2008 Itinerary

Day 1: Hello Helsinki
Your Russia tour to the Realm of the Czars begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Kämp. A transfer from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to the Hotel Kämp in Helsinki’s wonderful pedestrian district is included. Meet your Tauck Director and fellow travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki, Finland

Day 2: Helsinki highlights
Finland’s celebrated “White City of the North” awaits your exploration today. View the neoclassical splendor of the 19th-century, Russian-built Senate Square and magnificent Helsinki Cathedral with its landmark green-roofed cupolas, and observe the bustle of daily life in the Market Square. Carved into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio Church is one of the city’s absolutely-must-see places; during your visit, steal a minute to just sit down and let its most unique atmosphere inspire you. The rest of the day is yours to discover more of Helsinki’s many delights.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Kämp, Helsinki, Finland

Day 3: Your Russia tour begins!
Board a train bound for splendid St. Petersburg this morning and take in the scenery along the way. Your hotel for the next four nights of your Russia tour is a luxurious Art Nouveau treasure dating from the early 1900s that is wonderfully located overlooking the Neva River on St. Isaac’s Square in the vibrant heart of the city of the czars.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 4: Spectacular St. Petersburg
It isn’t hard to imagine that you’re in the midst of a fairytale this morning as you view the architectural treasures that sprang from the imagination and determination of Czar Peter the Great to build an entire city that would outshine Versailles. All around you, you’ll see ornate palaces, inspiring churches and grand state buildings. While in Russia tour the impressive Peter and Paul Fortress, originally built to defend the city and later a high-security prison whose reluctant “guests” have included such famous names in Russian history as Trotsky and Dostoyevsky. In the midst of the fortress stands the magnificent Peter and Paul Cathedral, the first church in the city to be built of stone. Atop its soaring spire is one of the most prominent symbols of St. Petersburg, a golden angel holding a cross. Closely linked to the city’s history and the Romanov dynasty, Peter and Paul Cathedral is the final resting place of all of Russia’s czars from Peter the Great himself. The remainder of the day is free for you to discover more of St. Petersburg as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 5: A summer place
If you were an all-powerful czar who found summer in the city tedious, what would you do? Peter the Great built himself a grand Summer Palace on the Gulf of Finland and surrounded it with the elaborate Summer Garden. During your visit, the many gilded touches reminiscent of France’s Palace of Versailles won’t escape your notice as you tour the palace. The beautiful Summer Garden, with its elaborate fountains, statuary and paths to wander along must have been a delightful retreat on a hot summer day. Obviously, being the czar had its advantages. After a refreshing hydrofoil voyage back to the city, tonight you’ll attend a ballet performance. Long synonymous with Russia and St. Petersburg, the ballet is a treasured part of Russian artistic history, tradition and culture.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 6: Treasures beyond imagination
Justly renowned around the world, The State Hermitage Museum is a highlight of any Russia tour. Tauck has arranged a special early-morning visit that avoids the crush of the crowds who appear later in the day. While once only Russian royalty could enjoy such treasures, during today’s guided tour you’ll see the multitude of priceless art, jewels and artifacts from the Stone Age to the 20th century housed in this remarkable museum as you walk through its splendid halls. You’ll marvel at the amazing golden objects from antiquity that you’ll view in the Second Chamber of the Gold Room.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 7: From the czars to Stalin
Catch a flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow, the must-visit city on every Russia tour. By special arrangement, Tauck takes you underground on an exclusive visit to Josef Stalin’s secret World-War-II bunker, which has been closed to the public for decades. Connected to the Kremlin by a ten-mile-long tunnel, it was here that Stalin devised and orchestrated Russia’s war strategies. You’ll feel history all around you as you visit the central command room, view his personal effects still in his office and have lunch. You’ll love your home for the next three nights, the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, just across the Moskva River from Red Square and the Kremlin. There couldn’t been a better location from which to absorb the essence of ever-intriguing Moscow.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Day 8: Russian reflections
No in-depth Russia tour would be complete without gaining some special insights into Russia’s often-turbulent history. You’ll attend a talk by former Kremlin “insider” who will share such insights with you. Then, it’s off to the iconic Red Square, the must-see symbol of Russia and Moscow where the world has watched so much history unfold. Go behind the massive walls of the Kremlin, the medieval fortress long the seat of Russian power and a self-contained city of palaces, churches and armories that grew increasingly elaborate under the influence of Ivan the Great. Visit the Armory, once a storehouse for weapons and now a museum showcasing the amazing treasures amassed by the Imperial court in centuries past. As you stand in magnificent Cathedral Square admiring the façade of 1470s Cathedral of the Assumption built by Ivan the Great and the other majestic cathedrals bordering the square, you’ll hear the whispers of old Czarist Russia around you if you just ignore the statue of Lenin on the eastern edge.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Day 9: Artistic treasures above ground and below
If you’re wondering why anyone would want to visit the Moscow Metro subway system, you’ll find out today as you view the perfect marriage of form and function… architecture and design that awaits you below ground. The stations of this highly efficient mass transportation system are adorned with sculptures, mosaics, chandeliers and beautiful examples of socialist realist art. Then, for a complete change of pace, tour the State Tretyakov Gallery, a marvelous museum and the national treasury of Russian fine art, showcasing more than 130,000 works by generations of Russian artists. Your encounters with the arts today will be treasured memories of Russia’s artistic soul when you return home. As your Russia tour comes to an end, please join us for a farewell dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Day 10: Homeward bound
Your Russia tour ends in Moscow. An included transfer will take you from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow to either Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo Airport for your flight home. Please allow a minimum of 2 ½ hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, first-class train service from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, the on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow, a visit to the Gold Room at the Hermitage Museum, an evening of ballet in St. Petersburg, the on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.

A representative of Tauck will meet you in the International Arrivals Lobby at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport on the first day of the tour. Tauck will provide you with transportation to the Hotel Kämp in Helsinki regardless of the day and time of your arrival provided you have given us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure. If you arrive later than the time you have provided, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation to the hotel. If you have purchased the Tauck Travel Protection, you may submit the receipt for that expense for reimbursement. Tauck will also provide you with transportation from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski to either the Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo International Airport on the day of your departure.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Bottled water will be included at all meals, and will be available on the coach

Tauck Director – Realm of the Czars: Helsinki to Moscow is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff and local guides are included. The customary gratuities for the drivers in Russia are also included; however, the gratuities for the drivers in Finland are not.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

On-Tour Flights

Airfare While on Tour – One on-tour flight is included as part of your package. The Rossiya Airlines flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow is scheduled on Day 12.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline per bag or excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director and Driver Gratuities – The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director are not included. Gratuities for the drivers in Finland are also not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items, and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM. at Hotel Kämp in Helsinki, Finland, on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. The tour ends with at upon check out from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing To Go

Air Conditioning – All the hotels and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your own home. Some hotels in Europe do not operate their air-conditioning systems on a year round basis, but only during certain months of the year.

ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. The summers in Helsinki and St. Petersburg are warm; Moscow is somewhat warmer. We suggest you bring a lightweight or medium weight sweater or jacket for warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket and tie for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but certainly be comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Finland and Russia:

• Sports jacket and tie for men
• Casually-elegant outfits for women
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Socks
• Light-weight sweater
• Light-weight jacket
• Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Raincoat and rain hat
• Collapsible umbrella
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Dining – As with all Tauck tours, we strive to choose restaurants that offer quality foods and excellent service in a pleasant setting. We try to choose restaurants that offer local and traditional menus for the region. When we have meals with limited or fixed menus, we select items that typically will appeal to all, yet reflect local dining styles and traditions.

Throughout this tour, restaurants will serve local cuisine. Finland and Russia are known for seafood dishes, primarily salmon, herring, pike and trout. Smoked and pickled fish are popular and are common breakfast items. Caviar is popular, especially in Russia, and is eaten at all meals. Russia is known for its meat pies and vegetable pies and for using beets and cabbage in many dishes. Finland is known for caribou and other game meats.

If you are a vegetarian or have special dietary restrictions, please tell your reservations sales counselor so that your Tauck Director can try to arrange alternative selections for the few fixed meals on tour. Kosher food is typically not available.

Elevation - The maximum land elevation on this tour is approximately 700 ft (213 m).

Health – You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Finland and Russia are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from the Middle Ages. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture may present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities. The Old Towns of Europe are often a maze of hills with narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.

In the hotels, the water is purified and suitable for washing and brushing your teeth, However, we recommend that you drink bottled water. Some hotels charge for bottled water. Tauck will provide bottled water at all meals and on the motor coach.

Smoking is widely acceptable in Russia. Cigarettes in Russia are inexpensive; and while it is illegal in Russia to sell cigarettes to people under 18, the law is seldom enforced and children are commonly seen smoking. Most restaurants are smoker-friendly and public places usually have a place to smoke.

We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

The Russian government will not issue you a visa unless you can provide proof of medical insurance. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we suggest you purchase Tauck Travel Protection which is considered sufficient for visa purposes. Click here for more information.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Finland and Russia. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.).You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Finland and of Russia to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

Luggage –

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:

Strict limitations on the on-tour flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow require that you check only one piece of average-size luggage weighing no more than 44 lbs (20 kg). If you bring luggage exceeding these restrictions, you risk having your luggage left behind, or, if it is permitted on board, incurring additional excess luggage charges which are not included in the cost of the tour.

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted stricter policies enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight or size policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements –

You will require a letter of invitation from a Russian authority, such as the Russian Tourist House Victoria (RTHV), in order to request a visa for entry into Russia. Tauck will collect your passport information and send it to RTHV to issue an invitation letter. After receiving the letter, Tauck will then forward it on to Zierer Visa Service (ZVS), if you are a U.S. citizen, or to you directly, if you are not a U.S. citizen. If you are a U.S. citizen and you would prefer to obtain a Russian visa on your own, please let us know and we will send the invitation letter directly to you.

Over the past several years, ZVS has effectively processed thousands of visas for U.S. citizens traveling with Tauck. If you are a U.S. citizen, once you have made a reservation and sent in your deposit, Tauck will automatically send you a ZVS visa application. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to ZVS. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination. It will be stated on the application. For more information, or to download a ZVS application, please on to their Internet website, www.zvs.com. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process will take several weeks.

If you are a citizen of other another country, you should contact a consulate or embassy of Finland and of Russia to determine what travel documentation is required. With an invitation letter issued via RTHV, you can apply for a Russian tourist visa from a Russian consulate in any country. Please note that the visa must reflect exactly the day and date of entry into and departure from Russia.

Although your may not need to provide proof of current medical insurance to obtain a Russian visa, you will need such proof when entering through customs or crossing the border into Russia. The plans offered through Tauck Travel Protection are deemed sufficient coverage for this purpose. Please click here for more information.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children –

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck Bridges journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck Bridges, you release Tauck Bridges, Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children


Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, and when sightseeing, and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Finland and Russia.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency of Finland is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents, and the official currency of the Russian Federation is the Russian Ruble (RUB), which is divided into 100 kopeks.

All convertible currency can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange bureaus, which are located at hotels, airports, railway and bus stations and shops. The typical fee to exchange money is approximately $3 to $4 USD. ATM machines offer convenience, the best rates, and are located throughout the itinerary. ATM machines only dispense local currency. U.S. dollars are not accepted anywhere on this tour - local currency is required everywhere.

While in Russia, we recommend that you use cash when shopping.

If you are a citizen of the U.S., you may bring into or take out of the U.S., including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. The penalties for non-compliance can be severe. “Money” means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

Each country imposes its own restrictions on the amount of money that may be brought into or out of its borders. Some countries' restrictions be far more strict than the those of the U.S

To obtain the current currency exchange rates, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, “oanda.com – The Currency Site”, by clicking here.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping ― If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled “Know Before You Go”, by clicking here.

If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Currently, Finland levies a 22% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer goods and services; Russia levies an 18% VAT. (The tax may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country in which the purchase is made (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union), you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in Finland and Russia is 220/230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to this standard, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.

Internet Access is available at each of the hotels as indicated below:

Hotel Kämp - High-speed access in rooms
Hotel Astoria - High-speed access in rooms
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski - WiFi access in rooms for a fee

Time Zones – Finland is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Russia is 3 hours ahead. From late March through October, both countries switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 3 and 4 hours ahead, respectively. To determine current time major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com.

Train to St. Petersburg – You will be traveling first-class in a private car on the Sibelius train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. A light lunch will be served aboard the train. There are overhead racks for you to store your carry on bag. The train ride takes approximately seven hours. A food service car is available if you wish to purchase drinks or additional food at your own expense. The train is scheduled to depart Helsinki at approximately 7:42 AM and arrive in St. Petersburg at approximately 2:23PM.

Weather – Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow share a continental climate whose seasonal temperatures vary widely; however, Helsinki and St. Petersburg are generally more humid than Moscow due to their proximity to the sea. From May through September, the average high temperatures range from 60 to 85 ˚F (16 to 29 ˚C) and the average low temperatures range from 40 to 55 ˚F (4 to 13 ˚C). During the summer months, rainfall averages approximately 2 to 3 in (50 to 76 mm) per month.

From late May to early July, nights are bright in St. Petersburg, but the real White Nights normally last from June 11 to July 2. The nature of the White Nights (Beliye Nochi) can be explained by the geographical location of St. Petersburg as the world’s most northern city with a population over 1 million. Due to the high latitude of St. Petersburg, the sun does not go under the horizon deep enough for the sky to get dark. The dusk meets the dawn and it is so bright that in summer they do not turn street lighting on. If the weather is cloudy, you might not see any White Night, though on a clear day you can get a feel for a White Night even in mid-July.

Climate Chart

	Average Temperature
	Helsinki, Finland		St. Petersburg, Russia
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	24 / 13	-4 / -11	24 / 15	-4 / -9
February	25 / 13	-4 / -11	25 / 16	-4 / -9
March	32 / 20	0 / -7	34 / 24	1 / -4
April	45 / 30	7 / -1	46 / 33	8 / 1
May	59 / 39	15 / 4	60 / 44	16 / 7
June	68 / 48	20 / 9	66 / 52	19 / 11
July	70 / 52	21 / 11	70 / 56	21 / 13
August	67 / 51	19 / 11	66 / 54	19 / 12
September	57 / 43	14 / 6	56 / 45	13 / 7
October	46 / 36	8 / 2	45 / 37	7 / 3
November	36 / 27	2 / -3	35 / 28	2 / -2
December	29 / 18	-2 / -8	28 / 20	-2 / -7
	Moscow, Russia
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	21 / 11	-6 / -12
February	24 / 12	-4 / -11
March	34 / 22	1 / -6
April	49 / 34	9 / 1
May	63 / 44	17 / 7
June	69 / 51	21 / 11
July	71 / 55	22 / 13
August	68 / 52	20 / 11
September	57 / 43	14 / 6
October	45 / 33	7 / 1
November	32 / 24	0 / -4
December	25 / 16	-4 / -9

	Rainfall
	Helsinki, Finland		Moscow, Russia
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.6	41	1.4	36
February	1.2	30	1.1	28
March	1.3	33	1.3	33
April	1.5	38	1.5	38
May	1.4	36	2.0	51
June	1.7	43	2.6	66
July	2.9	74	3.2	81
August	3.2	81	2.8	71
September	2.9	74	2.3	58
October	2.9	74	2.0	51
November	2.8	71	1.7	43
December	2.3	58	1.7	43
	St. Petersburg, Russia
Month	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.1	28
February	1.0	25
March	1.0	25
April	1.2	30
May	1.7	44
June	2.2	56
July	2.6	66
August	3.0	76
September	2.4	61
October	2.0	51
November	1.6	41
December	1.4	36

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, “weather.com”, by clicking here.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received at its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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