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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Russia, Warsaw and The Baltic States
Tour Pace
This tour moves at a leisurely pace with two night stays in Warsaw, Tallinn and Vilnius, plus three night stays in the major cities of Moscow & St Petersburg, allowing ample time for in-depth exploration, or to indulge in the selection of optional excursions.
DAY 1 – THU – WARSAW AT LEISURE
Welcome to Warsaw! Faithfully rebuilt after the devastation of World War II. On arrival, there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel, where we can relax and settle in. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Drink before dinner. Hotel: Intercontinental. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 2 – FRI – WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
Our guided tour takes us past the 'wedding-cake' Palace of Culture to the Chopin Memorial in Lazienki Park. Next we stop at the imposing Ghetto Memorial, before continuing to the reconstructed Old Town. We walk to the Market Square to watch a fascinating film about the reconstruction of the city. Then time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – SAT – WARSAW – MINSK
Leaving Warsaw we head east across the Belarus border to Brest - one of the 'Hero Cities' of the USSR during WWII. After lunch our destination is Minsk, rebuilt after the war in supreme Soviet style. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner complete with champagne and vodka! Hotel: Planeta. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 4 – SUN – MINSK – MOSCOW
Our orientation tour takes us along wide avenues, past gargantuan concrete buildings - a legacy of Minsk's Soviet past. Lenin still stands in front of the Government headquarters! On now to Russia with a lunch stop near Smolensk. Hotel: Sovietsky. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – MON – MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING
On today's sightseeing tour we tour Red Square, seeing St Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's Tomb. We then walk inside the walls of the Kremlin Fortress, to visit one of the cathedrals. Finally we explore the Metro Stations, still leaving time to shop for souvenirs. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – TUE – MOSCOW AT LEISURE
A full day to explore Moscow at our own pace! Check out the Gum department store or visit the Kremlin museum to gaze in awe at the treasury of the Tsars? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – WED – MOSCOW – ST PETERSBURG
Moscow has captivated the imagination of travellers for centuries so this morning is at leisure! Lunch is included at a local restaurant allowing more time for last minute sightseeing. Early this evening we transfer to the station for our 5 hour train journey to St Petersburg - a city of incomparable architectural, historic and artistic interest! Hotel: Pribaltiskaya. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 8 – THU – ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING
On our sightseeing tour we see the fortress of St Peter and Paul, St Isaac's Cathedral, the cruiser, 'Aurora', and the memorial to the siege of Leningrad during World War II. We also see the splendid cathedral of Kazan, then tour the spectacular Hermitage, one of the world's greatest museums. Tonight we enjoy a champagne dinner! (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – FRI – ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING
Today we visit the fabulous gardens and fountains of Peter the Great's summer residence at Petrodvorets. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – SAT – ST PETERSBURG – TALLINN
A reluctant farewell to St.Petersburg as we head west to the town of Narva dominated by mighty Hermannsburg fortress. The river Narva at this point forms the border with Estonia and we are soon on our way to our hotel in Tallinn the capital. Hotel: Best Western. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – SUN – TALLINN SIGHTSEEING
We tour the old town including the market square with its old German Weighing House, Pharmacy and Town Hall. The energetic will wish to walk up Toompea Hill to the castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – but don't miss the shops for fine amber and silver jewelery! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – MON – TALLINN – RIGA
We journey south through Pärnu, famous for its mud baths, and follow the shores of the Gulf of Riga across the Latvian border to its capital. Our tour of the old town shows us the city walls, and we visit the Domkirk. The House of the Three Brothers is the oldest in Latvia and nearby stands the Swedish Gate and castle of the Livonian Knights. Hotel: Albert. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 13 – TUE – RIGA – VILNIUS
This morning we cross into Lithuania and visit the 'Votive Hill of Crosses' near Siauliai, the symbol of resistance against the Soviet occupation, before continuing to the capital city of Vilnius. Hotel: Artis. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 14 – WED – VILNIUS SIGHTSEEING
Our sightseeing starts in the baroque church of St Peter and St Paul; then we see the neo-classical cathedral before joining our guide on a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town. We see the Jesuit University and the Gates of Dawn. The former Soviet KGB headquarters are a reminder of more recent and grim events. Finally, we have a highlight visit to Trakai Castle. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 15 – THU – VILNIUS – WARSAW
We pass Suwalki and lakeside Augustow as we begin a scenic drive through Mazuria, a region of lakes and vast forests. Later, we arrive back in Warsaw. Hotel: Sofitel Victoria. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – FRI – WARSAW
Our tour ends today with a transfer to the airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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