2009 Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Vilnius
Tour begins at 6 PM at Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel, Vilnius, Lithuania. Your transfer is included from Vilnius Airport to the Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel in the heart of Vilnius' Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet your Tauck Director and travel companions at tonight's welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel, Vilnius, Lithuania

Day 2: Old Town Vllnius and the castle of Trakai
Take a walking tour of Old Town Vilnius to appreciate its remarkable Baroque architecture. See Cathedral Square and the Renaissance-style Gates of Dawn, built in the 16th century as part of the town’s fortifications. Wind your way along the Yellow Roads and go off-the-beaten path in Trakai, a picturesque town with a castle dating to the Middle Ages; return to Vilnius to explore as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel, Vilnius, Lithuania

Day 3: Travel to Latvia
Depart Vilnius and travel the Yellow Roads through the pristine countryside of Lithuania; cross into Latvia and stop in seaside Jurmala on your way to the capital, Riga, an important trading center for Central and Eastern Europe from the 13th to the 15th centuries. Visit the city's opulent 19th-century Opera House, which was painstakingly rebuilt in the 1990s, and is a source of great national pride for the Latvian people. Your home for the next two nights is located in the heart of the old city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Grand Palace Hotel, Riga, Latvia

Day 4: Discover historic Riga
After a drive through Riga's New Town, a walking tour along the cobbled streets of Old Town Riga reveals buildings dating back 800 years as you continue to travel Russia and the Baltics with Tauck. Check out the Art Nouveau architecture in the city, considered the best in Europe, and see Riga Castle, the Swedish Gate and medieval dwellings; this combination of period architecture has earned Riga's Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. For those who wish, join us to explore some of the somber reminders of the tragic years of the Holocaust at the Jewish Museum and old Jewish Cemetery (holidays permitting). Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Palace Hotel, Riga, Latvia

Day 5: Journey to Tallinn, capital of Estonia
Depart Latvia and cross into Estonia this morning, stopping in seaside Parnu for an authentic taste of local life at an Estonian beachfront barbecue. Continue on to today's final destination, the capital city of Tallinn; its remarkably well-preserved medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at your recently opened contemporary hotel, ideally located just minutes from Tallinn's Old Town.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Swissôtel Tallinn, Estonia

Day 6: Cruise from Tallinn to Helsinki
Explore the walled city of Tallinn, an outstanding example of a medieval Northern European trading city. Take a guided walking tour along its narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares. View 13th-century Toompea Castle, which houses the Estonian Parliament. This afternoon, board the high-speed SuperSeaCat ferry and cross the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki, Finland

Day 7: Helsinki highlights
Explore Finland's capital city of Helsinki, a mix of parks, waterways, and various architectural styles. See the Neo-Classical Senate Square, and the green cupolas and white columns of Helsinki Cathedral. Enjoy the colorful Market Square, and extraordinary Temppeliaukio (The Rock) Church, built into solid rock in the 1960s. Explore on your own in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki, Finland

Day 8: To St. Petersburg by rail
From Helsinki, travel Russia on an early morning train ride to opulent St. Petersburg; the historic center of Russia's cultural capital and Peter the Great's "Window to the West" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your home for the next four nights is the Hotel Astoria on St. Isaac's Square near St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 9: Treasures of St. Petersburg
Take a guided tour of key landmarks in St. Petersburg. Visit the imposing Peter and Paul Fortress, built in 1703; inside the fortress, Peter and Paul Cathedral, with a tall golden spire, contains the tombs of the Russian czars, including the city's founder Peter the Great. Spend the rest of the day exploring more of St. Petersburg on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 10: A great palace & a night at the ballet
Holidays permitting, visit the Grand Choral Synagogue and then journey to the opulent Palace of Peter the Great, located in Petrodvorets on the Gulf of Finland; enjoy the Summer Garden and fountain displays. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil to pursue your own interests in the afternoon. In the evening, experience a long-standing Russian tradition when you attend a performance of the ballet. Note: schedule times and performances vary.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 11: The State Hermitage Museum... with fewer crowds
Today, Tauck has arranged an early morning visit to The State Hermitage Museum, boasting one of the largest collections of art and artifacts in the world. Displays include prehistoric cultures, classical antiquities, and Western European art; you'll view celebrated ancient gold treasures on a special visit to the Gold Room. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in glorious St. Petersburg.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 12: Fly to Moscow and visit Stalin’s Bunker
Fly to Russia's capital, Moscow, for a three-night stay in this ancient city. Upon arrival, enjoy an exclusive visit to Joseph Stalin’s hidden World War II bunker, which was closed to the public for decades. Your Tauck group has been granted access by special permission; check out the central command room, and Stalin’s personal effects in his private office, then contemplate your experience over lunch. Spend the next three nights with views of the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral from your hotel room -- just one of many great reasons to travel Russia with Tauck!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia

Day 13: Insider’s tour of the Kremlin
Meet a Kremlin insider to learn about Moscow’s past, and how the city has adjusted to the 21st century – another exclusive you'll enjoy when you travel Russia on this comprehensive Tauck journey. Get a guided tour inside the 64-acre Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with Red Square. Visit Cathedral Square, and the Armory Chambers to see the treasures of the Czars.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia

Day 14: Russian art & icons
Tour the Moscow Metro today; with stations built of wood, bronze, copper and marble and decorated with sculptures, reliefs and mosaics, it's as much underground art gallery as transportation system. Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery/National Museum of Russian Fine Art, featuring 11th- to 20th-century paintings and sculptures by Russian artists. Cap your Russia travel adventure with a festive farewell dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia

Day 15: Journey home
Tour ends: Moscow, Russia. Your memorable Baltics and Russia travel experience concludes today; a transfer is included from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow to Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo Airport.
Meals: Breakfast

Get an insider’s view when you travel Russia and the Baltics with Tauck -- book today!

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, the ferry service from Tallinn to Helsinki, first-class train service from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, the on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.

A representative of Tauck will meet you at Vilnius Airport on the first day of the tour. Tauck will provide you with transportation to the Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel regardless of the day or time of your arrival provided you have given us accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure. If you arrive later than the time you have provided, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation to the hotel. If you have purchased Tauck Travel Protection, you may submit the receipt for that expense for reimbursement. Tauck will also provide you with transportation from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski to either the Sheremetyevo ro Domodedovo International Airport on the day of your departure.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Bottled water will be included at all meals, and will be available on the coach.

Tauck Director – Russian Glories, Baltic Treasures is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff, and local guides are included. The customary gratuities for the drivers in Russia are also included; however, the gratuities for the drivers in Finland and the Baltic States are not.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

On-Tour Flights

Airfare While on Tour – One on-tour flight is included as part of your package. The Rossiya Airlines flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow is scheduled on Day 12.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director and Driver Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director are not included. The gratuities for the drivers in Finland and the Baltic States are also not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items, and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends when you check out of the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing To Go

Air Conditioning – All the hotels and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your own home. Some hotels in Europe do not operate their air-conditioning systems on a year round basis, but only during certain months of the year.

ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. The summers in the Baltics and Moscow are warm, but bring a light-weight or medium-weight sweater or jacket for warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket and tie for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but certainly comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Russia, Finland and the Baltics:

• Sports jacket and tie for men
• Casually-elegant outfits for women
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Socks
• Light-weight sweater
• Light-weight jacket
• Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Raincoat and rain hat
• Collapsible umbrella
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
  

Dining – As with all Tauck tours, we strive to choose restaurants that offer quality foods and excellent service in a pleasant setting. We try to choose restaurants that offer local and traditional menus for the region. When we have meals with limited or fixed menus, we select items that typically will appeal to all, yet reflect local dining styles and traditions.

Throughout this tour, restaurants will serve local cuisine. All countries on this itinerary are known for seafood dishes, primarily salmon, herring, pike and trout. Smoked and pickled fish are popular and are common breakfast items. Caviar is popular, especially in Russia, and is eaten at all meals. Russia is known for its meat pies and vegetable pies and for using beets and cabbage in many dishes. Finland is known for caribou and other game meats.

If you are a vegetarian or have special dietary restrictions, please tell your reservations sales counselor so that your Tauck Director can try to arrange alternative selections for the few fixed meals on tour. Kosher food is typically not available.

Elevation - The maximum land elevation on this tour is approximately 700 ft (213 m).

Health – You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The Baltic states, Finland and Russia are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from the Middle Ages. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture may present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities. The Old Towns of Europe are often a maze of hills with narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.

We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

In the hotels, the water is purified and suitable for washing and brushing your teeth, However, we recommend that you drink bottled water. Some hotels charge for bottled water. Tauck will provide bottled water at all meals and on the motor coach.

Smoking is widely acceptable in Russia. Cigarettes in Russia are inexpensive; and while it is illegal in Russia to sell cigarettes to people under 18, the law is seldom enforced and children are commonly seen smoking. Most restaurants are smoker-friendly and public places usually have a place to smoke.

The Russian government will not issue you a visa unless you can provide proof of medical insurance. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we suggest you purchase Tauck Travel Protection, which is considered sufficient for visa purposes.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Finland and Russia. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.).You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

Luggage –

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:

Strict limitations on the on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow require that you check only one piece of average-size luggage weighing no more than 44 lbs (20 kg). If you bring luggage exceeding these restrictions, you risk having your luggage left behind, or, if it is permitted on board, incurring additional excess luggage charges which are not included in the cost of the tour.

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted stricter policies enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight or size policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements –

You will require a letter of invitation from a Russian authority, such as the Russian Tourist House Victoria (RTHV), in order to request a visa for entry into Russia. Tauck will collect your passport information and send it to RTHV to issue an invitation letter. After receiving the letter, Tauck will then forward it on to Zierer Visa Service (ZVS), if you are a U.S. citizen, or to you directly, if you are not a U.S. citizen. If you are a U.S. citizen and you would prefer to obtain a Russian visa on your own, please let us know and we will send the invitation letter directly to you.

Over the past several years, ZVS has effectively processed thousands of visas for U.S. citizens traveling with Tauck. If you are a U.S. citizen, once you have made a reservation and sent in your deposit, Tauck will automatically send you a ZVS visa application. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to ZVS. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination; it will be stated on the application. For more information, or to download a ZVS application, please log on to their internet website, www.zvs.com, by clicking here. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process will take several weeks.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia; but you do not require a visa for short stays of under 30 days.

If you are a citizen of other another country, you should contact a consulate or embassy of each of the countries visited on this itinerary to determine what travel documentation is required. With an invitation letter issued via RTHV, you can apply for a Russian tourist visa from a Russian consulate in any country. Please note that the visa must reflect exactly the day and date of entry into and departure from Russia.

Although your may not need to provide proof of current medical insurance to obtain a Russian visa, you will need such proof when entering through customs or crossing the border into Russia. The plans offered through Tauck Travel Protection are deemed sufficient coverage for this purpose.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children –

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck Bridges journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck Bridges, you release Tauck Bridges, Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, and when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Russia, Finland and the Baltics.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currencies of each of the countries visited on this tour are as follows:

• Finland Euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents
• Estonia Estonian Kroon (EEK), divided into 100 sents
• Latvia Latvian Lat (LVL), divided into 100 santims
• Lithuania Lithuanian Litas (LTL), divided into 100 centai
• Russian Federation Russian Ruble (RUB) or Rouble, divided into 100 kopeks.
  

All convertible currency can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange bureaus which are located at hotels, airports, railway and bus stations and shops. The typical fee to exchange money is approximately $3 to $4 USD. ATM machines offer convenience, the best rates, and are located throughout the itinerary. ATM machines only dispense local currency. U.S. dollars are not accepted anywhere on this tour - local currency is required everywhere. A word of caution: it is difficult to exchange Lithuanian Litas for Russian Rubles in Russia, so you should convert your currency before leaving Lithuania.

While in Russia, we recommend that you use cash when shopping.

If you are a citizen of the U.S., you may bring into or take out of the U.S., including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. The penalties for non-compliance can be severe. “Money” means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

Each country imposes its own restrictions on the amount of money that may be brought into or out of its borders. Some countries' restrictions be far more strict than the those of the U.S.

To obtain the current currency exchange rates, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, “oanda.com – The Currency Site”, by clicking here.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled “Know Before You Go”, by clicking here.

If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Currently, all the countries visited on this tour levy an 18% or 22% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer goods and services. (The tax may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country in which the purchase is made (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union), you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in the countries visited on this tour is 220/230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to this standard, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.

Internet Access is available at each of the hotels as indicated below:

Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel - Complimentary high-speed wireless access in rooms
Grand Palace Hotel - WiFi access in rooms
Swissôtel Tallinn - High-speed wireless access in rooms
Hotel Kämp - High-speed access in rooms
Hotel Astoria - High-speed access in rooms
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski - WiFi access in rooms for a fee

Time Zones – Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Russia is 3 hours ahead. From late March through October, these countries switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 3 and 4 hours ahead, respectively.

To determine current time major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, "timeanddate.com" by clicking here.

Train to St. Petersburg – You will be traveling first-class in a private car on the Sibelius train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. A light lunch will be served aboard the train. There are overhead racks for you to store your carry on bag. The train ride takes approximately seven hours. A food service car is available if you wish to purchase drinks or additional food at your own expense. The train is scheduled to depart Helsinki at approximately 7:42 AM and arrive in St. Petersburg at approximately 2:23PM.

Weather – The Baltic States, Helsinki and Moscow share a continental climate whose seasonal temperatures vary widely; however, the Baltic States and St. Petersburg are generally more humid than Moscow due to their proximity to the sea. From May through September, the average high temperatures range from 60 to 85 ˚F (16 to 29 ˚C) and the average low temperatures range from 40 to 55 ˚F (4 to 13 ˚C). During the summer months rainfall averages approximately 2 to 3 in (50 to 76 mm) per month.

From late May to early July nights are bright in St. Petersburg, but the real White Nights normally last from June 11 to July 2. The nature of the White Nights (Beliye Nochi) can be explained by the geographical location of St. Petersburg as the world’s most northern city with a population over 1 million. Due to the high latitude of St. Petersburg, the sun does not go under the horizon deep enough for the sky to get dark. The dusk meets the dawn and it is so bright that in summer they do not turn street lighting on. If the weather is cloudy you might not see any White Night, though on a clear day you can get a feel for a White Night even in mid-July.

	Average Temperature
	Helsinki, Finland		Vilnius, Lithuania
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	24 / 13	-4 / -11	25 / 16	-4 / -9
February	25 / 13	-4 / -11	28 / 18	-2 / -8
March	32 / 20	0 / -7	37 / 25	3 / -4
April	45 / 30	7 / -1	51 / 34	11 / 1
May	59 / 39	15 / 4	64 / 45	18 / 7
June	68 / 48	20 / 9	70 / 51	21 / 11
July	70 / 52	21 / 11	71 / 54	22 / 12
August	67 / 51	19 / 11	70 / 52	21 / 11
September	57 / 43	14 / 6	61 / 45	16 / 7
October	46 / 36	8 / 2	50 / 38	10 / 3
November	36 / 27	2 / -3	38 / 0	3 / -18
December	29 / 18	-2 / -8	31 / 22	-1 / -6
	Moscow, Russia		St. Petersburg, Russia
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	21 / 11	-6 / -12	24 / 15	-4 / -9
February	24 / 12	-4 / -11	25 / 16	-4 / -9
March	34 / 22	1 / -6	34 / 24	1 / -4
April	49 / 34	9 / 1	46 / 33	8 / 1
May	63 / 44	17 / 7	60 / 44	16 / 7
June	69 / 51	21 / 11	66 / 52	19 / 11
July	71 / 55	22 / 13	70 / 56	21 / 13
August	68 / 52	20 / 11	66 / 54	19 / 12
September	57 / 43	14 / 6	56 / 45	13 / 7
October	45 / 33	7 / 1	45 / 37	7 / 3
November	32 / 24	0 / -4	35 / 28	2 / -2
December	25 / 16	-4 / -9	28 / 20	-2 / -7

	Average Rainfall
	Helsinki, Finland		Vilnius, Lithuania
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.6	41	1.6	41
February	1.2	30	1.5	38
March	1.3	33	1.5	38
April	1.5	38	1.8	46
May	1.4	36	2.4	61
June	1.7	43	3.0	76
July	2.9	74	3.1	79
August	3.2	81	2.8	71
September	2.9	74	2.6	66
October	2.9	74	2.1	53
November	2.8	71	2.2	56
December	2.3	58	2.2	56
	Moscow, Russia		St. Petersburg, Russia
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.4	36	1.1	28
February	1.1	28	1.0	25
March	1.3	33	1.0	25
April	1.5	38	1.2	30
May	2.0	51	1.7	44
June	2.6	66	2.2	56
July	3.2	81	2.6	66
August	2.8	71	3.0	76
September	2.3	58	2.4	61
October	2.0	51	2.0	51
November	1.7	43	1.6	41
December	1.7	43	1.4	36

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, “weather.com”, by clicking here.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received at its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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