Baltics & Russian Revelation

Vilnius • Riga • Tallinn • Helsinki • St. Petersburg • Moscow

15 days, 5-19 September 2016

Discover the Baltic’s stunning countryside, spectacular cities and ancient towns – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Visit Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital, the imperial capital of St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. All in a fun, supportive and safe environment designed especially for women.

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Brief Itinerary outline

5 Sep 2016: Arrive Vilnius

Arrive in Vilnius and transfer to our hotel. Tonight, join your fellow travellers and meet our tour guide at a meeting before our Welcome Dinner. (D)

6 Sep 2015: Vilnius

After breakfast enjoy a morning walking tour of the city includes the Old Town to see St. Stanislav’s Cathedral, Gediminas Castle, Peter and Paul Church and the Old University. This afternoon take an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, for a tour of the well-preserved Trakai Castle. Return to Vilnius with the evening at leisure. (B).

7 Sep 2016: Vilnius – Rundale – Riga

Breakfast. Depart Vilnius and stop at the Hill of Crosses, one of Lithuania’s most holy relics. Then cross into Latvia and visit Rundale Palace, built by Rastrelli as the summer residence of the Duke of Courland. After a tour, continue through the rolling hills of southern Latvia to Riga. Upon arrival, check into our hotel with the evening at leisure.  (B)

8 Sep 2016: Riga – Sigulda – Riga

Breakfast at the hotel. Riga, founded in 1201, is a true kaleidoscope of architectural styles, with Art Nouveau being prevalent all over the historic city centre. Your walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church and Freedom Monument. In the afternoon, travel to Gauja National Park, an area of picturesque landscapes and unique sculpture parks, to visit the town of Sigulda and Turaida Castle. On our return we will have dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

9 Sep 2016: Riga – Parnu – Tallinn

Drive along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Pärnu. Enjoy a short tour of the resort and a stroll on the beach before travelling through northern Estonia to Tallinn. Upon arrival check in at our hotel with the evening free to enjoy dinner in your hotel or in the old town. (B)

10 Sep 2016: Tallinn

Breakfast at the hotel before we explore the walled city of Tallinn on a walking tour and see Toompea Castle, Dome Cathedral and Old Town Hall. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Kadriorg Park with its baroque palace built for Peter the Great and then visit the KUMU Art Museum, displaying wonderful works of Estonian art and culture. Return to your hotel with the evening free.  (B)

11 Sep 2016: Tallinn – Lahemaa – Helsinki

This morning travel to Lahemaa National Park, founded in 1971 as the first national park in the Soviet Union. See the lovely manor houses of the Baltic-German nobles that have been beautifully restored. You will visit the Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family and Sagadi Manor. After free time for lunch, return to Tallinn and transfer to the ferry terminal to cross the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki. On arrival, transfer to our hotel. (B)

12 Sep 2016: Helsinki

Helsinki, at the crossroads of western and eastern culture, exhibits both Swedish and Russian influences. Our sightseeing tour includes the city’s lovely harbour, Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Monument and the famous “Church in the Rock.” In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum where traditional Finnish wooden houses are on display and where you will be able to learn about their folk culture, traditions and country life. Return to Helsinki with the evening free. (B)

13 Sep 2016: Helsinki – Vyborg – St. Petersburg

Today, continue east to imperial St. Petersburg via the quaint town of Vyborg for a photo stop of its 13th century castle. Late in the afternoon, arrive in magnificent St. Petersburg, check-in and remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. (B)

14 Sep 2016: St. Petersburg

During our morning tour of the “Venice of the North,” become acquainted with the city built by Peter the Great in 1703 and travel along its main boulevard, Nevsky Prospekt, seeing Kazan Cathedral, Church of the Spilt Blood, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman, Alexander Nevsky Convent and much more. In the afternoon, visit the world famous Hermitage Art Museum with an introduction to its astonishing collection of over 2.7 million items of art. The evening is free for further exploration. (B)

15 Sep 2016: St. Petersburg

Today is dedicated to imperial St Petersburg with a visit to two stunning but very different palaces. Frist, travel to the royal estate known as Peterhof. Tour the impressive Grand Palace built in 1720 and visit the lavish gardens and famous gold fountains of the Grand Cascade. Then, continue to the aristocratic village of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) for a tour of the grand, baroque Catherine Palace and its famous Amber Room. Return to the city, evening free. (B)

16 Sep 2016: St. Petersburg – Moscow

Your morning will be at leisure to explore further on your own. Then, transfer to the train station to travel by high speed train to Russia’s Capital. Enjoy the countryside from the comfort of your seat and order an optional lunch before an evening arrival to Moscow. Transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight. (B)

17 Sep 2016: Moscow

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be introduced to the political and economic capital of the Russian Federation. The tour will take you past famous sights such as the Bolshoi Theatre and the KGB building to Red Square where you will see the city’s iconic landmarks – St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the GUM department store, Russia’s premier shopping arcade.  After free time for lunch, continue to the formidable Kremlin, the city’s original fortress seeing its two main cathedrals and the Tsar-Kolokol, the world’s largest bell. Visit the famous Armoury Museum – the treasury of Russian czars. Here you will view with an opulent collection of crown jewels, Faberge eggs, Russian arms and thrones, carriages and coronation dresses from the 16th-19th centuries. Return to your hotel, tonight is a free evening. (B)

18 Sep 2016: Moscow

This morning experience Moscow’s famous Metro, Stalin’s architectural masterpiece, and marvel at the lavishly decorated stations. Continue your tour to Moscow University located at Sparrow Hill for spectacular views of the city and to symbolic Victory Park. You also stop at Moscow’s most important religious site, the recently rebuilt Cathedral of Our Saviour. In the afternoon, visit the acclaimed Tretyakov Gallery to see its extensive collection of religious icons and pre-revolutionary paintings. This evening, get together at a local restaurant for our Farewell Dinner . (B, D)

19 Sep 2016: Moscow

Our tour concludes after breakfast with a group transfer to the airport for our onward journey. (B)

What’s Included:

• Private Fully Escorted Tour
• 15 days twin share accommodation at centrally located, 4 star hotels
• Buffet Breakfast Daily
• Welcome & Farewell Dinners, plus a dinner in Riga, all will be 3 courses with tea/coffee and water included
• All transfers, excursions and sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary in 1st class coach
• Guides we will have the services of a professional and experienced English speaking Tour Director from day 1-9 and experienced local city guides in St Petersburg and Moscow respectively
• High speed Sapsan Train from St Petersburg to Moscow is in economy class
• Ferry between Tallinn and Helsinki is in economy (2nd class)
• Porterage at hotels only

Warning there will be vodka consumed on this trip! Call for price and more details.
Small Group minimum 10 maximum 22, hope you will join us.

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