Best of Finland Russia and the Baltic States 2010

A 16-Day Trafalgar Tours tour starting from $3,299

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Starting Price: $3,299 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 16 Days
Countries Visited: Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia
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  • Book 6,10 or 12 months in advance save up to 10%
  • Young Travelers ages 5-17 save 10% off tours
  • Groups of 5 or more save 5%, 9+ one goes for free
  • Triple Room Discount available
 
More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type:
 Escorted Tour
Tour Category: Regional
Tour Operator: Trafalgar Tours
Tour Code: TT-SCEH-2010
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Cities Visited:
Finland, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

Discover the often-overlooked treasures of this stunning region. Visit ancient Novgorod, see the colors of St. Basil''s Cathedral, and come across thriving Baltic cities where the structures reveal centuries of riveting history and heritage.

 

Sightseeing Highlights
  • St. Petersburg: See the Nevsky Prospekt, St.Isaac''s Cathedral and the Statue of Peter the Great, visit the St.Peter and Paul Fortress. Plus a highlight visit to the HermitageMuseum.
  • Novgorod: Orientation including the Kremlin Fort.
  • Tver: See the Volga River.
  • Moscow: See St. Basil''s Cathedral, Red Square andvisit the Kremlin.
  • Minsk: Orientation tour including the Hero''s HillMonument.
  • Vilnius: Orientation tour includes the GediminasSquare and Tower. Visit the courtyards of the Jesuit University andmore.
  • Siauliai: Visit the Hill of Crosses.
  • Riga: Visit St. John''s Church and Dom Cathedral.See the State Art Museum.
  • Tallinn: See the old Hanseatic quarter and LuhikeJalq Gate. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
  • Helsinki: See Finlandia Hall, the Senate, themarket squares and the Russian church.

Dining Highlights
  • 2 full Scandinavian breakfasts in Helsinki
  • 12 hot buffet breakfasts elsewhere
  • 2 lunches in Russia
  • 7 three-course dinners
  • Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Riga
  • Farewell Dinner with wine in Helsinki
  • 25 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights
  • First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms withprivate facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggagehandling fees and local taxes included.
  • Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and awashroom onboard.
  • The services of one of Trafalgar''s top professional multi-lingualTour Directors.
  • A qualified local city guide in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow,Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.
  • Ferry across the Gulf of Finland.
  • Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 16.
  • A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

Airport Transfers
  • London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive,particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But whenyou book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and airpackages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London''sairports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who havetheir own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity topurchase inexpensive transfers to and from London''s Heathrow -Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transferfrom London''s Heathr
  • Important - Please Note: Passengers will only beentitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing thefollowing conditions are met:
  • For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly byTrafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeabletransfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight informationto Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Oncetransfers are booked they cannot be changed.
  • For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked byTrafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to yourdeparture date.
  • Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
  • In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar''s control, thetransfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
  • All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is thereforeavailable for missed transfers, or passengers not using thisservice.
  • In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works,strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible fordelayed or cancelled transfers.
  • Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot willpick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London''sHeathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange yourtransfer to your Trafalgar hotel
  • Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have bookedTrafalgar''s Land and Air packages arriving at London''s GatwickAirport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. TheGatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London''sVictoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make theirway from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
  • European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengerswill receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on thescheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the timesspecified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves yourflight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
  • Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar''s Land+Air packageand who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on thescheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also beprovided with a transfer.
  • Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tourdays are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase onethrough Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additionalpre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask forprices of transfers at the time of booking your extra nightaccommodation.
  • Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tourarrival or departure days but whose flights don''t coincide with thelisted transfer times below may also book and purchase thesetransfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not lessthan 21 days before the flight departure.

Important note: Visas may be required for this tour. Please speak with your travel agent at time of booking to assess your specific requirements.
 

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Helsinki.

Day 2 - Arrive Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki, capital of Finland. This afternoon aftercheck-in there''s time to relax and unwind. This evening, we willenjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelingcompanions.Hotel: Radisson Blu Seaside

Day 3 - Helsinki - St. Petersburg (3 nights)
This morning it''s an early departure for our journey into Russia,passing the timber center of Kotka. Then the forests of Karelialead to the former city of the Tsars, St. Petersburg. This eveningwe will enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner. Later, maybevisit a theater for a Russian folklore show? (Scandinavianbreakfast / Dinner)Hotel: Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya

Days 4 & 5 - St. Petersburg sight­seeing & at leisure
Featured on our sightseeing tour are the Tsar''s Winter Palace,Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac''s Cathedral, the statue of Peter theGreat and a visit of the Peter and Paul Fortress. During our timein St. Petersburg we will also enjoy an included visit to theHermitage Museum to see one of the world''s largest and mostvaluable art collections. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet breakfast)

Day 6 - St. Petersburg - Novgorod
This afternoon our drive takes us across the vast Russian plains toancient Novgorod. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us theKremlin Fort and grounds, Millennium Monument and the St. SophiaCathedral. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (Buffet breakfast /Dinner) Hotel: Beresta Palace

Day 7 - Novgorod - Tver Region - Moscow (3 nights)
After breakfast, we will delight in a full day''s scenic drivethrough picturesque villages to the Tver region. On our arrivalwe''ll enjoy an included lunch. Then our journey takes us on toKlin, once home of Tchaikovsky, before arriving in Moscow. (Buffetbreakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Hotel: Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya

Days 8 & 9 - Moscow sightseeing & at leisure
On our first day our sightseeing tour features such highlights asSt. Basil''s domed cathedral, Red Square and a visit to the Kremlin.Then during your time at leisure in Moscow perhaps take an optionalexcursion to visit the Tsar''s Treasury Chamber or maybe the St.Sergius Monastery and handicraft market? During your stay inMoscow, your Tour Director will also share with you a HiddenTreasure of this fascinating city. Tonight maybe enjoy an eveningat the exciting Moscow State Circus! (Buffet breakfast / Buffetbreakfast)

Day 10 - Moscow - Minsk
Today we follow in the steps of Napoleon''s retreating army in 1812,passing near Borodino and making a stop in the Smolensk region foran included lunch. Then we''re off to the border between Russia andthe independent state of Belarus en route to Minsk. Here anorientation shows us the Hero''s Hill Memorial as well as otherhighlights of this city. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner of traditionalcuisine at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Hotel: Hotel Europe

Day 11 - Minsk - Vilnius
This morning via Osm''any we head toward the border with Lithuania,then on to the capital, Vilnius. Our guided walking tour takes inviews of the Bishop''s Palace, now the Presidential Palace, and theuniversity. We also visit the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St.Paul which has exceptional sculptural decoration. Then we walk tothe Gates of Dawn, the Carmelite Church of St. Theresa, the formerJewish Ghetto, the cathedral and new Royal Palace excavations. Wewill also see the Church of St. Anna and the site of the synagoguedestroyed by Hitler in the last war. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Reval Lietuva

Day 12 - Vilnius - Siauliai - Riga (2 nights)
After an early lunch we depart from Vilnius with our first stopbeing a visit to Siauliai and the Hill of Crosses - symbol ofresistance against Soviet occupation. Later, we arrive at theLatvian border and ancient Riga, Latvia''s capital, made famous bythe stories of Baron von Münchhausen. Dinner is at our hoteltonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Reval Latvija

Day 13 - Riga sightseeing & at leisure
We tour this city in the shadow of the 14th century castle of theLivonian knights with a local guide. We visit St. John''s Church andthe Dom Cathedral dating back to the 13th century, and see theState Art Museum. Riga has long been one of the most thrivingcities on the Baltic - within the extensive old town are narrowmedieval streets, Gothic and Baroque churches, 19th centurymunicipal buildings and Hanseatic warehouses, which we will see onthe walking section of our sightseeing tour, as well as the TrisBraili where we may admire the medieval architecture. Later,there''s free time to explore before we enjoy a Highlight Dinner oflocal specialties in a restaurant tonight. (Buffet breakfast /Highlight dinner)

Day 14 - Riga - Tallinn
Today''s drive takes us along the Gulf of Riga and into Estonia.Then we travel via Parnu, a popular vacation resort of sandybeaches, as we head to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, for thenight. Tonight, maybe take a stroll through this charmingtown. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Reval Olympia

Day 15 - Tallinn sightseeing - Helsinki
Our morning sightseeing tour in this pretty town explores thebeautifully preserved streets of the old Hanseatic Quarter with itsancient battlements and the 15th century Luhike Jalq Gate. We alsovisit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the old town hall beforewe board our ship for the sea-crossing to Helsinki in Finland. Onour arrival this evening, sightseeing reveals Finlandia Hall, theSenate and Market Squares, broad boulevards and the domed Russianchurch. Tonight we get together with our Tour Director and fellowtravelers for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Farewelldinner) Hotel: Radisson Blu Seaside

Day 16 - Helsinki - USA
This morning it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director andtouring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfersare available, conditions apply. (Scandinavian Breakfast)

Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 2 at Helsinki Airport will operate at 10.00,14.00, 16.00 and 17.30. Passengers arriving later should make theirown way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touringday will arrive at Helsinki Airport at 07.00 and 12.00.

 

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8/6/2010 - 8/21/2010
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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

  • Finland
  • Russia
  • Belarus
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
 

Save $300 per couple on Europe land vacations!

Discover the beauty and magic of Europe during Autumn, Winter and Spring with Trafalgar.  From November through April, Europe takes on a unique radiance - Autumn's vast forest of trees adorned with rich red and burnt orange leaves, snow capped mountains in Winter and fields of vibrant color during Spring.  It is the season for grand carnivals, opera and symphony, and the chance to experience a fairytale white Christmas with Magical light illuminations and all the trimmings of the festive season.

And here's another special treat.  As you lose yourself in the atmosphere of some of the world's most enchanting cities at a time when there are fewer crowds, you'll also save on average 30% when compared to taking the same vacation during the summer months.

*Valid on new 2010/2011 Autumn, Winter and Spring bookings when full payment on the land and air portion is made 07/06/10 – 08/13/10 for travel departed 10/21/10 – 04/03/11. Companion airfare of $199 valid for second traveler when first traveler pays full airfare, including fuel surcharges and taxes (of up to $160) on exact same itinerary. Companion airfare to Cairo is $499 plus taxes. Not valid on tours to Israel or Morocco. Valid on British Airways on select service class only, and valid only on applicable US and European gateways. Taxes of up to $160 and fees are not included. Visit www.trafalgartours.com/taxesandfees for full details. Not valid with Early Payment Discount, 150AWS2010 or AWSBAAIR. **Valid on new 2010/2011 Autumn, Winter and Spring bookings when full payment on the land portion is made 07/06/10 – 07/13/10 for travel departed 10/21/10 – 04/03/11. Not valid on City Breaks (including An English Christmas and Christmas in Paris) and Eastern Mediterranean tours. Not valid with Early Payment Discount or AWS199AIR. Promotion code is 150AWS2010. Subject to availability and offers may be withdrawn at any time. Offers are valid for groups subject to availability. Other conditions may apply. Visit www.trafalgartours.com/aws for details. CST#2077132-20

Companion flies to Europe for only $199 on air-inclusive vacations!

Each of Trafalgar's perfectly planned First Class Autumn, Winter and Spring itineraries are designed to reveal the wonders of Europe's extraordinary history and cultural heritage.  They ensure that you will see, taste, hear and experience everything about a destination as you've always dream.

And here's another special treat.  As you lose yourself in the atmosphere of some of the world's most enchanting cities at a time when there are fewer crowds, you'll also save on average 30% when compared to taking the same vacation during the summer months.

*Valid on new 2010/2011 Autumn, Winter and Spring bookings when full payment on the land and air portion is made 07/06/10 – 08/13/10 for travel departed 10/21/10 – 04/03/11. Companion airfare of $199 valid for second traveler when first traveler pays full airfare, including fuel surcharges and taxes (of up to $160) on exact same itinerary. Companion airfare to Cairo is $499 plus taxes. Not valid on tours to Israel or Morocco. Valid on British Airways on select service class only, and valid only on applicable US and European gateways. Taxes of up to $160 and fees are not included. Visit www.trafalgartours.com/taxesandfees for full details. Not valid with Early Payment Discount, 150AWS2010 or AWSBAAIR. **Valid on new 2010/2011 Autumn, Winter and Spring bookings when full payment on the land portion is made 07/06/10 – 07/13/10 for travel departed 10/21/10 – 04/03/11. Not valid on City Breaks (including An English Christmas and Christmas in Paris) and Eastern Mediterranean tours. Not valid with Early Payment Discount or AWS199AIR. Promotion code is 150AWS2010. Subject to availability and offers may be withdrawn at any time. Offers are valid for groups subject to availability. Other conditions may apply. Visit www.trafalgartours.com/aws for details. CST#2077132-20

Click here to browse Trafalgar Autumn, Winter and Spring tours.

Trafalgar Great Ways to Save

Trafalgar offers great savings and discounts to help you stretch your money.

Past passengers save 5% off of the land on most tour itineraries.

There are also Early Payment Discount and Young Traveller Discounts just to name a few.  The early bird catches the worm, so book now - pay early - and save money!

The earlier you pay, the more you save! If you book and pay in full you'll save up to 10% off the LAND-only portion of your tour.

The earlier you pay - the more you save!

Below are our Early Payment Saving options:

Pay (min) 12 months prior to departure Save up to 10%

Pay (min) 10 months prior to departure Save up to 7.5%

Pay (min) 6 months prior to departure Save up to 5%

Please note: See individual itinerary pages for the exact value of how much you will save. All tours must be booked and paid for in full for this discount to apply. This discount does not apply to our City Break Tours, train tours, any products in our Eastern Mediterranean section and extra night accommodation. For 2010 pre-registration bookings, payments are to be made according to 2009 brochured prices. For further details, call 800-942-3301.

Travel with Family and Friend and Save!

5 or more – Save 5%: If a group of 5-8 people travels together, a discount of 5% per person applies to the LAND-only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

9 or more: If 9 or more people travel together, we offer attractive group discounts based on how many people travel. In a group of 9 passengers, 1 traveller qualifies for a 50% discount off the LAND-only portion of the tour. In a group of 16 passengers, 1 traveller qualifies for 100% discount off the LAND-only portion of the tour.

Please note: Space is limited to one group per motorcoach. These discounts are not combinable with our Travel Club Discount, any other rooming, young traveller or triple room discounts, and do not apply to our City Breaks, Greek Tours with Mediterranean cruises, Egypt, Israel, and extra night accommodation. All travelling passengers’ names must be advised to Trafalgar at the time of booking in order to qualify.

Share a Room and Save!

When travelling alone, we understand that some clients do not want to incur the expense of an additional single room supplement. With this in mind, on the majority of our itineraries, Trafalgar offers you the opportunity to purchase these tours on a room-sharing basis. We will accommodate you with a fellow passenger of the same gender on a ‘two-bedded’ basis (non-smoking rooms only). Please note that, regrettably, we cannot guarantee that room mates will be of a similar age group. Even so, it is an enjoyable way to travel and get to make new friends, and a positive way to stretch your holiday budget. If we fail to match you, we will provide a single room at no extra cost.

Please note: This service does not apply to our City Breaks, Greek Island Hopper and Best of Greece tours, Greek tours with Mediterranean cruises, train tours, Egypt, Israel and extra night accommodation.

 
 

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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.