Encounter Travel Holidays for Solo Travellers
MOSCOW TO PRAGUE AGES 45 Years and Over Friday 8 September - Monday 2 October 2017 25 days ex Australia
Russia • Estonia • Latvia • Lithuania • Belarus • Poland • Czech Republic An unforgettable journey through Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Explore medieval castles, a Soviet bunker and grand palaces. Tour the heritage-listed cities of Tallinn and Riga, and discover the history and opulence of Moscow, St Petersburg and Prague.
Begin in Russia
Poland and Prague
Our fascinating Europe tour starts in Russia where we’ll explore Moscow, stopping at the famous Red Square, the Kremlin, and the city’s Grand Metro, before heading to St Petersburg where we’ll visit the world famous Hermitage Museum.
Next stop Poland. Here we’ll spend time in Warsaw and Krakow, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, rivalled only by Prague - which is where we’ll finish our Europe tour. You’ll love Prague - it’s a wonderfully vibrant city and is home to some of Europe’s most stunning gothic and Baroque architecture.
Sightseeing Highlights • Extensive sightseeing in Moscow including Red Square and the Kremlin
Medieval Europe As our Europe tour continues, we journey through the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania & Belarus. Along the way we’ll stop in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. All of these cities have a medieval atmosphere which you’ll feel as you walk down cobblestone streets, sample the delights of cafes in old-world town squares, and visit gothic town halls.
• Tour Peterhof and the Hermitage Museum in grand St Petersburg • Tour the Baltic capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius • Visit the Hill of Crosses • Visit Vilnius University, and the Amber Gallery, home to an extensive collection • Visit Minsk & Visit Brest • A moving visit to Auschwitz concentration camp • Explore the Wieliczka Salt Mines, dating back to the late 13th century • Discover the beauty of Cesky Krumlov and Prague We have selected this tour to suit solo travellers. You will share the journey with some other solo travellers however this group is not exclusively solo travellers.
Encounter Travel Holidays for Solo Travellers
TOP 5 REASONS TO BOOK 1. Age-matched holiday groups 2. Travel with like-minded solo travellers 3. Tours provided by leading tour operators 4. Early bird savings with many tours 5. Room-mate matching option
Inclusions • Return economy class flights from Australia to Europe (taxes included) ^ • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour ~ • All touring conducted in airconditioned vehicles • High Speed Train from Moscow to St Petersburg • Pre-paid tips at value $255 per person • 21 nights in good quality hotels (3-4 star) • 21 breakfasts, group welcome and farewell dinners • Extensive sightseeing inclusions as detailed by the itinerary • English speaking, locally based tour director • English speaking local guides
Prices Prices Per Person AUD
Twin Share
Single Room
$9795
$11645
Moscow: Pre tour hotel including breakfast (valid 19 May 2017)
$122
$200
Prague: Post tour hotel including breakfast
$140
$253
Tour & Airfare package ^
• Maximum group size 20 passengers ^ included with the tour & airfare package with taxes inclusive up to the value $1035 per person
~ included with tour & airfare package; additional fees may apply if airfare is not purchased as part of your package Not Included: • travel insurance • excess baggage, • visa fees (if applicable) • meals and beverages not specified on itinerary • Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses • incidental expenses such as taxi fares & telecommunications.
^ Valid From: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane & Perth. Total cost includes air taxes of $1035 per person Other departure cities: for all other departure cities, please enquire for a quote. We are able to quote out of other cities, however the airfare could change the total package price. Day/Date Variations: Due to airline flight schedules day of arrival and day of departure may vary depending on your city of departure. Taxes & Fuel Costs: Total cost includes air taxes. Taxes and fuel surcharges change regularly so above levies shown as a guide only
About Us At Encounter Travel we offer holiday groups for solo travellers. All trips are age-matched so there’s more chance you’ll share your journey with likeminded travellers. Visiting destinations across Australia and around the globe, choose from short escapes to adventure trips and leisurely touring.
Contact Us Encounter Travel Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm (Sydney time) Phone : 1300 653 692 Fax : 02 8001 6196 Email :
[email protected] Web : encountertravel.com.au ATAS No. A10439 For your protection and peace of mind we are a member of the Travel Compensation Fund.
Encounter Travel Holidays for Solo Travellers
Itinerary Moscow to Prague 8 September 2017 - 2 October 2017 ex Australia
** not exclusively solo travellers but you will travel with solo travellers in this group - ask us for details about these arrangements **
DAY 1 – FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER Depart Australia DAY 2 – SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Arrive in Moscow Welcome to Moscow, Russia’s cosmopolitan capital. Meet your fellow travellers and tour director this evening for a welcome cocktail.
DAY 3 – SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Moscow Today we discover the highlights of Moscow. Marvel at the city’s lavishly decorated metro stations, walk through Red Square, admire St Basil’s Cathedral and see Moscow University. Tonight we’ll enjoy a group welcome dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 – MONDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Moscow Visit the famous Kremlin, a magnificent architectural ensemble of museums, cathedrals, palaces and towers, and the symbol of the USSR during the Cold War. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 – TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER Moscow - St Petersburg This morning we travel north via highspeed train to the beautiful city of St Petersburg, an elegant display of Imperial Russia and the birthplace of the Russian revolution. We visit the world-famous Hermitage Museum; the third-largest museum in the world, housing more than 3 million masterpieces! Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER St Petersburg
We visit the stunning Peterhof Grand Palace and its exquisite gardens. Later this afternoon we’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour, taking in the baroque Winter Palace, Peter and Paul Fortress and the impressive Cathedral of Peter & Paul. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7-THURSDAY 14 SEPTMEBER St Petersburg Enjoy a day at leisure. Why not visit the museums, take a cruise along the canals, go shopping or stroll through the beautiful Summer Garden? Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 – FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER St Petersburg - Tallinn We cross the Russian border into neighbouring Estonia, the smallest of the three Baltic states. We’ll travel through the countryside to arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Tallinn. Meals: Breakfast
Encounter Travel Holidays for Solo Travellers
Moscow to Prague 8 September - 2 October 2017 ex Australia DAY 9 – SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Tallinn Today we explore medieval Tallinn. Step back in time as we tour the Old Town, stopping at the 15th century Gothic Town Hall and St Nicholas Church. The afternoon is free for you to stroll through this picturesque city at your own pace.
the crosses would be removed by the authorities but within hours they would start to reappear. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13 – WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Vilnius - Minsk
We continue to the Latvian capital, Riga, stopping en route at the gothic Turaida Castle.
This morning we tour the beautiful capital, Vilnius, known for its baroque architecture and alluring charm. We cross the border into Belarus this afternoon and travel deep into the forest to visit a small farm that produces delicious local honey. We’ll taste the produce and enjoy a cup of tea in the beautiful natural setting.
Meals: Breakfast
Meals: Breakfast
Special Experience: We’ll visit a secret underground Soviet bunker. Declassified in 2003, the Ligatne Bunker was constructed in the 1980s for the political and powerful elite that would govern the state in the case of a nuclear war.
Special Experience: We’ll spend the next 2 nights in a beautifully restored 17th century building - a former monastery of the Bernadines.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10 – SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER Tallinn - Riga
DAY 11 – MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Riga This morning we discover Old Riga on a walking tour. Sights include St Peter’s Church, the Dome Cathedral, the ancient hanseatic city and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is at leisure to relax. Meals: Breakfast Special Experience: We’ll go behind the scenes of the Riga Opera. Our backstage pass includes a champagne reception.
DAY 12 – TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Riga - Vilnius Special Experience: Receive a rococostyle welcome at Rundale Palace. We’ll be greeted in accordance with court etiquette and escorted through the opulent apartments, before enjoying a short baroque music concert. We then travel into Lithuania. Along the way, we visit the Hill of Crosses, a sacred pilgrimage site where many thousands of crosses have been placed on a hill as a plea for blessings. During Soviet times,
DAY 14–THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER Minsk Known as the city of light, Minsk is full of symbols of Soviet strength, making it a fascinating place to visit. Our city tour also includes the local market and the heart of the Old Town. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15 – FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER Minsk - Brest We depart Minsk and travel west to the charming town of Brest. You will definitely notice the difference in architectural styles and charms as we move further into central Europe. We’ll take a city tour this afternoon. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16 – SATURDAY 23. SEPTEMBER Brest - Warsaw Travelling west, we cross the border into Poland. Watch the rolling hills and verdant forests pass us by as we make our way to Warsaw. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17 – SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER Warsaw Our morning tour of the city includes the reconstructed Old Town, a drive along a portion of the Royal Route, a visit to the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial and a stop at the Chopin Monument. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 18 – MONDAY 25 SEPTEMBER Warsaw - Krakow We continue to charming Krakow, a harmonious and elegant city, rich in history. En route we pay a moving visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, which stands as a poignant reminder of the horrors of World War II. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 19 – TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Krakow Special Experience: We’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine - one of the world’s oldest operating mines, dating back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, we tour Krakow. At its heart is the historic Old Town square make sure you look up when we enter St Mary’s church, the interior is unexpectedly breathtaking. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 20 – WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER Krakow - Cesky Krumlov Today we cross the border into the Czech Republic and make our way to the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov. Meals: Breakfast
DAY 21 – THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER Cesky Krumlov Prague This morning we explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town, centred on its spectacular castle. We then travel north to stunning Prague, one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Encounter Travel Holidays for Solo Travellers
Moscow to Prague 8 September - 2 October 2017 ex Australia Meals: Breakfast
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DAY 22 – FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER Prague
Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5
After breakfast, we take an in-depth tour of Prague. Highlights include the Old Town square, Hradcany Castle (and the amazing views over the city from the square here), the Astronomical Clock and the Jewish Quarter. Tonight we enjoy a group farewell dinner.
Coins are in denominations of 2, 1 and 50,
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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1 Litas = 100 centas
DAY 23 –SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER Depart Prague
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Notes are in denominations of Lt500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10
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Coins are in denominations of Lt5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centas
Today we begin our journey home.
1 Euro = 100 cents
20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
Lithuania, LITAS
The official currency in Lithuania is the Litas (LTL; symbol Lt)
Meals: Breakfast
Poland, ZLOTY DAY 24 – SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER In Transit
The official currency in Poland is the Zloty (PLN; symbol zł)
DAY 25 – MONDAY 2 OCTOBER Arrive In Australia
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1 Zloty = 100 groszey
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Notes are in denominations of zł200, 100, 50, 20 and 10
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Coins are in denominations of zł5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszey
Note: Itineraries are subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
CURRENCY INFORMATION
Czech Republic, KORUNA The official currency in the Czech Republic is the Koruna (CZK; symbol Kč) •
1 Koruna = 100 haléu
Russia, RUBLE
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Notes are in denominations of Kč5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, and 100
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1 Ruble = 100 kopeks
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Notes are in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5
Coins are in denominations of Kč50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1
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Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks
The official currency in Russia is the Ruble (RUB; symbol)
Estonia AND Latvia, EURO
The official currency in Estonia and Latvia is the Euro (EUR; symbol)
GETTING THERE Arrive to: Moscow, Russia Depart from: Prague, Czech Republic
VISAS
You must hold a valid passport with a minimum of six 6 months validity from
your return date to your home country. Visa for Russia The only country that requires a pre-arranged visa for Australian passport holders is Russia. Visa fees and processing is by your own arrangement. In order to obtain a visa a copy of your passport must be sent to us in advance of your application, so that we can arrange an invitation letter to Russia that’s required for your visa application. Full details will be sent in sufficient time prior to departure. With regard to the visa for Russia, the consular fee is approximately AUD $120 per visa plus any courier/postal fees that may be applicable depending on how they’re processed. Processing time is usually around two working weeks but you should allow for up to three working weeks.
FLIGHTS
Flights are valid ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide with the group tour and airfare package. Full flight itineraries from your departure city are provided at time of quoting. Please note that flight schedules are subject to change as deemed by the airline.
THE PACE [3 OUT OF 5] A moderate pace, some free time but there are some days with early starts and full days of touring. You will need a good level of fitness and mobility and an open mind. Many of the best sights can only be accessed on foot. You should be able to walk at least 3.5km or for 2-3 hours on uneven ground with no walking aids and climb several flights of stairs. You should also be able to carry your own bags - porterage is not included in our tipping costs and extra services may not always be available. Passengers who are 70 and over will be required to obtain a doctor’s clearance before travelling.
