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Russia, Baltic States, Eastern Europe Tour & Jewels of Europe River Cruise

(34 days, Moscow - Amsterdam, 2012)
Russia, Baltic States, Eastern Europe Tour & Jewels of Europe River Cruise
Enjoy 34 days touring through incredible Russia, the Baltic States and Eastern Europe plus a Jewels of Europe river cruise through Germany and Austria.

This fantastic 34 day tour begins in Moscow with a guided tour to Red Square, a visit to Lenin’s Tomb, the G.U.M department store, Gorky Park and St. Basil’s Cathedral. You will also explore the Kremlin and the State Armory, home to priceless weaponry, jewels, Fabergé eggs and ceremonial robes.

From Moscow you will travel to St. Petersburg for St. Isaac’s Cathedral, with its huge gilded dome, exquisite mosaics and icons. In Estonia you will visit its capital, Tallinn and enjoy a guided walk of the Old Town, famous for its jumble of twisting cobblestone streets and Gothic spires, plus the resort town of Pärnu. In Latvia you will visit its capital Riga plus Rundale, and in Lithuania you will discover Sauliai before arriving in the capital, Vilnius, famous for its stunning baroque architecture. In Poland you will visit Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto, Palace of Culture and the Royal Palace, before continuing your journey to Berlin, where you will visit its iconic sights as well as nearby Potsdam, the former residence of the Prussian Kings in 1918.

You will discover the charms of the beautiful Czech capital, Prague and then travel by coach to Budapest to embark your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ for your 14-day Jewels of Europe River cruise. In the stunning Austrian capital, Vienna you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime private Viennese concert at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart; you will also dock in the charming German cities of Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg and Würzburg.

Your cruise continues along the spectacular Rhine Gorge with its stunning castle and vine-covered slopes to the historic city of Cologne, where you will dine at a private medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle. Finally you will make your way to Amsterdam, where you can choose to explore its picturesque canals, take a guided bicycle tour or head to Venlo for the once-in-a-decade 2012 Floriade.

  • 22% more space onboard
  • Portobello’s fine dining – one of 3 dining venues
  • Relax in our 3 viewing areas
  • Experienced Cruise Director
  • ALL meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily included on cruise
  • Coffee, premium teas, espresso drinks and hot chocolate
  • Beer, wine and soft drink with lunch and dinner
  • Wonderful local entertainment
  • Airport transfers
  • Spacious full size balcony suites
  • Complimentary bicycles
  • Whisper Headset for all Guided tours
  • Exclusive private butler service on all Danube Deck cabins
  • ALL TIPPING and GRATUITIES INCLUDED

Included Scenic Enrich

  • Chopin Concert at Manor House
  • Join our local expert historian in Potsdam, who will guide us through the Cecilienhof
  • We gain special entry to the Reichstag in Berlin for a tour, coffee and cake under the famous glass dome
  • At the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, enjoy a private Viennese concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart
  • Scenic Village Cultural Experience: Interact with the locals and experience daily life in a German village followed by home-grown entertainment and specialised cuisine exclusive to Scenic Tours
  • Enjoy an exclusive organ recital during a guided tour to Melk Benedictine Abbey
  • Step back in time on a private tour and Medieval Banquet dinner at Marksburg Castle, a 12th century hilltop castle overlooking the Rhine

Included Scenic FreeChoice

  • Visit Checkpoint Charlie Museum; or take a relaxing tour on the Spree river; or tour the Topography of Terror Museum (Gestapo HQ)
  • In Budapest relax at the Thermal Bath & Spa; or explore the lime stone caves of Labyrinth; or a Liszt Classical music experience
  • In Vienna tour Schönbrunn Palace; or see the key sights of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava; or the Spanish Riding School for a guided tour or to watch the horses exercise
  • Enjoy the sights of Passau; or excursion to Salzburg; or excursion to Cesky Krumlov
  • A walking tour of Würzburg including a private wine tasting; or journey down the Romantic Road to Rothenburg
  • Enjoy a canal cruise in Amsterdam; or a guided bicycle tour; or take an excursion to Zaanse Schans and Edam; or visit Venlo to witness the 2012 Floriade spectacle

Included Scenic Free Time

  • Take an audio guided tour of the sights to explore Amsterdam, Cologne, Bamberg, Regensburg, Vienna and Budapest at your leisure

Included Scenic Special Stays

  • The Radisson Blu Alcron is available exclusively through Scenic Tours and has recently been refurbished to its former art deco glory
  • The Ritz Carlton is one of Germany’s finest hotels and is the winner of numerous awards and is ideally located in Potsdam Platz

Included Scenic Dining

  • 71 superb meals including 33 Full Breakfasts - hot and cold buffet selections (FB),13 Lunches - buffet and daily à la carte (L), 5 Highlight Dinners - three course table d’hôte (HD) and 20 Dinners - three to four course table d’hôte (D)

Included Scenic Highlights

  • Sightseeing in Moscow including Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral
  • Night of entertainment at the Grand Moscow Circus
  • City Tour of St Petersburg including a visit to Hermitage Art Museum
  • Russian Ballet Performance in the Hermitage Theatre
  • Guided Sightseeing of Tallinn
  • Medieval dinner in Tallinn’s Old Town
  • Visit the major sites of Riga
  • See the ‘Hill of Crosses’ near Siauliai
  • Guided Tour of Warsaw
  • All the must see attractions in Berlin
  • Walking tour of Prague including the old town and Prague Castle
  • Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner in Budapest
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Vienna including Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace
  • Sightseeing tour of Regensburg including the Old Chapel
  • Guided sightseeing in historic Bamberg
  • In Rüdesheim visit Siegfried’s musical museum
  • Discover one of Germany’s oldest cities, Cologne, during a guided walking tour
  • Captain’s Farewell Dinner

Land Touring Exclusive inclusions

  • Luxury 40 seat coach
  • Small group touring experience
  • Professional Tour Director
  • Whisper Headsets for all walking tours
  • All Tipping, Gratuities and Porterage Included on all walking tours

Day 1: Moscow (D)
You will be met at Moscow International Airport by your Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your hotel. Meet up this evening over a welcome dinner at the hotel with your fellow travellers and Tour Director.
Three Night Stay: Moscow
Day 2: Moscow (FB,D)
This morning you’ll set out on an exploration of the city of Moscow. Our Included guided tour takes you to Red Square with a visit to Lenin’s Tomb, G.U.M department store, Gorky Park and St Basil’s Cathedral. This afternoon you’ll tour the Kremlin, seat of the former Soviet Union’s intrigue. In the State Armory, you’ll see priceless weaponry, jewels, Fabergé eggs and ceremonial robes.
Day 3: Moscow (FB)
Today our Included visit takes us to Sergiev Posad, the spiritual home of the Russian Orthodox Church. Returning to Moscow in the afternoon we see the famous Moscow metro including the historical stations on the Ring-Line. Tonight we see the internationally acclaimed Moscow Circus.
Day 4: Moscow - St. Petersburg (FB,D)
Enjoy the morning exploring Moscow at you leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the Moscow train station where we will board the Aurora train to St Petersburg. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
Three Night Stay: St. Petersburg
Day 5: St. Petersburg (FB)
Our city sightseeing tour today takes in all the great sites St. Petersburg has to offer. A highlight today is St Isaac’s Cathedral with its huge gilded dome, exquisite mosaics and icons. We end the tour with a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress. After lunch we will visit the Hermitage Art Museum.
Day 6: St. Petersburg (FB)
Today our excursion takes us to Tsarskoe Selo, built for Catherine the great, for an Included visit of Catherine’s Palace. Tonight we travel to the Hermitage Theatre for a performance by the Russian Ballet.
Day 7: St. Petersburg - Tallinn (FB,D)
After breakfast we leave Russia behind for Estonia via Ivangood to Narva. The border town is dominated by the 15th-century Hermann Castle which also overlooks the Ivangorod Fortress on the Russian side of the River. We continue to Tallinn.
Two Night Stay: Tallinn
Day 8: Tallinn (FB,HD)
Our tour today takes in the Old Town, famous for its jumble of twisting, cobblestone streets and Gothic spires. The tour includes Toompea Castle fortifications, located nearby the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky and the beautiful Town Hall Square. We also explore the city walls, still largely intact and a great vantage point to observe this striking city. This evening we enjoy a medieval dinner in a traditional restaurant near Tallinn’s Old Town.
Day 9: Tallinn - Paernu - Riga (FB,D)
This morning we depart Tallinn for Riga in Latvia, passing through Parnu, Estonia’s summer capital, famous for its mud baths and spa resorts. The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Art Nouveau architecture, cosy beer cellars and cafés. Our tour includes St Peter’s Church with its 123 metre high tower, the city walls and Riga Castle. 
Overnight Stay: Riga
Day 10: Riga - Rundale - Sauliai - Vilnius (FB,D)
This morning we leave Riga and travel to Rundale where we visit Rundale Palace. On route to the Lithuanian city of Sauliai we stop at the extraordinary ‘Hill of Crosses’. This symbol of Christian resistance to the Soviets features millions of small Crosses, which were repeatedly bulldozed during the occupation. This evening we arrive in Vilnius for our two night stay.
Two Night Stay: Vilnius
Day 11: Vilnius (FB)

This morning we join our expert local guide for an insightful walking tour around the Old Town, with its many famous examples of baroque architecture. We’ll get to see all the famous landmarks, including the University, the Gates of Dawn with its remarkable chapel and the famous Vilnius Cathedral. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful Trakai Island Castle, located a short drive outside of Vilnius. The castle is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Marienburg’ and construction began in the 14th century.

Day 12: Vilnius - Warsaw (FB)
After breakfast we depart Vilnius. Our route will take us into the amazing Mazurian region, which encompasses 4,000 lakes in a pristine setting, where a great deal of the landscape remains virgin forest. We cross the border into Poland and continue on to the capital Warsaw.
Two Night Stay: Warsaw
Day 13: Warsaw (FB,HD)

Memories of Polanski’s film “The Pianist’ come to mind as we visit the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide. We see the monument to the Ghetto heroes, the palace of Culture and the Royal Palace. This afternoon we visit Wilanow Palace, known as Poland’s Versailles. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a concert of Chopin music at Manor House before a highlight dinner.

Day 14: Warsaw - Berlin (FB)
This morning we will be taken to the main train station where we board our first class carriage for a journey across the heart of Poland and into Germany. Time en route to relax and watch the scenery pass by, arriving into Berlin early afternoon.
Three Night Stay: Berlin
Day 15: Berlin - Potsdam - Berlin (FB,HD)

This morning we journey to Potsdam, former residence of the Prussian Kings until 1918, where SCENIC ENRICH our local expert historian on Potsdam shares his knowledge of the town and its history as we visit the Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Treaty was signed in 1945. After free time in Potsdam we return back to Berlin. Berlin has undergone an exciting transformation since reunification in 1989. SCENIC ENRICH We have arranged special entry to explore the renovated parliamentary building that was controversially set on fire in 1933. After our tour, we’ll enjoy coffee and cake whilst under the famous glass dome. This afternoon visit the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, Alexander Platz, drive ‘Unter den Linden’ and visit the former Checkpoint Charlie. Checkpoint Charlie was once the notorious border crossing between the Soviet and American sectors, and witness to a number of dramatic events during the cold war. This evening we’ll enjoy a highlight dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 16: Berlin (FB,D)

This morning choose from the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) Checkpoint Charlie Museum, where you will learn the historic details of this notorious time in German history, such as the Berlin Wall and stories of those who risked their lives for freedom; or (2) A relaxing Cruise on the Spree River where you can view all the Berlin sites and fine architecture from the waterways; or (3) enjoy a guided tour of the Topography of Terror museum (Gestapo  HQ). This afternoon Berlin is yours to explore on your own.

Day 17: Berlin - Prague (FB)
After breakfast this morning we journey by coach to Prague, one of the truly magical cities of Europe. Situated on the bank of River Vltava in central Bohemia, the beautiful city of Prague is rich in history and is home to some of the world’s most pristine and varied collections of architecture.
Three Night Special Stay: Prague
Day 18: Prague (FB,HD)
This morning we will tour the old town with our local guide, ending with coffee and cake. This evening be enthralled by a typical Czech highlight dinner and entertainment.
Day 19: Prague (FB)
Your Tour Director is on hand to help plan your day.
Day 20: Prague - Budapest (FB,D)
After breakfast we depart Prague by luxury coach to the Hungarian capital of Budapest. On arrival you will be personally welcomed by our friendly dedicated staff onboard your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’. After unpacking for the start of your 14 night voyage, join your fellow guest for a welcome cocktail in the lounge. After dinner sit back and enjoy a Hungarian Folkloric ensemble showcasing traditional Hungarian music and dancing.
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising
Day 21: Budapest (FB,L,D)

Discover the highlights of both Buda and Pest during your Included guided city tour.  Choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) Relax in the Thermal Baths and Spa; or (2) Explore the lime stone caves under the Castle Labyrinth; or (3) Explore the classical music of Hungary and Liszt House & Museum.      

Day 22: Vienna (FB,L,D)

As you cruise the mighty Danube perhaps relax in one of the three lounge and viewing areas onboard. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a glass of Austrian ‘Sekt’ at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein. Then an enchanting private Viennese evening concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. 

Day 23: Vienna (FB,L,D)

To get acquainted with this beautiful city, enjoy an Included tour of the famous sights including the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace. Today offers three Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options to choose from: (1) A fabulous guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer palace of the Hapsburgs; or (2) Take a guided excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava; or (3) Witness the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions refining and perfecting their skills during their routine morning exercise program or a guided tour of the oldest Classical Dressage riding school in the world (not available all departure dates).

Day 24: Dürnstein - Melk (FB,L,D)

This morning your ‘Space-Ship’ glides through the spectacular wine region of the Wachau Valley to the picturesque Dürnstein. From here we will visit the nearby town of Melk where we discover the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. During your Included visit inside the Abbey you will be treated to an SCENIC ENRICH organ recital, performed by one of the housed Benedictine Monks.   

Day 25: Linz - Passau (FB,L,D)

Your Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE today gives you a choice of three countries all offering their own unique charm (1) a guided tour of Passau; or (2) Visit Salzburg, setting for ‘The Sound of Music’; or (3) an excursion to the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.                     

Day 26: Regensburg (FB,L,D)
Regensburg is one of Germany’s finest preserved cities and you’ll appreciate the beauty on an Included guided walking tour. Witness the beautiful white and gold Old Chapel before walking over the stone bridge across the Danube for a view of the cityscape. Included is a visit to the world’s oldest sausage kitchen.
Day 27: Nuremberg (FB,L,D)
Today offers three Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours to choose from: (1) See the infamous WWII sites followed by a self-guided tour of the Documentation Centre; or (2) Learn about Nuremberg’s past before meeting with local students; or (3) A self-guided bicycle tour..
Day 28: Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Relax on board this morning as we sail towards Bamberg. Bursting with character and charm enjoy the sights of the city on your Included tour. Back on-board, join your fellow passengers for the opportunity to experience some of the region’s finest brews including Bamberg’s renowned Smoked Beer.      
Day 29: Würzburg (FB,L,D)

Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) A guided walking tour of Würzburg including the Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace and a wine tasting in the underground cellars; or (2) Enjoy an excursion down the Romantic Road to unforgettable Rothenburg.    

Day 30: European Village Life (FB,L,D)
SCENIC ENRICH: Today you will be taken off the beaten track as an invited guest to experience Village life just for a day- Exclusive to Scenic Tours. Choose from a selection of activities from everyday life like cooking onion pie, or be welcomed into private castles and family wineries. Enjoy home-grown entertainment as you are invited to dine with the locals and relish on their specialities and delicacies prepared just for you.
Day 31: Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Marksburg Castle (FB,L,HD)
Today in Rüdesheim we board the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini train for a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Board a cable car for the trip to the 125-foot Niederwald Monument, overlooking the river. Cruise this afternoon through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a private Medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle. Set high above the banks of the Rhine this 12th Century castle is the only one never to have been destroyed. Step back in time and enjoy a private tour of the castle.
Day 32: Koblenz - Cologne (FB,L,D)
Travel to historic Cologne. Join your guide on an Included tour to explore the Old Town. Tonight gather in the Crystal Dining Room for the Captain’s farewell Dinner.
Day 33: Amsterdam (FB,L,D)
Our last morning of cruising before docking in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. With so much to enjoy choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE  tours: (1) A wonderful sightseeing canal cruise; or (2) a bicycle tour of Amsterdam; or (3) a visit to the windmills at Zaanse Schans or (4) A visit to Venlo for the 2012 Floriade (seasonal option, operates from the 5th April 2012 until the 7th October 2012).
Day 34: Amsterdam (FB)

After breakfast this morning it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the cruise. Our Scenic Tours representative will transfer* you to the airport.          

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.

At a glance
Duration
34 Days
From
$16,725
per person twin share
Dates
20 Jul 2012
On Request
31 Aug 2012
Available
Book now

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Enquire now or call 1300 723 642 Download the brochure

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