Travel to Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg
Four Baltic Capitals - 11 days land-only tour
This escorted tour includes:
 | 10 nights at centrally located three and four star hotels, sharing double rooms |
| Full buffet breakfasts everyday |
| Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice |
| Personalized welcome package and Balticvision discount card |
| Transportation on the ground by a deluxe motor coach with A/C |
| Services of an English and German speaking tour escort on all tours (Italian, Spanish, and French escorts are also available on some departures) |
| Sightseeing program as per itinerary |
| Service charges and VAT taxes |
| Luggage handling in hotels (one piece per person) |
| One-way ferry Tallinn-Helsinki |
DAY 1 (TUESDAY): Riga
Arrival in Riga, optional (ask for price) transfer to Hotel Reval Latvija**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
DAY 2 (WEDNESDAY): Riga
Before we get acquainted with Riga we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional (50 Euro) tour of 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 to Riga. The afternoon is reserved for exploring Riga on your own, and the evening offers an optional (35 Euro) organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.
DAY 3 (THURSDAY): Riga
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 (40 Euro) visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. In the evening, enjoy an optional (45 Euro) Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant La Boheme.
DAY 4 (FRIDAY): Riga-Parnu-Tallinn
The tour continues along the costal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do 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 Hotel Reval Olympia**** or similar.
DAY 5 (SATURDAY): Tallinn
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 (40 Euro) excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park with a visit to the Kadriorg Palace and its art collections. The evening offers an optional (40 Euro) medieval dinner at the Restaurant Peppersack.
DAY 6 (SUNDAY): Tallinn-Helsinki
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
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and it 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 (55 Euro) excursion by waterbus to the historic Suomenlinna Fortress is offered.
DAY 8 (TUESDAY): Helsinki-Vyborg-St. Petersburg
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
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 (45 Euro) visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening an optional (45 Euro) visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folkore show is on the program.
DAY 10 (THURSDAY): St. Petersburg
An optional (70 Euro) excursion in the morning offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and the wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved for an optional (35 Euro) guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. In the evening enjoy an optional (60 Euro) Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.
DAY 11 (FRIDAY): St. Petersburg
Breakfast, optional (ask for price) transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Tour dates in 2009: 6/09-6/19, 6/23-7/03, 6/30-7/10, 7/07-7/17, 7/14-7/24, 7/21-7/31, 7/28-8/07, 8/04-8/14, 8/11-8/21, 8/18-8/28
