2010: JEWELS OF THE BALTICS & SCANDINAVIA (6930)

Details

Tour Operator

Cosmos

Offer

Offer valid through 12/31/2009

Duration

17 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Board your overnight transatlantic flight	BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2	Copenhagen	Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3	Berlin	A morning to enjoy Hans Christian Andersen's friendly city. Sightseeing includes the Little Mermaid sitting on her rock by the Langelinie Promenade, and the rococo Amalienborg Palace. In the afternoon, drive to Gedser for the two-hour ferry crossing to Rostock. Then, past Lake Plauer to Berlin for an overnight. (B)
Day 4	Poznan	No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin is the new German capital shadowed by a tragic past yet clearly set for a bright future. The old West Berlin now merges with the new East Berlin into a harmonic blend of imperial and contemporary architectural styles. See it all on the optional sightseeing tour. Also take a stroll down the Kurfurstendamm, aptly described by novelist Tom Wolfe as the 'longest coffee shop in Europe.' In the afternoon, cross the River Oder into Poland for an overnight in Poznan. (B,D)
Day 5	Warsaw	Travel eastwards this morning across the flat Polish lowlands to the country's capital, Warsaw. This afternoon, join the optional sightseeing with a Local Guide. This is an excellent introduction to Warsaw's historic center, magnificently restored after massive wartime destruction. (B)
Day 6	Vilnius	Journey northeast by way of Bialystok towards Augustow and Suwalki. Cross the Lithuanian border for the relatively short drive to Vilnius for an early evening arrival. (B,D)
Day 7	Vilnius	Vilnius has been the capital of Lithuania since the 13th century and the old town reflects in its architecture the influence of the various peoples who have at different times been the dominant force. Lithuanians, Russians, Jews, Muslims, and Swedes all contributed to the creation of this city. After breakfast, join the included city sightseeing tour. The itinerary will take in St. Stanislav's Cathedral, Gedeminas' Castle, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, St. Anna's Church, the Gate of Dawn, and the old university. Later in the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time or take the optional excursion to visit Trakai Castle. This evening there's an optional folklore dinner. (B)
Day 8	Riga	An interesting journey today as you travel right across Lithuania into Latvia for a stop in Pilsrundale to visit the 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 Riga. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Riga	The capital of Latvia is rightly considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Baltics. On the included tour of the old city with a Local Guide, you will be briefed on some of the most eventful parts of the city's 800-year history. Founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert, head of the Order of Teutonic Knights, the old town is a mixture of narrow streets, parks, riverbanks, and a canal flanked by old houses and lofty church spires. The main sights in the old town are Riga Castle and the Dome Cathedral. (B)
Day 10	Tallinn	A very interesting itinerary today since it will start with a drive through Gauja National Park, known as the 'Livonian Switzerland,' a land dotted with castles, parks, picturesque countryside, and a variety of fauna and flora seen only here. The park is traversed by the Gauja River. Next, head to the Baltic coastline for the drive to the Estonian border and a stop in Parnu, Estonia's most fashionable seaside resort. Then, travel northwards to Tallinn, Estonia's capital, for two overnights. (B,L)
Day 11	Tallinn	Start the day with an included sightseeing 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. (B,D)
Day 12	St. Petersburg	Drive east today towards the border town of Narva with the impressive Hermann Fortress. Then, start the journey to St. Petersburg, considered by most travelers to be Russia's most fascinating city. (B,L,D)
Day 13	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. Palaces, parks, monuments, squares, wide boulevards, and 600 bridges delight visitors with their symmetrical beauty, and the River Neva adds to the city's charm. During World War II the city was besieged for 900 days and much of it was destroyed, along with hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants. This morning's included sightseeing excursion will acquaint you with the best of the city's highlights. (B)
Day 14	Helsinki	Realize the huge expanse of Russia as you take a last glimpse of St. Petersburg. Set off north, traveling between Lake Ladoga to the east and the Gulf of Finland to the west, before crossing into Finland and its capital, Helsinki. (B)
Day 15	Stockholm	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. (B)
Day 16	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. (B,D)
Day 17	Your homebound flight arrives the same day	Return Home

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

US$ Price Details

Single room supplement:
$700

No triple room reduction.

Supplement for 2-berth cabin on overnight ferry Helsinki-Stockholm:
$115

Single accommodation not available on overnight ferry, singles will be asked to share.

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2009, 2010 & 2011 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.

Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2010, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.

Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.