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Baltic and Russian Explorer Deluxe

16 Days / 9 locations in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Russia

This tour combines our "Baltic Highlights and Czar Route" by popular demand.

We also offer a regular version of this tour:

Baltic and Russian Explorer Tour

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Vilnius
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Astorija

Arrival in Vilnius, an arrival transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Astorija**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting with champagne cocktail or juice.

 
Day 2     Vilnius - Trakai
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Astorija
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy a folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas.

 
Day 3     Vilnius - Siauliai - Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast

Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hills of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Ridzene**** or similar.

 
Day 4     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast

Before we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers a visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. The evening offers an organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

 
Day 5     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon a visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening enjoy a Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant La Boheme.

 
Day 6     Riga - Parnu - Tallinn
Accommodation: Savoy Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Savoy Boutique***** or similar.

 
Day 7     Tallinn
Accommodation: Savoy Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon an excursion to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections. The evening, a medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack.

 
Day 8     Tallinn - Helsinki
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning we take the hydrofoil from Tallinn to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki, transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza***** or similar, check-in. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring the Finnish capital individually.

 
Day 9     Helsinki
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbors, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in the-Rock. The afternoon offers a visit to Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis in the midst of the city with cottages, farmsteads and manors from all around Finland.

 
Day 10     Helsinki - St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Sokos Palace Bridge Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in at Hotel Sokos Palace Bridge***** or similar.

 
Day 11     St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Sokos Palace Bridge Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon a visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening enjoy a visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian “Champagne” and snacks.

 
Day 12     St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Sokos Palace Bridge Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

An excursion in the morning offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved an excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening enjoy a Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.

 
Day 13     St. Petersburg - Moscow
Accommodation: Intercontinental Moscow Tverskaya Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

The early morning is reserved for an optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. Around noon we go to the Moscow Railway Station and board the Sapsan high-speed train bound for Moscow. The train ride takes us through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the late afternoon we arrive to Moscow and check in at Hotel Mariott Grand Moscow***** or similar.

 
Day 14     Moscow
Accommodation: Intercontinental Moscow Tverskaya Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theater Square with Bolshoi Theater, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon an excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals. The evening an excursion with a cruise on the Moscow River.

 
Day 15     Moscow
Accommodation: Intercontinental Moscow Tverskaya Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

The morning offers an excursion to Novidevichy Convent, a 16th century cluster of sparkling domes, one of the city’s most beautiful groups of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow‘s most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring more of Moscow individually. The evening offers a visit to the Old Russian Circus.

 
Day 16     Moscow

The tour ends with a transfer to the airport.

 
Price Includes
High Speed Train St. Petersburg - Moscow, 2Nd Class
Transfers
Transportation
Tour Escort
Dinners As Mentioned
Excursions and Entrances As Per Itinerary
Personlized Welcome Package
Welcome Meeting With Champagne Cocktail or Juice
Daily Breakfast
Deluxe Class Accommodations
Price Does Not Include
 Air
VIA-1269
1.28.15.WP26