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This leisurely vacation includes Poland, the Baltics, and the best of Russia. Start in Warsaw, Poland, and hear from a Local Guide about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway between East and West. Five days are dedicated to the Baltic States, three small countries that quite recently regained their independence. Stay two nights in Vilnius, Lithuania, where a special dinner with regional specialties at a local restaurant awaits you, as well as an interesting visit to the KGB Museum; two nights in Riga, Latvia, with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and the Art Nouveau Quarter; and one night in Tallinn, Estonia, where you will receive an amber gift surprise. In Russia, visit magnificent Catherine Palace (if closed: visit Pavlosk Palace) and continue to St. Petersburg for your three-night stay, with a special dinner of traditional Russian specialties, like caviar, blinis, and vodka, as well as an included visit to the Hermitage Museum. Board the high-speed Sapsan train to Moscow, where you’ll spend three nights and see the sights, including Red Square, opulent St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, and the Armory Museum. Then, fly south to Simferopol, capital of Crimea, and continue to Yalta, with visits to Livadia Palace, the summer residence of the last czar, and the Palace of Count Vorontsov, as well as an exciting excursion to Svastopol and Balaklava to visit the former Soviet submarine base in the caves. Continue to Kherson for a lunch with local specialties, and arrive in splendid Odessa, Ukraine’s main harbor. Enjoy guided sightseeing and a special visit to the Museum of Partisan Glory and see the caves, used by smugglers and during WWII as a hiding place for Soviet partisans. Next, fly to Kiev, capital of Ukraine, where a visit to the Cave Monastery has been included. A special farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrates the success of your vacation.
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