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Best of Finland Russia & the Baltic States 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
Tour Style: Regional
Destinations: Finland, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Helsinki.

Day 2 - Arrive Helsinki Welcome to Helsinki, capital of Finland. This afternoon after check-in there’s time to relax and unwind. This evening, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow traveling companions.

Hotel: Radisson Blu Seaside

Day 3 - Helsinki – St. Petersburg (3 nights) This morning it’s an early departure for our journey into Russia, passing the timber center of Kotka. Then the forests of Karelia lead to the former city of the Tsars, St. Petersburg. This evening we will enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner. Later, maybe visit a theater for a Russian folklore show? (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya

Days 4 & 5 - St. Petersburg sightseeing & at leisure Featured on our sightseeing tour are the Tsar’s Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the statue of Peter the Great and a visit of the Peter and Paul Fortress. During our time in St. Petersburg we will also enjoy an included visit to the Hermitage Museum to see one of the world’s largest and most valuable art collections. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet breakfast)

Day 6 - St. Petersburg – Novgorod This afternoon our drive takes us across the vast Russian plains to ancient Novgorod. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Kremlin Fort and grounds, Millennium Monument and the St. Sophia Cathedral. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Beresta Palace

Day 7 - Novgorod – Tver Region – Moscow (3 nights) After breakfast, we will delight in a full day’s scenic drive through picturesque villages to the Tver region. On our arrival we’ll enjoy an included lunch. Then our journey takes us on to Klin, once home of Tchaikovsky, before arriving in Moscow. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Hotel: Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya

Days 8 & 9 - Moscow sightseeing & at leisure On our first day our sightseeing tour features such highlights as St. Basil’s domed cathedral, Red Square and a visit to the Kremlin. Then during your time at leisure in Moscow perhaps take an optional excursion to visit the Tsar’s Treasury Chamber or maybe the St. Sergius Monastery and handicraft market? During your stay in Moscow, your Tour Director will also share with you a Hidden Treasure of this fascinating city. Tonight maybe enjoy an evening at the exciting Moscow State Circus! (Buffet breakfast / Buffet breakfast)

Day 10 - Moscow – Minsk Today we follow in the steps of Napoleon’s retreating army in 1812, passing near Borodino and making a stop in the Smolensk region for an included lunch. Then we’re off to the border between Russia and the independent state of Belarus en route to Minsk. Here an orientation shows us the Hero’s Hill Memorial as well as other highlights of this city. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner of traditional cuisine at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Hotel: Hotel Europe

Day 11 - Minsk – Vilnius This morning via Osm’any we head toward the border with Lithuania, then on to the capital, Vilnius. Our guided walking tour takes in views of the Bishop’s Palace, now the Presidential Palace, and the university. We also visit the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul which has exceptional sculptural decoration. Then we walk to the Gates of Dawn, the Carmelite Church of St. Theresa, the former Jewish Ghetto, the cathedral and new Royal Palace excavations. We will also see the Church of St. Anna and the site of the synagogue destroyed by Hitler in the last war. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Reval Lietuva

Day 12 - Vilnius – Siauliai – Riga (2 nights) After an early lunch we depart from Vilnius with our first stop being a visit to Siauliai and the Hill of Crosses – symbol of resistance against Soviet occupation. Later, we arrive at the Latvian border and ancient Riga, Latvia’s capital, made famous by the stories of Baron von Münchhausen. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Reval Latvija

Day 13 - Riga sightseeing & at leisure We tour this city in the shadow of the 14th century castle of the Livonian knights with a local guide. We visit St. John’s Church and the Dom Cathedral dating back to the 13th century, and see the State Art Museum. Riga has long been one of the most thriving cities on the Baltic – within the extensive old town are narrow medieval streets, Gothic and Baroque churches, 19th century municipal buildings and Hanseatic warehouses, which we will see on the walking section of our sightseeing tour, as well as the Tris Braili where we may admire the medieval architecture. Later, there’s free time to explore before we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties in a restaurant tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Day 14 - Riga – Tallinn Today’s drive takes us along the Gulf of Riga and into Estonia. Then we travel via Parnu, a popular vacation resort of sandy beaches, as we head to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, for the night. Tonight, maybe take a stroll through this charming town. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Reval Olympia

Day 15 - Tallinn sightseeing – Helsinki Our morning sightseeing tour in this pretty town explores the beautifully preserved streets of the old Hanseatic Quarter with its ancient battlements and the 15th century Luhike Jalq Gate. We also visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the old town hall before we board our ship for the sea-crossing to Helsinki in Finland. On our arrival this evening, sightseeing reveals Finlandia Hall, the Senate and Market Squares, broad boulevards and the domed Russian church. Tonight we get together with our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Radisson Blu Seaside

Day 16 - Helsinki – USA This morning it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and touring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Scandinavian Breakfast)

Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Helsinki Airport will operate at 10.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 17.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Helsinki Airport at 07.00 and 12.00.

Whats Included

Sightseeing Highlights

St. Petersburg: See the Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Statue of St. Peter the Great, visit the St. Peter and Paul Fortress. Plus a highlight visit to the Hermitage Museum.
Novgorod: Orientation including the Kremlin Fort.
Tver: See the Volga River.
Moscow: See St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square and visit the Kremlin.
Minsk: Orientation tour including the Hero's Hill Monument.
Vilnius: Orientation tour includes the Gediminas Square and Tower. Visit the courtyards of the Jesuit University and more.
Siauliai: Visit the Hill of Crosses.
Riga: Visit St. John's Church and Dom Cathedral. See the State Art Museum.
Tallinn: See the old Hanseatic quarter and Luhike Jalq Gate. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Helsinki: See Finlandia Hall, the Senate, the market squares and the Russian church.

Dining Highlights

2 full Scandinavian breakfasts in Helsinki
12 hot buffet breakfasts elsewhere
2 lunches in Russia
7 three-course dinners
Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Riga
Farewell Dinner with wine in Helsinki

25 meals in total

First Class Travel Highlights

First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
A qualified local city guide in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.
Ferry across the Gulf of Finland.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 16.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

Airport Transfers

London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel
Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Important note:

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.