RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
Highlights
Inclusions
TWIN
SOLO
GROUP
$14,495*
$16,995*
Min 12^
$13,495*
$15,995*
Min 16^
$12,795*
$15,295*
Min 20^
For additional information on this trip, including tour suitability and activity levels, please refer to the detailed trip notes below. *Prices are per person. ^Minimum passenger numbers to obtain stated price per person.
DAY 1
Our Escorted Escape begins today as we fly from Australia to Moscow. Tonight will be spent in the air en-route to Russia.
DAY 2
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
DAY 3
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
DAY 4
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
DAY 5
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
DAY 6
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
DAY 7
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
DAY 8
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
DAY 9
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
DAY 10
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
DAY 11
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
DAY 12
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
DAY 13
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
DAY 14
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
DAY 15
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
DAY 16
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
DAY 17
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
DAY 18
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
DAY 19
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
DAY 20
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
DAY 21
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
DAY 22
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
DAY 23
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
DAY 24
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
DAY 25
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
DAY 26
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
DAY 27
Today we farewell Budapest and head to the airport for our flight home.
Accommodation: Dubai International Hotel
DAY 28
Today is spent travelling
DAY 29
Our Escorted Escape ends. On arrival, farewell your new friends and tour host as you head home.