Experience The Treasures of Europe
When it comes to favorite travel destinations, Europe always makes the list. Enchantingly old world but never old school, its fascination cities offer an array of cultural, historic and epicurean encounters at every turn. Visit centuries-old cathedrals and architectural wonders. Tour the most acclaimed museums of the world filled with treasured masterpieces - classical and contemporary. Take in a concert or a show, dine on regional cuisine, dance until dawn and search the marketplaces for handcrafted mementos of an unforgettable vacation.
Ideal for lovers of all ages, its fairytale cities woo and wow with the most romantic locations for a postcard - perfect honeymoon or romance vacation. Spend leisurely days taking in the sights, stroll cobblestone streets hand in hand and savor every moment together in cities that come alive at night.
Europe has it all.
Ideal for lovers of all ages, its fairytale cities woo and wow with the most romantic locations for a postcard - perfect honeymoon or romance vacation. Spend leisurely days taking in the sights, stroll cobblestone streets hand in hand and savor every moment together in cities that come alive at night.
Europe has it all.
Festivals in Europe May 2018
Summer Festivals 2018
ENGLAND, May 11–27: Bath Festival (music and literature); May 22–26: Chelsea Flower Show, London; May 28: Spring Bank Holiday (closures); May 25–June 10: Bath Fringe Festival (alternative music, dance, and theater) June 1–2: Keswick Beer Festival (music, shows); June 9: Trooping the Colour, London (military bands and pageantry, Queen's birthday parade) June 15–24: Golowan Festival, Penzance (midsummer celebration); June 19–23: Royal Ascot horse races, near Windsor; June 29–July 1: Love Supreme, Sussex (jazz festival); July 2–July 15: Wimbledon Tennis Championship, London; July 7: London Pride Parade; August 27: Summer Bank Holiday (closures); August 31–November 4: Blackpool Illuminations (waterfront light festival); September 14–23: Jane Austen Festival; Late September (4 days): London Fashion Week Festival; September 21–30: York Food and Drink Festival
GERMANY, May 1: May Day (maypole dances; closures); May 10: Ascension Day (closures); May 18–21: Meistertrunk Show, Rothenburg (historic play and market, medieval costumes, Biergartenparties); May 18–21: Carnival of Cultures, Berlin (street parade on Sunday); May 25–June 3: Weindorf wine festival, Würzburg; May 25–June 24: Mozartfest, Würzburg
AUSTRIA, May 1: May Day (maypole dances; closures); May 10: Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt; closures); May 11–June 17: Vienna Festival (arts, music); July 20–August 30: Salzburg Summer Festival; September 19–23 (likely): St. Rupert's Fair, Salzburg (Ruperti-Kirtag, traditional festival, procession, fireworks); September 20–October 7 (likely): Wiener Wiesn-Fest, Vienna (Oktoberfest-like celebrations in the Prater); September 28—30 (likely): Vienna Wine Hiking Days (vineyards open to public for hiking and sampling)
CZECH REPUBLIC. May 1: Labor Day (some closures), Day of Love (akin to Valentine's Day); May 6: Prague International Marathon; May 8: Liberation Day (closures); May 10–26: Czech Beer Festival, Prague; May 12–June 3: "Prague Spring" Music Festival; .May 25–27: Prague Food Festival (food booths in Royal Gardens of Prague Castle); May 25–June 2: Prague Fringe Festival (offbeat theater); Mid-June–mid-July: Prague Proms (musical festival); June 22–24: Celebration of the Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival and knights' tournament); June 29–July 8: Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival; July 6: Jan Hus Day (closures); Mid-July (2 days): Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square); travels to other Czech towns in following week; July 20–August 11: Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical music and opera); October 26–November 30: Feast of St. Martin Wine Festival, Český Krumlov
FRANCE. May–July: Versailles Festival (classical music, opera, dance, contemporary art); May 8: VE (Victory in Europe) Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945 or Jour de la Liberation; closures, parades); May 9–20: Cannes Film Festival; Late May–mid-June: D-Day Festival, across Normandy; May 24–27: Monaco Grand Prix; May 26–27 (likely): Joan of Arc Festival, Rouen (pageants); June 1–10: Paris Beer Week; June 6: 74th Anniversary of the Normandy D-Day Landing (Jour J); June 16–17: Le Mans auto race, near Loire Valley. June 21: Fête de la Musique (concerts and dancing in the streets throughout France); July–August: Cannes Festival of Pyrotechnic Art (fireworks); July 7–29: Tour de France (culminates on the Champs-Elysées in Paris); July 14: Bastille Day (closures, fireworks, revelry); July 14–22: Jazz à Juan, Antibes/Juan-les-Pins (international jazz festival); Mid-July–mid-August: Paris Neighborhoods Festival (theater, dance, concerts); also Paris Plage (ersatz beach along the Seine); July 17–21: Nice Jazz Festival; September: Wine harvest festivals across France
ENGLAND, May 11–27: Bath Festival (music and literature); May 22–26: Chelsea Flower Show, London; May 28: Spring Bank Holiday (closures); May 25–June 10: Bath Fringe Festival (alternative music, dance, and theater) June 1–2: Keswick Beer Festival (music, shows); June 9: Trooping the Colour, London (military bands and pageantry, Queen's birthday parade) June 15–24: Golowan Festival, Penzance (midsummer celebration); June 19–23: Royal Ascot horse races, near Windsor; June 29–July 1: Love Supreme, Sussex (jazz festival); July 2–July 15: Wimbledon Tennis Championship, London; July 7: London Pride Parade; August 27: Summer Bank Holiday (closures); August 31–November 4: Blackpool Illuminations (waterfront light festival); September 14–23: Jane Austen Festival; Late September (4 days): London Fashion Week Festival; September 21–30: York Food and Drink Festival
GERMANY, May 1: May Day (maypole dances; closures); May 10: Ascension Day (closures); May 18–21: Meistertrunk Show, Rothenburg (historic play and market, medieval costumes, Biergartenparties); May 18–21: Carnival of Cultures, Berlin (street parade on Sunday); May 25–June 3: Weindorf wine festival, Würzburg; May 25–June 24: Mozartfest, Würzburg
AUSTRIA, May 1: May Day (maypole dances; closures); May 10: Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt; closures); May 11–June 17: Vienna Festival (arts, music); July 20–August 30: Salzburg Summer Festival; September 19–23 (likely): St. Rupert's Fair, Salzburg (Ruperti-Kirtag, traditional festival, procession, fireworks); September 20–October 7 (likely): Wiener Wiesn-Fest, Vienna (Oktoberfest-like celebrations in the Prater); September 28—30 (likely): Vienna Wine Hiking Days (vineyards open to public for hiking and sampling)
CZECH REPUBLIC. May 1: Labor Day (some closures), Day of Love (akin to Valentine's Day); May 6: Prague International Marathon; May 8: Liberation Day (closures); May 10–26: Czech Beer Festival, Prague; May 12–June 3: "Prague Spring" Music Festival; .May 25–27: Prague Food Festival (food booths in Royal Gardens of Prague Castle); May 25–June 2: Prague Fringe Festival (offbeat theater); Mid-June–mid-July: Prague Proms (musical festival); June 22–24: Celebration of the Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival and knights' tournament); June 29–July 8: Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival; July 6: Jan Hus Day (closures); Mid-July (2 days): Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square); travels to other Czech towns in following week; July 20–August 11: Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical music and opera); October 26–November 30: Feast of St. Martin Wine Festival, Český Krumlov
FRANCE. May–July: Versailles Festival (classical music, opera, dance, contemporary art); May 8: VE (Victory in Europe) Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945 or Jour de la Liberation; closures, parades); May 9–20: Cannes Film Festival; Late May–mid-June: D-Day Festival, across Normandy; May 24–27: Monaco Grand Prix; May 26–27 (likely): Joan of Arc Festival, Rouen (pageants); June 1–10: Paris Beer Week; June 6: 74th Anniversary of the Normandy D-Day Landing (Jour J); June 16–17: Le Mans auto race, near Loire Valley. June 21: Fête de la Musique (concerts and dancing in the streets throughout France); July–August: Cannes Festival of Pyrotechnic Art (fireworks); July 7–29: Tour de France (culminates on the Champs-Elysées in Paris); July 14: Bastille Day (closures, fireworks, revelry); July 14–22: Jazz à Juan, Antibes/Juan-les-Pins (international jazz festival); Mid-July–mid-August: Paris Neighborhoods Festival (theater, dance, concerts); also Paris Plage (ersatz beach along the Seine); July 17–21: Nice Jazz Festival; September: Wine harvest festivals across France
NORWAY, May 1: May Day (parades, some closures); May 4–9: MaiJazz, Stavanger (international jazz festival); May 8: Liberation Day; May 10: Ascension Day (closures); May 15: St. Hallvard's Day, Oslo (theater, concerts); May 23–June 6: Bergen International Festival (concerts, ballet, opera, theater); May 24–26: Oslo Middelalderfestival (medieval festival); June 13–16: Bergenfest (rock, pop, hip hop, and folk music); June 14–16: Norwegian Wood, Oslo (rock music festival); August 7–12: International Chamber Music Festival, Stavanger; August 12–18: Oslo Jazz Festival. August 17–26: Oslo Chamber Music Festival
BELGIUM, May 1: Labor Day (some closures); May 5: Belgian Pride, Brussels (LGBT pride parade); Late May (weekend): Brussels Jazz Marathon (free concerts around town); July 13–22: Ghent Festival (free concerts, fireworks, street performers, market); July 20–22 & 27–29: Tomorrowland, north of Brussels in town of Boom (electronic music festival); July 21: Belgian Independence Day (parades, fireworks, closures); August 5–14 (likely): Brussels Summer Festival (concerts, street performers); August 15: Assumption Day (procession in Bruges, Bathtub Regatta in Dinant, southern Belgium; closures across Belgium)
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Let us help you plan your trip!
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Begin in Finland with a sightseeing tour of lively Helsinki. Step into the imperial past of Saint Petersburg with visits to The Winter Palace, The Peter and Paul Fortress and much more, along with optional excursions worth considering. Experience modern Russia in Moscow with a tour of the highlights of the Russian metropolis.
Daily ItineraryDay 1. Helsinki – Arrival
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink and meeting with your tour director at the hotel. First Class: Glo Hotel Art or similar hotels
Day 2 Explore Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. Your sightseeing tour takes you around the harbors and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit of the famous Church-in-the-Rock. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis in the midst of the city with cottages, farmsteads and manors from all around Finland. (B). First Class: Glo Hotel Art or similar hotels
Day 3 Helsinki – Saint Petersburg
Today, you will continue eastbound to Saint Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia you will arrive in Vyborg for a short sightseeing tour and a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. You will arrive in Saint Petersburg in late afternoon. (B). First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 4. Explore Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During this morning’s sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. This afternoon is reserved for an optional excursion to Tsarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for Saint Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening, enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian „champagne” and snacks. (B). First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 5. Saint Petersburg at Leisure
Today is a free day. In the morning, consider joining an optional excursion to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the afternoon, we suggest you join an optional tour to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening, enjoy an optional Russian dinner. (B) First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 6 Saint Petersburg – Moscow
The early morning is reserved for an optional Saint Petersburg channel cruise. Around noon, you will be transferred to the railway station for your 4-hour ride on the high speed Sapsan train to Moscow. The train ride takes you through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. Arrive in Moscow in the late afternoon. (B) First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day 7. Explore Moscow
Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city into one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. Your morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with the St. Basil's Cathedral, the Theatre Square with the Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University, and the Kremlin grounds and one of the cathedrals. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional tour of the Moscow Metro including the historical stations on the Ring Line and a guided stroll along the famous pedestrian Arbat Street. The evening offers an optional Moscow by night tour including an unforgettable river cruise on the White Flotilla. (B). First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day 8 Moscow at Leisure
Today is a free day. You may join an optional full-day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad, where you will visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual heart of the Russian Orthodox Church. The entire Lavra has been beautifully restored for the 700-year celebrations of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus. (B). First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day. 9 Moscow – Return
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Moscow airport for your return flight home. (B)
Includes
Call for pricing!
Daily ItineraryDay 1. Helsinki – Arrival
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink and meeting with your tour director at the hotel. First Class: Glo Hotel Art or similar hotels
Day 2 Explore Helsinki
Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. Your sightseeing tour takes you around the harbors and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit of the famous Church-in-the-Rock. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis in the midst of the city with cottages, farmsteads and manors from all around Finland. (B). First Class: Glo Hotel Art or similar hotels
Day 3 Helsinki – Saint Petersburg
Today, you will continue eastbound to Saint Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia you will arrive in Vyborg for a short sightseeing tour and a photo-stop at Vyborg Castle. You will arrive in Saint Petersburg in late afternoon. (B). First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 4. Explore Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During this morning’s sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with all the splendors of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. This afternoon is reserved for an optional excursion to Tsarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for Saint Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the evening, enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian „champagne” and snacks. (B). First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 5. Saint Petersburg at Leisure
Today is a free day. In the morning, consider joining an optional excursion to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the afternoon, we suggest you join an optional tour to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum. In the evening, enjoy an optional Russian dinner. (B) First Class: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or similar hotels
Day 6 Saint Petersburg – Moscow
The early morning is reserved for an optional Saint Petersburg channel cruise. Around noon, you will be transferred to the railway station for your 4-hour ride on the high speed Sapsan train to Moscow. The train ride takes you through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. Arrive in Moscow in the late afternoon. (B) First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day 7. Explore Moscow
Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city into one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. Your morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with the St. Basil's Cathedral, the Theatre Square with the Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University, and the Kremlin grounds and one of the cathedrals. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional tour of the Moscow Metro including the historical stations on the Ring Line and a guided stroll along the famous pedestrian Arbat Street. The evening offers an optional Moscow by night tour including an unforgettable river cruise on the White Flotilla. (B). First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day 8 Moscow at Leisure
Today is a free day. You may join an optional full-day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad, where you will visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual heart of the Russian Orthodox Church. The entire Lavra has been beautifully restored for the 700-year celebrations of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus. (B). First Class: Park Inn by Radisson Sadu or similar hotels
Day. 9 Moscow – Return
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Moscow airport for your return flight home. (B)
Includes
- Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Taxes and service charges
- Hotels mentioned in the itinerary or similar
- Sightseeing as described in the itinerary
- Porterage
- ASTA TOP Tour operator travel funds protection program
- Continental or buffet breakfast
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional tour director throughout the tour
- Train tickets as per itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours
- Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts
- Local city taxes
- Flights
Call for pricing!