EASTERN EUROPE PRIVATE TOUR

The following is just a suggested daily tour schedule. You will have complete control over  your daily schedule and may change your plans at any time by simply telling your guide.

Day 1  USA- St. Petersburg 
           
Day 2  St. Petersburg
Transfer to the historic and recently renovated Hotel Astoria, located in the center of the city.  On the way to your hotel, your guide will point out sights of historical significance, including one of the last remaining statues of Lenin and the monumental Stalinist apartment buildings that line the route from the airport. 

Day 3  St. Petersurg
You will be acquainted with Peter the Great’s Venice of the North visiting - the Peter Paul Fortress: the birthplace of St. Petersburg.  On the other side of the fortress you can see the dark side of the reign of the Romanov tsars: the Imperial prison- famous Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great, the Strelka (the spit in the center of the Neva River- the Winter Palace - the grand Nevsky Prospect.

Today’s visit to the Hermitage Museum -This museum holds the largest collection of art in the world. 
From Rubens to da Vinci’s and French Impressionists.- St. Isaac’s Cathedral.-Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg
Evening Ballet Performance

Day 4  St. Petersburg              
Visit the beautiful palaces- Catherine Palace (formerly Pushkin) and Pavlovsk-You may wish to have lunch today in the village of Pavlovsk at the restaurant, Podvorye. And many more
          
Day 5  St. Petersburg
Visit the  Peter the Greats summer palace, Peterhof

Day 6  St. Petersburg
 Visit the Russian Museum (the former palace of Grand Duke Michael). 
A few steps from the Russian Museum you will see the ornate Church on Spilled Blood on Canal Griboyedova.  Exclusive Excursion Later you can stop into the famous Yusupov Palace on the banks for the Moika Canal.  You will have a private tour of the palace including its famous theater and Arabian Room.  The palace is only opened by special request and you will be able to tour the entire palace with one of the museums on-staff curators. This tour is by appointment only and cannot be moved to another time or day.

Special Dinner Tonight, you might want to dine in the Tea Pavilion of the Yusupov Palace at 8:00 PM- one of the finest restaurants in Eastern Europe. 

Day 7  St. Petersburg- Prague by air
Private  transfer to the deluxe hotel in the center of the city and in the heart of the historic district.
This guided overview tour of Prague.  Prague is a walking city as it was designed over many centurias for the pedestrian and the horse. Visit Castle Hill- Mala Strana (Lesser Town) and down to the Charles Bridge, Old Town and New Town.

Day 8  Prague
Visit the Castle District and Hradcany- Strahov Monastery Exclusive Excursion  Strahov Monastery with its two halls of the library (the Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall). 

Day 9  Prague
Visit Prague’s famous Old Town- historic synagogues - Jewish Cemetery and Holocaust Memorialf the Pinkas Synagogue.Exclusive Excursion  Estates Theater will be opened only for you for an exclusive backstage tour of the theater where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni!  This is one of the true gems of European theaters, from the royal box to the wonderful ceiling frescos.

Day 10 Prague
Day Spent at leisure for shopping and personal exploration in Prague.

Day 11  Prague – Budapest
Morning departure to Budapest on Train  Arrival into Budapest  Private transfers to hotel.
On the way your guide will point out  historical sights- St. Stephen’s Basilica. Remainder of today at leisure.

Day 12   Budapest
Visit the beauty of Central Pest- the Jewish Quarter- Budapest Market Hall- the Great Budapest Synagogue- the Jewish Museum-the Holocaust Memorial- the Varosliget (or city park) area. -Hero’s Square-the Millennium Monument and the Vajdahunyad Castle, a breathtaking site on the edge of the lake in Varosliget. 

Day 13 Budapest
Visit the magnificent House of Parliament- the Holy Crown of Hungary-19th-century Chain Bridge to the Budapest Funicular-Buda’s historic Royal Palace- Matyas Church- the Museum of Contemporary History.
Also in Varhegy is the excavated Medieval Synagogue- a Jewish historical sight dating to the 15th century.

Day 14   Budapest- Vienna by hydrofoil
The journey upriver lasting approximately 5 hours. Enjoy the scenic landscapes, villages, and castles from the comforts of your own seat, as you glide across the Danube river bend. Private transfers to your hotel.

Day 15 Vienna
Vienna is a city whose history stretches back over 2,000 years.
Visit St. Stephens Cathedral (Stephansdom - Hapsburg’s Hofburg Palace complex- 

Day 16  Vienna
Visit the Hofburg Palace complex.-The famous Spanish Riding School at the  Stallburg and Lipizzaner Museum

You will have this afternoon to explore on your own in Vienna.  Some of the finest shopping in Europe is in this quarter, including the best antique shops of the city!

Day 17   Vienna- USA
Transfer to airport only.

Accommodations:      

St. Petersburg
One (1) Executive Double Room for Five (5) nights at the Hotel Astoria

Prague
One (1) Deluxe Double Room for Four (4) nights at the Four Season Hotel Prague

Budapest
One (1) Superior Double Room for Three (3) nights at the Four Seasons.

Vienna
One (1) Classic Double Room for Three (3) nights at the Hotel Imperial.

Included daily breakfast as described above.  Your guides will recommend restaurants that fit your exact needs daily. 

Hotel Upgrade Options upon request

Services:                    
Private, deluxe car (or minivan) and driver at your service as described.  A day with your vehicle is generally 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.  English-speaking guide from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM as described. A half-day is 3.5 hours.

Transfers:      
All transfers to and from airports are included in the program.  Theater transfers are not included, unless specifically noted.

Guides:          
Hand chosen for their knowledge on local history, art & architecture.  Guides are at your disposal between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily.  Guides may assist you with restaurant reservations and purchasing of additional theater tickets at your request.

Theater:
The best seats to the best performances on the dates of your visit, as described in the program.  Theater transfers are not included in your program.

Tickets:
All museum tickets and theater tickets.  Evening performances at the theater for ballet, opera, or symphony, depending on scheduling,