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

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

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

Itinerary

• Day 1- Depart USA Overnight flight to Helsinki.



• Day 2 - Arrive Helsinki On arrival at Helsinki Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. 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 travelling companions.
  
  Hotel: Scandic Grand Marina



• Day 3 - Helsinki – St. Petersburg (3 nights) This morning it's an early departure for our journey into Russia, passing the timber centre 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, after maybe visit a theatre for a Russian folklore show. (Scandinavian Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Pribaltiskaya (3 nights)



• Days 4 & 5 - St. Petersburg sight­seeing & at leisure Featured on our sightseeing tour this morning 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 visit one of the world's largest and most valuable art collections. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)



• Day 6 - St. Petersburg – Novgorod This morning 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 – Moscow (3 nights) After breakfast, we will delight in a full day's scenic drive through picturesque villages to Tver. 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 for the first night of our three-night stay. Tonight maybe enjoy an evening at the exciting Moscow State Circus! (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Holiday Inn Sokolniki (3 nights)



• Days 8 & 9 - Moscow sightseeing & at leisure On our first morning 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 visit 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. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)



• Day 10 - Moscow – Smolensk – Minsk Today we follow in the steps of Napoleon's retreating army in 1812, passing Borodino and making a stop at Smolensk 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: Planeta



• 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 breakfast 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 onto ancient Riga, Latvia's capital – made famous by the stories of Baron von Münchausen. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Reval Latvija (2 nights)



• 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 for further exploration of the city before dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / 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. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Reval Park



• 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 domed Russian church. Tonight we get together with our Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Scandic Marina



• Day 16 - Helsinki – USA After breakfast this morning, bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Scandinavian Breakfast)


Depart USAArrive HelsinkiHelsinki – St. Petersburg St. Petersburg sight­seeing & at leisureSt. Petersburg – NovgorodNovgorod – Tver – Moscow Moscow sightseeing & at leisureMoscow – Smolensk – MinskMinsk – VilniusVilnius – Siauliai – Riga Riga sightseeing & at leisureRiga – TallinnTallinn sightseeing – HelsinkiHelsinki – USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• St. Petersburg: Sightseeing tour including the Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Statue of St. Peter the Great, visit of 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: Sightseeing including St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square and a visit to 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: Sightseeing tour including a visit to St. John's Church and Dom Cathedral. See the State Art Museum.
• Tallinn: Sightseeing explores the old Hanseatic Quarter and Luhike Jalq Gate. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
• Helsinki: Sightseeing including Finlandia Hall, the Senate and Market Squares and the Russian church.
• Scenic drives: Karelian Forests, Novgorod to Moscow, White Russian Plains.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Helsinki
• 2 full Scandinavian breakfasts in Helsinki and 12 Hot Buffet breakfasts elsewhere
• 2 lunches in Russia
• 8 three-course dinners
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Helsinki
25 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Riga and Tallinn.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar’s luxury air-conditioned coaches with onboard washroom.
• Ferry across the Gulf of Finland.
• You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

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Airport Transfers
Helsinki Airport Transfers will be provided on Days 2 and 16. Group transfers on arrival at Helsinki Airport will operate at 10.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 17.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Helsinki Airport at 07.00 and 12.00.
• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• 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.

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Additional Visa Requirements
US passport holders require a visa for Russia and Belarus. Consult your Travel Agent for visas for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Note: No visa can be issued at borders in Europe.

Options

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