JEWELS OF THE BALTICS AND SCANDINAVIA

Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland & Sweden

ITINERARY:

1 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. (D)

2 COPENHAGEN - BERLIN, GERMANY.
A morning to enjoy Hans Christian Andersen's friendly city. Sightseeing includes the Little Mermaid sitting on her rock by the Langeline Promenade, and the rococo Amelienborg Palace. In the afternoon, drive to Gedser for the two-hour ferry crossing to Rostock. Then, past Lake Plaurer to Berlin for an overnight. (B)

3 BERLIN - POZNAN, POLAND.
No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin is the new German capital shadowed by a tragic past yet clearly set for a bright future. The old West Berlin now merges with the new East Berlin into a harmonic blend of imperial and contemporary architectural styles. See it all on the optional sightseeing tour. Also take a stroll down the Kurfurstendamm, aptly described by novelist Tom Wolfe as the "longest coffee shop in Europe." In the afternoon, cross the River Oder into Poland for an overnight in Poznan. (B,D)

4 POZNAN - WARSAW.
Travel eastwards this morning across the flat Polish lowlands to the country's capital, Warsaw. This afternoon join the optional sightseeing with a Local Guide. This is an excellent introduction to Warsaw's historic centre, magnificently restored after massive wartime destruction. (B)

5 WARSAW - VILNIUS, LITHUANIA.
Journey northeast by way of Bialystok towards Augustow and Suwalki. Cross the Lithuanian border for the relatively short drive to Vilnius for an early evening arrival. (B,D)

6 VILNIUS.
Vilnius has been the capital of Lithuania since the 13th century and the old town reflects in its architecture the influence of the various peoples who have at different times been the dominant force. Lithuanians, Russians, Jews, Muslims, and Swedes all contributed to the creation of this city. After breakfast, join the included city sightseeing tour. The itinerary will take in St. Stanislav's Cathedral, Gedeminas' Castle, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, St. Anna's Church, the Gate of Dawn, and the old university. Later in the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time or take the optional excursion to visit Trakai Castle. This evening there's an optional folklore dinner. (B)

7 VILNIUS - PILSRUNDALE, LATVIA - RIGA.
An interesting journey today as you travel right across Lithuania into Latvia for a stop in Pilsrundale to visit the baroque Palace of Rundale, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. The palace was built by the great architect Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. More lovely countryside before reaching Riga. (B,L,D)

8 RIGA.
The capital of Latvia is rightly considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Baltics. On the included tour of the old city with Local Guide, you will be briefed on some of the most eventful parts of the city's 800-year history. Founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert, head of the Order of Teutonic Knights, the old town is a mixture of narrow streets, parks, river banks, and a canal flanked by old houses and lofty church spires. The main sights in the old town are Riga Castle and the Dome Cathedral. (B)

9 RIGA - PARNU, ESTONIA - TALLINN.
A very interesting itinerary today since it will start with a drive through the Gauja National Park, known as the "Livonian Switzerland," a land dotted with castles, parks, picturesque countryside, and a variety of fauna and flora seen only here. The park is traversed by the Gauja River. Next, head to the Baltic coastline for the drive to the Estonian border and a stop in Parnu, Estonia's most fashionable seaside resort. Then travel northwards to Tallinn, Estonia's capital, for two overnights. (B,L)

10 TALLINN.
Start the day with an included sightseeing tour to appreciate Tallinn's history and beauty. The old town, now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is certainly the most interesting part of the city. Also worth noting are the Hanseatic merchant houses, the mile-long town wall, the medieval Town Hall, and the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. (B,D)

11 TALLINN - ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA.
Drive east today towards the border town of Narva with the impressive Hermann Fortress. Then start the journey to St. Petersburg, considered by most travellers to be Russia's most fascinating city. (B,L,D)

12 ST. PETERSBURG.
St. Petersburg was created in 1703 by the iron will of Peter the Great. He made it the capital of all the Russias and ensured that it should rival any other European capital in splendour, beauty, and distinction. Palaces, parks, monuments, squares, wide boulevards, and 600 bridges delight visitors with their symmetrical beauty, and the River Neva adds to the city's charm. During World War II the city was besieged for 900 days and much of it was destroyed, along with hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants. This morning's included sightseeing excursion will acquaint you with the best of the city's highlights. (B)

13 PETERSBURG - VYBORG, FINLAND - HELSINKI.
Realise the huge expanse of Russia as you take a last glimpse of St. Petersburg. Set off north, travelling between Lake Ladoga to the east and the Gulf of Finland to the west, before crossing into Finland and its capital, Helsinki. (B)

14 HELSINKI - BALTIC SEA CROSSING - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.
The included tour of the Finnish capital covers the sedate Empire-style palace on Senate Square and the cathedral. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening embark on the Silja Line ferry to Stockholm. On board you can enjoy music, dancing, and shopping. (B)

15 STOCKHOLM.
Dock in Stockholm, perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals. The effect of its crystalline waters flowing through the city's intersecting canals gives a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and parks. The best way to see and appreciate the highlights of Sweden's capital is to join the included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. (B,D)

16 STOCKHOLM.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)