DAY 2, IN MOSCOW, WEDNESDAY Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Sightseeing tour begins at Red Square dominated by St. Basil's Cathedral and by the massive red walls of Kremlin. We will visit the Armory, the Moscow University and the popular Arbat shopping district, drive on wide boulevards and stroll through GUM, the largest Russian department store. Our early dinner will be followed by a cultural performance. (B,D,O)

DAY 3, TO NOVGOROD, THURSDAY After early breakfast, we depart for Tver, an ancient trading port nestled against the banks of the Volga River. The city offers fascinating treasures including Putevoy, built for Catherine II. as a stopping place on her journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg. We end the day in Novgorod, founded 1110 years ago, near the Lake Snezhskoye. 520 km (B,D,O)

DAY 4, TO ST. PETERSBURG, FRIDAY Among the many historical structures, the morning sightseeing tour includes the marvelous Citadel and the open-air museum of wooden buildings which displays the traditional rural homes in an open-air setting. In the afternoon we proceed to St. Petersburg, the former capital of the Romanov Czars. Upon arrival to St. Petersburg we'll visit the Peter and Paul Fortress which houses the crypt of the Russian Emperors. 160 km (B,D,O)

DAY 5 IN ST. PETERSBURG, SATURDAY A day of continuous sightseeing of St. Petersburg, situated on 110 islands and founded by Peter the Great. In the morning we'll explore Petrodvorets, Peter the Great's summer palace, standing at the edge of the Gulf of Finland. In the afternoon we continue our tour with a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral and the highlight of the city, the Hermitage, which houses many treasures from the era of the Czars. (B,D,O)

DAY 6, TO TALLINN, SUNDAY We depart via Narva, where we stop for lunch, for Tallinn, the capital of the Republic of Estonia, situated on the southern coast of the Finnish bay. This old town has the typical narrow medieval streets, towers, town walls, Gothic churches, trading and residential houses of the 13th to 17th centuries. 360 km (B,D,O)

DAY 7, TO RIGA, MONDAY In the morning we'll have the guided tour of Tallinn featuring the Town Hall, and then we are off to Riga, the capital of the Latvian Republic, situated at the mouth of the Daugava River. 310 km (B,D,O)

DAY 8, IN RIGA, TUESDAY This morning's sightseeing tour features the Riga Castle, housing the Pioneer Palace and three museums: historical, fine arts and literary. The afternoon is at leisure. (B,D,O)

DAY 9, TO VILNIUS, WEDNESDAY Morning departure to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. 330 km (B,D,O)

DAY 10, IN VILNIUS, THURSDAY St. Peter and Paul church with over 2,000 statues and reliefs, Upper Town with Gedimas Tower, and Vilnius Castle are the highlights of our morning sightseeing tour. The afternoon is at leisure or you may take an optional excursion to Trakai. (B,D,O)

DAY 11, TO WARSAW, FRIDAY We bid farewell to the former Soviet Union and cross the border to Poland. At day's end we reach Warsaw, our last destination on this fantastic journey to the lands of history in the making. 540 km (B,D,O)

DAY 12, IN WARSAW, SATURDAY There is a morning sightseeing tour encompassing Chopin's monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, Lazienki Park and other landmarks. Balance of the day free for individual activities. (B,O)

DAY 13, TO KRAKOW, SUNDAY During the morning journey to Krakow we stop in Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the "Black Madonna". After the lunch break (on your own), we proceed to Krakow. During the journey, there is time for an optional side trip to one of the most somber memorials of our past, Auschwitz. We end our day Krakow. 400 km (B,D,O)

DAY 14, IN KRAKOW, MONDAY The Wawel Castle, St. Mary's Church, the Renaissance Cloth Hall and other ancient landmarks are included in our morning city sightseeing tour. The afternoon is free for strolling around the city on your own. (B,O)

DAY 15, TO PRAGUE, TUESDAY After a drive through the Polish countryside, we cross the border of Slovakia, Czech Republic and then on to Prague, with its Baroque churches, promenade, parks and ancient city walls. 495 km (B,D,O)

DAY 16, IN PRAGUE, WEDNESDAY A morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Royal Castle of Hradcany and into the old part of the city to view the Jewish Ghetto, and other sights of this captivating city. The balance of the day is free for an optional visit to a cultural performance. (B,O)