Moscow to Baltic States, Poland, Prague & Vienna
Moscow-St. Petersburg-Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius-Warsaw-Krakow-Prague-Vienna.
20days/19nights, Moscow/Vienna
*Contact us for 2019 dates & prices
day 01 Moscow-Arrival
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, gather with your travelling companions for a Welcome Dinner. D
day 02 Moscow
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 Armoury Museum, view the Moscow University. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards and then stroll through GUM, Russia’s largest department store. Continue, on the north bank of the River Moskva, passing by baroque Novodevichy convent; ending the tour at the popular Arbat shopping district, time to shop or enjoy lunch on your own. Remainder of the day is at leisure.B
day 03 Moscow
Today we travel 75km North of Moscow, to a small town of Sergiev Posad, former Zagorsk-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 to 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
When Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg 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”. Today the main sites to be visited on the tour are Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Senate Square with the monument to Russian Emperor Peter the Great, the founder of the city, 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 to protect the city from enemy attacks and was the first construction of St. Petersburg. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the Fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors. Your evening is free or join an optional Russian Folklore evening or Evening Canal Cruise. B
day 06 St Petersburg
This morning you’ll make a highlight visit to the world-famous Hermitage, housing more than four million works of art. It ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums of the world, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. Admire the worldfamous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and French Impressionists. The Hermitage occupies five buildings, the largest is the Winter Palace, the 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 to visit Catherine Palace & Park in Pushkin or to Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Tonight join your fellow travellers in a farewell dinner. BD
day 07 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 14th 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, 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 and evening is free. B
day 10 Vilnius
Depart this morning for Vilnius the capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring the city with its interesting architecture. BD
day 11 Vilnius
The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and St. Anne’s Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, Gediminas’ Tower in the Upper Town, and Vilnius Castle. The afternoon is free or you ay wat to join an optional excursion to Trakai, beautifully set on three lakes. B
day 12 Warsaw
Drive through the landscapes of Lithuania on our 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
The 700-year-old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass the Palace of Science and Culture (known as a “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the Barbican. Then take a walking tour to see Old Town, Old Market Square, and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to explore the city, shop, relax, or attend an optional afternoon Chopin concert. B
day 14 Krakow
Journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the “Black Madonna”. This afternoon tour haunting Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious World War II concentration camp. It is now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. End the day in Krakow. BD
day 15 Krakow
Your sightseeing tour starts with Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Take a walking tour of Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church. The afternoon is free to enjy the city. B
day 16 Prague
Drive across the unspoiled Polish countryside, then over the borders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. End the day in 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 Vienna
Travel into Austria and on to Vienna, the “City of Waltz”. Your time is free to begin exploring. B
day 19 Vienna
On a morning sightseeing tour, visit Hofburg Palace, once the centre of the Habsburg monarchy, and see Belvedere Palace Prater Amusement Park, the UN Buildings, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and other remnants of the city’s imperial history. Celebrate tonight with a Farwell Dinner at a popular restaurant. BD
day 20 Vienna departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Vienna’s airport for your flight home. B
Inclusions: twin share in first class hotels, return airport transfers, breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 10 dinners, standard class high speed train from Moscow to St Petersburg, deluxe coach, professional English speaking tour director throughout, local tour guides, service charges, taxes and porterage.
Sightseeing: Moscow, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Vienna. Entries: Moscow-Kremlin Armoury Museum, St Petersburg-St Sophia’s Cathedral, Yaroslav Court, Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Hermitage. Tallinn- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle, Vilnius-St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and St. Anne’s Church, Krakow-Yasna Gora Monastery and Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Royal Cathedral.
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-Hotel Radisson BLU Astorija/Lietuva, Warsaw-Radisson BLU centrum/Mercum Centrum, Krakow-Mercure Old Town, Prague-Hotel Angelo by Vienna House, Vienna-Hilton Vienna (or similar).