STOP SALES: NO DEPARTURES IN 2022!
Have you heard about love triangle? This is the one that will shake your feelings with the visit of Helsinki, Tallinn and St-Petersburg. Home to the tsars for over 2 centuries, this proud city of St Petersburg is rightly called the Venice of the North. Built on marshes, this city would thrive against old odds resisting Russian winters, battling Baltic Sea storms, and surviving almost 900 days of cruel German blockade. While harboring the most luxurious palaces of the tsar, it gave birth to the 1917 revolution and remains the intellectual capital of Russia. Let’s not forget its close Baltic sisters, Helsinki and Tallinn. Both cities are really delightful and intimate, one displaying a rich Hanseatic past, Tallinn while Helsinki champions a vibrant Nordic modernity. Aren’t you seduced yet? No matter what, soon you will fall in love with this love triangle!
Day 1
Friday: Arrival in Tallinn
Arrival in Tallinn, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Day 2
Saturday: Tallinn
Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.
Day 3
Sunday: Tallinn - Helsinki
This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Seaside**** or similar.
Day 4
Monday: Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors. The evening offers optional Finnish dinner at Restaurant Salve.
Day 5
Tuesday: Helsinki - St. Petersburg
Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we drive through Vyborg, and continue to St. Petersburg. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check-in at Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky**** or similar.
Day 6
Wednesday: St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title of Venice of the North. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours of the city: the Peter- Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian „champagne” and snacks.
Day 7
Friday: St. Petersburg
The morning is reserved for an optional visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the afternoon, an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum is offered. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti.
Day 8
Sunday: St. Petersburg departure
Optional transfer to the airport.
