SMALL GROUP TOURS 2018

Transcription

1 Exclusive SMALL GROUP TOURS 2018 To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we ve released several small group departures to a number of our exciting and unique destinations. These are our own tailor-made tours, specifically designed for discerning travellers who are seeking something special, from a long-established, well-respected tour operator. 2018

2 Igor Litvyak / Shutterstock.com Prague, Charles Bridge The Baltics, Poland & Prague Small group tour 16 days/15 nights Travel from Tallinn all the way to Prague through 5 countries and 5 totally different cultures on this increasingly popular route. Inclusions Locally escorted in English only 15 nights accommodation with breakfast in 4-star hotels Arrival/departure transfers throughout by private car Transportation by modern A/C coach or minibus and 1st class rail Sightseeing as specified in English The Baltics walking tours of Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius, Rundale Palace & Trakai Castle by coach Poland city coach tours of Warsaw and Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine Prague private Grand City Tour by minibus and on foot Your hotels TALLINN Merchant s House RIGA Semarah Metropole (contemporary room) VILNIUS Artis Centrum WARSAW Novotel Centrum KRAKOW Senacki PRAGUE Leonardo Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Mon. Tallinn Arrive Tallinn where you will be met and transferred to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Tallinn. Day 2 Tue. Tallinn Morning walking tour of Tallinn, the capital and largest city of Estonia, with your own private guide including the city walls, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Old Town. Your afternoon is free to explore independently. Overnight Tallinn. B Day 3 Wed. Tallinn to Riga After breakfast, your guide and minicoach will meet you for your comfortable 4.5-hour ride to Riga with a stop at fashionable Parnu. Arrive mid-afternoon at your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Riga. B Day 4 Thu. Riga Your morning walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peters Church, the Freedom Monument and more. Afternoon free. Overnight Riga. B Day 5 Fri. Riga to Vilnius After breakfast, meet your guide and minicoach and depart Riga for Vilnius. Your first stop is the magnificent Baroque Rundale Palace for a guided tour then travel to the Hill of Crosses. Arrive late afternoon at your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Vilnius. B Day 6 Sat. Vilnius Morning walking tour of medieval Vilnius to include Vilnius University and the Old Town one of the most extensive and beautiful in Europe. Afternoon free. Overnight Vilnius. B Tallinn RUSSIA Riga LATVIA BALTIC SEA LITHUANIA Vilnius BELARUS Warsaw GERMANY Prague POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC Krakow SLOVAKIA UKRAINE HUNGARY ROMANIA Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine 2 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

3 Trakai Castle Day 7 Sun. Vilnius Today you travel to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, for a tour of Trakai Castle, a 14th-century fortress located on an island in Lake Galve. It is the only lake castle in Europe. Overnight Vilnius. B Day 8 Mon. Vilnius to Warsaw Morning transfer to the coach station for your comfortable 8-hour ride by first class intercity coach to Warsaw. Arrive late afternoon and transfer to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Warsaw. B Day 9 Tue. Warsaw After breakfast, meet your guide for a morning sightseeing tour of Warsaw by coach which includes the Old Town, Royal Castle, Cathedral and Barbican. Afternoon free. Overnight Warsaw. B Day Wed. 10 Warsaw to Krakow After breakfast, transfer to the rail station for your 1st class trip (approx. 3 hrs) to Krakow where you ll be met and transferred to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Krakow. B Day 11 Thu. Krakow Your morning sightseeing tour of Krakow by coach includes the Old Town, Cloth Hall, the Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral. This afternoon, visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine where, for over 700 years, Polish miners have created a fascinating underground world of lakes, galleries, statues and chapels. Overnight Krakow. B Day 12 Fri. Krakow Today, enjoy a free day for independent exploring. We can prebook a day tour for you to either Auschwitz-Birkenau or Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. Overnight Krakow. B Day 13 Sat. Krakow to Prague Morning transfer to the train station for your 1st class trip to Prague on the Krakow Express. Arrive Prague late afternoon and transfer to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Prague. B Day 14 Sun. Prague After breakfast enjoy a Grand City Tour with your own personal guide. You will see Prague Castle and Cathedral, the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square. Your afternoon is free. Overnight Prague. B Day 15 Mon. Prague Today you have a free day in Prague to explore independently or you may prebook one of our tours. The full day tour to Cesky Krumlov is our most popular. Overnight Prague. B Day 16 Tue. Prague Tour services end after breakfast with your departure transfer to the airport or train station. B Tour price & departure Prices shown per person in AUD. Monday departures May-Sep Departures Twn Sgl 14 May, 11 Jun, 9 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep Tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 guests. Maximum capacity 15 guests. Prague, Astronomical Clock Tallinn, Fat Margaret tower Warsaw AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

4 Moscow, Red Square Russian Highlights & the Baltics Small group tour 16 days/15 nights This leisurely, well-paced, locally escorted, Small Group Tour of the capitals of Russia and the Baltics offers longer hotel stays, with free time to explore independently. To experience more of Russia, why not spend a few days before your tour exploring the unspoilt countryside of the Golden Ring towns (see pages 8 & 9). Inclusions Locally escorted in English only 15 nights accommodation with breakfast in 4 and 4.5-star hotels Meals 1 lunch at Café Pushkin, 2 dinners Arrival/departure transfers throughout by car Business class Sapsan train Moscow St. Petersburg Economy class train St. Petersburg Tallinn Transportation by modern A/C coach or minibus Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius with driver and private guide Sightseeing as specified with local English speaking guides Moscow City tour with St. Basil s Cathedral, Eliseevsky food store, Metro, Kremlin, Cathedral, Armoury Museum St. Petersburg City tour with Church on Spilt Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress, Fabergé Museum, Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace & Park Walking tours of Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius; Rundale Palace & Trakai by private vehicle Your hotels MOSCOW Metropol ST. PETERSBURG Angleterre TALLINN Merchant s House RIGA Semarah Metropole (contemporary room) VILNIUS Artis Centrum Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Sun. Moscow Arrive Moscow. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your Moscow guide will join you for dinner this evening to go through your program. Overnight Moscow. D Day 2 Mon. Moscow After breakfast, commence your panoramic city tour of Moscow. You will also visit St. Basil s Cathedral and have some time to browse through the opulent Eliseevsky food store. A guided tour of the most impressive stations of the Moscow Metro follows. Overnight Moscow. B Day 3 Tue. Moscow This morning you visit the Kremlin grounds and one of its cathedrals, followed by a tour of the State Armoury Museum with its unrivalled collection of the tsars treasures. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Café Pushkin, acclaimed for its classic Russian cuisine and 19th century ambience. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight Moscow. BL Day 4 Wed. Moscow to St. Petersburg Morning free. Around midday your local guide will accompany you to the rail station for your 4-hour trip to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, your local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. You will be joined by your guide for dinner this evening. Overnight St. Petersburg. BD Day 5 Thu. St. Petersburg Today s city tour of this former imperial capital includes a visit to the Church on Spilt Blood, reminiscent of St. Basil s Cathedral in Moscow. You will also visit Peter & Paul Fortress and the exquisite Fabergé Museum at the Shuvalov Palace which houses nine Imperial eggs. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 6 Fri. St. Petersburg Morning visit to the Hermitage Museum. You may stay on after your guided tour as your afternoon is free. Overnight St. Petersburg. B NORWAY St. Petersburg Tallinn ESTONIA BALTIC SEA Riga LATVIA RUSSIA Moscow LITHUANIA Vilnius BELARUS Peterhof 4 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

5 St. Petersburg, Hermitage Museum Three Graces Day 7 Sat. St. Petersburg After breakfast, travel to the Gulf of Finland to visit the magnificent Peterhof Palace and park with its spectacular statues and cascading fountains. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 8 Sun. St. Petersburg Today is free to explore independently or you may wish to take an optional excursion to the town of Pushkin, also known as Tsar s Village and visit Catherine s Palace, one of the finest examples of Russian Baroque architecture. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 9 Mon. St. Petersburg to Tallinn You will be transferred to the rail station to board your early morning express train to Tallinn a journey of 7 hours. Upon arrival Tallinn you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Tallinn. Day 10 Tue. Tallinn After breakfast, enjoy a morning walking tour of medieval Tallinn. You will see the city walls, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Upper and Lower Old Towns. Your afternoon is free. Overnight Tallinn. B Day 11 Wed. Tallinn to Riga After breakfast, you will travel by airconditioned vehicle, accompanied by an English speaking guide, to Riga a journey of approximately 4.5 hrs. On your way you have a tour of the seaside town of Parnu. Overnight Riga. B Day 12 Thu. Riga After breakfast, you have a walking tour of Riga s Old Town, rich in different architectural styles. Riga has been a multicultural town throughout its 800-year history. Afternoon free. Overnight Riga. B Day 13 Fri. Riga to Vilnius Morning checkout and departure for Vilnius, accompanied by your local guide. Before leaving Latvia, you visit the magnificent 18th century Rundale Palace, designed by Francesco Rastrelli, the architect of St. Petersburg s Winter Palace. In Lithuania, stop at the Hill of Crosses, decorated with over 100,000 crosses donated by Catholic pilgrims. Overnight Vilnius. B Day 14 Sat. Vilnius This morning, you have a walking tour of medieval Vilnius. The Old Town is one of the most extensive and beautiful in Europe and is home to Vilnius University, founded in The student population successfully counterbalances the influx of visitors, resulting in a vibrant, more authentic atmosphere. Your afternoon is free to explore further. Overnight Vilnius. B Day 15 Sun. Vilnius Today you travel to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, to visit beautiful Trakai Castle, situated on an island in Lake Galve. It is the only lake castle in Europe. Overnight Vilnius. B Day 16 Mon. Vilnius Tour services end today after breakfast with your departure transfer. Or you may wish to continue your journey to Poland. B Tour prices & departures Prices shown per person in AUD. Sunday departures Jun-Aug Departures Twn Sgl 3 Jun Jul, 26 Aug Tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 guests. Maximum capacity 15 guests. Fabergé Eggs Riga, House of Blackheads Riga AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

6 Mongolia, Folk dancing group Trans-Siberian/Mongolian Rail Journey including Naadam Festival Small group tour 24 days/23 nights Travel on the world s longest and most famous rail journey from Beijing to Moscow and then on to St. Petersburg, and also experience the spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia. Inclusions Locally escorted in English only 16 nights accommodation with breakfast in 4-star hotels 5 nights in 2-berth rail compartment 1 night in Mongolian ger with breakfast 1 night in Siberian guesthouse with breakfast Meals 6 lunches, 8 dinners Circumbaikal rail excursion Economy class Sapsan train Moscow St Petersburg Arrival/departure transfers throughout by private car Sightseeing by car and on foot with local English speaking guides Ulaanbaatar City tour Terelj National Park 2-day tour including all meals, overnight in stay a ger and visit to the Genghis Khan statue Irkutsk City tour, Lake Baikal, Listvyanka and Taltsy Open-Air Museum Yekaterinburg City tour including Church on the Blood, Romanovs grave site, Europe/Asia Divide Kazan City tour Moscow City tour and Metro, Kremlin and Armoury Museum St. Petersburg City tour with Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace and Gardens, Fabergé Museum, dinner at Stroganov Palace Your hotels BeijIng Howard Johnson Ulaanbaatar Ramada Irkutsk Courtyard Marriott Listvyanka Demidov s Homestead Yekaterinburg Doubletree by Hilton Kazan Center Hotel Kazan Kremlin Moscow Peter I St. Petersburg Petro Palace Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Fri. 6 Jul: Beijing Arrive Beijing and be met and transferred by private car to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Beijing. Day 2 Sat. 7 Jul: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar Mid-morning meet your fellow travellers and transfer with guide assistance to your 2-berth compartment on Train K23 at 11:22 from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight on train. B Day 3 Sun. 8 Jul: Ulaanbaatar Arrive Ulaanbaatar mid-afternoon at 14:20, be met by your guide, enjoy a city orientation tour then transfer to your central 4-star hotel. Tonight, enjoy a traditional banquet with music and entertainment. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. D Day 4 Mon. 9 Jul: Terelj Meet your guide and driver and firstly visit the Gandan Monastery. Then travel 70 km to the Terelj National Park to overnight in a traditional ger. The park has fascinating rock formations and amazing scenery with abundant wildlife. Enjoy lunch at the ger camp and later visit a local family living in a traditional ger, see Turtle Rock, and have time to ride a horse or camel (extra cost). Then free time to explore the surrounding countryside. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. BLD Day 5 Tue. 10 Jul: Ulaanbaatar After breakfast travel back to Ulaanbaatar via the spectacular Genghis Khan Statue and Monument complex. In Ulaanbaatar time for lunch before a city tour including Chinggis Square and the National History Museum. Overnight at your central 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. BL Day 6 Wed. 11 Jul: Ulaanbaatar With your guide and driver travel first to Chinggis Square for the exciting commencement of the Naadam Festival, then travel to the stadium to be seated for the colourful march past, opening ceremony, and the wrestling matches. After lunch see the archery. Tonight you dine at a traditional restaurant. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BLD Day 7 Thu. 12 Jul: Ulaanbaatar In the morning travel outside the city to see a final of the exciting horse race. Travel back to Ulaanbaatar later for free time. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BLD Day 8 Fri. 13 Jul: Ulaanbaatar to Russia Free time this morning for shopping for souvenirs from the comprehensive range at the State Department Store. Purchase some food for your journey and transfer to the station for your departure on train #5 at 15:22. Overnight on train. B Day 9 Sat. 14 Jul: Irkutsk You complete the border crossing procedures in the early hours of the morning and arrive in Irkutsk at 14:37. Meet your guide and take a city orientation tour with several photo stops. Check into your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Irkutsk. B Day 10 Sun. 15 Jul: Lake Baikal Today take the 2 days/1 night Circumbaikal tour (plus Taltsy) with your own guide. After transferring by coach to the station, you ll travel by train from Irkutsk to Sludyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Your train then takes you on the scenic route around the shores of the lake with a number of photo stops. A hot lunch is enjoyed at one of the stations. You then cross the lake by ferry to Listvyanka where you overnight in a guesthouse chalet. Tonight is a highlight when your guide will take you to a nearby village where you dine with the locals. Overnight Listvyanka. BLD Day 11 Mon. 16 Jul: Listvyanka to Irkutsk This morning your guide will take you on a tour of Listvyanka and you ll visit the Museum of Lake Baikal, the fish markets, and a wooden Russian Orthodox church. After lunch in a local restaurant you ll visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture at Taltsy before arriving back in Irkutsk where you will overnight. BL 6 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

7 Mongolia Day 12 Tue. 17 Jul: Irkutsk Morning free then board Train #1 at 16:15. Overnight on train. B Day 13 Wed. 18 Jul: On board Today you spend the day on the train meeting your fellow companions. The train has a dining car or you can buy food at one of the stops, but don t get left behind! Overnight on train. Day 14 Thu. 19 Jul: Yekaterinburg Arrive Yekaterinburg at 13:39 and transfer to your 4-star hotel. Enjoy a city tour including the Church on the Blood, built on the site where the last tsar of Russia and his family were killed. Dinner and overnight Yekaterinburg. D city tour with your Moscow guide. Dinner tonight in your hotel. Overnight Moscow.BD Day 19 Tue. 24 Jul: Moscow This morning a tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum followed by a Metro tour. Afternoon and evening free for optional sightseeing or ballet (ask for details). Overnight Moscow. B Day 20 Wed. 25 Jul: Moscow to St. Petersburg The morning is free until your high-speed train to St Petersburg. Late lunch can be taken on the train. On arrival in St. Petersburg transfer to your 4-star hotel. Overnight St Petersburg. B Day 21 Thu. 26 Jul: St. Petersburg This morning, enjoy a city tour with Peter and Paul Fortress, and in the afternoon a visit to the world famous Hermitage Museum, the largest in the world, founded in The evening is free. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 22 Fri. 27 Jul: St. Petersburg This morning, travel by hydrofoil across the Bay of Finland to visit Peterhof Palace and Park. Return mid-afternoon by coach. Evening free. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 23 Sat. 28 Jul: St. Petersburg This morning visit the amazing Fabergé Museum house nine Fabergé eggs. The remainder of the day is free to explore independently. Tonight the farewell dinner is at the famous Stroganov Palace. Overnight St. Petersburg. BD Day 24 Sun. 29 Jul: St. Petersburg The tour ends today with your transfer to the airport or railway station. B Tour price & departure Prices shown per person in AUD. Departure Twn Sgl 6 July Tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 guests. Maximum capacity 15 guests. Day 15 Fri. 20 Jul: Yekaterinburg Today visit the Monastery on Romanovs grave site as well as the Europe/Asia Divide. Overnight Yekaterinburg. B Day 16 Sat. 21 Jul: Yekaterinburg to Kazan This morning board Train #15/59 at 10:12 and arrive Kazan at 21:37. Transfer to your 4-star hotel. Overnight Kazan. B Day 17 Sun. 22 Jul: Kazan to Moscow This morning a city tour and afternoon free before dinner and boarding Train #15/59 at 21:57. Overnight on train. BD Day 18 Mon. 23 Jul: Moscow Arrival in Moscow 09:23 and transfer to your 4-star hotel. This afternoon enjoy a Mongolia, horsemen RWAY ESTONIA St. Petersburg RUSSIA K POLAND LATVIA LITHUANIA BELARUS RMANY CZECH R. SLOVAKIA AUSTRIA HUNGARY MOLDOVA ROMANIA BULGARIA UKRAINE BLACK SEA Moscow TURKEY GEORGIA Kazan CASPIAN SEA AZERBAIJAN ARMENIA Yekaterinburg ARAL SEA TURKMENISTAN KAZAKHSTAN UZBEKISTAN Novosibirsk TAJIKISTAN KYRGYZSTAN Irkutsk Ulaanbaatar MONGOLIA LAKE BAIKAL Ulan Ude Erlian Beijing Khabarovsk Vladivostok NORTH KOREA CHINA SOUTH KOREA JAPAN IRAN AFGHANISTAN AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

8 Kazan, Qolsharif Mosque Trans-Siberian/Mongolian Rail Journey Beijing to St Petersburg Small group tour 23 days/22 nights Travel on the world s longest and most famous rail journey from Beijing to Moscow and then on to St. Petersburg. Unforgettable.. Inclusions Locally escorted in English only 15 nights accommodation with breakfast in 4-star hotels. 5 nights in 2-berth rail compartment 1 night in Mongolian ger 1 night in Siberian guesthouse Meals 5 lunches, 8 dinners Circumbaikal rail excursion Economy class Sapsan train Moscow St. Petersburg Arrival/departure transfers throughout by private car Sightseeing by car and on foot with local English speaking guides Ulaanbaatar City tour Khustain Nuruu National Park Terelj National Park 2-day tour including all meals, overnight stay in a ger and visit to Genghis Khan statue Irkutsk City tour, Lake Baikal, Listvyanka and Taltsy Open-Air Museum Yekaterinburg City tour including Church on the Blood, Romanovs grave site, Europe/Asia Divide Kazan City tour Moscow City tour & Metro, Kremlin & Armoury Museum St. Petersburg City tour with Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace and Gardens, Fabergé Museum, dinner at Stroganov Palace Your hotels BEIJING Howard Johnson ULAANBAATAR Ramada IRKUTSK Courtyard Marriott LISTVYANKA Demidov s Homestead YEKATERINBURG Doubletree by Hilton KAZAN Center Hotel Kazan Kremlin MOSCOW Peter I ST. PETERSBURG Petro Palace Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Fri. 24 Aug: Beijing Arrive Beijing and be met and transferred by private car to your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Beijing. Day 2 Sat. 25 Aug: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar Mid-morning meet your fellow travellers and transfer with guide assistance to your 2-berth compartment on Train K23 at 11:22 from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight on train. B Day 3 Sun. 26 Aug: Ulaanbaatar Arrive Ulaanbaatar mid-afternoon at 14:20, be met by your guide, enjoy a city orientation tour then transfer to your central 4-star hotel. Tonight meet your travelling companions with a dinner at your hotel. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. D Day 4 Mon. 27 Aug: Terelj National Park Meet your guide and driver to visit the Gandan Monastery. Then travel 70 km to the Terelj National Park to overnight in a traditional ger. The park has fascinating rock formations and amazing scenery with abundant wildlife. Enjoy lunch at the ger camp and later you ll visit a local family living in a traditional ger, see Turtle Rock and have time to ride a horse or camel (extra cost). Then free time to explore the surrounding countryside. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. BLD Day 5 Tue. 28 Aug: Ulaanbaatar After breakfast travel back to Ulaanbaatar via the spectacular Genghis Khan Statue and Monument complex. In Ulaanbaatar enjoy a city tour to include Chinggis Square, and the National History Museum. Tonight, a traditional banquet with music and entertainment. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BLD Day 6 Wed. 29 Aug: Khustain Nuruu National Park Today a full day tour to the place where the Mongolian government reintroduced Przewalski s horse, the only remaining true wild horse in the world. You ll walk in the park, see the wild horses grazing, and enjoy lunch at a ger camp. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BD Day 7 Thu. 30 Aug: Ulaanbaatar to Russia Free time this morning for shopping for souvenirs from the comprehensive range at the State Department Store. Purchase some food for your journey and transfer to the station for your departure on train #5 at 15:22. Overnight on train. B Day 8 Fri. 31 Aug: Irkutsk You complete the border crossing procedures in early hours of the morning and arrive in Irkutsk at 14:37. Meet your guide and take a city orientation tour with several photo stops. Check into your central 4-star hotel. Overnight Irkutsk. Day 9 Sat. 1 Sep: Lake Baikal Today take the 2 days/1 night Circumbaikal tour with your own guide. After transferring by coach to the station, you ll travel by train from Irkutsk to Sludyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Your train then takes you on the scenic route around the shores of the lake with a number of photo stops. A hot lunch is enjoyed at one of the stations. You then cross the lake by ferry to Listvyanka where you overnight in a guesthouse chalet. Tonight is a highlight when your guide will take you to a nearby village where you will dine with the locals. Overnight Listvyanka. BLD Day 10 Sun. 2 Sep: Lake Baikal to Irkutsk This morning your guide will take you on a tour of the lakeside village of Listvyanka and you ll visit the Museum of Lake Baikal, the fish markets, and a wooden Russian Orthodox church. After lunch at a local restaurant you ll visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture at Taltsy before arriving back in Irkutsk where you will overnight. BL Day 11 Mon. 3 Sep: Irkutsk Morning free then board Train #1 at 16:15. Overnight on train. B Day 12 Tue. 4 Sep: On board Today you spend the day on the train meeting your fellow companions. The train has a dining car or you can buy food at one of the stops, but don t get left behind! Overnight on train. Day 13 Wed. 5 Sep: Yekaterinburg Arrive Yekaterinburg at 13:39 and transfer to your 4-star hotel. Enjoy a city tour including the Church on the Blood. Dinner and overnight Yekaterinburg. D 8 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

9 Lake Baikal, Shaman's Rock Day 14 Thu. 6 Sep: Yekaterinburg Today visit the Monastery on Romanovs grave site as well as the Europe/Asia Divide. Overnight Yekaterinburg. B Day 15 Fri. 7 Sep: Yekaterinburg to Kazan Board Train #15/59 at 10:12 and arrive Kazan 21:37. Transfer to 4-star hotel. Overnight Kazan. B Day 16 Sat. 8 Sep: Kazan to Moscow This morning a city tour and afternoon free before dinner and boarding Train #15/59 at 21:57. Overnight on train. BD Day 17 Sun. 9 Sep: Moscow Arrival in Moscow 09:23 and transfer to your 4-star hotel. This afternoon enjoy a city tour with your Moscow guide. Dinner tonight in your hotel. Overnight Moscow. BD Day 18 Mon. 10 Sep: Moscow This morning enjoy a tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum followed by a tour of Moscow s spectacular Metro. Afternoon and evening free for optional sightseeing or ballet (ask for details). Overnight Moscow. B Day 19 Tue. 11 Sep: Moscow to St. Petersburg The morning is free until your highspeed train to St Petersburg. Late lunch can be taken on the train. On arrival in St. Petersburg transfer to your 4-star hotel. Overnight St Petersburg. B Day 20 Wed. 12 Sep: St. Petersburg This morning, you have a City tour including Peter & Paul Fortress, and in the afternoon a visit to the world-famous Hermitage Museum, with one of the largest collections of Western European Art in the world. The evening is free. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 21 Thu. 13 Sep: St. Petersburg This morning, travel by hydrofoil across the Bay of Finland to visit Peterhof Palace and Park. Return mid-afternoon by coach. Evening free. Overnight St. Petersburg. B Day 22 Fri. 14 Sep: St. Petersburg This morning, visit the amazing Fabergé Museum with its collection of nine Fabergé eggs. The remainder of the day is free to explore independently. Tonight s farewell dinner is at the famous Stroganov Palace where Beef Stroganov was created. Overnight St. Petersburg. BD Day 23 Sat. 15 Sep: St. Petersburg The tour ends today with your transfer to the airport or railway station. B Tour price & departure Prices shown per person in AUD. Departure Twn Sgl 24 Aug Tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 guests. Maximum capacity 15 guests. Beijing, Forbidden City Ger camp RWAY ESTONIA St. Petersburg RUSSIA K POLAND LATVIA LITHUANIA BELARUS RMANY CZECH R. SLOVAKIA AUSTRIA HUNGARY MOLDOVA ROMANIA BULGARIA UKRAINE BLACK SEA Moscow TURKEY GEORGIA Kazan CASPIAN SEA AZERBAIJAN ARMENIA Yekaterinburg ARAL SEA TURKMENISTAN KAZAKHSTAN UZBEKISTAN Novosibirsk TAJIKISTAN KYRGYZSTAN Irkutsk Ulaanbaatar MONGOLIA LAKE BAIKAL Ulan Ude Erlian Beijing Khabarovsk Vladivostok NORTH KOREA CHINA SOUTH KOREA JAPAN IRAN AFGHANISTAN AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

10 Gobi Desert Mongolia in Depth including Gobi Desert Small group tour 15 days/14 nights Discover one of the world s last real frontiers on this in-depth exploration of Mongolia including the Gobi Desert. You ll experience amazing scenery, incredible history, and a fascinating people and culture. Inclusions Locally escorted in English only 3 nights accommodation with breakfast in superior 3-star hotel 11 nights in ger twin share with all meals daily Meals 12 lunches, 14 dinners Arrival/departure transfers by private car Ulaanbaatar City tour Comprehensive touring and sightseeing in modern A/C Mitsubishi 4-wheel drive with driver and English speaking guide Includes all entrance fees to museums, monasteries and national parks. (There may be a minimal fee for use of camera at some monasteries, museums and concerts) Your accommodation ULAANBAATAR Bayangol TOURING Gers (twin share) in permanent camps with communal facilities Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Sun. Ulaanbaatar Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and meet your guide and driver at the airport or train station. They will transfer you to your central superior 3-star hotel. Brief afternoon orientation tour of Ulaanbaatar city. Welcome dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. D Day 2 Mon. Ulaanbaatar Full day guided city tour of Ulaanbaatar, including visit to morning chanting and 26.5m tall statue of Megjid Janraisag at Gandan Monastery and National History Museum with stop at Sukhbaatar Square. Lunch break (not included). Afternoon free. Evening program is a dinner and folklore concert featuring traditional song and dance. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BD Day 3 Tue. Ulaanbaatar to Baga Gazriin Chuluu Check out of your hotel and meet your guide and driver to begin your tour. First you ll travel into Middle Gobi province until you reach Baga Gazriin Chuluu which is an area of rocky granite mountains in the desert plain. Its highest peak reaches 1,751 metres above sea level. There you ll take a guided walk in the surrounding area in the afternoon. Overnight accommodation in ger camp. BLD Day 4 Wed. Baga Gazriin Chuluu to South Gobi Province Today you drive into South Gobi province to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain Range, which is part of the Altai Mountains, stretching from the northwest corner of Mongolia. You first reach Dalanzadgad town, the centre of South Gobi province. After a short stop, you head to the mountains to the place known as Eagle Valley. This is a perfect area for hiking and if you are lucky enough you might spot ibex and wild sheep grazing high on the rocky walls of the mountains. In the late afternoon you arrive at the ger lodge RUSSIA Irkutsk Ulan Ude KHUVSGUL LAKE ORKHON RIVER Khustain Nuruu Karakorum Tsenkher Hot Springs Orkhon Waterfall Ongi Monastery Ulaanbaatar Baga Gazriin Chuluu MONGOLIA Bayanzag Khongor Sand Dunes Eagle Valley GOBI DESERT CHINA Mongolia, caravan of camels 10 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

11 Ulaanbaatar, Winter Palace nearby for dinner and overnight at the ger lodge. BLD Day 5 Thu. Khongor Sand Dunes Check out of ger lodge and drive to Khongor Sand Dunes that stretch over 180 km and lie at the northern part of the mountains of Sevrei. You ll reach the ger camp at the sand dunes early afternoon. Overnight accommodation will be at the ger lodge. BLD Day 6 Fri. Khongor Sand Dunes. Riding two humped camels Full day at the sand dunes. Today you hike along the sand hills, and those who would like to ride two-humped camels will have an opportunity here (riding fee is not included). Today you will also visit a local nomadic family to experience their lifestyle. (On the 10 August departure there will be a local Festival with wrestling and horse racing.) Overnight accommodation will be at the ger lodge. BLD Day 7 Sat. Bayanzag Red Cliffs, South Gobi Province Check-out of ger lodge and travel to the ger camp near the Bayanzag Red Cliffs. Bayanzag is well known as the location where the American adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews carried out extensive excavations in the 1920s and found the very first dinosaur eggs. You ll enjoy an afternoon walk by the red cliffs. Dinner and overnight at the ger lodge. BLD Day 8 Sun. Ruins of Ongi Monastery Check-out of ger lodge and drive back to the Middle Gobi province. Today s destination is Ongi Monastery. This monastery was erected about 250 years ago and at that time almost 1,000 monks worshipped there daily. Dinner and overnight at a ger lodge. BLD Day 9 Mon. Orkhon Waterfall Check-out of the ger lodge and set out early to drive to Orkhon Waterfall which was formed by volcanic eruptions about 20,000 years ago. The waterfall cascades from a height of 20 metres. In the afternoon enjoy a guided walk in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at a ger lodge. BLD Day 10 Tue. Tuvkhun Monastery & Tsenkher Hot Springs Check-out of ger lodge and drive to Tuvkhun Monastery, resting on the armchair-shaped peak of Shireet Ulaan Mountain at a height of 2,312 metres. The monastery was built on the initiative of Zanabazar and is the place where many of his most famous artworks were created. After walking up the mountain to visit the monastery you ll continue the journey to reach Tsenkher Hot Springs. Dinner and overnight at a ger lodge. BLD Day 11 Wed. Tsenkher Hot Springs Enjoy a full day at the natural hot springs which are a constant 85.5 celsius and prized by Mongolians for their healing, medicinal properties. You ll also take a leisurely walk in the picturesque and wooded surroundings. Dinner and overnight accommodation at a ger lodge. BLD Day 12 Thu. Karakorum & Erdenezuu Monastery Check out of the ger lodge this morning and drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia between 1235 and 1260, where Genghis Khan launched his mighty cavalry. In the afternoon you visit Erdenezuu Monastery. Dinner and overnight at a ger lodge. BLD Day 13. Fri. Khustain Nuruu National Park Check-out of the ger lodge and continue your journey to Khustain Nuruu National Park. This is the place where the Mongolian government reintroduced Przewalski s horse, the only remaining true wild horse in the world. After lunch at the ger camp you ll walk in the surrounding area, and after dinner take a short drive to the mountain to see the wild horses grazing. Dinner and overnight accommodation at a ger lodge. BLD Day 14 Sat. Ulaanbaatar Check-out of the ger lodge and drive to Ulaanbaatar to your hotel. In the afternoon last time for shopping for Mongolian souvenirs and cashmere. Tonight, a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. BLD Day 15 Sun. Ulaanbaatar After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (Hotel check out by 12:00). B Tour price & departures Prices shown per person in AUD. Sunday departures Jun & Aug Departures Twn Sgl 3 Jun, 10 Aug Tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 guests. Maximum capacity 15 guests. Mongolia, nomads Ulaanbaatar AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

12 Budapest Budapest to Sofia Small group tour 14 days/13 nights Travel on this historic and fascinating route with your own private driver/ guide and with all travel, accommodation and sightseeing fully prepaid. Inclusions Privately escorted in English only Arrival/departure transfers by private car Transportation by modern A/C vehicle with driver/guide 13 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 & 4-star hotels Meals Romania 1 dinner with villagers in Malancrav, Transylvania, Bulgaria 3 dinners including one with folklore show Sightseeing and entrances as indicated Your hotels BUDAPEST Palao Zichy CLUJ-NAPOCA Siago Hotel SIGHISOARA Casa Wagner or Casa cu Cerb BRASOV Bella Musica or Casa Wagner BUCHAREST Europa Royale VELIKO TARNOVO Gurko Hotel PLOVDIV Seven Hills Hotel SOFIA Maria Luisa Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Mon. Budapest Arrive Budapest and transfer by private car to your central stylish 4-star hotel. Overnight Budapest. Day 2 Tue. Budapest Today, choose between a Grand City Tour of Budapest including the Parliament, or a trip outside the city to Szentendre and Visegrad with a return by ship on the Danube. Or just enjoy the day you could visit one of Budapest s natural thermal baths, the fascinating Central Market, or shop and explore the city. Overnight Budapest. B Day 4 Thu. Cluj-Napoca to Sighisoara Your morning sightseeing of Cluj includes the Main Square with its magnificent buildings and churches from the 18th and 19th centuries. Then drive to visit Salina Turda, a mine producing table salt since the Middle Ages. Continue to Transylvania and mysterious Sighisoara, built in the 12th century with the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe. Stay within the ancient walls and tonight perhaps dine in the 15th century house where Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler and inspiration for Dracula) was born. Overnight Sighisoara. B Day 3 Wed. Budapest to Cluj-Napoca Meet your driver/guide and travel to Oradea in Romania. There you will see the Roman Catholic Cathedral Romania s largest Baroque religious edifice, and the spectacular Oreada Fortress dating from Late afternoon arrival and overnight Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of the Transylvania region. B Day 5 Fri. Sighisoara Your morning sightseeing of Sighisoara includes the ancient and fascinating Clocktower Museum and the Church on the Hill. This afternoon, visit the village of Biertan and the unique fortified Lutheran church. Later drive to the Transylvania Saxon village of Malancrav restored with assistance from Prince Charles. There visit Budapest Cluj Napoca HUNGARY Sighisoara Brasov ROMANIA Bucharest DANUBE SERBIA Veliko Tarnovo BULGARIA Sofia Plovdiv MACEDONIA 12 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel: Brasov

13 Romania, Bran Castle an organic farm and enjoy dinner at a villager s home. Overnight Sighisoara. BD Day 6 Sat. Sighisoara to Brasov This morning, drive to Bran Castle, also called Dracula s Castle. Built in 1378 as a toll station, it has a dramatic, fairy-tale appearance and was once occupied by the Romanian Royal Family. Later, travel to the medieval town of Brasov where your sightseeing includes the Town Hall Square, Black Church and the first Romanian school. Overnight Brasov. B Day 7 Sun. Brasov to Bucharest First, drive to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, the former summer home of Romania s royal family, then continue to visit the ancient Sinaia Monastery founded in Arrive late afternoon in Bucharest at your central first-class hotel. Overnight Bucharest. B Day 8 Mon. Bucharest Enjoy a comprehensive private morning sightseeing tour of Bucharest, referred to as the Paris of the East, and visit the world s second largest building, the amazing Palace of the Parliament. Your afternoon and evening are free. Overnight Bucharest. B Day 9 Tue. Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo Meet your Bulgarian driver/guide and cross the Danube to arrive at Ivanovo to see the UNESCO listed rock-hewn churches and Archangel Michael Rock Monastery. Then travel to the ancient Bulgarian capital which clings to the steep cliffs overlooking the Yantra River. Overnight Veliko Tarnovo. B Day 10 Wed. Veliko Tarnovo Your city tour includes the medieval fortress of Tsarevets Hill the centre of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire, the Patriarchal Church, and a visit to the Royal Palace. Later, travel to nearby Arbanassi to visit the Church of the Nativity. Tonight, you dine at a traditional restaurant on typical Bulgarian dishes. Overnight Veliko Tarnovo. BD Day 11 Thu. Veliko Tarnovo to Plovdiv Today you travel to Etar for a guided tour of the Open-Air Museum of Old Crafts, then continue to Kazanlak to visit the famous UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb dating from the 4th century BC, then to Plovdiv, Europe s oldest continuously inhabited city, where you will enjoy dinner. Overnight Plovdiv. BD and Helena Cathedral. Continue to Sofia, a city with a 7000-year-long history. There your city tour will include numerous cultural and historic monuments from different periods and visits to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Ruins of Serdica. Overnight Sofia. B Day 13 Sat. Sofia Today you visit the world famous 10th century Rila Monastery with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewellery, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, and carpets. Then travel to Boyana Church to see the frescoes dating from Tonight, enjoy a farewell folklore show with dinner. Overnight Sofia. BD Day 14 Sun. Sofia Your tour ends after breakfast with your departure transfer. B Tour price & departures Prices shown per person in AUD. Monday departures May-Sep 2018 Rila Monastery Day 12 Fri. Plovdiv to Sofia Your morning city tour of Plovdiv includes a guided tour of the Old Town, the ancient Roman theatre with its impressive marble statues and columns, and St Constantine Departures Twn Sgl 28 May, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep This tour is guaranteed with 2 guests and has a maximum size of 15 guests. Budapest AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

14 Bucharest, Palace of the Parliament Romania in Depth Small group tour 10 days/9 nights On this comprehensive tour you ll see and experience all the best that this fascinating country has to offer the highlights of Bucharest, Transylvania, Maramures and Bukovina. Inclusions Privatel escorted in English only 9 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 & 4-star guesthouses and hotels Meals 1 Dinner at Polizu Manor Transportation by modern A/C vehicle with driver guide Sightseeing and entrances as indicated Your hotels BUCHAREST Europa Royale SIBIU Imparatul Romanilor SIGHISOARA Casa Wagner CLUJ-NAPOCA Siago SIGHETU MARMATIEI Gradina Morii SUCEVITA Sofia MAXUT Polizu Manor BRASOV Bella Muzica Hotels or guesthouses of a similar standard may be substituted. Day 1 Mon. Bucharest Arrive Bucharest, Paris of the East, and transfer by private car to your stylish 4-star hotel, the Europa Royale. Overnight Bucharest. Day 2 Tue. Bucharest Paris of the East First your driver/guide will take you for a French and modern Bucharest tour starting with a view from Mitropoly Hill followed by the Romanian Atheneum and Royal Palace/National Art Museum. Next, you ll visit the Cotroceni Palace, currently the residence of the Romanian president, and then the Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world. Later you travel out of Bucharest to Mogosoaia, to visit a palace transformed into a summer residence by Martha Bibescu. Overnight Bucharest. B Day 3 Wed. Bucharest to Sibiu Leave Bucharest and drive first to Cozia Monastery built 600 years ago by Mircea the Old, the grandfather of Vlad the Impaler. In Sibiu, Europe s cultural capital in 2007, take a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town where you ll stay overnight. Overnight Sibiu. B Day 4 Thu. Sibiu to Sighisoara Today, travel to Alba lulia site of Apulum, founded by the Romans in the 2nd century, and visit both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals where ancient Romanian Kings were crowned. Afterwards drive to Biertan to visit a fortified Saxon church, something totally unique to Transylvania. Arrive in Sighisoara late afternoon to settle into your traditional hotel in the centre of the medieval walled UKRAINE MOLDOVA Sapanta Sighetu Marmatiei Sucevita BUKOVINA Sucevita Monastery Maxut Cluj-Napoca Voronet Monastery Targu Mures Sighisoara Alba lulia Biertan Sibiu Brasov Bran Castle Bran Cozia Monastery Sinaia Peles Castle ROMANIA Bucharest BULGARIA Bukovina, Moldovita, painted Easter eggs 14 AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel:

15 Barsana Monastery citadel. Tonight, explore the old town at your leisure and perhaps dine in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born! Overnight Sighisoara. B Day 5 Fri. Sighisoara to Cluj-Napoca This morning you ll visit the Clock Tower Museum, Weapons Museum, the Torture Chamber, the Wooden Staircase and the Church on the Hill. Then drive to historic 17th century Castle Haller for lunch (not included), and later continue to Cluj-Napoca for a city tour including a visit to St. Michael Cathedral. Tonight, your accommodation is in a popular boutique guesthouse Siago. Overnight Cluj-Napoca. B Day 6 Sat. Cluj to Sighetu Marmatiei Today you will travel to the Maramures region with its beautiful villages, traditional houses and carved wooden gates. At Sapanta, visit the Merry Cemetery with its brightly painted carved wooden crosses and humorous illustrations. Stop for lunch (not included) in a traditional trout house in Mara village, and later visit the beautiful Barsana Monastery. Overnight Sighetu Marmatiei. B Day 7 Sun. Sighetu to Sucevita Depart early for a unique and unforgettable steam train trip on the Mocanita, used from 1932 to transport forest workers. You ll enjoy the splendours of the forest and rivers of the Vaser Valley in Maramures Mountains Nature Park. This is followed by a mid-afternoon drive to Bukovina via Borgo Pass where Bram Stoker located Castle Dracula. Overnight Sucevita. B Day 8 Mon. Sucevita to Maxut Today you spend visiting the famous 15th century painted monasteries of Bukovina and the black pottery centre of Marginea. The vivid colours of the UNESCO-listed monasteries of Sucevita, Moldovita and Voronet have been well preserved up to the present day. Later, drive to Maxut and your accommodation Polizu Manor built in neoclassical style in 1878 by Prince Ghica and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Tonight, enjoy a memorable dinner at the manor. Overnight Maxut. BD Day 9 Tue. Maxut to Brasov This morning, head south through the Bicaz Gorges and see the spectacular Red Lake on your way to Transylvania and Brasov. Your sightseeing of this picturesque 14th century city includes the Black Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the museum of the first school in Romania. Overnight Brasov. B Day 10 Wed. Brasov to Bucharest This morning, take a short drive to Bran Castle, often referred to as Dracula s Castle. Built in 1378 as a toll station, it has a dramatic fairy tale appearance, but little connection with the infamous Vlad Tepes (Dracula). Continue to the mountain resort of Sinaia to visit the monastery and Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania s royal family. Late afternoon arrival in Bucharest where your tour ends. B Note: Days 7 and 8 are quite long days with lots to see and do. Sibiu Tour price & departures Prices shown per person in AUD. Monday departures May-Sep Departures Twn Sgl 7 May, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep This tour is guaranteed with 2 guests and has a maximum size of 15 guests. Bran Castle Folk dancers AUSTRALIA Russian Travel Centre/Eastern Europe Travel: NZ Innovative Travel: