800-469-5186

Music Along the Baltic Sea

With our special guest, cellist Sergey Antonov, Gold Medal winner at the 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition

August 4 to 14, 2008

>Exclusive Shipboard & Shoreside Events

An unforgettable summertime journey across the Baltic Sea,
with exclusive shipboard performances by Tchaikovsky Gold Medal winner, Sergey Antonov...

• Hosted throughout by Midge Woolsey and Jeff Spurgeon

• On-tour management by Bob Drumm of General Tours World Traveler with specialty guides and cruise directors

• Discover the gems of the Baltics on this itinerary designed especially for the listeners of WQXR with ports of call in Russia, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Poland and Denmark

• 10 nights aboard the intimate, 56-cabin MS Andrea, exclusively ours for this 11-day sailing

• All meals with fine dining and unlimited wine to complement our shipboard lunches and dinners

• Thrill to our exclusive shipboard performances by cellist Sergey Antonov, the 2007 Gold Medal winner at the XIII International Tchaikovsky Competition. Mr. Antonov and his wife Nika, also a talented cellist, will be onboard with us as we sail from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, celebrating their summer marriage. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with two exceptional young musicians.

Our affordable Shore Excursions Program features 9 in-depth escorted sightseeing tours in the magnificent cities and towns of Northern Europe...

• Explore the museums and palaces of St. Petersburg, including the stunning Amber Room of Catherine Palace and the Treasure Gallery in the Hermitage.

• See the grand sites and monuments of Helsinki, the 'White City of the North,' on a comprehensive escorted sightseeing tour

• In-depth touring in Tallinn reveals the architectural majesty and rich history of this beautifully preserved medieval city

• See picturesque Stockholm, an enchanting city of islands and bridges, on our orientation tour through the 'Venice of the North'

• Our guided walking tour in historic Kalmar includes a perfectly-preserved 19th century Swedish home and the whimsical Christmas Elf paintings of Jenny Nystrom

• Discover the finely preserved architecture of historic Gdansk, including the colorful Burgher homes along the 'Route of Kings'

• Delight in the charms of Copenhagen on a leisurely canal cruise and escorted sightseeing tour

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Discover the gems of the Baltics at the golden peak of summertime on our private-charter voyage aboard the beautiful MS Andrea

• A first class ocean liner that's all ours for 11 days!

• An intimate first class ship purpose-built for swift and comfortable cruising in the Baltics

• Only 56 staterooms and an elegant single-seating dining room

• Distinctive 18th-century Gustavian-style furnishings and a delightful shipboard ambience capture the casual, nautical elegance of a bygone era

Delightful adventures and opportunities unfold every day!

Aug 4 - St. Petersburg, Russia / Embarkation

Embark our ship, the MS Andrea, moored in the port of Peter the Great's magnificent 300-year-old city, built by the Czar to rival the great 17th century capitals of Europe. There's time to freshen up before we gather together for dinner in the ship's elegant dining room. This evening, delight in an exclusive performance by our special shipboard guest, cellist Sergey Antonov, the 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition Gold Medalist.

Aug 5 - St. Petersburg - Full Day City & Peterhof Excursion Available

The architectural treasures and tragic legends of this city are haunting, and today's available sightseeing excursions delve deeply into both, starting at the Church of our Savior on the Spilled Blood, with its colorful onion domes reminiscent of Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral. This city landmark was completed 100 years ago on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881 when a bomb exploded under his carriage. After an extensive 30-year renovation, the Cathedral has re-opened, its splendid mosaics restored to their original brilliance. Nearby is the architectural masterpiece, St. Isaac's Cathedral, designed by French architect August Montferrand to be the central church of the Russian Empire. Completed in 1858 after four decades of construction, it remains one of the largest churches in the world, and its enormous dome, gilded with 220 lbs of gold, can be seen from all over St. Petersburg. Our drive along the city's boulevards and the famed Nevsky Prospect reveals stunning Baroque architecture and impressive monuments including the iconic Bronze Horseman statue.

This afternoon's excursion visits Peterhof, Peter the Great's spectacular Imperial estate on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. We'll tour the Grand Palace and explore through the 300-acre garden grounds to marvel at the Grand Cascade: 37 gilded statues, three waterfalls and 64 playfully cascading fountains powered only by the force of gravity. A hydrofoil whisks us back to our ship for dinner. This evening, spend time with Sergey and Nika Antonov before another private shipboard concert featuring this Tchaikovsky Gold Medal cellist, accompanied by a respected Russian pianist.

Aug 6 - St. Petersburg - Full Day Tsarskoye Selo & Hermitage Excursion Available

Today's available excursion takes us to the town of Tsarskoye Selo, famed for its palaces and parks. The most resplendent, the Catherine Palace was the residence of Empress Catherine the Great. It was nearly destroyed during WWII, but has been marvelously restored to its original splendor, a Baroque architectural gem by renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, designer also of the Winter Palace. We'll explore the spectacular rooms and galleries, including the Grand Ballroom - a masterpiece of gilded mirrors, two-tiered arched windows, and an exquisite inlaid parquet floor - and the famed Amber Room, decorated with breathtaking mosaic panels of hand-cut amber and gold.

In the afternoon, our guided tour takes us through the breathtaking collection of the Hermitage Museum housed in the opulent Winter Palace, home of the last six Russian Czars. With our own expert guides on-hand, we explore this collection of masterworks spanning centuries of artistic achievement, including paintings by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso, Renoir, and Matisse. We'll even enter into the famed Treasure Gallery, to marvel at a vast collection of ancient gold artifacts acquired over the centuries by Russian Czars.

Enjoy a delightful dinner and relax onboard as we set sail for Finland, another marvelous opportunity to get to know our special guests, the Antonovs. Later this evening, delight in a specially-arranged concert as Sergey and Nika take to the stage together for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Aug 7 - Arrive Helsinki, Finland

This captivating capital, the beautiful 'White City of the North,' is very much a town of the sea, built along a series of peninsulas and islands along the Gulf of Finland. Streets meander around bays, bridges stretch to offshore islands and ferries ply the urban waters.

The MS Andrea will moor in picturesque Helsinki Harbor, making it easy for us to alight in the heart of the city for our available escorted sightseeing tour. We begin in Senate Square, flanked by the neoclassical architecture of Helsinki University and the Council of State and dominated by the steep steps and imposing green domes of the Lutheran Cathedral of Finland, completed in 1852. Our tour also takes us by the grand President's Palace, built as a private mansion, redesigned in 1843 as a palace for Russian czars, and the official residence of Finland's presidents from 1919 to 1993. We visit the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, with its grand redbrick facade and brilliant gold onion domes, and then see Esplanade Park, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House, and Sibelius Monument. We return to the harbor via the Market Square, a hub of commerce, activity, and socializing for city residents and visitors alike.

Our late afternoon event begins with a scenic 30-minute drive to the wooded shores of Lake Tuusula to Ainola, the home-cum-museum of Finland's favorite son, Jean Sibelius. Built at the turn-of-century, this enchanting timber villa was the home of Jean and his wife Aino from 1904. This tranquil lakeside community was a haven for other artists as well, and this stimulating social circle away from the hustle and bustle of the capital provided the composer with the peace and inspiration that he needed for his creative work.

The Ainola Foundation was founded in 1972 to administer the Sibelius home as a museum. After touring the property, we'll have a glass of sparkling wine and then retreat to a nearby manor for a private WQXR concert performed by the String Quartet of the Sibelius Academy.

Aug 8 - Helsinki / Tallinn, Estonia

We cruise across the Gulf of Finland this morning to Tallinn, a historic maritime city on the southern shores of the Gulf. Estonia's capital is not a particularly large city, with fewer than 500,000 residents, but it is one of the most completely preserved medieval cities in Europe, and it boasts a wealth of fine arts and culture. The capital's history is rich with a variety of influences, most notably Swedish, German, and Russian - from the days when Tallinn was a principle city in the Hanseatic League, an alliance formed in the 13th century to regulate trade in Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.

After lunch onboard, our available Shore Excursions Program continues as we explore the city's many fine Gothic and medieval sites with our knowledgeable guides. Walking through the Old Town, we'll see the glorious Town Hall - the landmark of Tallinn - and towering St. Olaf's Church. We'll tour through the historic Toompea, or Cathedral Hill, and visit the magnificent Kadriorg Palace, a summer residence of Peter the Great and a stunning example of extravagant northern Baroque style. We return to ship with time to relax before dinner onboard.

The XXII International Tallinn Organ Festival is a summertime highlight here in this music-loving capital, and this evening Russian organist Daniel Zaretsky performs at 8:00pm with the Orthodox Singers.

Tonight, we set sail for Sweden.

Aug 9 - Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm's unique character derives very much from its maritime landscape; it's a delightful city built across 14 islands. We arrive here in the late afternoon for an available orientation tour of the 'Venice of the North' traveling across picturesque bridges to explore this urban archipelago.

Concert goers will continue on to Maalaren Lake, a scenic one-hour drive west of the capital. Set on an island in the center of Sweden's third-largest lake is the magnificent Drottningholm Palace, built in the 17th century. This 'miniature Versailles' was once just a summertime retreat but for the past two decades, it has been the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family.

Strolling through the beautiful lakeside palace gardens, we'll be welcomed into Drottningholm for a guided tour of the opulent interiors. Reflecting the most en-vogue decorative styles of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the palace's grand halls and intimate salons are lavishly decorated with Baroque and Rococo flourishes' ornate furnishings, much gilding and fascinating trompe l'oeil.

Drottningholm's greatest treasure is, perhaps, its Court Theater, the world's only fully-intact performance venue of the 18th century. Built in 1766 as a wedding present for Gustav III, the theater was virtually abandoned for more than a century after his assassination in 1792 at a masked ball - an event captured by Verdi in his opera Un Ballo in Maschera. Following extensive renovation in the early 20th century, the grand Court Theater reopened in 1922. Today, summertime festival performances of opera and ballet are extremely popular with city residents and visitors alike.

This evening at the Drottningholm Court Theater is the final performance of the premier engagement of Il ritorno d'Ulisse. This great Monteverdi opera, first performed in Venice in 1640, presents the tale of Ulysses' homecoming after the Trojan wars. His wife Penelope has been waiting patiently for him, but how long can love be kept alive? Directed by Johanna Garpe with Mark Tatlow conducting, these moving themes are punctuated by scenes of delightful comic relief.

Aug 10 - Cruising / Kalmar, Sweden

Enjoy a leisurely day onboard the lovely MS Andrea as we chart a course toward southeastern Sweden. Early this evening, we dock in the heart of Kalmar, a picturesque port renowned for its rich history and fine medieval architecture, including Kalmar Castle, perhaps the best preserved Renaissance fortification in northern Europe. The original structure, built in the early 13th century, was a defensive tower erected to protect against pirates and attacks from the sea. By the Renaissance era, Swedish kings had expanded the stone fortress with a church and several residential quarters, some lavishly decorated for the period. Over the centuries, the Castle has played a key role in the history of Sweden. In 1397, for example, one of the most significant events of Scandinavian history occurred here - the founding of the Union of Kalmar which joined Denmark, Norway and Sweden under a common regent.

Aug 11 - Kalmar / Cruising

This morning's available excursion delves into the rich culture and stirring legends of this once-mighty, architecturally-rich medieval city. A walking tour through the Old Town of Kalmar takes us along cobbled streets and into lovely town squares graced with wonderfully preserved 17th century buildings. In the Kalmar Lans Museum, we'll see relics of a Swedish Royal warship and a display of whimsical works by Jenny Nystrom, the Kalmar-born artist who is to the Swedish Christmas elf what Beatrix Potter is to a certain famous rabbit of the English countryside. In a nearly perfectly-preserved century-old home, we'll get a glimpse into the life of a typical middle class Swedish family of the 1800's.

After our sightseeing, you'll have leisure time to explore this charming coastal city at your own pace. Later this afternoon, the MS Andrea sets sail for Poland.

Aug 12 - Gdansk, Poland

The historic events of the 1980's and the emergence of the Solidarity Movement that opened the 'Roads to Freedom' in Eastern Europe have forever placed Gdansk into the cultural lexicon. But these events also left many of us with a mental image of a gritty Baltic seaport, heavy with industry and light on charm. But in fact, Gdansk today is a delightful seaside town with loads of charm! The Old Town is graced with architectural beauty, and the ancient 'Route of Kings' along Dluga Street is lined with majestic Burgher homes, colorfully painted and topped with fanciful gables and parapets. The city has an inviting, laid-back ambience that makes it so easy to enjoy the myriad side walk cafes, galleries and boutiques, many offering exquisite selections of Baltic amber jewelry.

We arrive in Gdansk in the peak of the golden season, and one of the city's most popular summertime events - the Dominican Fair - is in full swing. The festival traditions date back to 1216 when Pope Alexander IV conferred upon the Dominican Order in Gdansk the right to organize fairs. With only one 33-year hiatus after World War II, city residents have been celebrating the Dominican Fair for more than seven centuries. Throughout the charming streets and medieval squares of Old Town, there are music concerts, street theater, folk art and antiques. It's a three-way celebration of food, entertainment and shopping!

The morning's featured excursion begins at the Oliwa Cathedral, first built in the 13th century as a Cistercian shrine. Nearly destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1350, but the Baroque interior we admire today dates back to 1577. Oliwa Cathedral is indeed lovely and finely-preserved, but it is perhaps most famous for its splendid 18th century Rococo organ, comprised of more than 7,000 pipes and richly ornamented with angels and stars. By special invitation, renowned organist Eugeniusz Wawrzyniak will sit at this magnificent organ to offer us a private WQXR concert featuring works by Bach, Charpentier and Vierne.

Enjoy the Dominican Fair at your own pace, or join our available mid-morning escorted tour of the city's most significant sites, including the colorful homes of Dluga Street; the 15th century Arthur's Court, a one-time gathering place for the aristocracy; and St. Mary's Church, the largest brick church in the world. We'll enjoy free time to explore the cafes, boutiques and jewelry shops along the Mariacka, one of the loveliest streets in Gdansk.

Later this afternoon, we continue our Baltic cruise toward Denmark.

Aug 13 - Arrive Copenhagen, Denmark

Like many other Scandinavian and Baltic cities, Denmark's charming capital is very much a city of water, built on two main islands connected by bridges, surrounded by the sea, and interlaced with canals. It is without doubt a world class city with wonderful monuments, culture, dining, shopping and entertainment. But it's astoundingly laid-back - commuters cycle to work along the canals amidst manageable (!) city traffic and the downtown air at morning rush hour smells more of freshly baked bread than auto exhaust. In short, Copenhagen is sure to delight you.

Our available excursion explores this lovely city from a variety of perspectives, including a leisurely cruise along the canals of Christianshavn, a picture postcard-perfect district with an enchanting maritime ambience. Our cruise shows us the famous Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale, and it's the perfect way to appreciate the vistas and finely-preserved homes of the city, before we continue by motorcoach to see the iconic green and gold spire of the Church of Our Savior; Christiansborg Castle, home of the Danish Parliament; and the pretty Amalienborg Palace, official residence of the Danish Royal Family for more than 200 years.

Our ship is docked overnight here in Copenhagen, a wonderful opportunity to step ashore and experience the city's vibrant nightlife.

Aug 14 - Disembark Copenhagen

After breakfast onboard, we disembark ship here Copenhagen.

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Three exclusive shipboard concerts featuring cellist Sergey Antonov, Gold Medal winner at the XIII International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Following his Gold Medal performance last summer at the XIII International Tchaikovsky Competition, Mr. Antonov was also recognized by the Toyota Corporation as the Favorite Artist in the Cello Division. Since then, he's been on-tour throughout the world, including a commanding performance of the Brahms Double Concerto in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

Mr. Antonov was born in 1983 into a family of musicians. His father, also a renowned cellist, played in the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra and his mother was a leading faculty member of the prestigious Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory. The young Antonov is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, where he was a frequent participant in master classes with Mstislav Rostropovich, later joining the maestro on tours throughout Russia and Europe.

Sergey Antonov has triumphed in many other competitions including first prizes at the Swedish Duo Competition and the International Chamber Music Competition. He has been heard in solo and chamber recitals throughout the world, including appearances with the Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Budapest Philharmonic Orchestras.

His 2008 summer engagements will include solo recitals at the Bordeaux Music Festival in France and the Newport Music Festival in Rhode Island. He'll take a break from his busy touring schedule when he and his fiancé, Nika Blinder are wed. Ms. Blinder, who has studied cello for 16 years, has performed throughout Europe, New England, and at Carnegie Hall. She is a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and a sophomore at Wellesley College.

In August, Sergey and Nika will step aboard with us in St. Petersburg as we set sail across the Baltic Sea. This astounding young cellist will play two concerts during our cruise, accompanied by a respected Russian pianist. Then, by special arrangement, his new wife will join him onstage for a 3rd concert – a thrilling opportunity to enjoy the amazing talents of these young masterful musicians.

Plus, a program of private concerts and stellar performances in spectacular 'Old World' venues... Complemented with great touring designed to enhance your experience at these once-in-a-lifetime musical events

As noted in the itinerary, experience all four of these concerts with fine seating and all transportation for just $650 per person.

String Quartet of the Sibelius Academy, Lake Tuusula, Finland, August 7, 6:30 p.m.

Writing about Finland's favorite son, biographer Robert Layton noted that just as Mussorgsky enshrines the soul of Russia and Delius evokes the beauty of an English garden, so does Jean Sibelius bring to life the untamed grandeur of the North. To better understand the elements and forces that inspired Sibelius, we'll journey to the wooded shores of Lake Tuusula to the enchanting timber villa where Jean and his wife Aino lived for many years. Now a museum, we'll conclude our tour of the Sibelius estate with a glass of sparkling wine, and then retreat to a nearby manor to enjoy the String Quartet of the Sibelius Academy in a private concert arranged exclusively for WQXR.

Daniel Zaretsky, organist, and the Orthodox Singers, Tallinn, Estonia, August 8, 8:00 p.m.

Russian organist Daniel Zaretsky, born in 1964, studied piano and organ performance at the prestigious Leningrad State Conservatory. He received his concert diploma in 1989 and then continued his studies at the Sibelius Music Academy where he graduated with honors in 1993. Since 1988, Mr. Zaretsky has appeared in all of Russia's major concert venues, including the Philharmonic Halls of Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in Europe, South America and the United States.

Tonight, Daniel Zaretsky performs with the Orthodox Singers, a vocal ensemble founded in 1989 by Valery Petrov. Over the past 19 years, the award-winning Singers have performed throughout Europe and the United States. The group's primary creative focus is early Orthodox chant, rarely heard in concert, but their unique repertoire also includes great works of Russian sacred choral literature as well as arrangements of Russian folk songs. The Orthodox Singers have recorded six CD's, including 'Credo', Ancient Chants (Forte, 1995) and 'Early Russian Orthodox Chant' (Albany Records, UK, 1995). Their most recent release, in December 2007 with Germany's Troubadisc, features works by contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Part.

This evening's concert, part of the XXII Tallinn International Organ Festival, takes place in St. Nicholas Church, founded in the 13^th century and dedicated, appropriately enough for this maritime city, to the patron saint of merchants and seafarers. Mr. Zaretsky will perform on the church organ, built in 1981 by the Rieger-Kloss Company with 4 manuals, a pedal, 63 registers and 4,711 pipes. This evening's program includes early Russian liturgical chant and other sacred choral works.

Monteverdi's Il Ritorno d'Ulisse, Drottningholm Palace, Sweden, August 9, 7:30 p.m.

Delight in the premier engagement of Monteverdi's 17^th century opera which recounts the tale of Ulysses' return from the Trojan Wars to his waiting wife Penelope. The intimate 450-seat Court Theater offers a once-in-a-time concert-going experience. It is the world's only fully-intact theater from the 18^th century, and the original set and stage mechanisms - still in use! - reveal the ingenuity of its designer and architect, Carl Frederik Adelcrantz.

Our pre-performance tour of Drottningholm Palace, the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family, explores the lovely lakeside gardens and grand interiors of this 'miniature Versailles,' filled with ornate furnishings, much gilding, and eye-catching trompe l'oeil.

Eugeniusz Wawrzyniak, organist, Oliwa Cathedral, Gdansk, Poland, August 12, 9:00 a.m.

The Oliwa Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, built in 1350. After damage by fire in 1577, the interior was reconstructed in the lovely Baroque style that we'll admire today. But the crown jewel of the Cathedral is, without doubt, the renowned 18^th century Rococo organ, comprised of more than 7,000 pipes and richly ornamented with angels and moving figures.

We'll tour the magnificent Cathedral interior and then sit down at 9:00am for a private WQXR concert featuring Eugeniusz Wawrzyniak, a talented Polish organist who has performed throughout Europe and the United States, including concerts and recordings with Polish Radio and the Poznan Philharmonic. This morning, he will play a program of works by Bach and Charpentier.

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An intimate, first class ocean liner chartered for the guests of WQXR

Built for plying the waters off the coasts of Scandinavia, the recently-refurbished MS Andrea offers swift and comfortable cruising through the Baltics. With only 56 staterooms, our ship captures the nautical intimacy and casual elegance of a bygone era. Distinctive 18th century Swedish Gustavian-style furnishings, well-appointed public lounges, and expansive teak decks promise us comfort at sea.

Gather with Midge, Jeff and fellow travelers in the comfortable Cormorant Lounge for casual conversation or cards. You can also select a book or use one of two computers here in the Lounge. Astern on the Mediterranean Deck, you'll find the Kittiwake Lounge & Bar, the ship's social center and where we'll gather for entertainment and enlightening lectures.

Elegant dining is offered in the single-seating Shearwater Restaurant. Light al fresco dining for breakfast and lunch is available on the Baltic Deck in the Northern Lights Café, weather permitting.

In your comfortable well-appointed cabin, you'll enjoy a spacious bathroom, individual climate control, TV with satellite access, hairdryer, and lighted make-up mirror.

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>Fine Dining on the MS Andrea

The elegant Shearwater Restaurant... Leisurely single seating dining with delicious meals freshly prepared by the internationally trained chefs of the MS Andrea

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>Deposit and Payment Information

Deposit
A deposit of $750 per person is due within 7 calendar days of booking in order to secure your reservation.

Full Payment
Full payment is due on April 3, 2008. After April 3, full payment must be guaranteed at the time of booking with a credit card. After any payment has been made, a minimum $30 fee will be charged per transaction for any changes made to dates, hotels, or to ground or air transportation. When dates are changed, it is considered a cancelled trip and cancellation penalties will apply. Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the fare type purchased. Prices may vary depending on the day of travel and airline class of service booked, which is determined by seat availability. All prices are subject to change without notice.

If The Traveler Cancels
Cancellations must be received in writing and are subject to the following per person fees:

Between Feb 18 - April 3, $750 per person

Between April 4 - April 21, 50% of price

Between April 22 - May 16, 75% of price

Between May 17 and day of departure, 100% of price

Hotel bookings cancelled after departure from the USA are subject to 100% cancellation penalties.

Contact for Deposits & Final Payments
General Tours World Traveler, 53 Summer Street, Keene, New Hampshire 03431 Email: info@generaltours.com

Transfers
Group transfers are included as indicated and are scheduled to meet air-inclusive arrangements purchased through General Tours. Transfers at other times may require an additional charge.

Travelers Requiring Special Assistance
Any disability requiring special attention should be reported to General Tours at the time the reservation is made. General Tours will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of such travelers, but it is not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, and other independent suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches, ships and other transportation vehicle, or other personal needs. Travelers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion. Cruise ships have very limited handicapped facilities; almost all have stairs rather than elevators.

Passport and Visas
A passport valid for six months upon return to the U.S. is required of all tour participants.

A visa for Russia is required for U.S. Citizens. General Tours World Traveler will provide all guests with a visa kit that makes the process of applying for a Russia visa very easy. Citizens of other countries are requested to consult their consulates to determine entry requirements.

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Our superbly planned pre-cruise Moscow tour features the deluxe Marriott Grand Hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the capital. General Tours World Traveler's expert guides are on hand to take care of everything, from transfers to touring, as you discover the very best of the city, including 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites' Impressive monuments, beautiful cathedrals, and the glittering wealth of the Czars in the renowned Kremlin Armory Museum. This tour includes two nights deluxe hotel, daily buffet breakfast, transfers, complete escorted sightseeing, and the short flight to St. Petersburg to begin our cruise. $1399 per person, double occupancy. $400 single supplement.

Aug 2 - Arrive Moscow, Russia

You'll be met upon your arrival at the Moscow airport and escorted to your deluxe hotel in the city center.

Aug 3 - Discover Moscow & the Kremlin

Our explorations begin this morning on a steep, forested bank of the Moscow River on the grounds of the Kolomenskoye Estate, once the favored playground of Russian nobility. Ivan the Terrible lived here with his wife Anastasia, and Peter the Great cherished the memories of his childhood summers here, playing war games in the virgin forests. The estate grounds include several notable structures, including a 17th century church and the log cabin of Peter the Great, built in 1702 and relocated here from the Russian North.

We then return to the city center to continue our tour of Moscow, including formidable Red Square, with iconic St. Basil's Cathedral on one end and the ornate red-bricked façade of the State Historical Museum at the other. We'll marvel at the mighty walls of the Kremlin and see the Bolshoi Theater and Novodevichy Convent before we ascend Sparrow Hills for fantastic city views.

The balance of the day is at leisure, and our hotel's prime location makes it easy to pursue your own passions. The WQXR Hospitality Desk, staffed by our friendly, knowledgeable guides, is available to assist with suggestions and practical advice.

Aug 4 - Moscow's Kremlin / Fly to St. Petersburg for Embarkation

The treasures of the Empire await us this morning! We enter within the imposing Kremlin walls to explore the grounds of this most-famous citadel, including the 15th century Assumption Cathedral, a gold-domed fantasy built during the reign of Grand Prince Ivan III. In the Kremlin Armory Museum, we'll be awe-struck by the wealth and trappings of the Czars and Empresses of Russia, from gilded carriages and fur-trimmed crowns to a dazzling display of bejeweled Faberge Eggs. Then we transfer to the airport for a short one-hour flight to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival, we'll be met and escorted to the MS Andrea where we join our fellow WQXR travelers for dinner onboard.