BALTICS & BEYOND MEDICAL CONFERENCE 2018 THE BALTICS MAIN TOUR PRAGUE UNEXPLORED BOHEMIA ST PETERSBURG PRE-TOUR 1 PRE-TOUR 2 POST-TOUR
MAIN TOUR THE BALTICS 23 SEPTEMBER 8 OCTOBER 2018 DAY 1 Arrival in Vilnius (Lithuania) Sun 23 Sep Depart Australia on Saturday 22 September and reach Vilnius on Sunday 23 September. Delegates, who have undertaken the Unexplored Bohemia Pre-Tour 2, will reach Vilnius after their flight from Prague. On arrival, all delegates will be transferred to our hotel for five nights. The rest of the day at leisure. _ Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius https://www.kempinski.com/en/vilnius/hotel-cathedral-square/welcome/ 1
DAY 2 Vilnius Mon 24 Sep Full Day City Tour After breakfast, we start our tour to experience the warm and alluring city of Vilnius. Enjoy the awe inspiring Baroque interior of St. Peter and Paul Church followed by the Bohemian neighbourhood of Uzupis where the Subacius Hill provides beautiful panoramic views of Vilnius Old Town. Later, a walk through the charming cobblestoned streets of Old Vilnius will take us to see the beautiful Cathedral Square and the city s famous Cathedral Basilica. Other attractive sites we will walk past include the Bernardine Church and Monastery, Gate of Dawn, Vilnius University, and the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit. A visit to the Amber Gallery will uncover its unique collection on display where we can also taste Lithuania s special Amber drink. After our walk on the oldest and flamboyant street of Pilies we will enjoy a private organ concert at the Church of St. Casimir, Vilnius first and oldest Baroque church. Later, enjoy some free time in the Town Square before we return to the hotel. Welcome Dinner Savour traditional Lithuanian cuisine in an enchanting atmosphere in the heart of the Old Town of Vilnius. Get ready to be entertained by live folk music performance for an even more memorable evening. Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius B L D DAY 3 Vilnius Tue 25 Sep Delegates only: Conference Session 1 (including morning tea) Rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the Baroque beauty of the Vilnius city. Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius B 2
DAY 4 Vilnius Wed 26 Sep Half Day Trakai Tour and Boat Cruise on Lake Galve Located close to Vilnius, the splendid lakeside town of Trakai is home to the country s smallest national park encompassing beautiful lakes, forests, and historical sites. Trakai is crowned by a magnificent castle atop an island on Lake Galve surrounded by breathtaking nature. Admire wonderful views of the Gothic style Trakai castle and other islands while boating on the lake, followed by the Castle excursion which will reveal its impressive collections of religious art and history. Lunch in this picturesque town will bring an end to our tour. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius B L DAY 5 Vilnius Thu 27 Sep Delegates only: Conference Session 2 (including morning tea) Relax and enjoy the rest of the day in this beautiful city. Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius B 3
DAY 6 Vilnius Kaunas Fri 28 Sep Kaunas City Tour Today we depart for the sprawling city of Kaunas with an intriguing history. Our first stop will be at the Pazaislis Monastery. With its luxurious Venetian interior,the Monastery serves to be the most magnificent example of Italian Baroque architecture in the country. Enjoy a festive meal here whilst soaking up your scenic surroundings. Square, Cathedral of St. Peter & Paul, House of Perkunas, and St. Michael the Archangel's Church. Rest of the day at leisure. After lunch, we will begin our walking tour of Kaunas. Absorb the medieval spirit by gazing at the Gothic churches and castles of the Old Town. Major sites include the Medieval Castle, Town Hall Accommodation: Europa Royale Hotel Kaunas B L http://www.groupeuropa.com/europa_royale/kaunas_hotel/ DAY 7 Kaunas Riga (Latvia) Sat 29 Sep Rundale Palace Tour Today we will leave Kaunas for Riga -Europe s wonderland of Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance architecture! beautiful fountains and rose gardens. Post lunch we will continue our journey to Riga. Before reaching Riga, we will stop at rural Latvia s prime architectural highlight the outstanding Rundale Palace. A guided tour of this 18 th century Palace will give us historic insights along with ghost tales. Visit the Palace Museum and exhibition halls for display of fine art and historical expositions. We will enjoy lunch at this heavenly venue with a French style park in the backdrop boasting On arrival in Riga, rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Pullman Riga Old Town, Riga B L http://www.pullmanhotels.com/gb/hotel-9619-pullman-riga-old-town/index.shtml 4
DAY 8 Riga Sun 30 Sep Delegates only: Conference Session 3 (including morning tea) Afternoon Riga Tour Uncover the land of outstanding architecture and culture in our afternoon s tour. Partly explored on foot, the guided Old Town tour will walk us through Riga Dome Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics, St. Peter s Church, and the St. Jacob s Cathedral. We will also see the Guild Houses, home to merchants and artisans centuries ago, along with the Parliament building and Swedish Gate. Next we will visit the Art Nouveau district to experience the mighty glory of Riga. Amazing buildings with stunning facades and quaint cafes will surely make you fall in love with Riga. Driving along central boulevards we will reach the City Canal Park. A walk on Bastion Hill, the most romantic feature of the Park, will allow us to unwind and enjoy the splendid scenery. Accommodation: Hotel Pullman Riga Old Town, Riga B L 5
DAY 9 Riga Mon 01 Oct Enjoy exploring Riga today at your own pace or we have an exciting journey planned for tomorrow! simply relax in one of its many parks and cafes, as Accommodation: Hotel Pullman Riga Old Town, Riga B DAY 10 Riga Sigulda Cesis Tue 02 Oct Sigulda Tour After breakfast, we will depart for Cesis. On our way, we will first stop at Sigulda to visit the enchanting Turaida Castle and Sigulda Castle ruins. Turaida meaning God s Garden in its literal sense is a fairy-tale red bricked castle linked to the Livonian history. Visit the Turaida Museum Reserve for interesting archaeological and historical exhibits and climb its tower for even more wonderful views of the wooded Gaujavalley. Located on the edge of the valley, we will walk through the picturesque ruins of the Sigulda Castle. Indulge in authentic Latvian flavors in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Sigulda before heading to our today s final destination Cesis. Rest of the day at leisure. OPTIONAL HIKING TOUR IN SIGULDA Haven t had enough of Latvia s most picturesque town? This afternoon s optional hike will give you the opportunity to discover Sigulda further before heading to Cesis. Gear up to see caves, cliffs, impressive forests and wonderful sights of the Gauja river valley. Explore the Switzerland of Latvia in the most relaxed atmosphere. Have a fantastic time! Accommodation: Hotel Cesis, Cesis B L http://www.hotelkolonna.com/mobile/hotel-cesis/ 6
DAY 11 Cesis Wed 03 Oct Cesis Castle and Town Tour From medieval castles to green hills to trendy cafes, Cesis is a pure delight for the eyes! Our visit to the Cesis Castle will unfold history and enchanting architecture at the same time. Accommodation: Hotel Cesis, Cesis B L Descend into the dungeon of the tower to take a look at the prison and later climb the tower to enjoy striking views of the Cesis Old Town. We will walk through the beautiful gardens to absorb the medieval aura this charming town has to offer. After lunch, we will explore the Araisi Archaeological Museum Park which excels with unique archaeological findings. Unwind here along the lake shores with Stone Age dwellings. DAY 12 Cesis Tartu Vihula (Estonia) Thu 04 Oct Tartu City Tour Today after breakfast, we will check out. Our scenic drive will bring us to the village of Vihula in Estonia. On our way we will stop in Estonia s spiritual capital, Tartu, home to one of Northern Europe s oldest universities. Our sightseeing tour of this town will include places such as the Town Hall Square, St. Anthony s Guild, Catholic Dome Cathedral, and the University of Tartu History Museum amongst others. We will also visit the Sacrificial Stone where once pagan gods were worshipped and sacrifices were made. Other attractions include the Kissing Hill, State Court, Angel s Bridge, Old Anatomicum and Tartu Observatory. After lunch, enjoy exploring this compact town at your own pace or simply relax over a hot cup of coffee and be part of Tartu s popular cafe culture. Late afternoon, we leave for our final destination for today, Vihula, within the Lahemaa National Park. Accommodation: Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa B L D http://www.vihulamanor.com/ 7
DAY 13 Lahemaa National Park Fri 05 Oct Delegates only: Conference Session 4 (including morning tea) Lahemaa National Park and Palmse Manor House Tour Starting in Estonia s largest national park, the Land of Bays, we will see the perfect example of natural and cultural landscapes. The forests, lake and rivers make Lahemaa National Park ideal for hiking or simply admiring nature. Witness this on the Viru bog nature trail and admire the colorful landscape. Next we will visit the Viinistu Art Museum, one of the country's best galleries, displaying art work of Estonian artists of various eras and the legendary Village of Kasmu. Our final stop will be the pretty Palmse Manor House. With a charming museum displaying period furniture and clothing, all the estate buildings of this house have been interestingly restored. Accommodation: Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa B L 8
DAY 14 Vihula Tallinn Sat 06 Oct Tallinn Walking City Tour After breakfast, we will checkout. A scenic drive through picturesque countryside and ancient forests will lead us to the enchanting city of Tallinn. On reaching Tallinn, we will explore the city s Historic Centre the two-tiered Old Town. The upper town with the castle and cathedral has always been the administrative centre of the country, whereas the lower town preserves to a remarkable extent the medieval fabric of narrow winding streets and fine public and burgher buildings.our fascinating city tour will end after lunch. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Telegraaf Hotel, Tallinn B L https://www.telegraafhotel.com/ DAY 15 Tallinn Sun 07 Oct Enjoy this beautiful city nestled amongst nature at In the evening join us for a farewell dinner to mark your own will today. the end of our memorable trip. Accommodation: Telegraaf Hotel, Tallinn B D DAY 16 Tallinn Australia Mon 08 Oct Delegates bidding us farewell will transfer to the airport for their flight back to Australia. Rest of the delegates have an exciting day ahead. We will transfer to the port for an enjoyable ferry ride to Helsinki. In Helsinki, transfer to the train station to catch a high-speed train to St. Petersburg, Russia s cultural heart, for the start of the St. Petersburg Post-Tour. B 9
COST of MAIN TOUR, PRE-TOURS and POST-TOUR Visit www.conferencingnomads.com Submit the Register your Interest form to receive costs. For any questions, please contact Nighat Faruqi nfaruqi@conferencingnomads.com INCLUSIONS +61 (0)422 063 743 15 nights accommodation at well-appointed hotels as mentioned or similar on a twin share basis 4 conference sessions for delegates only Economy class airfares with Lufthansa via Singapore and Frankfurt to Vilnius and returning from Tallinn (airlines/airfares/taxes subject to change) Daily breakfasts, 10 lunches and 3 dinners (including Welcome/Farewell dinners) All group transfers in conjunction with airfares purchased through Conferencing Nomads All sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary in air-conditioned coaches Bilingual local guides Accompanying Conferencing Nomads staff Porterage at airports Tips to drivers and guides. EXCLUSIONS (also applicable to Pre-Tour 1 & 2 and Post-Tour) Domestic airfares and accommodation within Australia, if needed Meals and drinks not indicated in the itinerary Optional tours / activities other than those specified Items of a personal nature, beverages, laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar etc. Travel insurance (compulsory) Visas, where applicable Anything not mentioned in the trip inclusions. 10
PRE-TOUR 1: Prague PRE-TOUR 1 PRAGUE 14 17 September 2018 Enjoy a brief visit to Prague City of a Hundred Spires DAY 1 Arrival in Prague Fri 14 Sep Prague s most impressive Baroque church, the St. Nicholas Church. We will depart Australia on Thursday 13 September arriving in Prague on Friday 14 September. On arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel and check-in for three nights. The rest of the day is at leisure. DAY 2 Prague Sat 15 Sep Prague is any explorer s paradise. Known for its beautiful art, magnificent architecture, and trendy cafés, Prague will surely win your heart with its charm. Wandering further down the cobblestoned streets of this beautiful city, we will reach Josefov or the Jewish Quarter, and the Clementinum, a historic complex of beautiful buildings. The largest ancient castle in the world is on our list next. Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. Here, we will also tour the Gothic masterpiece - St. Vitus Cathedral. B L DAY 3 Prague Sun 16 Sep Entire day is free for you to explore the city of Prague on your own. B Today s walking tour will take you to the vibrant Wenceslas Square, the historic Old Town Square and Estates Theatre, the six hundred year old medieval Astronomical clock, the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, and one of Prague s most valuable architectural monuments Rudolfinum. We will cross Charles Bridge, situated in the heart of the Czech capital, enjoying the panoramic view over the Vltava River before reaching Mala Strana, the oldest neighbourhood of Prague. In this historic region we will tour DAY 4 Prague Hostacov Mon 17 Sep Today we say goodbye to Prague and drive to the village of Hostacov in Eastern Bohemia, where another expedition awaits us. B Accommodation: Hotel Paris Prague http://www.hotel-paris.cz/en/ 11
PRE-TOUR 1: Prague INCLUSIONS 3 nights accommodation, as mentioned or similar on a twin share basis Economy class airfares with Lufthansa via Singapore and Frankfurt to Prague (airline/airfares/taxes subject to change) bought in conjunction with the Main Tour airfares Daily breakfasts and 1 lunch All group transfers in conjunction with airfares purchased through Conferencing Nomads All sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary Bilingual local guides Accompanying Conferencing Nomads staff Porterage at airport Tips to drivers and guides. 12
PRE -TOUR 2: Unexplored Bohemia PRE-TOUR 2 UNEXPLORED BOHEMIA 17 23 September 2018 Visit picturesque spa towns, striking castles and thick forests of the rural rustic Bohemia DAY 1 Arrival in Hostacov Mon 17 Sep We depart Australia on Sunday 16 September and arrive in Prague on Monday 17 September. On arrival, we will be transferred to the lovingly restored Chateau Hostacov, set amongst stunning grounds. DAY 2 Hostacov Tue 18 Sep Today we will explore the hinterland of Bohemia. DAY 3 Hostacov Karlstejn Marianske Lazne Wed 19 Sep After breakfast, we check out and drive to the spine-tingling Sedlec Ossuary or Bone Church, decorated bizarrely with bones of thousands of plague and war victims. From here, a short drive will take us to the Karlstejn Castle, established by Charles IV as a place to store the royal treasures, holy relics and the crown jewels. After breakfast, we depart for Zleby, where a tour of the impressive Baroque-Romanticistic Zleby Castle will reveal its remarkable collections of antiquities from all over Europe. Hostacov started off as a small defensive fortress. Later, it was expanded into a chateau built in the Renaissance style, along with a sugar refinery and small lake. This evening is for us to enjoy a relaxing dinner at this hidden Bohemian gem. Accommodation: Chateau Hostacov D http://chateau-hostacov.cz/welcome Next, we head towards the village of Lipnice nad Sazavou. Here, after enjoying traditional Czech food, we will visit the ruins of the Lipnice Castle. A tour of the renowned glass and crystal factory in Svetla will end our touring for today. Accommodation: Chateau Hostacov B L D Driving through scenic countryside, we reach our final destination for today, the beautiful spa town of Marianske Lazne. Accommodation: Danubius Health Spa Resort Nove Lazne B L http://www.danubiushotels.com/ourhotels-marianske-lazne 13
PRE -TOUR 2: Unexplored Bohemia DAY 4 Marianske Lazne Thu 20 Sep Delegates only: Conference Session 1 (including morning tea) DAY 5 Marianske Lazne Karlovy Vary Fri 21 Sep Today, we leave for the world famous and absolutely unique spa town of Karlovy Vary. DAY 6 Karlovy Vary Sat 22 Sep Delegates only: Conference Session 2 (including morning tea) In the afternoon, it is time to unwind in this beautiful town. In the evening, a gala dinner awaits. The rest of the day is for you to relax in this classy destination. Enjoy complimentary access to our Resort s spa pools and baths. Accommodation: Danubius Health Spa Resort Nove Lazne B Situated in the heart of a forested valley, Karlovy Vary boasts an exceptional architecture and layout. Once checked in, we will have lunch, followed by a walking tour along the promenade, featuring the wonderful experience of 'taking of the waters' of the various mineral springs. Accommodation: Hotel Imperial B L https://www.spa-hotel-imperial.cz/cz/ Accommodation: Hotel Imperial B D DAY 7 Karlovy Vary Vilnius Sun 23 Sep After checkout, we proceed to the Prague airport for our flight to Vilnius, Lithuania for the start of the Main Tour, The Baltics. B INCLUSIONS 6 nights accommodation, as mentioned or similar on a twin share basis Two conference sessions for delegates only Economy class airfares with Lufthansa via Singapore and Frankfurt to Prague (airline/airfares/taxes subject to change) bought in conjunction with the Main Tour airfares Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners All group transfers in conjunction with airfares purchased through Conferencing Nomads All sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary Bilingual local guides Accompanying Conferencing Nomads staff Porterage at airport Tips to drivers and guides. 14
POST -TOUR: St. Petersburg POST-TOUR ST. PETERSBURG 08 15 October 2018 A wonderful tour to explore the vibrant city of St Petersburg with its glittering and enigmatic history DAY 1 Tallinn St. Petersburg Mon 08 Oct We depart Tallinn in the morning arriving St. Petersburg, via Helsinki, in the evening on the same day. On arrival, transfer to one of the most famous Russian hotels - the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe. impressively restored interiors that will leave you completely awestruck. DAY 2 St. Petersburg Tue 09 Oct St. Petersburg is a treasure trove of art and architecture and the Hermitage Museum proves it absolutely right. Today s touring will end with a boat ride to enjoy the Baltic cityscape adorned with majestic palaces, mansions, and cathedrals along stunning floral embankments. B L Later on, we will visit the renowned Faberge Museum. Enjoy Carl Faberge s finest jewelled works of art, located in one of the most beautiful palaces of St. Petersburg. B L DAY 3 St. Petersburg Wed 10 Oct One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, our curatorled tour of the Hermitage Museum, will give us an insight in to its world-renowned collections. After lunch, we will head towards the famous St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Peter & Paul Fortress. Delegates only: Conference Session 1 (including morning tea) After lunch, we will explore St. Petersburg s imperial splendour. Relive the grandiose taste of the royals, as we visit the Menshikov Palace. The first stone building of the city, the Menshikov Palace has 15
POST -TOUR: St. Petersburg DAY 4 St. Petersburg Thu 11 Oct Today is to explore St Petersburg, the aptly called Russia s jewel in the crown, on your own. B DAY 5 St. Petersburg Fri 12 Oct Delegates only: Conference Session 2 (including morning tea) After lunch, we will start our tour with the Yusupov Palace, famous as the scene of the assassination of Rasputin and one of the few aristocratic homes in the city to have retained many of its original interiors. From here, we will head towards the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. This five-domed dazzler, with its classic Russian Orthodox exterior and an interior decorated with the most beautiful mosaics, is one of the main sights of St. Petersburg. B L DAY 6 St. Petersburg Sat 13 Oct Today, we will visit the Grand Palace at Peterhof or as it is fondly called The Russian Versailles. You will find the lavish Palace with its famous system of fountains a truly impressive sight. B L DAY 7 St. Petersburg Sun 14 Oct Today, we will tour the suburban estates of the Tsar's Village and Pushkin. We will also visit the remarkable Catherine Palace and the world famous Amber Room, where a memorable gift will be presented to us from the Amber workshop. Spend some leisure time before our farewell dinner to mark the end of our unforgettable trip. B L D DAY 8 St. Petersburg Australia Mon 15 Oct After checkout, we proceed to the Airport for our flight back to Australia. B Accommodation: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg http://www.belmond.com/ru/grandhotel-europe-st-petersburg/ OPTIONAL ACTIVITY* Performance at Mariinsky Theatre Enjoy a beautiful opera or ballet performance at the historic Mariinsky Theatre *Program details and cost to be announced 16
POST -TOUR: St. Petersburg INCLUSIONS 7 nights accommodation, as mentioned or similar on a twin share basis Two conference sessions for delegates only Economy class airfares with Lufthansa via Frankfurt and Singapore (airlines/airfares/taxes subject to change) bought in conjunction with the Main Tour airfares Daily breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner All group transfers in conjunction with airfares purchased through Conferencing Nomads All sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary Bilingual local guides Accompanying Conferencing Nomads staff Porterage at airport Tips to drivers and guides. 17
BOOKING FORM BOOKING DETAILS Early Bird Registration: A saving of nearly 30%! Offer closes: Friday 30 June 2017 To book, please send the completed Registration Form with the applicable Registration and Deposit Fees. Registration and deposit fees payable to Conferencing Nomads For payment details, please see Page 2 and 3 of the attached Registration Form. Payment could be made by: (i) (ii) (iii) Cheque (payable to Conferencing Nomads) Direct Deposit Credit Card (payment by American Express/Diners not accepted) Note: All reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. ENQUIRIES Dr Nighat Faruqi t +61 (0)422 063 743 e nfaruqi@conferencingnomads.com w conferencingnomads.com 18