2010 – 14 Days from $6,690 plus on-tour airfare
Tauck's Baltics and Russia tour offers an insider's view of Old World Baltic cities, as well as St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia. Explore Helsinki, Finland; Riga, Latvia; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Tallinn, Estonia - with their age-old castles, medieval lanes, and incredible architecture. Travel by air, coach, train and high-speed ferry. In Moscow, visit the Kremlin and Red Square, with a private lecture by an insider from the Soviet era. In St. Petersburg, visit Peter and Paul Fortress, enjoy high tea and an evening of Russian ballet, and a gala "Tchaikovsky Night" dinner with a 13-piece orchestra. Special Tauck Exclusives include a guided visit to The State Hermitage Museum when crowds are fewer, and a guided tour of Stalin's long-hidden secret World War II Moscow bunker... with lunch!
Airfare While on Tour – One on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow is included in the cost of your tour package.
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Airline Security Measures –
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.
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, pocketknife, 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.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are 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 us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do 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). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking 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 state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve 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 us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
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 Moscow on the last day of the tour. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Travel Document Requirements –
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Russian Federation. However, only the Russian Federation requires that you obtain an entry visa.
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. We will collect your passport information and send it to RTHV to issue an invitation letter. After receiving the letter, we 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 us. If you are a U.S. citizen, once you have made a reservation and sent in your deposit, we 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 go to their Internet website 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 citizen of other another country, you should contact a consulate of each of the countries visited 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 Protetion is deemed sufficient coverage for this purpose. Please click here for more information.
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, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both 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.
Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
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 on 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 – Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. The summers in the Baltics and Russia 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.For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required for dining with your fellow guests at a Tauck provided dinner. When dining on your own, you may have the opportunity to dine at an upscale restaurant, which may require men to dress in coat and tie, and women in more elegant eveningwear.
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.
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
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 while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and 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:
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
2010 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 Vilnius 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; join us if you wish on a visit to Vilnius' KGB Museum. 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 via the Yellow Roads
Depart Vilnius and journey along 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 in Riga Market and along the cobbled streets of Old Town reveals buildings dating back 800 years. Check out the Art Nouveau architecture in the city, considered the best in Europe, and see Riga Castle, the Swedish Gate and the Three Brothers Medieval Dwelling House; 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 an à la carte 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 lunch. Continue on to today's final destination, the capital city of Tallinn, an outstanding example of a medieval Northern European trading city. Its remarkably well-preserved city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you'll explore on a guided walking tour revealing Toompea Castle and the old Market Square. Overnight at your recently opened contemporary hotel, ideally located just minutes from Tallinn's Old Town. Enjoy dinner à la carte tonight at one of the city's most celebrated restaurants, the elegant Gloria.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Swissôtel Tallinn, Estonia
Day 6 - Cruise from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland's capital
Board a high-speed ferry to cruise first class across the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki. Finland's capital city is an intriguing mix of parks, waterways, and various architectural styles, which you'll explore on a sightseeing tour. Visit the extraordinary Temppeliaukio (The Rock) Church, built into solid rock in the 1960s; see the Neo-Classical Senate Square, the green cupolas and white columns of Helsinki Cathedral, the colorful Market Square, the Sibelius Monument and Finlandia Hall. Enjoy dinner at your hotel, the Hotel Haven.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Haven, Helsinki, Finland
Day 7 - To Russia with speed - St. Petersburg by rail
From Helsinki, your Baltics and Russia tour continues to opulent St. Petersburg via an early morning train ride; the historic center Peter the Great's "Window to the West" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get aquainted with Russia's cultural capital on an orientation tour that includes a visit to the 19th-century Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. Your home for the next four nights is itself a historic landmark - the celebrated Grand Hotel Europe on the famous Nevsky Prospekt.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 8 - A day around St. Petersburg and a night at the ballet
Begin today's discoveries with a visit to St. Petersburg's Grand Choral Synagogue (holidays permitting), then take an excursion to Petrodvorets, on the Gulf of Finland, for a tour of the Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great. A hydrofoil whisks you back to the city in time for high tea at your hotel, followed by a glorious evening of Russian ballet (schedule subject to change).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 9 - More treasures of St. Petersburg and environs
Journey to Pushkin for a visit to the opulent Catherine Palace, expanded by Empress Catherine the Great in the mid-18th century, and its remarkably restored Amber Room. Back in St. Petersburg, take a guided tour of key landmarks featuring the imposing Peter and Paul Fortress, among the city's oldest structures, 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, lunch
Lodging: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 10 - The State Hermitage Museum and Tchaikovsky Night
Today, Tauck has arranged an early morning visit - when crowds are fewer - 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, then join us this evening for a sumptuous "Tchaikovsky Night" dinner at the L'Europe restaurant - accompanied by a 13-piece orchestra and a pair of ballet dancers from the Marinsky Theatre!
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 11 - 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 deep beneath Moscow, 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 before exploring Red Square with a local guide. Spend the next three nights with views of the Kremlin, Red Square and iconic St. Basil's Cathedral from your room at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow - just one of many great reasons to take Tauck's Russia tour!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia
Day 12 - Inside the legendary Kremlin
Today, you'll have a unique opportunity to meet a Kremlin insider from the Soviet era, who offers a lecture on Moscow's past, and how the city has adjusted to the 21st century - another exclusive you'll enjoy when you travel on Tauck's comprehensive Russia tour. Then take a guided tour inside the 64-acre Kremlin, the center of Russian power for centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Cathedral of the Archangel on Cathedral Square; the Armory Chambers, where you'll see the treasures of the Czars; and Assumption Cathedral. Dinner is à la carte tonight in a Moscow restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia
Day 13 - From the Metro to the Tretyakov - Russian art & icons
Explore 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. Then visit the State Tretyakov Gallery/National Museum of Russian Fine Art, featuring 11th- to 20th-century paintings and sculptures by Russian artists, with a local guide. Cap Tauck's spectacular Baltics and Russia tour with a festive farewell reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Russia
Day 14 - Journey home
Tour ends: Moscow, Russia. Your memorable Baltics and Russia tour concludes today; a transfer is included from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow to Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Get an insider's view on Tauck's Baltics and Russia tour - 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, train service from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage and the services of your Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Vilnius Airport to the Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel is included, regardless of the day and time of your arrival provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow to either the Moscow Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo International Airports is also included, whenever you decide to depart. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Bottled water will be included at all meals.
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 customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
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 and pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour – One on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow is included in the cost of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us 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, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this webpage and discuss it with our your reservations sales consultant or travel 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 on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
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 on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
- Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
- Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
- Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
- Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
- Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
- File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
- Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
- Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures –
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.
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, pocketknife, 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.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are 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 us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do 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). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking 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 state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve 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 us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
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 Moscow on the last day of the tour. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Travel Document Requirements –
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Russian Federation. However, only the Russian Federation requires that you obtain an entry visa.
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. We will collect your passport information and send it to RTHV to issue an invitation letter. After receiving the letter, we 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 us. If you are a U.S. citizen, once you have made a reservation and sent in your deposit, we 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 go to their Internet website 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 citizen of other another country, you should contact a consulate of each of the countries visited 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 Protetion is deemed sufficient coverage for this purpose. Please click here for more information.
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, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both 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, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey 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 ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available 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 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 us, you release 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
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available 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 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 us, you release 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
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
All children traveling with you who are U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
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 on 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 – Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. The summers in the Baltics and Russia 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.For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required for dining with your fellow guests at a Tauck provided dinner. When dining on your own, you may have the opportunity to dine at an upscale restaurant, which may require men to dress in coat and tie, and women in more elegant eveningwear.
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.
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
- Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
- An optional jacket and tie for men
- Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Swimwear
- Gym wear
- A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
- Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
- Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock
- Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
- Zipper-lock bags
- Daypack for camera equipment
- Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
- 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 – To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.
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.
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. We 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 state that you have medical insurance that covers you while in Russia. 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 Russian visa purposes. Tauck Travel Protection is a supplemental coverage plan.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a resident of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia 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 resident of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.
Luggage Restrictions –
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to 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.
Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict 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 that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of 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. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here,
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and 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 that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
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 – To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.
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.
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. We 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 state that you have medical insurance that covers you while in Russia. 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 Russian visa purposes. Tauck Travel Protection is a supplemental coverage plan.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a resident of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia 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 resident of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.
Luggage Restrictions –
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to 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.
Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict 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 that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of 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. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here,
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and 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 that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
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 while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and 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 for a fee. 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 are 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 – Each country visited has its own Customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with each country’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
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 are 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 – Each country visited has its own Customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with each country’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
Finland – VisaHQ.com
Russia – Customs.RU
Estonia – VisaHQ.com
Latvia – VisaHQ.com
Lithuania – Customs.LTt
If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, 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 U.S. 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.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
If you are a resident of another country, please 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.
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.
Internet Access is available at each of the hotels as indicated below:
Radisson SAS Astorija – Complimentary in-room access with personal computer
Grand Palace Hotel – Complimentary in-room access through television or personal computer and complimentary access near reception (Two computers for guest access)
Swissotel Tallinn – Complimentary in-room access with personal computer
Hotel Haven – Internet access available
Grand Hotel Europe – Wireless internet access (on request)
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow – High-speed access in rooms with personal computer or in business center for a fee (First 15 minutes free in business center)
Time Zones – Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); the area of Russia you will be traveling to 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 read about current time in 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 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.
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.
Radisson SAS Astorija – Complimentary in-room access with personal computer
Grand Palace Hotel – Complimentary in-room access through television or personal computer and complimentary access near reception (Two computers for guest access)
Swissotel Tallinn – Complimentary in-room access with personal computer
Hotel Haven – Internet access available
Grand Hotel Europe – Wireless internet access (on request)
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow – High-speed access in rooms with personal computer or in business center for a fee (First 15 minutes free in business center)
Time Zones – Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); the area of Russia you will be traveling to 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 read about current time in 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 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.
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 read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$600 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$900 per person
7-1 days before departure
$1,500 per person
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.
You might also be interested in ...Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague
Our two-week Eastern Europe and Poland tour includes a visit to medieval Cracow, the memorial at Auschwitz, a private Chopin recital in Warsaw, a special lunch with Gypsy music and a private dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest, a private concert in Vienna, and a special evening at a palace in Prague. Select Small Group departure dates available with no more than 26 Tauck guests - and special singles savings departures available!Scandinavia
Discover a Nordic wonderland on Tauck's 2-week Scandinavia tour through Sweden, Denmark and Norway - cruising spectacular fjords, gazing at glaciers, viewing Viking ships, riding one of the world's steepest railway lines through the mountains, exploring medieval ports, and visiting a stave church, a Danish castle, Tivoli Gardens and more.
First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:
Sign up for our free eNewsletter.
Last Name:
Email Address:
Sign up for our free eNewsletter.
Sorry, but we encountered a problem
Please give us a call at 1-800-GO-TAUCK for assistance.
Share your favorite travel photos taken while traveling on a Tauck vacation, and enter them in our photo contest for a chance to win travel vouchers for Tauck.
