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| Realm of the Czars: Helsinki to Moscow
A 10-Day tour starting from $5,070
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This new 10-day Russia tour takes you from Helsinki, Finland to the treasures of Moscow and St. Petersburg, including the Kremlin, Red Square, The State Hermitage Museum, the Russian ballet and more! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Featured Dining: 9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 5 Dinners
Unique and Distinguished Hotels in the Best Locations: Night 1,2 Hotel Kämp: Helsinki, Finland Night 3,4,5,6 Hotel Astoria: St. Petersburg, Russia Night 7,8,9 Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow: Moscow, Russia Insightful Tour Directors During your travels, you have the pleasurable advantage of being with a Tauck Tour Director who is fully knowledgeable about the destination, its history and its culture. You can relax knowing that you are accompanied by a professional who manages the flow of events... a problem-solver (in the unlikely event a problem should arise)... an insider who saves you precious time... and a friend who will help transform your trip into a truly memorable journey. Every Travel Expense is Included When you travel with Tauck, you’ll save up to 40% on the cost of traveling the same itinerary on your own. What’s more, virtually every major travel expense is included: Along with most meals, your hotel accommodations, cruises, sightseeing, admissions to museums, galleries and theaters – even taxes and port charges – are built into the price of your trip. Guests are often delightfully surprised at how much is included. You can practically leave your wallet at home! A Tauck vacation offers you both superb quality and extraordinary value.
Day 1. Arrive Helsinki, Finland
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Hotel Kämp. Welcome to Finland! A transfer is included from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to your first night’s hotel, Hotel Kämp. One of the most exclusive hotels in the city, your hotel is located in the pedestrian zone of Helsinki, close to Esplanade Park, the South Harbour and all major cultural sights. Meet your fellow travelers at our welcome dinner tonight. Meals D Day 2. The Best of Helsinki Explore Helsinki today, where parks and waterways provide a stunning backdrop to the different architectural styles of the city. Gleaming white buildings earned Finland’s capital city the moniker, “White City of the North.” See the lovely neoclassical Senate Square, built by Russian rulers in the 19th century; Helsinki Cathedral, whose five green cupolas are a landmark on the city’s skyline; and the colorful Market Square, bustling with a glimpse of daily life. You’ll also visit the remarkable 1960s-era Temppeliaukio Church, built into solid rock. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy on your own; the city invites easy exploration and entices with parks and waterfront cafés. Meals B Day 3. Train to St. Petersburg Finland shares a common border with neighboring Russia, your destination today. Board an early morning train for St. Petersburg, journeying along the coastline to Russia’s cultural capital for a four-night stay at the Hotel Astoria. Retaining its early 1900s Art Nouveau décor, rich tapestries and crystal chandeliers while indulging guests with modern-day comforts, your five-star hotel is located in a pre-revolutionary setting near the gold-domed St. Isaac’s Cathedral overlooking the Neva River. Meals BLD Day 4. Treasures of St. Petersburg The birthplace of great Russian literature and the ballet, St. Petersburg boasts a legacy of history, the arts and striking beauty. Tauck takes you on a fascinating guided tour of must-see sights this morning, introducing you to a symphony of architectural treasures in a fairy-tale setting. Visit the imposing 18th-century Peter and Paul Fortress and the adjacent Cathedral topped with a soaring golden spire. Erected in 1723 as the city’s first stone church, it became the burial place for all Russian czars and their families. Spend the rest of the day exploring as you please. Meals BD Day 5. Summer Palace of Peter the Great Visit the Grand Choral Synagogue, recognized as one of the most sumptuous and imposing synagogues in the world, prior to a journey outside of the city to Petrodvorets to explore the Summer Garden and opulent Palace of Peter the Great. Nestled on the Gulf of Finland, this magnificent palace inspires with gilded touches similar to those found at the Palace of Versailles in France – its gardens include a labyrinth of paths and footbridges where elaborate statues and fountains can be found. Return by hydrofoil to St. Petersburg where tonight you’ll attend the ballet, experiencing a long-standing Russian cultural tradition. Meals BL Day 6. The State Hermitage Museum Situated along the banks of the Neva River in the heart of the city, The State Hermitage Museum houses one of the world’s largest – and most valuable – collections of art, featuring more than three million pieces of art and archaeological finds from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Tauck has arranged an early morning visit for you today, taking you inside its amazing halls to glimpse the priceless gems within, once reserved only for Russian royalty. Your guided tour includes the spectacular jewels and golden artifacts of the Second Chamber of the Gold Room, sure to be a highlight of today’s visit. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals B Day 7. Fly to Moscow Fly to Moscow for a three-night stay. Your visit to Russia’s capital city begins with an insider tour of one of history’s intriguing underground military centers. Tauck has arranged, by special permission, an exclusive visit to Stalin’s hidden bunker – closed to the public for decades. Built in the 1930s, the bunker is connected to the Kremlin by a secret tunnel some 10 miles in length. Relive history in Stalin’s central command room, see his personal effects in his private office, and have lunch. Continue on to your hotel, located on the banks of the Moskva River opposite the Kremlin and Red Square. Extraordinary views combine with modern-day amenities to make your three-night stay memorable in every way. Meals BLD Day 8. Red Square / The Kremlin Visions of the Kremlin come to mind when discussing life in Russia; this imposing government fortress represents every era of Russian history for the past 700 years and continues to emanate authority as the seat of modern Russian politics. Meet a Kremlin “insider” for a lecture on the history of Russia, before touring world-famous Red Square, and the 64-acre Kremlin. Your guided visit includes the Armory, housing treasures dating from the 14th century, and Cathedral Square, a monument to 15th- and 16th-century Russian architecture. Meals B Day 9. Moscow Underground Tour the Moscow Metro, a virtual underground “art museum” showcasing chandeliers, sculptures, stained-glass windows and beautiful mosaics, before visiting the State Tretyakov Gallery, the National Museum of Russian Fine Art. Join us for a farewell dinner tonight. Meals BD Day 10. Journey Home Tour ends: Moscow, Russia. A transfer is included from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow to the Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo Airport. Allow a minimum of 21/2 hours for check-in. Meals B
Exclusive Hermitage Museum Visit
An early morning visit to The State Hermitage Museum provides an opportunity to see the museum when crowds are fewer, including the Second Chamber of the Gold Room. Summer Palace in Petrodvorets Journey into the St. Petersburg countryside for a tour of the Summer Garden and opulent Palace of Peter the Great. Russia – Then and Now Attend a private lecture with an insider from the Soviet Union era, before touring Red Square and the Kremlin. Stalin’s Bunker – Tauck Exclusive Closed to the public, visit Stalin’s top-secret bunker, built in 1942, where he conducted Russia’s WWII strategies. All tour prices are per person, in US dollars.
Single Occupancy Rate = $6,499 Triple Occupancy Rate = $5,072 |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||