| In the Footsteps of the Russian Tsars (11 days / 10 nights) |
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| DAY 1 |
| ITINERARY |
- Arive in Vilnus
- Check in to the hotel
- Lunch in Vilnus (not included)
- Half-day signtseeing tour of Vlinius
- Visit Gediminas Castle, theVilnius Cathedral,the beautiful St. Anne's Church, The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and many other notable landmarks
- Welcome dinner at the hotel
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| Details |
- Vilnius, the capital of present Lithuanian Republic, used to be the cradle of the mighty Lithuanian County, the residence of Great Duke Gediminas, one of the ancestors of the Russian royal family.
- Gediminas Castle dates back to the 14-th century and is closely connected to the formation of Vilnius as a city.
- The Vilnius Cathedral houses the impressive silver Chapel of St. Casimir, a Polish prince who was canonized.
- St. Anne's Church is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
- The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is the most exquisite example of the late baroque architecture in Vilnius.
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DAY 2 |
| ITINERARY |
- Half-day sightseeing tour of Trakai
- Lunch in Trakai (not included)
- Return to Vilnius
- Free afternoon: Explore the city on your own
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- One-time capital of the Lithuanian Dukes, Trakai is now a lake resort known for its castles.
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DAY 3 |
| ITINERARY |
- Morning: Transfer to Latvia (En route: Visit to Rundale Palace)
- Lunch in Rundale at la Biron’s cuisine restaurant, with waiters in period costume, and an 18th century styled dance and music brief performance (included)
- Travel to Riga (1 hour by bus)
- Check in to the hotel
- Free evening: Explore the city on your own
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- Rundale Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo architecture in Latvia, designed by the Russian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
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DAY 4 |
| ITINERARY |
- Half-day sightseeing tour of Riga
- Highlights include the Swedish Gate, Riga Castle, the "Three Brothers," the Dome Cathedral, and other famous historical landmarks
- Lunch in Riga's Old Town (not included)
- Evening: (optional) A ballet performance at the Opera Theatre or an organ music concert in the Dome Cathedral
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- The capital of Latvia, Riga was frequently visited by Peter the Great, who contributed to the city's development.
- The only gate which has survived in its original form, the Swedish Gate was built into the city walls in 1698.
- Built in the 14th century, Riga Castle now houses two museums, as well as the offices and residence of the President of Latvia.
- The so-called "Three Brothers" are the oldest stone houses still standing in Riga.
- The Dome Cathedral is one of the centerpieces of Riga's Old Town.
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DAY 5 |
| ITINERARY |
- Transfer to Tallinn
- Check in to the hotel
- Lunch in Tallinn (not included)
- Free day: explore the city on your own
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- The capital of Estonia, Tallinn has a rich history going back to Medieval times.
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DAY 6 |
| ITINERARY |
- Full-day sightseeing tour of Tallinn
- Highlights include Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral,
Toomkirik, the Nobility Assembly Hall, and many other landmarks associated with Peter the Great
- Lunch in Old Town (not included)
- Visit to Kadriorg Park and the ruins of St. Bridget's Convent.
- Dinner at famous Gloria Restaurant (included)
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| Details |
- Toompea Castle is the seat of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia - the Riigikogu.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest cupola cathedral
- Known as both the Dome Church and St. Marys in English, Toomkirik is said to be Estonia's oldest church.
- Kadriorg Park is famed mostly for its baroque palace and park ensemble, begun in 1718 as the summer palace for the family of Russian tsar Peter I.
- St. Bridget's Convent was the largest convent of Old Livonia.
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DAY 7 |
| ITINERARY |
- Stop in Narva (Estonia) en route to Saint Petersburg
- Lunch in Narva (not included)
- Transfer to Saint Petersburg
- Check in to the hotel
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- Narva's Baroque Old Town is of especial interest.
- Built by Peter the Great in the 18th Century, Saint Petersburg is known as "The Northern Wonder."
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DAY 8 |
| ITINERARY |
- Full-day tour of Saint Petersburg.
- Highlights include the Admiralty, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and the Peter and Paul Fortress
- Lunch at local restaurant (not included)
- Visit the State Hermitage Museum
- Evening: Attend ballet or opera performance at Mariinsky Theatre (optional)
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- The Admiralty Tower is one of Saint Petersburg's most well-known landmarks.
- Filled with shops, restaurants, and expensive apartments, Nevsky Prospekt is a major thoroughfare.
- St. Isaac's Cathedral is the largest Russian Orthodox Church in Saint Petersburg.
- The Peter and Paul Fortress was first established by Peter the Great in 1703.
- The former Winter Palace of the Tsars, the State Hermitage Museum houses a priceless collection of paintings, sculptures and other treasures.
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DAY 9 |
| ITINERARY |
- Visit to Pushkin
- Lunch at local restaurant (not included)
- Visit to Pavlovsk
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant (not included)
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| Details |
- Pushkin ("Tsarskoe Selo") was developed as a summer country residence for the imperial family by Catherine the Great. Notable landmarks include the Baroque Catherine Palace, designed by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
- Pavlovsk Palace and Park was another country residence for the Russian imperial family. The palace is an impressive example of Russian classical architecture.
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DAY 10 |
| ITINERARY |
- Visit to Peterhof Palace
- Lunch at local restaurant (not included)
- Visit to Church of the Savior on Blood (not included) or general sightseeing
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
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| Details |
- Peterhof Palace (Petrodvorets) was the summer residence of Peter the Great and his daughter, Elizabeth I. Known as “The Russian Versailles,” Peterhof is a delight comprised of many palaces, fountains, and gardens.
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DAY 11 |
| ITINERARY |
- Flight back to the United States
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