Warsaw, the Baltics & St. Petersburg 2013

Warsaw, the Baltics & St. Petersburg 2013 11 days with Globus Rating: First Class Book this Trip Now and Save! Receive $300 per couple in air credit when you purchase this tour and flights through Globus. Book by January 8, 2013. Click here for eligible departures. Globus Journeys Club members save 5% off the land price. Click here for eligible departures. Group discounts! Book 5-7 people on the same tour and each person saves 5% off the land price. Click here for eligible departures. Offers are subject to change or withdrawal at any time, and availability is limited. Some discounts are not combinable with other promotions. 800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Itinerary Click FastDeal# for complete pricing and any current discounts FastDeal # Departs Starting Price * #T117781 Apr 22, '13 $2,349 #T117782 Apr 29, '13 $2,349 #T117784 May 6, '13 $2,349 #T117785 May 13, '13 $2,349 #T117897 May 20, '13 $2,399 #T117931 May 27, '13 $2,399 #T118061 Jun 3, '13 $2,399 #T118175 Jun 10, '13 $2,399 #T118194 Jun 17, '13 $2,399 #T118233 Jun 24, '13 $2,349 #T118275 Jul 1, '13 $2,349 #T118320 Jul 8, '13 $2,349 #T118321 Jul 15, '13 $2,349 #T118322 Jul 22, '13 $2,399 #T118323 Jul 29, '13 $2,299 #T118324 Aug 5, '13 $2,299 #T118325 Aug 12, '13 $2,299 #T118327 Aug 19, '13 $2,299 #T118343 Aug 26, '13 $2,299 #T118344 Sep 2, '13 $2,299 #T118345 Sep 9, '13 $2,299 #T118407 Sep 16, '13 $2,249 Day 1 Warsaw, Poland. Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) Day 2 Warsaw. Hear about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway between East and West during your guided sightseeing tour. Visit the medieval STARE MIASTO (Old Town) with its market square and the 14th-century CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN, a masterpiece of post-war reconstruction. In the HISTORICAL MUSEUM, watch a moving film showing the city before and after war-time destruction. Sightseeing also features the “wedding cake” Palace of Culture and Science, the remnants of the Jewish ghetto, and a picture stop at the Ghetto Monument. Afternoon at leisure. Why not join an optional Polish dinner and folklore show tonight? (B) Day 3 Warsaw–Vilnius, Lithuania. The next five days are dedicated to the three small Baltic countries that quite recently regained their independence. Each has its own language and distinct culture. Today, travel to Lithuania, the largest and southernmost of the three. Late-afternoon arrival in the capital, Vilnius, once the splendid center of the mighty Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where a [LF] special dinner with regional specialties at a local restaurant awaits you. (B,D) Day 4 Vilnius. Vilnius’ picturesque historic nucleus is clustered around the remains of a castle built by Prince Gediminas in 1323. Your Local Guide will accompany you on a walk from Cathedral Square through narrow winding lanes to the OLD UNIVERSITY, founded by Jesuits in 1569. [LF] An interesting visit has been included to the KGB MUSEUM. (B) Day 5 Vilnius–Riga, Latvia. Enjoy a scenic drive from the River Neris through a landscape alternating dark forests, swamps, and lush pastures. Stop at the Hill of Crosses memorial site on your way to the Baltic port of Riga, the Latvian capital. (B,D) Day 6 Riga. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the historic center on the right bank of the Daugava River and a walking tour of the Old Town and the ART NOUVEAU QUARTER. Afternoon and evening at leisure, and an exciting optional excursion is available. (B) Day 7 Riga–Tallinn, Estonia. Trace the coastline of the Gulf of Riga past the Estonian health resort of Pärnu, a site inhabited since the early Stone Age, on your way to Tallinn, capital of the smallest of the Baltic countries. This afternoon, sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Hanseatic Old Town with its 15th-century Lühike Jalg Gate, and visits to the TOWN HALL and the onion-domed ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL. [LF] Receive an amber gift surprise as a lasting memory of your visit to the Baltic countries. (B) Day 8 Tallinn–St. Petersburg, Russia. Cross the river at the historic town of Narva and enter Russia. Arrive in magnificent St. Petersburg, where [LF] a special dinner features traditional Russian delicatessen like caviar, blinis, pickled cucumber, and vodka. (B,D) Day 9 St. Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, construction began in 1703 and the city eventually spread over 100 islands linked by 700 bridges. It suffered severe damage during World War II, when a cruel 900-day siege claimed more than a million victims. Start with the Winter Palace complex. Formerly the residence of the czars, it is now home of the world-famous HERMITAGE MUSEUM with celebrated works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and the major French impressionists. Next, drive along elegant Nevsky Prospect and admire ST. ISAAC’S CATHEDRAL with its gilded dome and marble columns. (B) Day 10 St. Petersburg. Travel to Pushkin, home of Russia’s last czar, and visit magnificent CATHERINE PALACE (if closed, visit PAVLOVSK PALACE instead). Balance of the day is at leisure, and exciting optional activities are available. (B) Day 11 St. Petersburg. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)