Baltic Capitals
Day 1 (Tuesday)
Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to Hotel Reval Latvija**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Day 2 (Wednesday)
Before we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, and see Maja’s Tombstone, the ruins of the Episcopal Castle, the ruins of the castle of the Knights of the Sword and the mysterious Gutman Cave before we return Riga. The afternoon is reserved for exploring Riga on own hand and the evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.
Day 3 (Thursday)
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. 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 stylish Restaurant La Boheme.
Day 4 (Friday)
The tour continues along the costal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do with 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 the Hotel Reval Olympia**** or similar.
Day 5 (Saturday)
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquility and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and medieval Old Town Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack
Day 6 (Sunday)
In the morning we take the hydrofoil from Tallinn to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki, transfer to Hotel Sokos Helsinki **** or similar, check-in. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring the Finnish capital individually.
Day 7 (Monday)
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 harbors, 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. In the afternoon an optional excursion by waterbus to the historic Suomenlinna Fortress is offered.
Day 8 (Tuesday)
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in at Hotel Azimut St. Petersburg *** or similar
Day 9 (Wednesday)
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exiting Russian folklore show is on the program.
Day 10 (Thursday)
An optional excursion in the morning offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved for an optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. And in the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.
Day 11 (Friday)
Optional transfer to the airport.
Including
- 10 overnights at centrally located 3-4 star hotels
- 10 x buffet breakfast
- Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
- Personalised welcome package and balticvision discount card
- Entrances to St. Peter’s Church in Riga, medieval Old Town Hall in Tallinn, Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki, Vyborg Castle and Peter-Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg
- Service of English and German speaking tour escort on all tours
- Service of Italian and Spanish speaking tour escorts on all tours
- Service of local French speaking guides on tour MBC06, MBC08 and MBC10
- Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary
- Ferry ticket Tallinn-Helsinki OW (2. class)
- Portage at hotels
- Service and VAT
Optional
- Transfer airport to Hotel Reval Latvija EUR 35.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 55.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
- 4-hour excursion to Gauja National Park: EUR 50.00 pp
- Organ concert at the Dome Cathedral: EUR 35,00 pp
- 4-hour excursion to Jurmala: EUR 40.00 pp
- Latvian dinner at Restaurant La Boheme: EUR 45.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion to Kadriorg Park and Visit to Kadriorg Palace: EUR 40.00 pp
- Medieval dinner at Restaurant Peppersack: EUR 40.00 pp
- 3-hour excursion with waterbuses to Suomenlinna Fortress: EUR 55.00 pp (English speaking local guide and multimedia show in various languages)
- 3-hour visit at the Hermitage Art Museum: EUR 45.00 pp
- Visit to folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace: EUR 45.00 pp
- 4-hour excursion to Peterhof and visit to the Grand Palace: EUR 70.00 pp
- 3-hour guided shopping tour: EUR 35.00 pp
- Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdorovie: EUR 60.00 pp
- Transfer Hotel Azimut St. Petersburg to airport: EUR 60.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 80.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
- Half board at hotels (10 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea): EUR 260.00 pp
Dates
19.06.09 03.07.09 10.07.09 17.07.09 24.07.09 31.07.09 07.08.09 14.08.09 21.08.09 28.08.09