For expert help planning your Russian vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| Eastern Europe
A 24-Day tour starting from $49,950
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discover Eastern European cities and Asian outposts - rich in traditions, architecture, and scenery - unseen by Western travelers for decades. |
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Price of Expedition Includes: • All hotel accommodations, meals, group transportation, excursions and other group activities from arrival in London on October 7, 2008, through departure from London following breakfast on October 29, 2008 • Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip • Transportation by private jet (or other conveyance) according to the itinerary, including meals, beverages, wine, beer and liquor on board our private jet • Complete program of special events and activities • Enrichment program of lectures and presentations by a team of experts • Professional expedition staff and physician to assist you throughout the trip • Bottled water throughout the expedition • Baggage handling abroad • All gratuities • Amenities package • Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance. Price of Expedition Does Not Include: • Roundtrip airfare and taxes between home cities and London (see airfare section below) • Passport fees and visa charges • Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance • Personal expenses such as immunizations, laundry, telephone, fax charges, taxis • Liquor except as noted above.
Day 1 - Depart USA
Depart on individual overnight flights to London. Day 2 - London, UK Meet fellow travelers, lecturers and expedition staff at our deluxe hotel for a welcome reception and dinner. Day 3 - Budapest, Hungary Begin your journey behind the former Iron Curtain in lovely Budapest, home to vibrant Hungarian culture, spectacular architecture, and glorious monuments to the country’s storied history. Stroll the city’s scenic boulevards and enjoy a private cocktail reception in the Houses of Parliament. Day 4 - Romania's Painted Monasteries From Budapest, take a day trip to visit several of Romania’s spectacular painted monasteries, world-famous treasures situated in the heart of the countryside where life has remained unchanged for centuries. Day 5 - Gjirokastra, Albania Embark upon the road less traveled to Albania’s gorgeous southern coast where charming towns are strung like pearls on a necklace. The seaside city of Saranda offers a picturesque base for our exploration of once-forbidden sites like the UNESCO World Heritage hillside town of Gjirokastra. Day 6 - Butrint, Albania Also walk among lovely forested paths to explore the fabulous, untouched Roman ruins of Butrint. Throughout your stay in Albania, relish the open hearts and warm hospitality of the her people, who are curious about the West and eager to share the history and traditions of their fascinating country. Day 7 - Riga, Latvia A gem on the glittering Baltic Sea, Riga will enchant you with its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town where church spires and castle turrets rise above 17th-century architectural gems and twisting cobblestone streets. Day 8 - Riga, Latvia Spend your time here strolling through the city, accompanied by expert guides who help you trace Riga’s fascinating history through its splendid museums, outstanding Art Nouveau buildings, lively street life, and striking historical monuments. Day 9 - Vilnius, Lithuania Under the shadow of the Soviet empire, Lithuania’s ancient traditions developed in secrecy for many years. But once again the glorious baroque city of Vilnius proudly shares beautiful architecture, delicious food and wine, and welcoming inhabitants. Enjoy an afternoon exploring this lively city where surprises await around every corner. Day 10 - Tbilisi, Georgia The crossroads of the Caucasus, the world’s second oldest Christian country, the home of Stalin – the tiny, mountain nation of Georgia has always played a part in the history of both Europe and Asia. Today, the newly independent nation opens its doors to you as you explore its colorful past and vibrant present. Day 11 - Tbilisi, Georgia Visit the boyhood home of Josef Stalin, tour a local winery to learn about the ancient art of viticulture as practiced in Georgia, or embark on a walking tour of the old town, stopping at cathedrals, monasteries, and museums. Day 12 - Tbilisi, Georgia Throughout the country, you’ll be met with sumptuous food and wine, gorgeous landscapes, and the warm hospitality of a people whose roots are as deep as those of any nation in the world. Day 13 - Bukhara, Uzbekistan Travel back in time in Bukhara, fabled trading center of the Silk Road and the holiest city in Central Asia, with more than 350 mosques and nearly 100 madrasas (religious universities). These days, Bukhara guards its ancient secrets behind clay and mud walls in the best-preserved historic old city in the region. Day 14 - Bukhara, Uzbekistan Bukhara’s people live much as they did hundreds of years ago, sipping green tea by the sacred pool at and playing chess in the shade of mulberry trees. Explore the twisting streets of this fascinating town, visiting the Ark, the imposing citadel that was once the home of the tyrannical Emir Nasrullah; the city’s famous domed bazaars, home to trade for more than 500 years; and the striking Kalyan minaret, symbol of the city. Day 15 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Mongolia is one of the most remote and least visited countries in the world. Explore the ceremonial rooms of the country’s pre-eminent monastery, Gandan, and listen to the chants of monks in prayer. At the Museum of Natural History, view dinosaur skeletons and numerous dinosaur eggs unearthed in the Gobi. Also visit the National Museum of Mongolian History to see a remarkable collection of ethnic costumes. Day 16 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Venture into the grasslands of the Mongolian steppe to visit a traditional ger encampment and witness the legendary horsemanship of nomadic peoples. In the evening enjoy a festive, traditional dinner and colorful folk dancing and acrobatics performed by a national troupe of dancers and contortionists. Day 17 - Irkutsk, Russia A thriving center of Siberian culture, Irkutsk is a city of beautifully preserved architecture. Explore the 18th-century Church of the Holy Cross and the Irkutsk history museum. Once home to artists and intellectuals exiled by the czar, the remote city prides itself on its sophisticated heritage as the “Paris of Siberia.” Day 18 - Lake Baikal, Russia Discover the wonders of legendary Lake Baikal, estimated to contain one-fifth of the world’s supply of fresh water. Traveling by hydrofoil ferry, visit the village of Listvyanka to see traditional Siberian architecture and learn about Lake Baikal’s unique and flourishing aquatic life. At the Wooden Architecture Museum, examine original buildings from throughout the region. Day 19 - Moscow, Russia Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb – the names alone evoke the mystery and secrecy that surrounded Russia for so many years. Moscow today is a thriving cosmopolitan city, home to world-class museums, galleries, theaters, and restaurants. Day 20 - Moscow, Russia Also travel just outside the city to the once-forbidden cosmonaut training facility, Star City. While in Moscow, do as the locals do, dine on sumptuous cuisine and attend a performance at one of the city’s many lavish theaters. Day 21 - Krakow, Poland Regal cultural capital of Poland, Krakow boasts a fascinating and varied history, rich with grace and charm. Stroll through Old Town, its beautifully preserved churches and homes a testament to a bygone era. The 16th-century Wawel Castle presides as lord of the town, but the heart of the city is the medieval town square, bustling with restaurants, architectural jewels, and, at night, a thousand glittering lights. Day 22 - Krakow, Poland If you like, travel deep into the nearby Wieliczka salt mine – a UNESCO World Heritage site – to see fabulous sculptures and chapels carved by salt miners over many centuries, or join a half-day trip to visit Auschwitz. Day 23 - Return to London Depart from Lisbon for London, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to our deluxe hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 24 - Depart London for Home Following breakfast at the hotel, return home on regularly scheduled commercial flights.
Private Jet Travel is Safe, Comfortable and Convenient
Our private Boeing 757 offers unmatched safety, long-range capabilities, access to smaller airports, and an interior customized for maximum comfort. Not limited by regular commercial routes or schedules, we fly direct, bypass busy airports and avoid layovers, crisscrossing continents and countries with ease. We enjoy special privileges, including expedited boarding, luggage handling, and Customs and Immigration formalities. Because we set our own schedules, we fly during the day, arriving refreshed and ready to explore. NEW, Spacious Leather Seats Fit Like a Glove We have reconfigured our Boeing 757 jetliner to accommodate just 74 guests in new VIP leather seats. Made with a patented, dense foam core, the seats automatically adjust to a wide range of body types and provide heightened comfort, flexibility and improved circulation. Each seat has an individual power source for laptops, digital cameras and other equipment. The cabin has 24 flat-screen monitors. We Control the Quality & Safety of Our Transportation The Boeing 757 is unsurpassed among today's jetliners for safety and has a 99 percent reliability rate for operating without mechanical delays. Our private jet is operated and maintained by First Choice Airways, founded in the United Kingdom in 1987. Carrying more than seven million passengers on more than 30,000 flights a year, First Choice Airways is one of the U.K.’s largest airlines and is consistently recognized for its high level of safety, performance and service. First Choice Airways monitors access to the jet and baggage at all times. Every piece of luggage is screened and identified with a security tag and remains under the watchful eyes of our staff and security officers. Find out more about our safety and security program. An Expedition Physician Travels With Us An experienced expedition physician accompanies each journey and is on-call to passengers 24 hours a day. An International Crew and Fine Create a First-Class Expedition Experience Accompanying our journey is an experienced, international crew, including eight cabin attendants, three pilots, two engineers, an airport liaison officer, and two chefs. The flight crew remains with us throughout the trip. Experienced expedition leaders also accompany the group. In-flight meals are graciously served on china and linen. Carefully chosen menus and wine lists accommodate a range of tastes. Dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients and special emphasis is placed on food safety by our chef and catering assistant. Seminars in the Sky Prepare Us for Adventures on Land Our lecturers deliver in-flight presentations, using a public address system and conveniently placed overhead monitors. An on-board library of books and publications relating to each destination is available during flight. All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.
Single rate from $53,350, please call for details. |
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| Note: 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||