Travel with us and discover the magic of ten countries in 18 days. A fascinating itinerary of history, art, various cultures and beautiful scenery awaits us. Our tour explores the cities of Berlin (Germany), Warsaw (Poland), Minsk (Belarus), Moscow, Novgorod & St Petersburg (Russia), Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark).
Visas are required for Belarus and Russia. These need to be obtained at least 90 days in advance. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after last date of travel. Book early to avoid disappointment.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Return ferry Dublin-Holyhead
- Return overnight cruise ferry Hull-Zeebrugge with en-suite
- cabins, dinners and breakfasts
- Helsinki-Stockholm overnight ferry with 2-berth cabins
- Luxury coach with fully qualified Driver/Escort
- 14 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- 12 evening dinners in hotels
- Half day guided tour of Warsaw
- Full day guided tour of Moscow
- Entrances to the Kremlin and the Armoury, Moscow
- Half day guided tour of Novgorod
- Full day guided tour of St Petersburg
- Entrance to the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
- 3 lunches in Brest, Smolensk and Tver
HOTEL
Tulip Inn, Bad Oeynhausen
Park Inn Alexanderplatz, Berlin
Novotel Centrum, Warsaw
Hotel Planeta, Minsk
Hotel Vega, Moscow
Hotel Intourist, Novgorod
Hotel Azimut, St Petersburg
Scandic Hotel, Copenhagen
NH Hotel Oberhausen, Essen
COST
€2,395 per person sharing
€650 single supplement
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ITINERARY
SUNDAY 25TH JULY
Board the coach at your local pick up point then we take the Dublin-Holyhead ferry and cross England to Hull for our overnight cruise ferry to Zeebrugge with en-suite cabins and meals on board. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 26TH JULY
After disembarking in Zeebrugge we travel through Belgium rest stops en route. We stay overnight in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. (B&B)
TUESDAY 27TH JULY
Our journey continues to Germany’s capital, Berlin. An orientation tour shows us the major sights – the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie (part of the former Berlin Wall) and the huge cathedral. This evening, perhaps attend an optional folklore dance show with traditional German food. (B&B)
WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY
After breakfast we travel the short distance to the Polish border where there will be an opportunity to change currency. We stop for lunch in the city of Poznan then drive to Warsaw, our destination for the next two nights. Virtually destroyed during World War 2, Warsaw has been carefully reconstructed and today contains an intriguing mix of architectural styles. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 29TH JULY
This morning a local guide takes us through Castle Square, along the Royal Route with its grand residences and through the former Jewish Quarter with its Ghetto Memorial. The afternoon is free for further exploration. This evening maybe enjoy an optional Chopin piano recital in one of the city’s fine palaces. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 30TH JULY
We travel into the landlocked former Soviet republic of Belarus and after passport control and the border crossing we stop for lunch in the city of Brest. Waitresses in local costume will serve a traditional meal (watch out for the bread and salt!). Afterwards the capital city, Minsk, for our overnight stay. (Lunch, Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 31ST JULY
After an overview of Minsk we travel to Smolensk on the banks of the River Dnieper. Smolensk is one of Russia’s oldest cities and we stop for lunch here before heading on to Moscow.(Lunch, Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST
We meet a local guide today for a Moscow sightseeing tour including the magnificent Kremlin with a visit to one of its cathedrals, Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral with its colourful onion-shaped domes and the Novodevichy Convent. We also visit the Armoury with its collection of priceless Fabergé eggs. Later, why not take a trip on the underground Metro system whose platforms are decorated with fabulous artwork, chandeliers and marble. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 2ND AUGUST
We leave Moscow and make a lunch stop in Tver, then continue to Novgorod, situated on the ancient trade route between Central Asia and Northern Europe. (Lunch, Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 3RD AUGUST
Novgorod was Russia’s first capital in the 9th century and this morning we enjoy a guided tour seeing some of the many churches and monasteries. We then head to St Petersburg for a three night stay. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST
A local guide joins us for the day to show us the beautiful city of St Petersburg. Built by Peter the Great on the shores of the Gulf of Finland at the beginning of the 18th century, St Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than 200 years. We see the magnificent Decembrists Square, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Winter Palace. This evening perhaps enjoy an optional visit to the ballet or opera. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 5TH AUGUST
This morning we visit the world famous State Hermitage Museum. This vast historic building contains one of the world’s finest collections of art and antiquities. A guide will accompany us to point out the highlights. The afternoon is at leisure, or maybe take an optional excursion to the fantastic Yusupov Palace, the site where the ‘mad monk’ Rasputin was murdered. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 6TH AUGUST
We leave Russia and travel to Helsinki, capital of Finland, located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. An orientation tour will show us the city then we check in for our overnight ferry to Stockholm. En-suite cabins are included on this 17 hour journey. Relax, dine, shop or enjoy the cabaret music show on board.
SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST
After disembarking we take a panoramic tour around Stockholm seeing the Old Town and the City Hall where the Nobel Prizes are awarded each December. We then drive across Sweden and take the short ferry journey from Helsingor to Helsingborg before arriving at Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, for a two night stay. (Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 8TH AUGUST
After breakfast a city sightseeing tour with a local guide will show us Copenhagen’s famous landmarks including the “Little Mermaid” bronze statue by the harbour. This was the inspiration for Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale. This afternoon there is free time to enjoy the Tivoli Gardens and the Amalienborg Palace. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 9TH AUGUST
We return to Germany via the ferry from Rodbyhavn to Puttgarden, then stop for lunch in Hamburg and take a short panoramic tour of the city. Our overnight stop tonight is near the Dutch border. (Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 10TH AUGUST
We travel across Holland and Belgium to Zeebrugge for the overnight cruise ferry to Hull. En-suite cabins, dinner and breakfast are included on board. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST
Arriving in Hull this morning, we drive across northern England and Wales to Holyhead for our afternoon ferry to Dublin, arriving at 17.00hrs. We then transfer you to your original pick up points. |