Day 1: Arrive Helsinki
After check-in there's time to relax and unwind. This evening, enjoy a drink with your group. Hotel: Crown Plaza

Day 2: Helsinki – St Petersburg (B, D)
Depart into Russia to St. Petersburg. This evening enjoy complimentary Russian 'champagne' with dinner. Optional Russian folklore show. Hotel: Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya

Days 3 – 4: St Petersburg  (B)
Tour the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Statue of Peter the Great , visit the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Hermitage Museum.

Day 5: - St Petersburg – Novgorod (B, D)
Drive across the Russian plains to Novgorod. An orientation tour shows you the Kremlin Fort and grounds, Millenium Monument and St. Sophia Cathedral. Hotel: Park Inn Novgorod

Day 6: Novgorod – Tver Region – Moscow (B, L, D)
A full day's scenic drive through picturesque villages to the Tver region. On arrival you will have lunch. Then on to Klin the one time home of Tchaikovsky, before arriving in Moscow. Hotel: Hilton

Days 7 – 8: Moscow (B)
A sightseeing tour features highlights such as St. Basil's domed Cathedral, Red Square and a visit to the Kremlin. Optional excursion to the Tsar's Treasury Chamber, or the St.Sergius Monastery and handicraft market. Optional visit to Moscow State Circus.

Day 9: Moscow-Minsk (B, L, D)
Follow in the steps of Napoleon's retreating army in 1812 passing near Borodino and making a stop in the Smolensk region for lunch. Then travel to the border between Russia and the independent state of Belarus en route to the capital Minsk. You will see the highlights of this city. Hotel: Minsk

Day 10: Minsk-Vilnius (B, D)
Travel into Lithuania to the capital, Vilnius. Your guided walking tour takes in views of the Bishop’s Palace that is now the Presidential Palace and the University. Visit the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Then walk to see the Gates of Dawn, the Carmelite Church of St. Theresa, the former Jewish Ghetto, the Cathedral and new Royal Palace excavations. Hotel: Radisson Blu Lietuva

Day 11:  Vilnius – Siaulai  - Riga (B, D)
Depart Vilnius with your first stop being a visit to Siauliai and the Hill of Crosses – symbol of resistance against Soviet occupation. Later, arrive in ancient Riga, Latvia's capital, made famous by the stories of Baron von Münchhausen. Hotel: Radisson Blu Latvija

Day 12:  Riga (B, D)
Tour this city with a local guide. Visit St. John's Church and the Dom Cathedral and see the State Art Museum. Riga has many narrow medieval streets, Gothic and Baroque Churches, 19th century municipal buildings and Hanseatic warehouses. Part of the tour is on foot so that you can better admire the medieval architecture.  

Day 13: - Riga – Tallinn (B,D)
Drive along the Gulf of Riga and into Estonia. Then travel via Parnu, a popular holiday resort of sandy beaches on the way to the Estonian capital, Tallinn.
Hotel: Radisson Blu Olumpia

Day 14: - Tallinn – Helsinki (B, D)
Sightseeing tour in Tallinn explores the beautifully preserved streets of the old Hanseatic Quarter with its ancient battlements and the 15th century Luhike Jalq Gate. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the old town hall before boarding your ship for the sea-crossing to Helsinki in Finland. Sightseeing with a local guide. Hotel: Crowne Plaza

Day 15: Depart Helsinki (B)
Transfers are available.

Included:

• 14 nights accommodation
• Hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
• Touring in an air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and an onboard washroom.
• Local city guides in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.
• Ferry across the Gulf of Finland.
• Arrival and departure airport transfers on days 1 and 15