Russia Baltics Krakow Prague Vienna Tour

Shorter versions of this tour are available. Please see:

Eastern Europe Grand Tour

Eastern Europe, Krakow, & Prague Grand Tour

Itinerary

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Welcome dinner this evening.

Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing begins at the Red Square, dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Visit the Armory Museum, proceed to see the Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards and then stroll through GUM, Russias largest department store. Rest of the day is at leisure. You may take part in an optional tour by night of Moscow and its subway.

After an early breakfast, depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled on the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures, including Putevoy Dvorets, built for Catherine II as a resting place on her journeys from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of this remarkable city. End the day in historic Novgorod, founded almost twelve centuries ago.

A morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at the Kremlin with a visit to St. Sophia Cathedral. Then, cross the river via a pedestrian bridge to visit the Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon, travel north to St. Petersburg, the former capital of the Romanov Czars. Upon arrival enjoy a first sightseeing tour of the city starting with the visit of Peter and Paul Fortress, quarter of the City museum and its cathedral, which houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. Next, visit St. Isaacs Cathedral.

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 Europes best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over 100 islands linked by over 600 bridges, it is often referred to as Venice of the North. This morning sightseeing tour will feature highlight: the world-famous Hermitage, which houses many treasures from the Czarist era. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Journey to Estonia, where your first stop is Narva. Continue to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland.

On a walking tour of the Upper and Lower Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, visit orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Next, visit Toompea Castle and see the 14th century gothic Town Hall. This afternoon, on to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Hotel Reval latvija or similar.

During your sightseeing tour, see Riga Castle, the magnificant Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peters Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument and the district of Art Nouveau houses. Your afternoon is free.

Morning departure for Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure.

The city of Vilnius is located on the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius, visit Peter and Paul Church and St. Annas Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, Gediminas' Tower in the Upper Town and Vilnius Castle. The afternoon is free or you may take an optional excursion to Trakai.

Cross the border into Poland and reach Warsaw at day's end.

This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass by the Palace of Science and Culture (known as a wedding cake), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. Johns Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for relaxing, shopping, a stroll through the city or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.

This morning, journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the "Black Madonna". In the afternoon, there is time for an optional side trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz. End your day in Krakow.

Your sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city.

After a drive through the Polish countryside, cross the borders of Slovakia and Czech Republic. Then, on to Prague, with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls.

Built on the seven hills more than 1000 years ago and situated on both banks of the Vltava River, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, Royal Palace and Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The balance of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available.

Today's destination is Vienna, the "City of Waltz", and one of Europe's loveliest cities.

Hotel Savoyen or similar.

On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.