Moscow to Baltic States, Poland, Prague & Vienna 20 Day/19 Night Coach Tour ~ K905

Moscow to Baltic States, Poland, Prague & Vienna 20 Days / 19 Nights K905

Day 1: arrive Moscow, Friday
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, gather with your traveling companions for a Welcome Dinner.
(D)

Day 2: in Moscow, Saturday
Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Your sightseeing tour begins at Red Square, dominated by colorful St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Visit the Armory Museum, with its impressive collection of Tsarist, Russian, and foreign jewelry, armor, and other artifacts. Then walk by Moscow University. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards and a 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. The rest of the day is at leisure.
(B)

Day 3: in Moscow, Sunday
Today we travel 75 km North of Moscow, to a small town of Sergiev Posad, former Zagorsk - founded in the 14th century and renowned as a center 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.”
(B, L)

Day 4: Moscow to St. Petersburg, Monday
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. You may join an optional Russian Folklore evening.
(B, D)

Day 5: in St. Petersburg, Tuesday
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 and 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. Visit Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors from Peter I. Your evening is free or join an optional Evening Canal Cruise.
(B)

Day 6: in St. Petersburg, Wednesday
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 world-famous 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 Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Tonight, enjoy dinner.
(B, D)

Day 7: to Tallinn, Thursday
Today 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.
(B, D)

Day 8: Tallinn to Riga, Friday
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.
(B, D)

Day 9: in Riga, Saturday
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 are free.
(B)

Day 10: to Vilnius, Sunday
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.
(B, D)

Day 11: In Vilnius, Monday
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 may want to join an optional excursion to Trakai, beautifully set on three lakes.
(B)

Day 12: to Warsaw, Tuesday
Drive through the landscapes of Lithuania on your 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.
(B, L, D)

Day 13: in Warsaw, Wednesday
Warsaw, the 700-year-old capital of Poland. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the 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. Then on a walking tour, see the Old Town, Old Market Square, and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for a stroll through the city, shopping, relaxing, or perhaps attend an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.
(B)

Day 14: to Krakow, Thursday
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.
(B, D)

Day 15: in Krakow, Friday
Your sightseeing tour today starts with a visit to Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, where you will see the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city, shopping, or maybe sample some bigos or pierogi in a little café.
(B)

Day 16: to Prague, Saturday
Drive across the unspoiled Polish countryside, then on over the borders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. End the day in Prague, with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks, and ancient city walls.
(B, D)

Day 17: in Prague, Sunday
Prague has a long and colorful history, from its early days as a bishopric, to becoming the residence of the Bohemian kings, and later the capital of both Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire. Built across seven hills on both banks of the Vltava River more than 1000 years ago, it is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your sightseeing starts with panoramic drive to famous Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium, and Castle Square. Then, on a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany with the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and the Golden Lane with the Daliborka Tower. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and world-famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is at leisure. You might want to attend an optional cultural performance.
(B)

Day 18: to Vienna, Monday
Travel into Austria and on to Vienna, the "City of Waltz." Your time is free to begin exploring or perhaps savor a Viennese pastry or two.
(B)

Day 19: in Vienna, Tuesday
On a morning sightseeing tour, visit Hofburg Palace, once the center 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. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping. Celebrate tonight with a Farwell Dinner at a popular restaurant.
(B, D)

Day 20: depart Vienna, Wednesday
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Vienna's airport for your flight home.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

NOTE: Russia requires citizens of most countries to obtain a visitor visa prior to travel. CIE Tours can assist you with obtaining the necessary forms for the visa.

Tour Includes:

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 10 dinners
• Airport arrival and departure transfers
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• High speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling
• Whisper technology enhanced touring
• Service charges and hotel taxes

Hotels:

Stay at the following (or similar):

• RU-MOS-MAR
  Moscow (3 nights)
• RU-STP-AMB or
  RU-STP-CPL
  St. Petersburg (3 nights)
• EE-TLL-PAR
  Tallinn (1 night)
• LV-RIX-REV
  Riga (2 nights)
• LIT-VIL-NOV
  Vilnius (2 nights)
• PL-WAR-MER
  Warsaw (2 nights)
• PL-KRK-MKS
  Krakow (2 nights)
• CZ-PRA-ANG or CZ-PRA-VIE
  Prague (2 nights)
• AT-VIE-HIL
  Vienna (2 nights)

Sightseeing Tours Included:

• Moscow
• St. Petersburg
• Tallinn
• Riga
• Vilnius
• Warsaw
• Krakow
• Prague
• Vienna

*This tour is operated by our partner, Kompas Tours. While our Ireland & Britain guided vacations offer one inclusive price with no additional costs, this tour will offer additional sightseeing excursions or dining experiences that are sold separately while on tour to enhance your vacation experience.

NOTE: Russia requires citizens of most countries to obtain a visitor visa prior to travel.