Introduction to Czar Route

The imperial delights of Russia welcome you on this 9 night tour as you travel from Helsinki to Moscow. Discover the western charms of St. Petersburg. Explore atmospheric Moscow and uncover the colourful history of the Czars that makes Russia such an interesting country to visit.

Itinerary

DAY 1

Flight Dublin to Helsinki direct with Aer Lingus. Arrival in Helsinki and transfer to Hotel Sokos Presidentti**** or similar for overnight stay.

DAY 2

Welcome meeting and free day to explore the city. Overnight stay

DAY 3

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and it is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours, 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. In the afternoon an optional excursion by waterbus is offered to the historic Suomenlinna Fortress.

DAY 4

Today we continue eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle. In the late afternoon we arrive in St. Petersburg and check in at Hotel Sokos Olympic Garden**** or similar.

DAY 5

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 “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours of the city: the Peter and 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 visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folkore show is on the program.

DAY 6

An optional excursion in the morning offers a visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the imptessive Grand Palace , Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. The afternoon is reserved for an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amder Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.

DAY 7

The morning is reserved for an optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. In the afternoon we go to the Moscow Railway Station and board the Aurora train bound for Moscow. The train ride takes us along endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the evening we arrive in Moscow and check in at Hotel Holiday Inn Lesnaya**** or similar.

DAY 8

Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis of the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city including the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theater Square with Bolshoi Theater, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to a cathedral is offered.

DAY 9

Today offers an optional excursion to Novidevichy Convent, a cluster of sparkling domes, one of the city’s most beautiful group of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow‘s most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin. The rest of the day is reserved for exploring more of Moscow individually. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus.

DAY 10

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Dublin.

Price inclusions

• Flight Dublin to Helsinki
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
• 9 overnights at centrally located 3-4 star hotels
• 9 x buffet breakfast
• Entrances to Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki, Vyborg Castle, Peter-Paul Fortress in St.Petersburg and Moscow Metro
• Train ticket St. Petersburg-Moscow OW (2nd class 6-persons compartments)
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans from arrival in Helsinki to departure from St. Petersburg and in Moscow
• Service of English speaking tour escort from arrival in Helsinki to departure from St. Petersburg and local English speaking guide in Moscow on all tours
• Portage at hotels and railway stations
• Service and VAT
• Flight Moscow to Dublin
• Taxes & Charges of €160

Optional Tours

• Visit to Old Russian Circus: €70.00
• 4-hours excursion to Novodevich Convent: €55.00
• Russian dinner at Restaurant Razgulay: €55.00
• 3-hour excursion to Kremlin and visit to one cathedral: €50.00
• Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdrorovie: €60.00 pp
• 3-hour guided shopping tour: €35.00 pp
• 4-hour excursion to Zarskoye Selo and visit to Catherine’s Palace: €60.00 pp
• Visit to folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace: €50.00 pp
• 3-hour visit to the Hermitage Art Museum: €45.00 pp
• 3-hour excursion with waterbuses to Suomenlinna Fortress: €55.00 pp (English speaking local guide and multimedia show in various languages)

Booking remarks

• Prices are correct at time of going to press, flight supplements may apply depending on availability of negotiated airfares
• Optional Insurance €48 (conditions apply)
• Half Board at hotels on request
• Single room supplement €660
• 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Full payment due on confirmation
• Non refundable or transferable booking deposit of 10% per person
• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• A Russian Visa is required and the Russian Embassy charge €60

Accommodation details

Helsinki

The Sokos Hotel is a classy, international and friendly hotel in the heart of Rovaniemi, close to River Kemijoki. The hotel features 159 comfortable, cosy rooms. The three welcoming restaurants cater to a wide variety of tastes.

The meeting room accommodates events for up to 60 people.

St Petersburg

The 348 room Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden is located in a quite park along Moskovsky prospekt – the historical prospect of the city and one of the main arterial roads, close to city centre (2 km) and airports (10 km). The hotel is located near Tehnologichesky Institut subway station. Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden introduces the concept of Scandinavian hospitality and quality in St. Petersburg. This is the ideal choice for groups and meetings. The hotel has excellent meeting facilities (13 rooms seating up to 350 people). All rooms are modern, fresh and well-equipped.

Moscow

Make the most of the Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya Hotel central location. The contemporary building on Lesnaya street, the Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya Hotel is a short stroll from famous attractions like the bustling Tverskaya-Yamskaya shopping street.

Modern Guest rooms are designed and equipped with comfort in mind. Enjoy home comforts like Satellite TV and

Dates and Prices

Date	Price
09 Jun 2012	€1,659
16 Jun 2012	€1,659
23 Jun 2012	€1,659
30 Jun 2012	€1,659
07 Jul 2012	€1,659
14 Jul 2012	€1,659
21 Jul 2012	€1,659
28 Jul 2012	€1,659
04 Aug 2012	€1,659
11 Aug 2012	€1,659
18 Aug 2012	€1,659
25 Aug 2012	€1,659
01 Sep 2012	€1,659
08 Sep 2012	€1,659
15 Sep 2012	€1,659