Russia, Warsaw & the Baltic States (2014) from Insight Vacations

Highlights:

Set out from a resurgent Warsaw for the burgeoning Baltic capitals. Your journey reaches its zenith with three nights in each of Russia's great imperial cities.
Tour Pace - Comfortable: This tour moves at a comfortable moderate pace with two-night stays in Warsaw, Tallinn and Vilnius, plus three-nights in both Moscow and St Petersburg. This allows for in-depth exploration, as well as leisure time to shop, relax or indulge in optional excursions.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES AND DINING

- Trakai: Take in the idyllic lake setting as you cross the wooden footbridge to the red-brick Gothic castle.
- Petrodvorets: Cruise by hydrofoil to visit the epic formal gardens of Peter the Great’s Summer Palace, bursting with thunderous cascades, sparkling fountains and golden statues.
- St Petersburg: Tour the spectacular Hermitage Museum, one of the world's great repositories of European art and housed in the stunning former Winter Palace of the Tsars.
- High Speed Train: 'Sapsan' in Russian means 'falcon'. Relax in modern luxury and comfort while you swoop by rail from St Petersburg to Moscow in just four hours.
- Moscow: Walk inside the walls of the Kremlin to visit one of the cathedrals and see the largest bell in the world!
- Moscow: The capital's Metro stations offer a trip of a different kind. Not simply a system of transport but a monument to Soviet grandeur and power.
- Tallinn: You are offered a selection of restaurants around the picturesque market square in the old town to choose from on your Dine-Around evening.
- Moscow: Join in a fun-filled Celebration Dinner that straddles the culinary East to West divide and includes drinks to toast to your new found friends.

ADDITIONAL INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

- Warsaw: See the Palace of Culture, the Chopin Monument in Lazienki Park, the Ghetto Memorial and walk through the Old Town.
- Vilnius: See the church of St Peter and St Paul and the cathedral. Walk with a guide through the Old Town to the Jesuit University, Gates of Dawn and the former Soviet headquarters of the KGB.
- Siauliai: Visit the astonishing ‘Votive Hill of Crosses’.
- Riga: Visit Domkirk and see the city walls, House of the Three Brothers, Swedish Gate and the castle of the Livonian Knights.
- Tallinn: Stroll the cobbled streets of the Old Town to see the Weighing House, Pharmacy and Town Hall in the Market Square.
- Narva: See the Hermannsburg fortress.
- St Petersburg: See the great dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral, the fortress of St Peter and Paul and the cruiser ‘Aurora’. Drive down Nevsky Prospekt to see the Cathedral of Kazan.
- Moscow: Tour Red Square, seeing St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s tomb.

PREMIUM HOTELS AND LOCATIONS

- The 5-star Radisson Blu Centrum Hotel is situated in the heart of Warsaw's business district.
- Step on to Radisson Blu Astorija's veranda overlooking the Vilnius Town Square.
- Providing stylish accommodation in the heart of Latvia's capital, the Radisson Blu Ridzene occupies a superb city centre location near the historic Old Town district.
- The stylish Crowne Plaza offers supremely comfortable accommodation and modern facilities in the heart of the Moscow business district.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

- A Welcome Reception with drinks and Welcome Dinner (WD)
- 13 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around (DA), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 1 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

- Escorted by one of Insight's expert Tour Directors - your 'travelling concierge', expert guide, consummate facilitator and friend in a foreign land who ensures your journey is as enjoyable as possible.
- Baggage handling everywhere on tour, with seamless and prompt delivery to your door at every hotel
- Hotel and restaurant tips included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for coins or banknotes
- Free Wi-Fi in most hotel rooms or lobbies
- Personal radio headsets to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentary
- Insight Flourishes - from time to time your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination
- Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom. Complimentary on-board wi-fi where possible
- Airport transfers at scheduled times on the first and last day of your escorted journey
- One-way train journey from St Petersburg to Moscow

Russia, Warsaw & the Baltic States (2014)

From $3565 USD

A Rejuvenated Warsaw

On arrival at Warsaw Airport, your airport transfers depart for the tour hotel at 10:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Relax and settle in before joining your Tour Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Reception and an opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Meals: Welcome Reception / Welcome Dinner

Hotel: Radisson Blu Centrum, Warsaw

Vilnius and the Island Castle of Trakai

In the morning, a guided tour of the Polish capital reveals just how well the city was restored after almost complete obliteration during World War II - largely due to the amazing detail in Canaletto’s paintings! Pass the ‘wedding cake’ Palace of Culture and stroll through Lazienki Park to the Chopin Memorial. Now some time to reflect at the Memorial of the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto. Finally, walk to the Market Square in the Old Town. The rest of the day is at leisure. Don’t miss the Wilanow Palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski - Victor of Vienna, or perhaps an exclusive private recital of Chopin music by a celebrated Polish pianist?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Radisson Blu Centrum, Warsaw

On to Vilnius, Venerable Capital of Lithuania

Pass lakeside Augustow and Suwalki on a scenic drive through Mazuria, a region richly endowed with lakes and vast forests. Cross into Lithuania and continue to the capital city of Vilnius.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Three-course table d’hôte Dinners or Buffets

Hotel: Radisson Blu Astorija, Vilnius

Vilnius & the Island Castle of Trakai

After a restful night’s sleep, sightseeing starts at the baroque church of St Peter and St Paul before moving on to see the neo classical cathedral. Join a local expert for a leisurely walking tour through the Old Town. See the Jesuit University, the Gates of Dawn and the former Soviet KGB headquarters, a reminder of grim and relatively recent events. Finally, enjoy a highlight visit to the fortified island castle of Trakai, originally built in the 13th century.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Radisson Blu Astorija, Vilnius

Siauliai & the Art-Nouveau Nirvana of Riga

Head north to visit the unusual ‘Votive Hill of Crosses’ near Siauliai, the symbol of resistance against the Soviet occupation. Then it’s on to the Latvian capital of Riga, a melange of Teutonic-inspired spires, stylish cocktail lounges and some of the world’s most remarkable art-nouveau architecture.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Radisson Blu Ridzene, Riga

Riga Sightseeing & Tallinn

A tour of Riga’s Old Town includes a visit to the Domkirk and shows you the city walls. See the House of the Three Brothers as well as the Swedish Gate and the castle of the Livonian Knights. Now drive along the shores of the Gulf of Riga and cross the Estonian border to reach Tallinn, hailed by travel aficionados as the ‘New Prague’.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Radisson Blu Olumpia, Tallinn

Surrender to the Magic of Tallinn

Next morning, drift back through 800 years of history as you amble through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, a scene straight out of a fairy-tale. Visit the market square with its old German Weighing House, Pharmacy and Town Hall. The energetic can walk up Toompea Hill to the castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Then enjoy some time to browse Tallinn’s shops which are famous for fine amber and silver jewellery. For your Dine-Around this evening, you are invited to choose from a selection of local restaurants situated around the picturesque market square.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine-Around

Hotel: Radisson Blu Olumpia, Tallinn

The Road to St Petersburg

Head east to the town of Narva, dominated by the mighty Hermannsburg fortress. The river Narva at this point forms the border with Russia, which you cross on your way to St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Sokos Vassilievsky, St Petersburg

The Imperial Grandeur of St. Petersburg

In the morning, embark on a guided tour of the city. Travel down St. Petersburg’s main avenue, Nevsky Prospekt, for views of the great Cathedral of Kazan. See the fortress of St Peter and Paul and the gilded dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral. Then cruise BY HYDROFOIL along the Baltic shore to Peter the Great ’s summer residence of Petrodvorets, which for over 200 years was used for official ceremonies, lavish feasts and formal receptions. Alight to explore the fabulous gardens and cascading fountains.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Sokos Vassilievsky, St Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum

Another day, another highlight - a guided tour of the Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest museums, housing a superb collection of priceless art. Then there’s free time to shop along the bustling Nevsky Prospekt or perhaps visit Catherine the Great’s favourite palace?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Sokos Vassilievsky, St Petersburg

High Speed Train to Moscow

A city of incomparable architectural, historic and artistic interest, St Petersburg is all yours this morning to enjoy as you wish. This afternoon, board your high-speed Sapsan train to the capital and transfer to your hotel for a leisurely three night stay.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Moscow

Moscow, a Russian Revelation

Moscow is a city which has captivated the imagination of travellers for centuries. A morning sightseeing tour takes in Red Square, seeing St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Tomb. Walk inside the walls of the Kremlin Fortress to visit one of the cathedrals before exploring the opulent Metro stations. Perhaps gaze at the treasury of the Tsars this afternoon?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Moscow

Moscow at Leisure

Today is completely at leisure in the Russian capital. Perhaps visit the Borodino Panorama Exhibition or take an optional excursion to Zagorsk - renowned as a centre of ancient Russian art and architecture? This evening enjoy good food, good wine and good company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Moscow

Moscow

Departure transfers arrive at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport at 05.00, 08.00 and 11.00 and Domodedevo airport at 05.00, 10.00 and 13.00.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Agency: Insight Vacations

Russia, Warsaw & the Baltic States (2014)

From $3565 USD

Agency: Insight Vacations

Russia, Warsaw & the Baltic States (2014)

From $3565 USD

Agency: Insight Vacations