Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Russia.

Witness the resurgence of folk culture as you travel through St. Petersburg and the Baltics. Admire the stunning views of St. Isaac's Cathedral, with its looming gold dome, along the river in St. Petersburg. Then sail the Baltic Sea aboard a cruise to the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - St. Petersburg

Board your flight to St. Petersburg.

Day 2 - St. Petersburg

Arrive in St. Petersburg this morning. After clearing customs, meet your Go Ahead representative and transfer to your hotel. If you traveled on our pre-extension to Moscow, join the rest of your group today. Meet your fellow Baltic travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - St. Petersburg

Today’s guided sightseeing tour covers the amazing history, art and architecture of 300-year-old St. Petersburg, called the “Venice of the North” for its aesthetic beauty and 360 bridges that cross canals and waterways. See historic Palace Square, one of Europe’s great centers that saw both victory over Napoleon and all-night vigils for democracy; the Winter Palace; and the Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s version of the Champs-Élysées. In the afternoon, visit Peter and Paul Fortress, once a prison that held the likes of Dostoevsky. Its interior is a fabulous example of baroque architecture. Finish with a look inside massive St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose dome, covered in 220 pounds of gold leaf, dominates the city skyline. The marble and mosaic interior is perhaps even more impressive. (B, D)

Day 4 - St. Petersburg

Enjoy a full free day to stroll through St. Petersburg at your leisure. Spend a few hours in the Summer Garden, the city’s most elegant park; or check out the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts, displaying handcrafted Russian furniture, tiled stoves and a Kremlin-style Terem Room. Or join a half-day optional excursion to Petrodvorets (Peter’s Palace), a testament to the Russian spirit that was fully rebuilt after the Nazis destroyed most of the palace and gardens during World War II. (B, D)

$99 USD

Petrodvorets Journey to the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland to visit Peter the Great’s Petrodvorets, summer residence of the czars.

Day 5 - St. Petersburg

Today’s highlight—and perhaps the highlight of your stay—is the town-sized Hermitage Museum. Enter the halls of four linked buildings for a look at one of the largest collections of European art in the world. Arranged and acquired mostly during the reign of Catherine the Great, the 3 million pieces of art on display include works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and Leonardo; sculpture from ancient Greece and Italy; and exotic jewelry from Catherine’s Treasure Gallery. (B, D)

Day 6 - Tallinn

Travel through the Russian and Estonian countryside to Tallinn, capital of Estonia. The city’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Northern Europe. (B, D)

Day 7 - Tallinn

Go back in time today to the 14th and 15th centuries on your fully guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Navigating Toompea hill, you’ll see the castle and Toomkirik Cathedral. Journey to Kadriorg Park for a look at the baroque palace. Walk through the Old Town for an included visit to 19th-century Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church with a beautiful mosaic interior. You’ll also step inside the galleries of the Estonian Art Museum. Tonight, join an optional dinner in Tallinn. (B)

$89 USD

Dinner in Tallin Enjoy an evening's worth of Tallinn's history and culinary delights when you dine at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 8 - Tallinn

On a full-day optional excursion, cruise the Baltic Sea to nearby Helsinki, the Finnish capital. The excursion includes a guided sightseeing tour of the city, featuring the Parliament building, Senate Square and Sibelius Park, as well as a visit to the Helsinki Cathedral. Alternatively, stay in Tallinn for the day and explore the sights on your own. People-watch in the Old Town Square, the hub of Tallinn’s dining and café scene. (B)

$239 USD

Helsinki Tour & Cruise On this full-day land and sea tour, visit breathtaking Helsinki, Finland's seaside capital. You'll explore the city on a guided tour with a local guide. Please note: This excursion requires advance reservations and must be booked prior to your final payment deadline.

Day 9 - Riga

Leaving Tallinn, stop in the resort city of Pärnu, situated on Estonia’s western coast. The port, founded in the 13th century by the German Teutonic Knights, has a fortified Old Town and wonderful spas. Then cross into Latvia and reach Riga, its historic capital. (B, D)

Day 10 - Riga

An expert local guide leads a walking tour of Riga. Divided into Vecriga (Old Riga) and the New Town, the city is ideal for walking. View Riga Castle and St. Peter’s Church, then tour New Town for a look at the Freedom Monument, erected in 1935. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you wish. (B)

Day 11 - Riga

With a free day in Riga, browse the stalls of the New Town central market, housed in several World War I zeppelin hangars. Or explore the Jewish quarter of Maskavas, home to the Jewish Museum and the fascinating Riga Motor Museum. Alternatively, opt to join a walking tour through Riga’s kaleidoscope of architecture, journeying through the Art Nouveau, Hansa and Russian periods. Later, join our special optional evening of Riga Opera. Enjoy a dinner and performance. (B)

$99 USD

Riga Opera Evening In the late 18th century, traveling opera troupes from all over Europe came to Riga to perform. Soon after, the official Riga Opera opened as the prestigious German Theater.

$39 USD

Walking tour of Riga's Historical Architecture This walking tour, directed by an expert local guide, takes you through three generations of Riga’s history, art and architecture and a major UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 12 - Riga

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for departure. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter the countries on this itinerary, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Russia. You must obtain an individual visa prior to departure through one of our recommended providers:

U.S. Citizens: Zierer Visa Service (1-866-788 1100; www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=73041. If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041.)

Canadian Citizens: Visa Connection (1-416-506-8787; www.visaconnection.biz)

If you opt to apply for your visa directly with the Russian consulate and require additional assistance and/or documentation from Go Ahead, a special arrangements fee of $95 per person may be charged.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate or embassy as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks at your destinations. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in St. Petersburg and depart from Riga. Included transportation on St. Petersburg & the Baltics is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the cities by public transportation and on foot.

St. Petersburg’s metro system is the easiest way to get around the larger city. It’s ultra-fast. There’s rarely longer than a three-minute wait. Buses, trolleybuses (electric trams) and trams are also available and efficient. Tickets can be purchased from major kiosks and, sometimes, from the drivers.

There is also a train transfer from Moscow to St. Petersburg for travelers taking the Moscow pre-tour extension. When traveling by train there may be times when you will have to handle your own luggage, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The Russian ruble, the Estonian kroon and the Latvian lat are the currencies you’ll be using on this trip. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

We strongly suggest bringing a combination of cash, ATM/debit cards and credit cards with you to make purchases. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Traveler’s checks are increasingly difficult to cash, especially in Russia.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide.