Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• 18 breakfasts and 13 dinners
• Airport transfers
• Touring by modern motor-coach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling

Itinerary

• Day 1, arrive Moscow, Saturday

  Upon your arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax, or take an optional tour of the Moscow subway.

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• Day 2, in Moscow, Sunday

  Moscow, one to the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing tour begins at the Red Square, dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Inside the Kremlin, admire the medieval towers, cathedrals and palaces. Visit the Armory Museum and see the Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards, then stroll through GUM, Russia's largest department store. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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• Day 3, to Novgorod, Monday

  After an early breakfast, depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled on the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures, including Putevoy Dvorets, built for Catherine II as a resting place on her journeys from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of this remarkable city. End the day in historic Novgorod, founded 1150 years ago. 520 km

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• Day 4, to St. Petersburg, Tuesday

  A morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at the Kremlin with a visit to St. Sophia Cathedral in the Citadel. Then, cross the river via pedestrian bridge to visit Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon, travel north to St. Petersburg, the former capital of Romanov Czars. You may want to join an optional excursion to Petrodvorets, Peter the Great's Summer Palace.

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• Day 5, in St. Petersburg, Wednesday

  There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe’s best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over 100 islands that are linked by over 600 bridges, it is often referred to as “Venice of the North”. In the morning, visit Peter and Paul Fortress, which houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. Next, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral. After some free time, afternoon sightseeing will feature a highlight: the famous Hermitage, which houses many treasures from the Czarist era.

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• Day 6, Tallinn, Thursday

  Journey to Estonia, where your first stop is Narva. Continue to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. 360 km

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• Day 7, to Riga, Friday

  On a walking tour of the Upper and Lower Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, visit orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Next, visit Toompea Castle and see the 14th century gothic Town Hall. This afternoon, on to Riga, the capital of Latvia. 310 km

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• Day 8, in Riga, Saturday

  During your sightseeing tour, see Riga Castle, the magnificant Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument and the district of Art Nouveau houses. Your afternoon is free.

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• Day 9, to Vilnius, Sunday

  Morning departure for Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure. 330 km

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• Day 10, In Vilnius, Monday

  The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit Peter and Paul Church and St. Anna’s Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, Gediminas' Tower in the Upper Town and Vilnius Castle. The afternoon is free or you may take an optional excursion to Trakai.

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• Day 11, to Warsaw, Tuesday

  Cross the border into Poland and reach Warsaw at day's end. 540 km

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• Day 12, in Warsaw, Wednesday

  This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing 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. The rest of the day is free for relaxing, shopping, a stroll through the city or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.

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• Day 13, to Krakow, Thursday

  This morning, journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the "Black Madonna". In the afternoon, there is time for an optional side trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz. End your day in Krakow. 400 km

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• Day 14, in Krakow, Friday

  Your sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city.

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• Day 15, to Prague, Saturday

  After a drive through the Polish countryside, cross the borders of Slovakia and Czech Republic. Then, on to Prague, with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls. 495 km

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• Day 16, in Prague, Sunday

  Built on the seven hills more than 1000 years ago and situated on both banks of the Vltava River, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, Royal Palace and Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The balance of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available.

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• Day 17, to Vienna, Monday

  Today's destination is Vienna, the "City of Waltz", and one of Europe's loveliest cities. 354 km

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• Day 18, in Vienna, Tuesday

  On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. Farwell dinner in a local restaurant.

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• Day 19, depart Vienna, Wednesday

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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