Scandinavia, Russia and Independent States

18 Days
Featuring: Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark

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Day 1  Depart USA - Overnight flight to Berlin

Day 2  Arrive Berlin - You are met on arrival at Berlin's Tegel airport and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax and unwind before meeting with your Tour Director and fellow passenger this evening for a welcome drink. Tonight, why not try out some of the city's lively nightlife?

Day 3  Berlin sightseeing & at leisure - This city history is highlighted on our morning sightseeing tour. We'll see the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Kurfurstendamm and much more. Later, why not visit nearby Potsdam on the Pergamon on Museum Island? Berlin''s nightlife is famous, you may wish to sample some of it this evening. (BB)

Day 4  Berlin - Warsaw (2) We journey first to the German border town of Frankfurt-an-der-order, then into Poland, stopping at Poznan, with its charming City Hall and Gothic churches. Later we cross the central plains of Poland to the Capital, Warsaw. Tonight perhaps listen to a Chopin recital. (BB D)

Day 5  Warsaw sightseeing & at leisure - We experience a miracle of reconstruction and conservation on our morning sightseeing which reveals the historic centre where much of the Old Town was rebuilt after the war. We also see the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast/ Restaurant dinner in Warsaw)

Day 6  Warsaw - Brest Litovsk - Minsk Today we cross the River Vistula to the Polish frontier. Soon we stop for lunch at Brest Litovsk before continuing via the Pripet Marshes and the Plains of White Russia to historic Minsk. Here an orientation shows us Leninsky Prospekt and Victory Square. This evening we will enjoy a dinner of traditional cuisine at our hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 7  Minsk - Moscow (2) An early departure as we drive through the countryside of Belarus. We cross the border into Russia with a stop at Smolensk for lunch. Then we continue via Borodino, site of Napoleon's great defeat en route to fascinating Moscow for two nights (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 8  Moscow sightseeing - Our morning sightseeing tour features such highlights as Red Square, St. Basil's domed Cathedral and the Kremlin. Then enjoy free time to maybe visit St. Sergius Monastery and handicraft market. Tonight, why not enjoy a tour of the ornate Moscow metro. (Breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 9  Moscow - Novgorod Today it's a full day's drive heading first to Klin, once home of Tchaikovsky. Then on to Tver for lunch and continue through picturesque villages before arriving at ancient Novgorod. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 10  Novgorod - St Petersburg (3) After breakfast an orientation tour shows us the Kremlin' fort and grounds Millennium Monument and the St Sophia Cathedral. Next we begin our journey across the vast Russian plains to St Petersburg for our three night stay. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 11  St Petersburg & at Leisure - the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt Peter and Paul fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Russian museum and the statue of Peter the Great are all highlighted on our morning sightseeing tour. During our stay we will enjoy an included visit to one of the world's largest and most valuable Art collection, The Hermitage Museum, set in the splendour of the Winter Palace. Also included on one evening is complimentary champagne with dinner, then perhaps visit a theatre for a Russian forklore show. (breakfast/dinner/Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 12  St Petersburg & at Leisure - the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt Peter and Paul fortress, St.Isaac's Cathedral, the Russian museum and the statue of Peter the Great are all highlighted on our morning sightseeing tour. During our stay we will enjoy an included visit to one of the world's largest and most valuable Art collection, The Hermitage Museum, set in the splendour of the Winter Palace. Also included on one evening is complimentary champagne with dinner, then perhaps visit a theatre for a Russian forklore show.(breakfast/dinner/Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 13  St Petersburg - Helsinki - Today, we leave Russia to drive through the forest of Karelia to the Finnish border. Then past the timber center of Kotka and on to the Finnish capital of Helsinki. This evening why not visit the Holmenkollen ski jump and enjoy some of the local cuisine? (Breakfast)

Day 14  Helsinki - sightseeing - At Sea - This morning our sightseeing tour shows us Finlandia Hall, the senate and Market squares, broad boulevards and the domed Russian Church. Then free time to shop and sightsee further before boarding our Silja Line ship for an overnight mini-cruise to Sweden (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 15  At Sea - Stockholm - An early arrival in Stockholm Sweden's capital, where a sightseeing tour features the Royal Palace and a visit to the City Hall. Then free time to shop or wander through the old town. Tonight, perhaps enjoy a candlelit dinner on the island of Djurgarden (Breakfast)

Day 16  Stockholm - Copenhagen (2) We travel past Lake Vattern and enjoy views of the Brahehus Castle. Then on through the forests and meadows of Smaland before crossing the Oresund to Denmark and its cosmopolitan capital, Copenhagen. (Breakfast)

Day 17  Copenhagen Sightseeing & at leisure - The Little Mermaid, Renaissance Stock Exchange, the Royal Amalienborg Palace and Christianborg Palace all feature on morning sightseeing. Then the day is at leisure. Tonight why not visit the famous Tivoli Gardens and enjoy a traditional Danish dinner? (Breakfast)

Day 18  Copenhagen - USA - This morning after breakfast there's time to bid farewell to your new-found friends and your Tour Director as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Breakfast)