Tour Spotlights:
Moscow’s history, architecture and artistry
Sergiev Posad and the Trinity St. Sergius Lavra
St. Petersburg, city of palaces and museums
Helsinki’s imposing landmarks
Special Features:
Moskva river cruise in Moscow
Vodka tasting in St. Petersburg
Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met and transferred
to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or
perhaps begin your independent discovery of the
fabled capital of Russia. Tonight, your tour director is
hosting a welcome reception and will introduce you to
your fellow travelers and to the fascinating tour that
awaits you. (WR)
Our sightseeing tour begins at the Red Square,
dominated by the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral and by
the massive red walls of the Kremlin. We visit the Armory
Museum, with its impressive collection of Tsarist, Russian,
and foreign jewelry, armor, and other artifacts. Then we
walk by Moscow University and continue by motor
coach along the wide boulevards to Russia’s largest
department store GUM. After the store’s visit, we motor
along the Moskva River, passing the baroque
Novodevichy Convent and ending the tour at the
popular Arbat shopping district. The rest of the day is at
leisure. In the evening, we enjoy a cruise on the Moskva
River for the most picturesque sights of Moscow. (B)
Today we travel 75 km North of Moscow, to the small
town of Sergiev Posad, founded in the 14
th century. It is
renowned as a center of ancient Russian art and
architecture. For centuries, it served as a place of
pilgrimage and as the religious capital of Russia. Within
the old walled city, the fairytale golden- and blue
domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra beckon. This
monastery is quite possibly the most beautiful of all.
After lunch at a popular restaurant, we return to
Moscow. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, L)
Optional tour: Moscow by night & Subway
There is time at leisure in Moscow, before boarding the
Sapsan train for our four hours high-speed ride to St.
Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train
station, we will be transferred to our hotel. (B)
Optional Tour: Russian Folklore evening
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 Europe’s best
architects, craftsmen, and artists to build and decorate
it. Today we will visit the Palace Square with the Winter
Palace, the Senate Square with the monument of
Emperor Peter the Great, St. Isaac’s Square with St.
Isaac’s Cathedral, Smolny Cathedral, the Cruiser
Aurora, the Field of Mars, and Nevsky Prospect. We are
also visiting the Peter and Paul Fortress, built to protect
the city from enemy attacks in 1703. The Peter and Paul
Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress
served as the burial place for Russian Emperors since
Peter I. After the tour, we visit the Russian Vodka
Museum, where we will learn about the drink’s origin, about Russian dining traditions and we taste a few
vodka varietals. (B)
Optional Tour: River cruise
This morning we’ll visit the world-famous State Hermitage
Museum, housing more than four million works of art. It
ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums of
the world and was founded by Catherine the Great in
1764. Masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian,
Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck,
Goya, and French Impressionists are all on display.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers and your travel
director for dinner. (B, D)
Optional tour: Visit of Petrodvorets (Peterhof)
The journey today takes us to Helsinki on board the
Allegro high-speed train (Finnish railways) in 3 hours and
30 minutes. (Note: Helsinki and St. Petersburg are in
different time zones). We transfer to our hotel in Helsinki
and then have time at leisure. (B)
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, lies in the far south of the
country, on a peninsula that is home to the busiest
passenger port in the world. Our comprehensive
sightseeing covers its most important and interesting
areas such as the historical center, the Senate Square,
the Cathedral, City Hall, the Presidential Palace,
Finlandia Hall, and the Opera House. We stop at the
Sibelius Monument and whenever possible at the
Temppeliaukio church. The rest of the day is free at
leisure. In the evening gather with your fellow travelers
and your tour director for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Optional tour: Excursion to Suomenlinna island
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Helsinki airport
(B)
Inclusion
Arrival transfer from Moscow airport to the hotel
8 day/7-night guided tour featuring:
Centrally located first class hotels:
3 nights in Moscow
3 nights in St. Petersburg
2 nights in Helsinki
Buffet breakfast daily
A welcome reception in Moscow (heavy hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
A lunch at a popular local restaurant in Moscow (coffee or tea included)
A farewell dinner in Helsinki (coffee or tea included)
Hotel taxes and service charges
Touring by modern air-conditioned motor-coach
High-speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg
High-speed train from St. Petersburg to Helsinki
Professional English-speaking tour director
Sightseeing tours with licensed local guides
Admission included where indicated
Luggage handling at the hotels
Whisper technology enhanced touring
Departure transfer from Helsinki to Helsinki airport
Exclusion
International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Note
Hotels Accommodations / Select Hotels
Moscow: Sheraton (F) or similar
St. Petersburg: Radisson Sonya (F) or similar
Helsinki: Scandic Grand Marina (F)/Radisson Blu Seaside (F) or similar
