RUSSIA, THE BALTIC STATES & EASTERN EUROPE
A cultural tour of Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic & Austria

One of the world’s most unique empire went beyond it’s own territory in political and cultural influence. The art, music and culture of the Eastern Hemisphere of Europe is an envy of many regions of the world especially when one sees that it’s reflections in the unique and marvels in architecture of the various buildings, bridges, castles and general panorama. This journey gives an insight that will be remembered for all times to come.

Day 01, (SAT): Arrive Moscow, RUSSIA
Welcome to Moscow – a capital to the world. We are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is free to relax. Enjoy your dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Marriott Grand, Moscow (2 nights) (D)

Day 02, (Sun): Moscow
Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing begins at the Red Square, dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Visit the Armory Museum, proceed to see the Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district. Continue with a drive along the wide boulevards and then stroll through GUM, Russia’s largest department store. Rest of the day is at leisure. You may take part in an optional tour by night of Moscow and its subway. (B)

Day 03, (Mon): Moscow / Tver and Novgorod (534 Kms)
After an early breakfast, depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled on the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures, including Putevoy Dvorets, built for Catherine II as a resting place on her journeys from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of this remarkable city. End the day in historic Novgorod, founded almost twelve centuries ago.
Overnight: Park Inn Veliky, Novgorod (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04, (Tue): Novgorod / St. Petersburg (197 Kms)
A morning sightseeing tour of Novgorod starts at the Kremlin with a visit to St. Sophia Cathedral. Then, cross the river via a pedestrian bridge to visit the Yaroslav Court. In the afternoon, travel north to St. Petersburg, the former capital of the Romanov Czars. Upon arrival enjoy a first sightseeing tour of the city starting with the visit of Peter and Paul Fortress, quarter of the City museum and its cathedral, which houses the crypt of the Russian emperors. Next, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Overnight: Holiday Inn, St. Pteresburg (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05, (Wed): St. Petersburg
There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city 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 “Venice of the North”. This morning sightseeing tour will feature highlight: the world-famous Hermitage, which houses many treasures from the Czarist era. The rest of the day is free at leisure. (B)

Day 06, (Thu): St Petersburg / Tallinn (369 Kms), 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: Meriton Grand Hotel, Tallin (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07, (Fri): Tallin / Riga (312 Kms), 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 Hotel, Riga (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 08, (Sat): 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 09, (Sun): Riga / Vilnius (291 Kms), LITHUANIA
Morning we take a leisurely drive to Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel New Vilnius, Vilnius (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10, (Mon): 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 11, (Tue): Vilnius / Warsaw (436 Kms), 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: Holiday Inn, Warsaw (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 12, (Wed): 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 late afternoon Chopin concert. (B)

Day 13, (Thu): Warsaw / Krakow (295 Kms)
This morning we journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the "Black Madonna". Afternoon, there is time for an optional trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz. End your day in Krakow.
Overnight: Hotel Novotel Centrum, Krakow (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 14, (Fri): 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 (B)

Day 15, (Sat): Krakov / Prague (525 Kms), CZECH REPUBLIC
After an interesting and scenic drive through the Polish countryside, we cross the borders to Slovakia and then to the Czech Republic. Then, on to Zlata Praha (Golden Prague) with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls.
Overnight: Hotel Diplomat, Prague (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 16, (Sun): 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, Royal Palace and Loretto Church. 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. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available. (B)

Day 17, (Mon): Prague / Vienna (295 Kms), AUSTRIA
Today's destination is Vienna, the "City of Waltz", and one of Europe's loveliest cities.
Overnight: Hotel Renaissance, Vienna (2 nights) (B)

Day 18, (Tue): 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. Farwell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 19, (Wed): 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. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Apr 28, May 12, 26, Jun 23, Jul 07 & 28, Aug 25, Sep 08, 22 & Oct 06
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as per itinerary (or similar category) International airfares Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch D=Dinner) Visa fees / Insurance Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach Tips / Gratuities Airport transfers   Services of local English speaking guides   Entrance fees to sites
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 3980 US $ 1500
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1100 Canada - East Coast US $ 1100 USA - East Coast US $ 900
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and average group size of 20 participants.
Note: This tour 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. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.