Best of Finland Russia & the Baltic States
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Helsinki.
Day 2 - Arrive Helsinki On arrival at Helsinki Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon after check-in there's time to relax and unwind. This evening, we will enjoy a Welcome dinner and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Helsinki — St. Petersburg (3 nights) This morning it's an early departure for our journey into Russia, passing the timber centre of Kotka. Then the forests of Karelia lead to the former city of Tsars, St. Petersburg. This evening we will enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner, after maybe visit a theatre for a Russian folklore show. (Scandinavian Breakfast / Dinner)
Days 4 & 5 - St. Petersburg sightseeing & at leisure Featured on our sightseeing tour this morning are the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the statue of Peter the Great and a visit of the Peter and Paul fortress. During our time in St. Petersburg we will also enjoy an included visit to the Hermitage Museum to visit one of the world's largest and most valuable art collections. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - St. Petersburg — Novgorod This morning our drive takes us across the vast Russian plains to ancient Novgorod. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the 'Kremlin' fort and grounds, Millennium Monument and the St. Sophia Cathedral. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Novgorod — Tver — Moscow (3 nights) After breakfast, we will delight in a full day's scenic drive through picturesque villages to Tver. On our arrival we'll enjoy an included lunch. Then our journey takes us on to Klin, once home of Tchaikovsky, before arriving in Moscow for the first night of our three-night stay. Tonight maybe enjoy an evening at the exciting Moscow State Circus! (Buffet Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Days 8 & 9 - Moscow sightseeing & at leisure On our first morning our sightseeing tour features such highlights as St. Basil's domed Cathedral, Red Square and a visit to the Kremlin. Then during your time at leisure in Moscow perhaps take an optional excursion to visit the Tsar's Treasury Chamber or maybe visit St. Sergius Monastery and handicraft market. We will take a trip on the palatial Moscow metro to Red Square where we will enjoy a walking tour of this atmospheric city at night. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Moscow — Smolensk — Minsk Today we follow in the steps of Napoleon's retreating army in 1812, passing Borodino and making a stop at Smolensk for an included lunch. Then we're off to the border between Russia and the Independent State of Belarus en route to Minsk. Here an orientation shows us the Hero's Hill Memorial as well as other highlights of this city. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner of traditional cuisine at our hotel. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 11 - Minsk — Vilnius This morning via Osm'any we head toward the border with Lithuania, then on to the capital, Vilnius. Our guided walking tour takes in views of the Bishop's Palace (now the Presidential Palace) and the University. We also visit the Baroque church of St Peter and Paul which have exceptional sculptural decoration. Then we walk to the Gates of Dawn, the Carmelite church of St Theresa, the former Jewish Ghetto, the Cathedral and new Royal Palace excavations. We will also see the Church of St Anna and the site of the Synagogue destroyed by Hitler in the last war. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Vilnius — Siauliai — Riga (2 nights) After breakfast we depart from Vilnius with our first stop being a visit to Siauliai and the 'Hill of Crosses' — symbol of resistance against Soviet occupation. Later, we arrive at the Latvian border and onto ancient Riga, Latvia's capital — made famous by the stories of Baron von Münchausen. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinnner)
Day 13 - Riga sightseeing & at leisure We tour this city in the shadow of the 14th century castle of the Livonian knights, with a local guide. We visit St. John's Church and the Dom Cathedral dating back to the 13th century, and see the State Art Museum. Riga has long been one of the most thriving cities on the Baltic — within the extensive Old Town are narrow medieval streets, Gothic and Baroque Churches, 19th century municipal buildings and Hanseatic warehouses, which we will see on the walking section of our sightseeing tour as well as the Tris Braili where we may admire the medieval architecture. Later, there's free time for further exploration of the city before dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - Riga — Tallinn Today's drive takes us along the Gulf of Riga and into Estonia. Then we travel via Parnu, a popular vacation resort of sandy beaches, as we head to the Estonian capital Tallinn for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Tallinn sightseeing — Helsinki Our morning sightseeing tour in this pretty town explores the beautifully preserved streets of the old Hanseatic Quarter with its ancient battlements and the 15th century Luhike Jalq Gate. We also visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the old Town Hall, before we board our ship for the sea-crossing to Helsinki in Finland. On our arrival this evening sightseeing reveals Finlandia Hall, the Senate and Market Squares, broad boulevards and domed Russian church. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 16 - Helsinki — USA After breakfast this morning, bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America.(Scandinavian Breakfast)
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