Day 01: Arrive Moscow, RUSSIA

Welcome to Moscow – a capital to the world. We are warmly received and transferred to our hotel.  Check in time is from 1500 hrs.  Balance of the day is free to relax. Enjoy your dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight: Marriott Grand Hotel, Moscow (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Moscow

Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Your sightseeing tour begins at Red Square, dominated by colorful St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Visit the Armory Museum, with its impressive collection of Tsarist, Russian, and foreign jewelry, armor, and other artifacts. Then walk by Moscow University. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards and a stroll through GUM, Russia’s largest department store. Continue, on the north bank of the River Moskva, passing by baroque Novodevichy convent; ending the tour at the popular Arbat shopping district. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 03: Moscow

Today we travel 75 km North of Moscow, to a small town of Sergiev Posad, former Zagorsk – founded in the 14th century and renowned as a center of ancient Russian art and architecture. For centuries it served as a place of pilgrimage and the religious capital of Russia. Within the old walled city admire the fairy-tale golden and blue domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most beautiful of all monasteries. After lunch, return to Moscow, the rest of the day at leisure. This evening take an optional tour of Moscow by night and Subway, to see the metro stations which Stalin called “Palaces for the People." (B, L)

Day 04: Moscow/St. Petersburg (Train)

Time at leisure in Moscow, before transfer to railway station for a four-hour, high speed Sapsan train ride to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, transfer to your hotel.  Dinner at hotel.  Optional Russian Folklore in the evening.

Overnight (2020): Ambassador Hotel, St. Petersburg (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: St. Petersburg

When Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg in 1703, he hired Europe’s best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it.  Spread over 100 islands linked by over 600 bridges, it is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”.  Today the main sites to be visited on the tour are Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Senate Square with the monument to Russian Emperor Peter the Great, the founder of the city, St. Isaac’s Square with St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Smolny Cathedral, Cruiser Aurora, Field of Mars, and Nevsky Prospect. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, built in 1703 to protect the city from enemy attacks and was the first construction of St. Petersburg. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors. Your evening is free or join an optional Russian Folklore evening or Evening Canal Cruise. (B)

Day 06: St. Petersburg

This morning you’ll visit the world-famous Hermitage museum, housing more than four million works of art. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. Admire world-famous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and French Impressionists. The largest building of the Hermitage is the Winter Palace and former residence of Russian Emperors. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city on your own or perhaps you may choose to take an optional tour to Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace  of Peter the Great.  Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a dinner. (B, D)

Day 07: St Petersburg/Tallinn (Drive) (ESTONIA)

Journey to Estonia, where our first stop is at Narva. Continue to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland.

Overnight (2020): Park Inn Radisson Meriton Hotel (2020), Tallinn (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Tallin/Riga (Drive) (LATVIA)

On a walking tour of the Upper and Lower Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we visit the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Next, we visit Toompea Castle and see the 14th century gothic Town Hall. This afternoon we are off to Riga, capital of Latvia.

Overnight: Radisson BLU, Riga (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Riga

During our sightseeing tour we see Riga Castle, the magnificent Dome Cathedral, St. Jacobs Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Parliament building, Liberty Monument and the district of Art Nouveau houses. Afternoon is free. (B)

Day 10: Riga/Vilnius (Drive) (LITHUANIA)

Morning we take a leisurely drive to Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight (2020): Novotel, Vilnius (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Vilnius

The city of Vilnius is located at the confluence of the Neris and Velnele Rivers. In Old Vilnius we visit Peter and Paul Church and St. Anna’s Church. View Vilnius University, dating back to 1570, the Gediminas' Tower in the Upper Town and Vilnius Castle.  Afternoon is free. Optional excursion to Trakai. (B)

Day 12: Vilnius/Warsaw (Drive) (POLAND)

A full day’s drive seeing beautiful landscape and after crossing the border into Poland, we arrive at the capital city, Warsaw, late afternoon.

Overnight (2020): Mercure Grand Hotel, Warsaw (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Warsaw

This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass by the Palace of Science and Culture (known as a “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John’s Cathedral. Time free to rest or stroll through the city or attend an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B)

Day 14: Warsaw/Krakow via Auschwitz (Drive)

Journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the “Black Madonna”.   This afternoon tour the haunting Aushchwitz-Birkenau, the notorious World War II concentration camp.   It is now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.   End the day in Krakow.

Overnight: Mercure Old Town, Krakow (2 nights)(B, D)

Day 15: Krakow

Our exploration of Krakow starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where we visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city, shopping or maybe sample some bigos or pierogi in a little café. (B)

Day 16: Krakov/Prague (Drive) (CZECHIA)

After an interesting and scenic drive through the Polish countryside, we cross the borders to Slovakia and then to the Czechia (Czech Republic). Then, on to Zlata Praha (Golden Prague) with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls.

Overnight (2020): Angelo by Vienna House Hotel or Vienna House Andel’s, Prague (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 17: Prague

Built on the seven hills more than 1000 years ago and situated on both banks of the Vltava River, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, the old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and the Golden Lane with the Daliborka Tower. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The balance of the day is free or attend an optional cultural performance. (B)

Day 18: Prague/Vienna (Drive) (AUSTRIA)

Today's destination is Vienna, the "City of Waltz", and one of Europe's loveliest cities.  The rest of the day is free to begin exploring or perhaps savor a Viennese pastry or two.

Overnight: Hotel Hilton Stadtpark, Vienna (2 nights) (B)

Day 19: Vienna

Our morning tour includes visit of the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and we view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure for last minute shopping. Celebrate tonight with a Farwell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 20: Depart Vienna

After an interesting journey through Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and average tour size of 25 participants.
Also please note that this is NOT part of our small group journeys.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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