| Germany |
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BERLIN Berlin Cathedral Brandenburg Gate Berlin Wall |
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| Poland |
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WARSAW Lazienki Royal Park Chopin Monument Old Town Ghetto Memorial Royal Route Belvedere Palace |
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| Belarus |
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BREST MINSK |
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| Russia |
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SMOLENSK MOSCOW Moscow underground, Victory Park St Basil's Cathedral The Kremlin The Armoury Red Square Novodevichy Convent The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour TVER NOVGOROD ST PETERSBURG St. Isaac's Cathedral Peter and Paul Fortress Decembrist's Square Winter Palace Aurora Battleship Gulf of Finland Russian Ballet |
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| Finland |
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HELSINKI |
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| Sweden |
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STOCKHOLM |
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| Denmark |
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COPENHAGEN Tivoli Gardens Little Mermaid Rosenborg Palace |
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Berlin, Warsaw, Brest, Minsk, Smolensk, Moscow,
Tver, Novgorod, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen
Grand Russian SpectacularA Leger coach tour, 26th May - to 9th June 2007The brochure says 'Insights of historic Berlin and Warsaw, breathtaking tours of Moscow and St Petersburg and a taste of the capitals of Scandinavia are just some of the highlights of this exceptional tour. Travel by Silver Service luxury coach, the services of a local guide in Russia plus 12 excursions and visits to: Berlin (optional sightseeing), |
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DAY 1, Saturday 26th May:
Our coach 136 leaves from Milton Keynes at 0915 and takes us to Belgium, via the Dover-Calais ferry.The P&O ferry leaves Dover at 15.10 and arrives in Calais at 17.40. We continue on to the Holiday Inn Hasselt, arriving at about 21.30.
Included meals today: none.
DAY 2, Sunday 27th May: Berlin
Early breakfast then back on the coach for the long trip to Germany. We travel via Hanover, Braunschweig and Magdeburg, bypassing the old border checkpoints. Continuing east we cross the River Elbe to Berlin, the largest city in Germany.After checking in to the 3 star Ramada Globus in Berlin (ETA 1730)
we have the
Optional tour 'Berlin by Night' 18 Enjoy the atmosphere of the city in the evening. From the vivid boulevards in the west including the famous street of the Kurfurstendamn with its cafes, theatres, cinemas and art galleries and the newly refurbished Reichstag building which is the home of the German Parliament. We then pass the Brandenburg Gate and go on to the former East Berlin to see the Cathedral, Humboldt University and the famous Unter den Linden Street.Included meals today: breakfast only.
DAY 3, Monday 28th May: Berlin to Warsaw
Continuing east across Germany we pass Frankfurt and der Oder and head for the Polish border. We may have to wait for quite a while to cross the border. When we are across we will make a short stop so we can get some local currency.We'll pass through the Polish countryside, skirting the town of Kolo and onto the Polish capital, Warsaw. We will stay for two nights at the 3 star Hotel Gromada. We should arrive about 1830.
Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
DAY 4, Tuesday 29th May: Warsaw
After breakfast we are taken to the centre of Warsaw forWarsaw Guided Sightseeing (included). The city is divided by the River Vistula and became the capital of Poland in the late 16th century. Some of the buildings date from hat time but many were destroyed during WW2 and subsequently restored. Our tour of this cultural capital includes the 'Royal Route' with its aristocratic residences, the old town, the Ghetto Memorial and the Belvedere Palace. Our local guide will provide and informative commentary, revealing many of the stories behind the often tragic history of this fascinating city that was all but destroyed in WW2.This afternoon there is an optional tour of
Warsaw Royal Palace 15 The Royal Palace, originally built in 1589-1619, was partially destroyed by German bombers during the invasion of Poland during WW2. Later, it was heavily damaged during the Warsaw uprising and the remnants were then blown up by German engineers in 1944.We will then have some free time before going back to the hotel for dinner.
It was reconstructed in the early 1970s and the clock on the tower started working again in July 1974. It is now a museum and monument of Polish culture and heritage.
Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 5, Wednesday 30th May: to Brest and Minsk
Moving on again today we head east through he Polish countryside towards Belarus. Again we may experience delays at the border. When we have crossed into Belarus we will travel to Brest where we will pick up our guide for the next few days and have lunch (included). Brest is a frontier town on the River Bug. It was here that the peace treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between Imperial Germany and Russia in 1918. This resulted in the Russian surrender of the Ukraine, Finland, the Baltic provinces, the Caucasus and Poland.After lunch we go on through Belarus, via Kobrin and Baranovici to Minsk where we will have dinner and stay overnight at the 3 star Planeta in Minsk. We should arrive at about 2030.
Included meals today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 6, Thursday 31st May: to Smolensk and Moscow
An early start today travelling through the Belarus countryside bypassing Studyanka, the small town where Napoleon's army crossed the River Berezina. We cross the Russian border and enter another time zone. Bypassing Smolensk we stop for lunch at the nearby Motel Phoenix in Smolensk (included). Then on to Moscow to arrive at about 2100 for a 2 night stay at the Cosmos Hotel which has a swimming pool and fitness centre. We then haveMoscow by Night 20 Travel to the centre of the city on Moscow's famous underground metro system with its chandeliers, marble, granite and coloured glass. We then see Moscow's beautiful illuminated buildings including St Basil's Cathedral.Included meals today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 7, Friday 1st June: Moscow
No long travels today - we start after breakfast withGuided Moscow Sightseeing. The tour includes Novodivichy Convent, Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral.In the afternoon there are two optional excursions:
Optional tour of the Kremlin 25 The former residence of the Tsars and now the office of the Russian President, the Moscow Kremlin is an unrivalled architectural ensemble of unique beauty. The local guide will tell us about the buildings and personalities connected with this spectacular complex.
Optional tour of the Armoury 25 The Armoury is Russia's original treasury and offers a glimpse into the richness of Russia and Russian history. This museum of history and art boasts unique collections of the Russian, Western European and Eastern art and artifacts from the11th to the 20th centuries. Highlights include the Ancient Caps of Sovereignty of the Russian Tsars (Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, etc) and the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible. There is also a collection of Fabergι eggs.Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 8, Saturday 2nd June: Tver and Novgorod
After breakfast we leave Moscow and head northwest, bypassing Klin (home of Tchaikovsky from 1885-1893) and continue via Bezhardovo - the 'Moscow Sea' (a reservoir). We cross the River Volga (the longest river in Europe - 2306 miles) to Tver (formerly known as Kalinin). We stop for lunch nearby (included) then continue throught the forested countryside, skirting the Valday Hills, and on to Novgorod where we will stay at the Volkhov Hotel in Novgorod. We shoudl arrive there at 1930.Included meals today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 9, Sunday 3rd June: Novgorod and St Petersburg
After breakfast we have a morningTour of Novgorod which is close to Lake Limen. Here we will see the Cathedral of St Sophia, the oldest surviving stone building in Russia. Prince Alexander Nevsky ruled the town between 1236 and 1263. He became a national hero and a saint because he successfully defended the town against attacks by the Lithuanians, Teutonic Knights and the Swedes. Novgorod has many monuments and there is an incredible view from the River Volkhov.Then we head north to St. Petersburg which is one of the most architecturally beautiful cities in the world. We will stay for three nights at the 4* Hotel Pribaltiyskaya which has a swimming pool, jaccuzi and solarium. We should arrive there at 1645.
During the afternoon we will visit the State Hermitage Museum which is on the banks of the River Neva in Palace Square. It is housed in six buildings including the Winter Palace, the Little and Large Hermitage buildings and the Hermitage Theatre. This museum holds one of the finest collecections of art, Tsarist jewels and treasures in the world.In the evening there is an
Optional Folklore Show 35 The blurb claims that this is 'a spectacular show by genuine Russian folk dancers and singers set in a historic building in St Petersburg. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres are included in the price of admission for the show'. I don't think I'll bother - the folklore show in Prague was a rip-off. I am amazed that they feel they can charge 35 for this when the ballet is only 5 more.Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 10, Monday 4th June: St. Petersburg
A leisurely start this moorning (no travelling!). A day's sightseeing starting withSt. Petersburg Sightseeing. This guided tour will introduce the famous landmarks, history and culture of the city. We'll see the magnificent Decembrist's Square with Falconet's equestrian statue of Peter the Great who founded the city; the Winter Palace which was inspired by the Palace of Versailles; the enormous St Isaac's Cathedral which can accomodate 13,000; and the Peter and Paul fortress which was a notorious prison for revolutionaries.This afternoon is at leisure or join the optional excursion to see inside the
Peter and Paul Fortress 18 (entrance included) Founded in 1703, the Peter and Paul Fortress protected the new city of St Petersburg from the Swedes. It has also been a political prison and held Dostoevsky, Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin's older brother, Alexander. The main attraction inside the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral which was began by Peter as soon as the fortress had been constructed. Designed by the Italian architect Trezzini, it was completed in 1733. It is the burial place of all the Russian emperors and empresses from Peter I to Nicholas II.Dinner at the hotel, then optional excurion to
Swan Lake - St. Petersburg Ballet (optional) 40 The city is considered to be the birthplace of Russian classical ballet and you can enjoy an evening at one of the famed St. Petersburg ballet theatres.Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 11, Tuesday 5th June: St Petersburg
Our second day in St Petersburg. The day is at leisure. There is also anOptional tour to Yusopov Palace 28 On a quiet stretch of the Moika River stands a long yellow building which was once the residence of the wealthy and respected Yusupov family and which saw one of the most dramatic episodes in Russia's history - the murder of Grigory Rasputin. In 1916 a group of the city's noble elite, including one of the Grand Dukes, and led by the prominent anglophile Prince Felix Yusupov, conspired to kill the one man who they felt threatened the stability of an already war-torn Russian Empire. The guide will lead us through the beautiful original interiors of the palace where the full story of the murder of Rasputin will unfold before us.Dinner at the hotel, then
Optional evening Boat Cruise in St Petersburg 30 Along the Neva River seeing the Aurora Battleship and the Gulf of Finland as well as other sights. The highlight of the evening is a traditional Russian show with dancing and singing. Included in the price is Russian sparkling wine, vodka, caviar and fresh fruit.Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 12, Wednesday 6th June: St Petersburg to Helsinki
An early start today as we are leaving St Petersburg and heading for the Finnish capital, Helsinki. We will drive north past the historical town of Vyborg. We continue north, skirting the coastline of the Baltic Sea and head for the Russian/Finnish border at Vaalimaa. There may be lengthy delays here.In Finland we travel west passing Kotka and then Porvoo.
In Helsinki we catch the overnight ferry to Stockholm. This is a DFDS Seaways ferry whcih departs Helsinki at 1700. Dinner is not included this evening.
Included meals today: Breakfast.
Day 13, Thursday 7th June: Stockholm and Copenhagen
After breakfast on the ferry we disembark in Stockholm at 0930.We have a short introduction to the city which is built on fourteen islands on the outflow of Lake Malaren.We travel onwards passing Sodetalje, where a canal links Lake Maleren with the Baltic Sea, and through the wooded hills of Kilmarden which used to be notorious for bandits and highwaymen. We cross the Gota Canal, built in the early 19th century to link Gothenburg with the Baltic Sea and reach Lake Vattern which is in a rift valley. It is 80 miles long and is the second largest lake in Sweden. We drive soouth along the lake and pass through Granna and Jonkoping at the southern end of the lake. We then pass Varnamo and Ljungby to the port of Helsingborg. This port occupies a strategic point at the norrowest part fo the Oresund, the busy strait which separates Denmark and Sweden. We take the ferry accros to Helsingor where Shakespeare's Hamlet was set. We then drive on to Copenhagen for a two-night stay at the 3 star Glostrup Park Hotel in Copenhagen.
Included meals today: Breakfast.
Day 14, Friday 8th June: Copenhagen
Optional Copenhagen Sightseeing 25. Including Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid.Included meals today: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 15, Saturday 9th June: Rodbyhavn and Puttgarden
We travel to Rodbyhavn and take the ferry to Puttgarden in Germany then travel on to Belgium for an overnight stay.Included meals today: Breakfast only.
Day 16, Sunday 10th June: home
Travel home via Calais-Dover ferry.Included meals today: Breakfast.