FINLAND & RUSSIA TOUR - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG - MOSCOW TOUR

June-August 2010, 9 days/8 nights.

DDAY 1 (SUNDAY): ARRIVAL HELSINKI
Arrival in Helsinki, optional transfer to Hotel Sokos Vaakuna**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
DAY 2 (MONDAY): HELSINKI
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbors, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in the-Rock. In the afternoon an optional excursion by waterbus is offered to the historic Suomenlinna Fortress.
DAY 3 (TUESDAY): HELSINKI-ST. PETERSBURG
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in at Hotel Sokos Olympic Garden**** or similar.
DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY): ST. PETERSBURG
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter- Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exiting Russian folklore show and Russian “Champagne” and snacks.
DAY 5 (THURSDAY): ST. PETERSBURG
An optional excursion in the morning offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.
DAY 6 (FRIDAY): ST. PETERSBURG-MOSCOW
The morning is reserved for an optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. In the afternoon we go to the Moscow Railway Station and board the Aurora train bound for Moscow. The train ride takes us through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the evening we arrive to Moscow and check in at Hotel Holiday Inn Lesnaya**** or similar.
DAY 7 (SATURDAY): MOSCOW
Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theater Square with Bolshoi Theater, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon is offered an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals.
DAY 8 (SUNDAY): MOSCOW
The morning offers an optional excursion to Novidevichy Convent, a 16th century cluster of sparkling domes, one of the city’s most beautiful groups of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow‘s most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring more of Moscow individually. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus.
DAY 9 (MONDAY): MOSCOW DEPARTURE
Optional transfer to the airport.

DATES:

MCR04: 13.06-21.06.10
MCR06: 27.06-05.07.10
MCR07: 04.07-12.07.10
MCR08: 11.07-19.07.10
MCR09: 18.07-26.07.10
MCR10: 25.07-02.08.10
MCR11: 01.08-09.08.10
MCR12: 08.08-16.08.10
MCR13: 15.08-23.08.10
MCR14: 22.08-30.08.10