Baltic & Russia Highlights Tour (Baltic & Russian Explorer Tours)- Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow in 16 days, June - October

DAY 1 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (SUNDAY) - Arrival in Vilnius

Arrival in Vilnius International airport, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva***** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting with the tour guide. Please ask at the hotel reception for more details.

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DAY 2 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (MONDAY) - Vilnius

Vilnius is a stunning city with unique and beautiful Vilnius Old Town. Vilnius & Lithuania have a rich and fascinating culture, history, religious heritage and traditions. Vilnius morning sightseeing tour features a scenic panoramic tour and a walking part of the tour of the Vilnius Old Town. Main sights you will enjoy are Cathedral, Vilnius Gediminas Tower, Church of Peter and Paul, St. Anne’s Church, Vilnius Old University and of corse the Gates of Dawn . In the afternoon you can book an optional tour to Trakai area, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well kept Trakai Castle, stunningly sitting on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner at Restaurant Belmontas in Vilnius.

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DAY 3 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (TUESDAY) - 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 we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Wellton Riverside***** or similar hotel in Riga.

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DAY 4 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (WEDNESDAY) - Riga

Before you explore more of Riga we have an optional tour to see and enjoy medieval part of Latvia first. The morning optional tour features the beautiful nature of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. Our guide will tell you a medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and you will enjoy the remains of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword. Departure for Riga. We offer an optional tour to the Latvian Ethnographical Open Air Museum in the afternoon. An optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral in Riga Old Town is offered in the evening.

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DAY 5 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (THURSDAY) - Riga

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a stunning more than eight hundred year old city. Riga is located along the Baltic Sea at the southern coast of the Gulf of Riga, on the Rigava coastal plain. The historical core of Riga is situated on the right bank of the Daugava River, about 10 kilometers from where the Daugava flows into the Gulf of Riga. The natural terrain of this area is a flat and sandy plain, about 1 to 10 meters above the sea level. 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 an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches.In the evening, enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the charming Restaurant Forest.

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DAY 6 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (FRIDAY) - Riga - Tallinn

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort and a leisurely stroll along the beach. The balance of the day goes through the North Estonian land of forests to Tallinn, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia***** or similar hotel in Tallinn, Estonia.

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DAY 7 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (SATURDAY) - Tallinn

Tallinn is a beautiful modern city, it boast a jaw dropping Old Town. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is known around the world for it’s authentic architecture. Enjoy the cobblestone streets and houses dating back as far as to 11th century, visit few of the local art and crafts show rooms, galleries, museum to indulge in small cosy cafés or restaurants and buy travel memorabilia from summer or Christmas open air Hanseatic fairs. There are numerous shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafees and restaurants in the old town. The sightseeing tour takes you around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon an optional tour is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to KUMU art museum. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikhrav in Tallinn Old Town.

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DAY 8 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (SUNDAY) - Tallinn - Helsinki

This day offers first an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. Afterlunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Glo Art**** or similar.

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DAY 9 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (MONDAY) - 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
us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central
Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius
Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an
optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was
started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique
attraction for visitors.

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DAY 10 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (TUESDAY) - Helsinki-St.Petersburg

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to St.Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia there will be a stop in Vyborg, where you will have a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. Arrival and check-in at Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky***** or similar.

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DAY 11 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (WEDNESDAY) - St.Petersburg

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a stunning city of St. Petersburg today, its grand palaces and art museums full of masterpieces are known worldwide. The Neva River and its many canals are often compared to Venice. During the morning sightseeing tour we will enjoy the beauty and splendours of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, and St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The optional visit to Zarskoje Selo and Catherine Palce with its splendour Amber room can be booked in the afternoon. In the evening you can book a tour to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian „champagne” and snacks.

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DAY 12 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (THURSDAY) - St.Petersburg

Breakfast at hotel.An optional excursion to Peterhof is offered in the morning, you will also see its grand Palace, Cascade, water Avenue and beautiful parks. In the afternoon, an optional tour to the world known Hermitage Art Museum is offered. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Russian Pryanosti & Radosti.

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DAY 13 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (FRIDAY) - St-Petersburg - Moscow

Breakfast at Hotel. Free time in the morning or why not join us on an optional escorted shopping tour to fashion and souvenir shops and stalls on the Nevsky Prospect. After shopping trip we will head towards the other most important Russian city - Moscow. This journey will be by train, on the route you all see endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga and enjoying most impressive views. Arrival to Moscow in the evening and check in at Hotel Park In Sadu**** or similar standard hotel in Moscow.

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DAY 14 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (SATURDAY) - Moscow

Breakfast at hotel. 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 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 we offer an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals. Optional excursion with the cruise boat White Flotilla on the Moscow River can be booked in the evening.

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DAY 15 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (SUNDAY) - Moscow

The day offers an optional full day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad, where we 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.

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DAY 16 of Escorted Baltic & Russia Tour (MONDAY) - Moscow

Optional transfer to the airport in Moscow can be pre-booked.