Itinerary

Day 1 Vilnius
Upon arrival to Vilnius you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the charming Lithuanian capital.

Day 2 Vilnius-Trakai-Vilnius
Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy a folklore dinner at the Restaurant Belmontas. Overnight Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar.

Day 3 Vilnius-Riga
Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hills of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia you soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga in the late afternoon. Overnight at the Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 4 Riga
Before you get acquainted with Riga enjoy discovering medieval Latvia. The tour for this morning takes you to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. Listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before you return to Riga. The afternoon offers a visit to the Ethnographical Open Air Museum, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. The evening offers an organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.Overnight at the Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 5 Riga
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening enjoy a Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Forest. Overnight Hotel Wellton Riverside or similar.

Day 6 Riga-Tallinn
The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. Enjoy a short tour of the resort before you continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive to Tallinn in the early afternoon. Overnight at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar.

Day 7 Tallinn
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafe’s and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes you around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where you see the Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon you will be taken on an excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. This evening enjoy a medieval dinner at the Restaurant Miakrahv. Overnight at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar.

Day 8 Tallinn-Helsinki
This day offers in the morning an excursion to the Lahemaa National Park, where you visit the Palmse Manor, a memorial to the Von Pahlen family, and the Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. Head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Overnight at the Hotel Glo Art or similar.

Day 9 Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes you around the harbors, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit to the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an excursion to the Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, the fortress is a unique attraction. This evening you will enjoy dinner at the Restaurant Salve. Overnight at the Hotel Glo Art or similar.

Day 10 Helsinki-St. Petersburg
Today continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia arrive to Vyborg, where you take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon arrive in St. Petersburg. Overnight at the Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 11 St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the evening enjoy al visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian “champagne” and snacks. Overnight at the Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 12 St. Petersburg
The morning is reserved for an excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the afternoon visit the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening enjoy a Russian dinner at the Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti. . Overnight at the Hotel Vasilievsky or similar.

Day 13 St. Petersburg-Moscow
After breakfast you will enjoy a St. Petersburg channel cruise. Around noon transfer to the Moscow Railway Station and board the Sapsan high-speed train bound for Moscow (2nd class seats). The train ride takes you through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the late afternoon arrive to Moscow. Overnight Hotel Azimut Smolenskaya or similar.

Day 14 Moscow
Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theater Square with Bolshoi Theater, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon you will enjoy an excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to one of the cathedrals. The evening offers an excursion with a cruise on the Moscow River. Overnight Hotel Azimut Smolenskaya or similar.

Day 15 Moscow
After breakfast the day offers a full day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad, where you visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual heart of the Russian Orthodox Church. The whole Lavra has been beautifully restored for the 700-years celebrations of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The evening offers a visit to the Old Russian Circus. Overnight Hotel Azimut Smolenskaya or similar.

Day 16 Moscow-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you may extend your stay in Moscow. You can also take a tour of the historic Golden Ring.

Additional nights in Vilnius and/or Moscow available.

Visa is needed for travel to Russia and is not included.