Prague, Vienna & Budapest - European Escorted Tour

Prague, Vienna & Budapest

10 Days from Prague and Vienna to Budapest– with guaranteed departures!

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily
• Dinner with folklore in Prague
• Dinner with entertainment in Grinzing suburb of Vienna
• Farewell dinner with entertainment in typical csarda restaurant in Budapest
• Opera performance in Prague
• Strauss & Mozart Concert in Vienna
• Inter-city travel by modern motor coach
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Hotels

• Prague, Majestic Plaza
• Vienna, Savoyen or or Renaissance
• Budapest, Intercontinental

Travel to Europe with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Poland to Austria - European Escorted Tour

Poland to Austria

10 Days from Warsaw to Vienna via Krakow and Prague

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily and 3 dinners
• Touring by modern motor coach
• Airport and local transfers
• Professional Tour Director
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Sightseeing

• Warsaw
• Krakow
• Prague
• Vienna

Hotels

• Warsaw, Holiday Inn
• Krakow, Hotel Novotel Centrum
• Prague, Diplomat
• Vienna, Renaissance Hotel

Travel to Europe with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Prague and Vienna - Europe Escorted Tour

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily
• Dinner with folklore in Prague
• Dinner with entertainment in Grinzing suburb of Vienna
• Opera performance in Prague
• Strauss & Mozart Concert in Vienna
• Inter-city travel by modern motor coach
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guides commentary

Hotels

• Prague, Majestic Plaza
• Vienna, Savoyen or or Renaissance

Discover two of Europe's most historic cities: Prague and Vienna. Travel to Europe with Celtic Tours World Vacations

What to see in Novgorod, Russia

Considered one of the most important historic cities in Russia, Novgorod is unbeatable in the variety and age of its medieval monuments. There are now some fifty medieval and early modern churches scattered throughout the city and its surrounding areas. Some of these were bombed by the Nazis, but have been subsequently restored. Three can't miss sites in Novgorod are the Kremlin, Yaroslav Court and St. Sophia Cathedral.

Novgorod Kremlin
Novgorod Kremlin (also Detinets) stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River in Veliky Novgorod about two miles north of where it empties out of Lake Ilmen. The compound was originally the site of a pagan burial ground upon which the first bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin built the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom upon his arrival in the area in 989 or so. Thus the compound was and remained largely an ecclesiastical site, although many Novgorodian boyars built their houses in the southern part of the Detinets.

Yaroslav Court
Yaroslav's Court was the princely compound in the city of Novgorod the Great.

St. Sophia Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Sophia (the Holy Wisdom of God) in the Kremlin (or Detinets) in Veliky Novgorod is the cathedral church of the Archbishop of Novgorod and the mother church of the Novgorodian Eparchy.The 38-metre-high, five-domed, stone cathedral was built by Vladimir of Novgorod between 1045 and 1050 to replace an oaken cathedral built by Bishop Ioakim Korsunianin in the late tenth century (making it the oldest church building in Russia proper and, with the exception of the Arkhyz and Shoana churches, the oldest building of any kind still in use in the country).

Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Visit a Banya

The banya, or bathhouse, is a cultural tradition in Russia that dates back to the 12th century, but became popular in the 17th century when communal bathing was the only way for many Russians to stay clean. Today it is still believed to have therapeutic benefits. It is also a great place to relax and socialize. And is often looked at as the Russian's take on the golf course - a great place to do business. Visiting a banya is often one of the highlights of vacations in Russia.

Visiting a banya is an invigorating experience with temperatures exceeding 200 degrees F and self-flagellation with wet, dried branches alternating with a good dunk in a bucket of icy water. The banya is not only invigorating, it is said to have many health benefits. Excessive heat stimulates sweating, thus removing unwanted materials from the blood and improving the work of the kidneys. Sweating also releases excess water and salt from the body and opens the skin pores, cleaning it and making it softer and fresher. A host of additional health benefits come from visiting a banya including the release of endorphins due to an increase in cardiovascular activity.

Steps to visiting a banya: 1. Check in.  2. Sweat it out for 10-15 minutes. 3. Engage in some healthy self-flagellation with a bunch of soaked veniki, or birch twigs. 4. Cool Down in the pool, barrel or bucket of icy water provided. 5.  Grab a beer (or a glass of water) in the antechamber before repeating the process.

Other Info: Before checking into a banya make sure you do not have low or high blood pressure, a heart ailment or any other health issue. Pregnant women and asthma sufferers are advised to do the same. A banya hat, a special felt hat, is often used to protect the head from the intense heat. Bring along a towel and flip-flops.

Visiting a banya is often one of the highlights of vacations to Russia. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

Warsaw, Berlin & Prague - Escorted Tour of Europe

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily and 3 dinners
• Touring by modern motor coach
• Airport and local transfers
• Professional Tour Director
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Sightseeing

• Warsaw
• Berlin
• Prague

Hotels

• Warsaw, Radisson Blue Centrum
• Maritim pro Arte Berlin OR Hotel ABBA
• Prague, Diplomat

Travel to Europe and see 3 amazing countries: Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic on this fantastic escorted tour.

St. Petersburg, Russia

There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe's best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over 100 islands linked by over 600 brides, it is often referred to as "Venice of the North". There is so much to see and do when traveling to St. Petersburg, here are a couple musts:


Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
The collection of the State Hermitage includes more than three million works of art and artefacts of the world culture. Among them are paintings, graphic works, sculptures and works of applied art, archaeological finds and numismatic material.

Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Peterhof Palace is a series of palaces and gardens located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. These Palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the "Russian Versailles". The palace-ensemble along with the city centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Folklore Performance
Folklore performances in St. Petersburg, Russia are celebrated the world-over. Catching one is  a must-do.

Catherine's Palace
The Catherine Palace is a Rococo palace located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km south-east of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars. The residence originated in 1717, when Catherine I of Russia engaged the German architect Johann-Friedrich Braunstein to construct a summer palace for her pleasure.

Shopping
St. Petersburg has a growing number of stores offering a variety of goods and services including everything from hand-made arts, crafts, and souvenirs to fresh fruits and vegetables. Shopping along the city's festive main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt makes you feel more like a native Piterbyrzhets (Petersburger), and offers the best variety of stores in the city. Bolshoi Prospekt on Vasilyevsky Island also offers a comparatively good selection of stores.


There are many things to see and do while visiting St. Petersburg, Russia. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Top Reasons to Go to Moscow

Russia's cosmopolitan capital, Moscow, exudes prosperity and vigor. From Stalin's carved marble metro stations to ultra-modern nightlife, Moscow is an eclectic mix of ancient aristocratic splendor and popping modern culture.

Top Reasons to Go to Moscow

Red Square at Night
The heart of Russia is transformed at night by the glowing red stars atop the Kremlin towers and the lit-up fairy-tale domes of St. Basil's Cathedral. With all-night night-life ranging from historic theaters and edgy art galleries to intriguing underground clubs.

Tapping Into the Arts Scene
From Chekhov and Tchaikovsky to the fresh modern art scene of the contemporary culture, it is not hard to tap into Moscow's thriving art scene. Choosing from the many options is the hard part. Catch a play at the Moscow Art Theater, opera and ballet at the Bolshoi Theater or take in an art show at one of the cities many galleries. Whatever your art preference, you won't leave Moscow without a bit of culture.

The Food
Foodies delight! Mystery and intrigue is riddled throughout the history, art and architecture of this ancient/modern city and has found its way into the foods as well. Blini and borscht, dumplings and drinks --- travelers to Moscow will delight in time-old dishes and new takes on the old alike. Foodies can be found flocking to wine bars, coffee bars and even sushi bars.

Hidden City
Russia laid hidden behind the Iron Curtain for decades, travelers find the remnants of the bygone years as they meander through the intricate side streets on the capital city. Accidentally bump into architectural wonders or find a quiet square, perhaps a pond. Some off the beaten path sites that travelers enjoy: Melnikov House, Krivoarbatsky pereulok and Patriarch's Pond.

Cathedrals and Choirs
Picture Russia and intricately detailed cathedrals, historic monuments, age-old treasures and romantic landscapes come to mind. Do take a moment to explore the dozens of cathedrals throughout Moscow. Stop and listen the the Church Choir echoing throughout the amazing structures. It is not hard to see how these ancient cathedrals have provided and oasis of serenity in the hard times.


Travel to Moscow with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Moscow - Art, History and All-Night Beer Bars

A land that lay hidden behind the Iron Curtain for decades, Russia has long held mystery and intrigue. The ancient capital city, Moscow, has long been a haven for history buffs. From the red-brick towers of the Kremlin to churches and monuments that remember fallen heroes and victorious battles; and hidden treasures of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city such as Stalin's carved marble metro stations. Above the taste of mystery and intrigue, Moscow cities pulses with a techno vibe, bursting with creative energy, evident in all aspects of contemporary culture.

 Former factories and deserted warehouses have been converted into edgy art galleries and intriguing underground clubs. Foodies flock to wine bars, coffee bars, sushi bars and even beer bars, while night owls enjoy a dynamic scene of exclusive nightclubs, bohemian art cafes, underground blues bars and drink-up dives.

Whether looking for an all night party or a breadth of art and history, travelers to Moscow, Russia's capital city, will not be denied. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Little Tour of Russia - Escorted Tour of Russia

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Airport transfers
• Touring by modern motor-coach
• Professional Tour Director
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Sightseeing

• Moscow
• Novgorod
• St. Petersburg

Hotels

• Moscow, Marriott Grand
• Novgorod, Park Inn Veliky Novgorod
• St. Petersburg, Holiday Inn

Travel to Russia on this amazing escorted tour where you will see the major attractions of Moscow, Novgorod and St. Petersburg. Check it out: www.celtictours.com/stw/STWProduct.aspx?&Theme=CELTIC&ProductCode=RU-KO11-LTOR

Sicilian Sun - Escorted Motorcoach Tour

Sicilian Sun - with Guaranteed Departures!
Enjoy a visit to the land of sun, Sicily! This stunning island offers a landscape of fascinating and dramatic beauty. Mt. Etna, rising in the center of a volcanic area of Sicily, is the highest active volcano in Europe. The isles of Stromboli and Volcano are also active volcanoes. Along with breathtaking scenery, Sicily welcomes you with delicious cuisine as well as the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Tour Highlights:

• 16 Meals; Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• Charming hotels throughout the tour offering high quality services and located in the historical centers of the main Sicilian towns
• Visit the main Sicilian monuments including three Unesco Heritage sites
• Exclusivly in English
• Special menus in local restaurants especially selected to have a taste of the Sicilian cuisine

Your Sicilian Sun tour includes:

• Roundtrip airport transfers (from/to Catania Apt)
• Accommodation in 4 stars Hotels centrally located
• Welcome cocktail
• 7 Dinners, 2 Lunches, 7 Breakfast
• Sicilian typical products tasting (wine, chocolate, biscuits etc) in Ragusa Ibla
• Transportation deluxe motorcoach or minivan with driver/guide for groups with less than 15 pax
• English speaking tour escort
• Local guides where necessary
• Porterage of one suitcase per person
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Note: Entrance fees and beverages are not included. Entrance fees can be pre-booked if desired.

Travel to Sicily, Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Treasures of Italy - Escorted Motorcoach Tour

Treasures of Italy - with Guaranteed Departures!
Enjoy the best of Italy during your unique journey highlighting the rich history and spectacular beauty of this majestic country. You will enjoy the best of traditional cities including Florence, Venice and Rome.
Tour Highlights:

• 10 Meals: Breakfasts and Dinners
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• In Rome see the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica
• In Siena visit Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace
• In Assisi view the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire
• In Florence visit the Accademia - home of Michangel's "David"
• In Padua see Donatello's masterpiece - the "Gattamelata"
• In Venice vist the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs

Your Treasures of Italy tour includes:

• Six (6) nights accommodation at four star hotels (3 star superior in Venice) with downtown locations for six (6) nights
• American or continental (no eggs) buffet breakfast daily, except for day of arrival.
• Half-day tour of Rome: Monumental Rome.
• Round-trip transfer with private car/minibus with driver and assistant.
• Four (4) dinners.
• Service charges and local taxes included (excluding tips to driver and guides.)
• Professional headset system from day 04 to end of tour as needed for commentary.
• Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach from day four until the end of tour.
• Scenic drives through the beautiful Tuscan countryside and medival towns via the Autostrade del Sole and through the Emilia Romagna region, land of world famous "prosciutto" and parmigiano choose and the Veneto region, world famous for it's Villa Palladio.
• Multi-lingual tour escort beginning on day four.
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Local guides and entrance fees during the tour.
• Porterage of one suitcase per person.
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Amalfi Coast and Rome - Semi-Escorted Motorcoach Tour

The Amalfi Coast and Rome!

The Amalfi Coast, Italy (la Costiera Amalfi tana) is a breathtaking 35-mile stretch of mountainous coastline situated on the Sorrento peninsula, just south of Naples, in the region of Campania. Considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, it is characterized by very steep, rocky hillsides plunging dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea. Precariously perched on these hills are charming old fi shing villages. Around every turn of this “road of a thousand bends”, one catches a new view of the seaside more spectacular than the last.

An extraordinary opportunity t0 see Italy's most impressive coastline, the Amalfi Coast!  

Your Amalfi Coast tand Rome our includes:

• Five (5) nights accomodation in 4-star hotel in Rome (3 nights) and Amalfi (2 nights).
• Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach including airport transfers.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• Italian buffet or continental breakfast daily excluding the day of arrival.
• Six (3) Meals: 2 Dinners, 1 lunch plus breakfasts
• Walking tour of Rome.
• Full day excursion to Pompeii.
• Entrance fees included.
• Sightseeing tours as per itinerary.
• Local taxes and tips (excluding tips to driver and guide). City tax at hotels is NOT Included and must be paid direct to the hotels
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.
   
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations