Introducing GroupCare. A suite of healthcare and security services designed for travel in the post Covid era.
Russia and the Baltic
A sample tour that gives an easy way to visit stunning St Petersburg by sailing on The Baltic Sea from Helsinki and then on to Tallinn in Estonia. From here it is easy to extend this sample to included Sweden (Stockholm especially) more of Estonia and indeed Latvia and Lithuania and ultimately Poland and even Berlin !! Check visa rules locally but this tour is designed to give access to Russia without the need for a Russian Visa. Several other suggested itineraries are available on request.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Helsinki Arrival
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide before enjoying a panoramic city tour of this colourful, clean and minimalist seaside city on the way to your hotel and check-in. Overnight stay in Helsinki
Day 2 — Helsinki
Begin the day with an extended guided tour of the city. You will notice how green and nature filled the capital city is with more than one third of the city is green space. Wander through the Old Town, see the Design District and find out why the the city is a desginated UNESCO City of Design. Take the ferry to the island of Suomenlinna where you’ll explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was used to defend Sweden, Russia and Finland. Check in for your 18:00 hrs departure from Helsinki Sea Port West Terminal. Enjoy the dining and entertainment facilities on board, as you sail across the Gulf of Finland towards Russia. Luxury cabin type, VIP Lounge and even a complimentary minibar.
Overnight on the ferry.
Overnight on the ferry.
Day 3 — St Petersburg
09:00 hrs: Arrival in St Petersburg. After breakfast, you will be entitled to Priority Disembarkation to avoid the queues.
Together with your guide and fellow travellers, commence your panoramic tour of the beautiful city of St Petersburg. Whilst passing by some of the main sights of the city, one of the highlights of our visit is a guided tour of the world famous Hermitage Museum and the magnificent collection of art housed in the Winter Palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the world, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items. We also include the General Staff Building, adjacent to the Hermitage Museum which now houses the fabulous Impressionist Art Collection. After todays’ tour, your guide will accompany you to your 5 star hotel to check in for 2 nights. At leisure to enjoy your first evening exploring this magical city.
Overnight stay in St Petersburg.
Together with your guide and fellow travellers, commence your panoramic tour of the beautiful city of St Petersburg. Whilst passing by some of the main sights of the city, one of the highlights of our visit is a guided tour of the world famous Hermitage Museum and the magnificent collection of art housed in the Winter Palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the world, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items. We also include the General Staff Building, adjacent to the Hermitage Museum which now houses the fabulous Impressionist Art Collection. After todays’ tour, your guide will accompany you to your 5 star hotel to check in for 2 nights. At leisure to enjoy your first evening exploring this magical city.
Overnight stay in St Petersburg.
Day 4 — St. Petersburg
After breakfast at your hotel, today we visit two of St Petersburg’s dazzling highlights:
Our guide will meet you in reception for a tour which includes a visit out of town to Catherine Palace, in the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo), 29km south of St. Petersburg. The construction of the palace for Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around the palace and in the middle of 18th century Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory and for the mirrored hall.
We also visit Peterhof Lower Gardens* (or Menshikov Palace when fountains are closed). This magnificent estate on the Gulf of Finland is remarkable for the sheer variety of styles encompassed in its garden layout and features. Representing nearly two centuries of European aristocratic fashion executed to the highest standards, Peterhof is like an encyclopaedia of park design through the age of empire.
Particularly impressive is the fact that the master landscapers and garden designers who worked on the estate at Peterhof managed to overcome the extremely inclement conditions of the northern climate to create a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations. Return to your hotel at approximately 17.00 hrs. .
Overnight stay in St Petersburg.
We also visit Peterhof Lower Gardens* (or Menshikov Palace when fountains are closed). This magnificent estate on the Gulf of Finland is remarkable for the sheer variety of styles encompassed in its garden layout and features. Representing nearly two centuries of European aristocratic fashion executed to the highest standards, Peterhof is like an encyclopaedia of park design through the age of empire.
Particularly impressive is the fact that the master landscapers and garden designers who worked on the estate at Peterhof managed to overcome the extremely inclement conditions of the northern climate to create a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations. Return to your hotel at approximately 17.00 hrs. .
Overnight stay in St Petersburg.
Day 5 — St Petersburg
After breakfast and check out (with your luggage), your guide will meet you in reception. Today we visit three different locations in the city; Peter and Paul Fortress, which guards the city of St Petersburg and is located on the island facing the Hermitage museum. The Cathedral here is the oldest building in St Petersburg and now houses the remains of the last Romanov Tsar and his family. We also visit the Church on the Spilled Blood, with five domes, it is St Petersburg’s most elaborate church with a classic Russian Orthodox exterior and with an interior containing 7000 sq m of mosaics. Its colloquial name refers to the assassination attempt on Tsar Alexander II on the same location in 1881. Also visit nearby the exquisite Faberge Museum, the world’s largest private Faberge collection housed in a former noble residence, the Shuvalov Palace. You are close to Nevsky Prospect, if you prefer a little shopping. Your guide will take you to the ferry port for embarkation from St Petersburg at 19.00
Overnight on the ferry.
Overnight on the ferry.
Day 6 — Tallinn
After breakfast on board dock in Tallinn at 09.00. Meet a step on guide explore Tallinn’s charming Old Town on a walking tour.
Visit the historic Town Hall Square and learn how the weather-vane got its name and what was invented in the Town Hall Pharmacy. You will see medieval churches, the city’s oldest building – the Dominican Monastery (dating from 1246), the city walls and enjoy the views from Toompea Hill. You will also visit the Parliament of Estonia and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. St. Catherine’s Passage is one of the Old Town lanes and St. Catherine’s Guild is a collection of craft workshops, where traditional artists create and sell glassware, hats and other goods. After this introduction to Tallinn, you are free to explore independently.
Overnight stay in Tallinn.
Visit the historic Town Hall Square and learn how the weather-vane got its name and what was invented in the Town Hall Pharmacy. You will see medieval churches, the city’s oldest building – the Dominican Monastery (dating from 1246), the city walls and enjoy the views from Toompea Hill. You will also visit the Parliament of Estonia and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. St. Catherine’s Passage is one of the Old Town lanes and St. Catherine’s Guild is a collection of craft workshops, where traditional artists create and sell glassware, hats and other goods. After this introduction to Tallinn, you are free to explore independently.
Overnight stay in Tallinn.
Day 7 — Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Tallinn International Airport.
Alternatively ask us to extend the tour to visit more of Estonia or of course geographicaly close are Sweden (Stockholm is easy by ferry) , Latvia and Lithuania and ultimately Poland and Berlin if you are feeling adventurous.