Russia & The Baltics

On arrival in Moscow we will be met by our tour leader and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Azimut Hotel Olympic

We spend today exploring the founding centre of Moscow, the Kremlin and Red Square. Wander within the walls of this ancient fortress and admire the magnificent St. Basil’s Cathedral. In the evening we head out for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Azimut Hotel Olympic

Further explore the sights of Moscow today. Our highlights include the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, and Victory Park, an open-air museum dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleon.

Accommodation: Azimut Hotel Olympic

Our first stop today is Vladimir, where we visit the Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals. In Suzdal we explore the Suzdal Kremlin, Monastery and Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the rural folk in the area.

Accommodation: Sokol Hotel

Today we continue to Kostroma; a river port, light-industry centre and a serene spot on the Volga River. Our afternoon sightseeing includes the Monastery of St. Ipaty and the Snow Maiden Museum and Ice Bar.

Accommodation: Hotel Golden Ring

Head to Yaroslavl today, the unofficial capital of the Golden Ring. Explore the Residence of Her Majesty the Queen of Maslenitsa, Monastery of Transfiguration and the Church of Elijah the Prophet.

Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson

Today we complete our Golden Ring journey, heading back to Moscow while visiting sights along the way at the towns of Rostov, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Serqiyev Posad.

Accommodation: Azimut Hotel Olympic

Travel by high-speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg today. On arrival we visit Nevsky Prospekt Street, the main thoroughfare, as well as the Statue of Peter the Great and the Cathedral of Our Lady Kazan.

Accommodation: Happy Pushkin Hotel

Today we explore St. Petersburg, including the Peter & Paul Fortress, founded by Peter the Great in 1703. We also visit the impressive St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose dome dominates the city skyline, and St. Nicholas’ Naval Cathedral.

Accommodation: Happy Pushkin Hotel

Palaces are today’s theme as we embark on a short road trip to visit nearby palaces and parks at Peterhof and Pushkin. Catherine Palace, with its elaborate blue and white facade, is a magnificent example of Russian baroque while Peterhof’s Versailles-inspired palace and vast parklands with numerous fountains are a sight to behold!

Accommodation: Happy Pushkin Hotel

We spend our last morning in St. Petersburg appreciating art and culture at Hermitage State Museum, before we explore the 7000 square metres of mosaics inside The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Accommodation: Happy Pushkin Hotel

Today we journey to the Estonian Capital, Tallinn. Just across the border we stop at Narva, to explore Hermann Castle and Art Gallery. Enjoy a group dinner this evening to celebrate your arrival in the Baltics.

Accommodation: Park Inn Meriton

Spend this morning exploring Tallinn, including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Olaf’s Church, before enjoying a group lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Park Inn Meriton

We depart for Riga today. After crossing the border into Latvia, we make stops at the Turaida Castle Complex in Sigulda and the Soviet Underground Bunker in Ligatne before continuing onto Riga.

Accommodation: Opera Hotel & Spa

Today our exploration of Riga includes the Riga Cathedral, Freedom Monument, and St. Peter’s Church, where you can take the lift to the observation deck for 360-degree views of the city of Riga.

Accommodation: Opera Hotel & Spa

Our journey through the Baltics continues as we head into Lithuania today. En-route to Vilnius, we make stops at the Salaspils Memorials and Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, and the Ninth Fort Memorial in Kaunas.

Accommodation: Hotel Avenue Congress

Today we visit local sights including the Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas Castle, as well as the Uzupis district in the old town, which in 1997 declared itself an Independent Republic. We also head to the nearby Trakai Castle, which is located on an island in Lake Galvė.

Accommodation: Hotel Avenue Congress

It’s a long travel day today as we make our way into Poland. Just across the border we stop at Bialystok to visit the Branicki Palace and Museum of Pharmacy before we continue to Warsaw, enjoying a group dinner on arrival.

Accommodation: Polonia Palace

Spend today exploring Warsaw. Highlights include the Royal Castle, Rising Museum and Poland’s tallest building the Palace of Culture and Science, where you can admire the view from the observation deck.

Accommodation: Polonia Palace

We head across Poland to Krakow today, via Tokarina, where we will explore the Kielce Ethnographic and Countryside open-air folk museum with its historic buildings such as homesteads, cottages, windmills, watermills as well as the splendid manor house from Suchedniów.

Accommodation: Inx Design

Spend this morning touring the city of Krakow. We’ll visit the Wawel castle as well as the Jewish district of Kazimierz in the Old Town, now a jumble of indie galleries, quirky shops, vintage clothing stores and bars. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Accommodation: Inx Design

Today we travel to Oświęcim where we will take a guided tour of the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration and extermination camps, synonymous with genocide and the Holocaust. Visit the onsite museum to learn about the Nazi Holocaust and how the camps functioned.

Accommodation: Inx Design

We head south today into Slovakia. En-route we visit the Salt Mines at Wieliczka, before making our way to Ruzomberok where we explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vlkolínec, a remarkably preserved traditional European village.

Accommodation: Hotel TBA

This morning we continue into Hungary and on to Budapest, where we spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the city on a short tour which includes the famous Chain Bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda in the west and Pest in the east.

Accommodation: Novotel Danube

We further explore Budapest today, where our highlights include the Buda Palace and Budapest History Museum, as well as the Dohany Great Synagogue. The afternoon is at your leisure before we meet up for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Novotel Danube

Today we farewell Budapest and head to the airport for our flight home.

Accommodation: Dubai International Hotel

Today is spent travelling

Our Escorted Escape ends. On arrival, farewell your new friends and tour host as you head home.