Blu Centrum/ Mercure Centrum, Krakow-Mercure Old Town, Prague- Angelo by Vienna House (or similar).