Denmark’s capital is the starting point on this exploration of the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. Begin with guided sightseeing in Copenhagen before a ferry crossing takes you to Rostock, Germany, to board your motorcoach. Travel to fascinating Berlin, Germany’s once-again capital; to Poland, with overnights in Poznan and Warsaw; and to Vilnius, Lithuania, where guided sightseeing reveals how this city was influenced by the many invaders who left their marks. Visit the baroque Palace of Rundale on the way to Riga, Latvia’s capital and one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltics. Guided sightseeing shows off the highlights, then cross Gauja National Park and enter Estonia, with a stop in the seaside town of Parnu. Spend two nights in Tallinn and explore its Old Town, then on to Russia for guided sightseeing in Peter the Great’s splendid St. Petersburg. Traveling on the stretch of land between Lake Ladoga and the Baltic Sea, cross back from East to West and arrive in Helsinki, Finland’s capital. See Senate Square and the Cathedral, then embark on an overnight ferry to Stockholm, Sweden, to see the main highlights on a guided tour—the perfect end to a perfect vacation.

Day 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 travelers. (Dinner)

Day 2 Copenhagen–Ferry Crossing–Berlin, Germany
A morning to enjoy the famed charmes from the past and present, including the Little Mermaid, and the rococo Amalienborg complex of Royal Palaces. In the afternoon, head for Gedser for the two-hour ferry crossing to Rostock. Then, onward by road to Berlin for an overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Berlin–Poznan, Poland
The optional morning sightseeing is a must for all who wish to experience the fascinating mix of history-laden past and the confident present. In the afternoon, cross the River Oder into Poland for an overnight in Poznan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Poznan–Warsaw
Touring eastwards this morning through pleasant agricultural lowlands, reach the Polish capital, Warsaw, in time for the optional sightseeing with a Local Guide. This is an excellent introduction to Warsaw’s historic center, and you'll see why Warsaw is considered to be a Phoenix "par excellence," as European cities go. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Warsaw–Vilnius, Lithuania
Journey northeast by way of Bialystok towards Augustów and Suwalki. We then reach the biggest of the three Baltic states, Lithuania. Overnight in quaint Vilnius—the wedding-cake pretty capital since the 13th century and UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Vilnius
On the included sightseeing walk, visit the historic streets of the Old Town. Later in the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time or take the optional excursion to visit the medieval Trakai Castle on the shores of a picturesque lake. This evening there’s an optional folklore dinner. (Breakfast)

Day 7 Vilnius–Rundales Pils, Latvia–Riga
An interesting journey today as you travel right across Lithuania into Latvia for a stop in Pilsrundale to visit the restored 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 the capital of Latvia, Riga. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Riga
On the included tour of the Old City with a Local Guide, walk through the narrow streets to the town center. Founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert, head of the Order of Teutonic Knights, Riga still bosts a multicultural population. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Riga–Parnu, Estonia–Tallinn
A very interesting itinerary today since it will start with a drive through Gauja National Park, known as “Livonian Switzerland.” After an included lunch in the lively, historic seaside town of Parnu, take a stroll to the sandy beach, before continuing to Tallin for the next two overnights. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 10 Tallinn
Start the day with an included walking 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11 Tallinn–St. Petersburg, Russia
Drive east today towards the border town of Narva and cross into Russia. Then, start the journey to St. Petersburg, considered by most travelers to be Russia’s most fascinating city. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 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 splendor, beauty, and distinction. The included city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the palaces, parks, monuments, squares, wide boulevards, and 600 bridges that delight visitors with their symmetrical beauty; the River Neva adds to the city’s charm. (Breakfast)

Day 13 St. Petersburg–Vyborg–Helsinki, Finland
Realize the huge expanse of Russia as you take a last glimpse of St. Petersburg. Set off north, traveling through dense pine forests dotted with numerous lakes. Cross into Finland and head for Helsinki. (Breakfast)

Day 14 Helsinki–Overnight Baltic Sea Crossing to 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. (Breakfast)

Day 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 16 Stockholm
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US
Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES
Ask about airport transfer times, prices and what's included with your vacation.

Vacation Highlights

INCLUDED FEATURES
Headsets throughout the tour

Visits to Berlin, Warsaw, Rundales Pils, Parnu

Notes:
Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Gauja National Park

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Copenhagen, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

Accommodations

MEALS
Buffet breakfasts; 3 lunches; 7 dinners

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
COPENHAGEN Quality Dan (F) at Kastrup, BERLIN Best Western Queens (F), POZNAN Novotel (F), WARSAW MDM (ST), VILNIUS Uniquestay Centrum (ST), RIGA Radisson Blu Latvija (F), TALLINN Kreutzwald (F), ST. PETERSBURG Park Inn Pulkowskaja (F), HELSINKI Scandic Continental (F), STOCKHOLM Quality Nacka (ST)

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Ferry Gedser-Rostock. Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm will be in shared 2-berth cabins with private facilities

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Berlin

City Sightseeing
See the changes of Berlin (East and West) after the reunification with well-known landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichtag, Charlottenburg Palace, the boulevard Unter den Linden, Alexander Square and the remains of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie.
Approximate value: EUR €20 per person

CITY: Riga

Ethnographical Museum
The museum features authentic houses, farmsteads, windmills, wooden churches and fishermen's huts that represent life in the five different ethnic regions of Latvia during the 16th to 19th centuries. Situated within 20 minutes from downtown Riga, in a vast pine forest by Lake Jugla, it occupies more than 240 acres.
Approximate value: EUR €20 per person

Baltic Sea Evening
Dine in the only restaurant in Latvia located right on the beach! Local specialities and the characteristic location will make a really pleasant evening out.
Approximate value: EUR €48 per person

CITY: St. Petersburg

River Cruise With Lunch
A lunch cruise on the Neva River. Starting and ending at the Summer Garden you can enjoy a three-course Russian meal whilst viewing some of the famous landmarks of the imperial St. Petersburg.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person

Hermitage Museum
One of the world's greatest palaces is the Hermitage. After October 1917 the Hermitage collection tripled because of the nationalization of art treasures previously belonging to such famous Russian aristocratic families as the Stroganovs and Chouvalovs.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person

Nikolaevsky Palace
For your last night in Russia, why not enjoy a folklore show of fiery dances and original songs with snacks and "champagne" at the majestic Nikolayesvky Palace, which belonged to the Grand Duke Nicholas in the 19th century.
Approximate value: EUR €40 per person

Peter & Paul Fortress
This fortress on Zayachiy Island is the historical core of St. Petersburg. Ordered and planned by Peter the Great in 1703, it is a monument of military and engineering craft.
Approximate value: EUR €24 per person

CITY: Stockholm

Vasa Museum
On August 10, 1628, the pride of the Swedish fleet, "The Warship Vasa" sank in the Stockholm harbor on her maiden voyage. After 333 years she was rediscovered and raised in 1961. The Vasa is one of the world's oldest identified and fully preserved ships and one of the leading sights in the world. You will have a tour of the Museum with local expert, see a film about the salvaging of the Vasa and have time to explore on your own.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person

Secrets Of The Old City
A local guide will accompany you on foot to see the best parts of the old city in the evening. You will also have coffee or tea and a tasty cake in a café, where the 18th century atmosphere still lingers.
Approximate value: EUR €24 per person

CITY: Tallinn

Medieval Evening
Enjoy dinner with a wide selection of medieval specialties at a restaurant, located in a 14th-century merchant's house in the city center, a few steps away from the Old Town Hall. The costumes of the waiters and waitresses, the interior decoration and the background music, all reflect the medieval atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for everyone.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person

Kadriorg Park & Palace
Kadriorg Palace is one of the most beautiful examples of baroque style in Tallinn. When Peter the Great ordered a palace built in 1718, he knew he would spend time there only on rare visits to Tallinn and, in fact, stayed only once before his death in 1725. The cultivated grounds and wild groves are still favorite places for wandering any time of the year.
Approximate value: EUR €28 per person

CITY: Vilnius

Trakai Castle
Trakai Castle, Lithuania's most famous and most photographed castle, lies to the west of Vilnius on a peninsula in the midst of Lake Galve. The castle was the heart of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until 1323 when Grand Duke Gediminas moved the capital to Vilnius. The five-story, red brick fortifications were constructed by Vytautas.
Approximate value: EUR €20 per person

Lithuanian Dinner & Folklore
Enjoy a Lithuanian specialty dinner in an authentic Lithuanian restaurant in Vilnius, which is done up like an old Lithuanian ethnic house. During dinner, you will be entertained by musicians in national costume.
Approximate value: EUR €40 per person

CITY: Warsaw

City Sightseeing
Your tour of Warsaw, magnificently reconstructed after wartime destruction, will take in the old town, the royal route, the Lazienki Park, the Ghetto, the Palace of Science and Culture, the new residential district, city arches and monuments. Included is the viewing of the film "Warsaw Remains" at the Historical Museum.
Approximate value: EUR €20 per person

The Best Of Chopin
Enjoy a recital of some of Chopin's most beautiful music in his birthplace. The evening includes a glass of champagne during the intermission.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person

PRICES
From approx $2,499 US per person double occupancy