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Hapsburgs and Romanovs Tour
Touring
Days 1 through 3: Kiev
Kiev is now the capital of an independent Ukraine, but it is also the birthplace of Kievan Rus, founded in the eighth century, and the city from which the Orthodox faith spread throughout Eastern Europe.
The skyline of Kiev is dominated by the thirteen cupolas of St. Sophia’s Cathedral. The foundations were laid in 1037 under the orders of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, who was also responsible for the Golden Gate Entrance to the city. Here we will see some of the best-preserved mosaics and frescoes of the 11th century. Kiev has deep Jewish traditions and history and we will also spend some time exploring the lives of Jewish Ukrainians in Kiev.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Days 4 through 6: Moscow
Moscow is a city built on strength and power and there is no better display of this than the Kremlin and Red Square. Upon arrival, you can instantly feel the excitement and energy of new Moscow- from high fashion to haute cuisine- this is not the Moscow of old stereotypes. We will explore the historical sights of the city including Christ the Holy Redeemer Cathedral and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, with its collection of paintings by Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso, bought by the millionaire merchants Shchukin and Morozov at the beginning of last century. We will spend considerable time inside the Kremlin and its famed Armoury Museum, which features the world-famous Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs. We will and also be invited into the often-missed Diamond Vaults, which house the crown jewels of Russia.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Dinner
Days 7 through 10: St. Petersburg
Recognized as the Venice of the North, St. Petersburg is a city built on majesty and grandeur. Peter the Great began building his enchanting city on the Gulf of Finland in the early 18th century and his canals and waterways are left today much as he intended. Our tour will take us through the unique Amber Room of Catherine Palace and the fountains of Peterhof- be careful of the trick fountains! Our visit will include an unrushed and privately-led visit to the greatest museum in the world, the Hermitage. We will walk through the former halls of the Romanov family and admire the collections that were purchased throughout the different reigns, beginning with Catherine II.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Days 11 through 13: Budapest
Memories of the Hapsburg dynasty are everywhere in Budapest – the Royal Palace, Mathias Church and the maze of cobblestone streets surrounding Castle Hill. One of the great highlights of Budapest is the extraordinary Parliament House, which now contains the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Budapest boasts the largest synagogue in Europe and a rich Jewish heritage, so we will take some time to focus on the Jewish history of Hungary while here.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Dinner
Days 14 and 15: Vienna
The Hapsburg seat of power for centuries offers visitors a cultural treasure trove: the Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palaces, Spanish Riding School (schedule permitting), and Imperial Treasury are among the many unforgettable sites we will visit. We will experience Vienna at night and stop into the famous Naschmarkt for some local shopping.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch
Days 16 and 17: The Bohemian Countryside and Cesky Krumlov
The bucolic Bohemian countryside offers a chance to see the other side of the Czech Republic- a much less hurried and relaxed world of farming and majestic castles. We will visit both Cesky Krumlov, including its enchanting castle, and Ceske Budejovice before arriving in Prague.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch
Days 18 through 20: Prague
The captivating city of Prague is a walking city with its cobblestone streets, pedestrian-only areas and famous Charles Bridge. Highlights of our visit will include a VIP tour of the Strahov Monastery, a private backstage tour of the Estates Theater, the Astronomical Clock of Old Town Square and an afternoon focusing on the Jewish culture of the Prague ghetto and synagogues.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Click Here to Download the Full Day by Day Itinerary
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