Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Moscow
Upon arrival in Moscow you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin your exploration for the fascinating Russian capital. Dinner and overnight Hotel Marriott Grand.

Day 2 Moscow
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 the 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 Overnight Hotel Marriott Grand

Day 3 Moscow
Today travel 75 km north of Moscow, to the 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 of Moscow by night & Subway, to see the metro stations which Stalin called “Palaces for the People.” Overnight Hotel Marriott Grand

Day 4 Moscow-St. Petersburg
Time at leisure in Moscow, before you transfer to the railway station for your four hour high speed Sapsan train ride to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, transfer to your hotel. Dinner at hotel. Overnight Hotel Ambassador.

Day 5 St. Petersburg
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 the 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. The gilded spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral is the highest landmark of the city. Your evening is free or join an optional Russian Folklore evening or Evening Canal Cruise. Overnight Hotel Ambassador .

Day 6 St. Petersburg
This morning you’ll enjoy 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 Catherine Palace & Park in Pushkin or to Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Tonight join your fellow travelers in a farewell dinner. Overnight Hotel Ambassador.

Day 7 St. Petersburg-Tallinn
Today’s journey will take you 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. Dinner and overnight Hotel Park inn or Hotel Radisson Meriton.

Day 8 Tallinn-Riga
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. Dinner and overnight Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija.

Day 9 Riga
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. Overnight Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija.

Day 10 Riga-Vilnius
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. Dinner and overnight Hotel Novotel.

Day 11 Vilnius
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 in the Upper Town, 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. Overnight Hotel Novotel.

Day 12 Vilnius-Warsaw
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. lunch is included today. Dinner and overnight Hotel Mercure Grand.

Day 13 Warsaw
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. Overnight Hotel Mercure Grand.

Day 14 Warsaw-Krakow
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. Dinner and overnight Hotel Mercure Old Town.

Day 15 Krakow
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 cafe. Overnight Hotel Mercure Old Town.

Day 16 Krakow-Prague
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. Dinner and overnight Hotel Angelo by Vienna House or Hotel Andels.

Day 17 Prague
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. Overnight Hotel Hotel Angelo by Vienna House or Hotel Andels.

Day 18 Prague-Vienna
Travel into Austria and on to Vienna, the “City of the Waltz.” Your time is free to begin exploring or perhaps savor a Viennese pastry or two. Overnight Hotel Hilton Vienna.

Day 19 Vienna
On a morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the center of the Habsburg monarchy, and see the 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 farewell Dinner at a popular restaurant. Overnight Hotel Hilton Vienna.

Day 20 Vienna-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your flight home or you may extend your stay in the Austrian capital or continue top Salzburg or Slovenia.

Additional nights available in Moscow and Vienna

Visa is needed for Russia and is not included