After breakfast, your city tour will start with a drive along Leningradskaya Street, Tverskaya Street, Novodevichy convent and have a chance to see Moscow’s main highlights, including the sights of KGB, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, inside visit to the famous department store GUM and enjoy some free time at the Red square. After lunch in the city, you will head to one of the highlights to your trip, a visit to the Kremlin Grounds. For many people the symbol of Moscow and indeed Russia, the Kremlin is the former seat of the Russian Government and a unique historical, architectural and artistic reserve.
During a stroll around the Kremlin Grounds you will see the majestic Cathedral Square which still retains its original form, the Palace of Congresses, Senate square with the Arsenal and Senate buildings, residence of the President of the Russian Federation. The evening is yours to explore on own or take part in our carefully planned optional tours. Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Moscow & Visit to the Kremlin Grounds (B/L/D)
You will sail on the Neva River into St. Petersburg early this morning. Founded by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than 200 years. Nicknamed ‘Venice of the North’, the historic centre, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guided bus tour will take you along the Spire of the Basil Island (buildings of Stock Exchange, Kunstkamera, Zoo Museum), pass by the buildings of the Senate and the Synod, St. Isaac´s cathedral and drive along Nevsky prospect, the main boulevard of St. Petersburg. One cannot miss the splendid of the church of the Savior on spilled blood, emblematic for St. Petersburg. Your tour will conclude with a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress: The Boat house, Peter I monument, Commandant´s house, Nevsky Gate and St. Peter and Paul´s Cathedral.
Later on, enjoy a guided visit of Peterhof gardens which represent nearly two centuries of European aristocratic fashion executed to the highest standards. Marvel at the beaty of this open-air encyclopedia of park design through the age of empire. Master landscapers and garden designers managed to overcome the extremely inclement conditions of this region to create a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations. Included Excursion Guided coach tour of St. Petersburg Included Excursion Peterhof (lower park) (B/L/D)
This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theatre.
If you are feeling more active, then you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, offering the perfect environment for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months. This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over coffee and cake. EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family EmeraldACTIVE A hike to Bratislava Castle Included Excursion A walking tour of Bratislava DiscoverMORE Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense) (B/L/D)
Set on the banks of the Danube, Vienna has been considered to be Europe’s capital of music for centuries. Viennese Classicism is still highly regarded around the world, as the 18th century brought with it the First Viennese School, consisting of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Today, your local guide will take you for a drive around the world-famous Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Vienna, including a peppering of lavish Baroque mansions and the Vienna State Opera.
If you are feeling more active, then choose to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, home to a traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel. EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour in Vienna Included Excursion A guided tour of Vienna DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert DiscoverMORE Tastes of Vienna (B/L/D)
This morning, arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. When you arrive, you will have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, traversing the banks of the Danube.
Later, sail through the Wachau Valley, a place that showcases a plethora of historic architecture, in the form of monasteries, castles and ruins, and the development of urban design through the ages. When you arrive in Melk, you will be taken for a tour of the 900-year-old Melk Abbey, touching on the lavish surrounds of the former palace and viewing ancient manuscripts in the monastic library. EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour along the Danube Included Excursion A tour of Melk Abbey (B/L/D)
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