K982 - Best of Russia, Baltic States & Warsaw 14 Days / 13 Nights
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, you're your Toru Director and 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, time to shop or enjoy lunch on your own. 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 at a popular restaurant, 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. Join for 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. Granite embankments of the Neva River. Visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, Built in 1703 on a small island it was meant to protect the city from enemy attacks; and the first construction of St. Petersburg. Visit Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors from Peter I. It is a museum nowadays. 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. Later, travel to Riga, the capital of Latvia.
(B, D)
Day 9: in Riga, Saturday
See Riga Castle on the banks of the Daugava River, the magnificent Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument, and the district of Art Nouveau houses on a morning sightseeing tour. The rest of the day is free to explore more, shop, or maybe sample Latvian crepes.
(B)
Day 10: to Vilnius, Sunday
Depart this morning for Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The balance of the day is at leisure to begin exploring the city with its interesting architecture, do some shopping, or go for a walk through the city.
(B, D)
Day 11: In Vilnius, Monday
Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit baroque St. Peter and St. Paul's Church and striking St. Anne's Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, famous Gediminas' Tower and Vilnius Castle. The afternoon is free to continue exploring, or you may want to join an optional excursion to the peaceful town of Trakai, beautifully set on three lakes.
(B)
Day 12: to Warsaw, Tuesday
Drive across the landscapes of Lithuania on your way to the border with 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
The 700-year-old capital of Poland has been called the “Phoenix City” because it rose again after being destroyed during World War II. A tour here starts with a drive along the majestic Royal Route from Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Then on to see the Palace of Science and Culture (known as a “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the Barbican. Finally, on a walking tour, see the Old Town, Old Market Square, and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to meander through a park, shop, relax, or perhaps attend an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.
(B)
Day 14: Depart Warsaw, Thursday
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner
Tour Includes:
- First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 7 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-CPL or
RU-STP-RRH
St. Petersburg (3 nights)EE-TLL-MER or
EE-TLL-SOK
Tallinn (1 night)LV-RIX-REV
Riga (2 nights)LT-VIL-RAD
Vilnius (2 nights)PL-WAR-RAD or
PL-WAR-HOL
Warsaw (2 nights)
Sightseeing Tours Included:
- Moscow
- St. Petersburg
- Tallinn
- Riga
- Vilnius
- Warsaw
*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.