Moscow to Prague

The cosmopolitan city of St Petersburg is known as the'Venice of the north' because of its rivers and canals which are fascinating and easy to explore by boat. There are many sights to see in this former capital including the Winter Palace, the famous Church of the Spilt Blood and the Hermitage museums.

We will take an orientation walk around the key sights of the city, include a visit to the Hermitage Museum (with a local guide) to explore the extensive art collection there, and then you will be free to explore this great city at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Entry & Guided tour of the Hermitage Museum

Optional Excursions

Vodka Museum Tour and Tasting - 600 RUB • Mariinsky Theatre - from 1000 RUB • Catherine Palace - 700 RUB • Peterhof Palace - 550 RUB • Canal Boat Ride - 1100 RUB • Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) - 250 RUB • Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood - 250 RUB • St Isaac's Cathedral - 250 RUB • Cabin of Peter the Great - 200 RUB • Faberge Egg Museum Guided Tour - 600 RUB

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Cameo or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Our next stop is Tallinn, Estonia's capital. Famous for its enchanting historic centre, the city is a popular holiday destination on the Gulf of Finland. Roam the cobbled streets and explore scenic ruins or climb the hill of Toompea, which is filled with medieval buildings, 14th century churches, turrets, spires and enticing alleyways.

Tallinn also offers alluring boutique shopping similar to that found in Swiss cities. The city is full of artists and artisans so you may also find wonderfully made glass, weaving and pottery here. The cafe scene is thriving and you can find everything from sunlit street cafes to Art Deco style bakeries. Within the walls of the Old Town there are lots of excellent restaurants to enjoy and a thriving nightlife, with clubs open until the wee hours. Estonians are true beer lovers so you might like to try an authentic local brew.

Optional Excursions

Kadriorg Palace & Park - 6.50 EUR • Lahemaa National Park Day Tour - 55 EUR • Tallinn City Museum - 4 EUR • Estonian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - 9 EUR • TV Tower - 10 EUR • St. Olav’s Church & Viewing Deck - 2 EUR • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Free • Walking Tour - Free • Ghost Tour - 15 EUR

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Economy Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Riga is more than 800 years old and its clever blend of medieval centre and modern city infrastructure will enchant you. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town has its own particular charm, while the city is also famous for its fascinating Art Nouveau architectural heritage which you can discover as you wander the streets of this 'Paris of the East'. A must-do is a visit to Riga's most famous Gothic church, St Peter's, thought to be about 800 years old. Its famous spire has been rebuilt three times in the same form since 1667, with its latest rebuild completed in 1973. Climb the spire and enjoy spectacular views over the city.

Optional Excursions

Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - 4 EUR • St Peter’s Church Tower - 9 EUR • Museum of the Occupation of Latvia - Free • Walking Tour - Free • The Dome Cathedral - Free • Museum Art Nouveau - 9 EUR • Academy of Sciences Observation Deck - 5 EUR • Art Neoveau Tour - 20 EUR • Night Kayaking - 25 EUR

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Irina or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts an attractive baroque Old Town that is the largest in Eastern Europe and is praised as the 'New Prague'. Located on the edge of the Neris River, with its pine covered hills, friendly people, and blend of old and new, this is a picturesque city well worth exploring. You will have time to explore the main sights of the city including Gediminas Castle on the top of Gediminas Hill and Cathedral Square at the base of the hill, which is dominated by Vilnius Cathedral and its 57 metre-tall belfry.

While you're exploring the square between the cathedral and the tower you should hunt for the secret stebuklas (miracle) tile. The tile marks the southern end of the 2 million person, 650 kilometre long human chain between Tallinn and Vilnius, which was formed in protest against Soviet occupation in 1989. Local legend has it that if you find the pretty mosaic-covered tile you should stand on it and turn around three times clockwise while making a wish, which shall then be granted.

Included Excursions

Entry & Guided tour of the KGB Museum

Optional Excursions

Trakai Castle - 10 EUR • Grutas Park - 7.5 EUR • Walking Tour - Free • Cathedral Crypts Tour - 4.5 EUR

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Panorama or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Warsaw, Poland's capital, has been revitalised as a tourist destination. The city was almost entirely destroyed in World War II but a lot of effort has gone into its rebuilding. Since the fall of communism many old buildings have given way to modern skyscrapers, the dilapidated old town has been brightened up, and entertainment and services transformed to match that of other western capitals.

Home to various palaces, castles and citadels, Warsaw is noted for the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science, as well as the marketplace at the 10th Anniversary Stadium, a converted festival site where you can buy all sorts of interesting items. Also recommended is a visit to the Old Town, which was rebuilt between 1949 and 1963 after being destroyed in World War II in the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. You can visit the Historical Museum of Warsaw and Royal Castle at nearby Old Town Square.

Optional Excursions

Warsaw Uprising Museum - 20 PLN • Palace of Culture and Science Observation Deck - 20 PLN • Museum of the History of Polish Jews - 25 PLN • Lazienki Park and Palace - 40 PLN • Royal Castle Tour - 30 PLN • Walking Tour - Free • Wilanow Palace - 20 PLN

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at HIT Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Poland's more famous and cultural city is Kraków, which has managed to preserve centuries of amazing architecture and artistic traditions as most of the historic buildings and monuments emerged unscathed from World War II. Kraków was the royal capital for 500 years so a must-see is the royal Wawel Castle, a beautiful renaissance palace which now houses a museum. During the evening the cosmopolitan city offers a wild nightlife, with plenty of restaurants, music clubs and bars to explore.

Kraków is our base to visit the UNESCO listed Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp, a sobering tribute to the people that perished there during the Holocaust. The camp was originally designed for Polish political prisoners but became the most notorious camp of World War II because an estimated 1.6 million people of 27 nationalities, including 1.1 million Jews, 150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma were killed by the Nazis.

Included Excursions

Guided Tour of Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Optional Excursions

Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour - 145 PLN • Oskar Schindler's Factory - 24 PLN • Saint Mary’s Basilica - 10 PLN • Galicia Jewish Museum - 16 PLN • Wawel Royal Castle - 25 PLN • Walking Tour – Free

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Regent Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

After getting our fill of culture we board an overnight train to Prague which is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Visit the bustling Old Town Square where you can find a beautiful astronomical clock, the enchanting Charles Bridge where you can watch artists and buskers at work and the famous Wenceslas Square.

Optional Excursions

Summer Toboggan (Tatrabob) - 3 EUR • Hiking - Free • Water Park - 22 EUR • Bike Hire - from 12 EUR • Solisko Chairlift - 13 EUR • Furnicular ride - 7 EUR • Lomnicky Peak Cable Car - 43 EUR

Accommodation

1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Spend the rest of your day exploring the beautiful city of Prague, not forgetting to try one of Prague's tastiest pastries known as 'Trdelnik', a sweet rolled dough in the shape of a cone that is filled with anything from ice-cream to warm chocolate sauce.

Prague is a town that loves to party so you may also want to experience the nightlife as there are many great bars and restaurants and plenty of pulsating night clubs to enjoy. Czechs have been brewing beer since the 9th century and invented the world's first Pilsner, so Prague offers a great opportunity to sample some of the world's finest beers.

Optional Excursions

Kutna Hora Day Trip - 990 CZK • Brewery Tour - 1200 CZK • Beer Tasting - 590 CZK • Hradcany Castle - 350 CZK • Jewish Museum - 300 CZK • Town Hall Clock Tower - 120 CZK • Boat Tour - 260 CZK • Mucha Museum - 240 CZK • City of Prague Museum - 120 CZK • Karlstejn Castle - 270 CZK

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel William or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)