There is a $50 discount on both trips for Let's Travel! "groupies". Below are each of the itineraries. If you are interested in going on a trip with Barry, email us at info@letstravelradio.com



Behind Closed Doors In St. Petersburg, Russia

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This unique program shall explore one of the world's most fascinating cities inside and out. With Dr. Barry Goldsmith leading the program you shall go where few people have ever been and have insight into an incredible world of beauty, art, music, deceit and betrayal.

St. Petersburg is like few other cities in the world and offers some of the highest degrees of culture, sophistication and grandeur ever known. Join Professor Goldsmith as he takes you "behind the scenes" to re-visit Russia of the Tsars.


September 1-2 – Days One and Two

Departure from your home city for St. Petersburg via Paris. Arrive in Paris (CDG) in mid morning and transfer to your flight to St. Petersburg with a mid afternoon arrival. Private transfer to the 5* deluxe Grand Hotel Europe in the heart of St. Petersburg. Welcome drink and canapés upon arrival. Balance of afternoon at leisure to begin to explore St. Petersburg. Walking tour of St. Petersburg's Fifth Avenue with Prof. Goldsmith. Welcome dinner at one of the hotel's many elegant restaurants.


Sep. 03 – Day Three

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today may be one of the highlights of your program with a visit to the famed Hermitage. You will be escorted not only by Prof. Goldsmith, but also by one of the directors of the museum who will take you into rooms closed to the public while they are being restored. Lunch at the Hermitage restaurant on your own – or continue further exploration of the Hermitage during the lunch hour. Continue the afternoon at the Hermitage. This afternoon will be “murder.” Visit the Church of the Resurrection where Alexander II was murdered then on to the Yusupov Palace to see where Rasputin was murdered. Dinner at your hotel's Rossi Restaurant. After dinner an optional canal walk with those who have the inclination to see more of St. Petersburg that most tourists never get to see.


Sep. 04 – Day Four

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today return to the vicinity of the Hermitage to enjoy the Menshikov Palace the Museum of the Siege of Leningrad. Time to see the museum housing Rasputin's “crown jewels.” Tour the Mariinsky Palace in St. Isaac's Square; the most beautiful 19th-century palace built for Nicholas I's daughter and his son-in-law – grandson of Napoleon's Josephine. Lunch on your own. Enjoy dinner and entertainment at the hotel's Grand Europa Restaurant – the most beautiful Art Nouveau (“Style Moderne”) restaurant in St. Petersburg.


Sep. 05 – Day Five

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today you will enjoy a city tour and venture to the Peter & Paul Fortress and Prison (newly restored). Tour Pavlovsk including the soon to open library and other rooms.. Then lunch on your own at the Pavlovsk Palace, the Palace of Konstantin Romanov, the last Czar's cousin. In the afternoon, continue to the Alexander Palace, the intimate home of Alexandra and Nicholas, where you will once again go behind the scenes into special rooms closed to the public. See the newly restored Feodorovsky Church and the neo-Russian medieval gorod, which was a hospital attended to by the last Empress and her two eldest daughters during World War I. Then on to the Catherine Palace – stopping to see the newly restored Yusupov Villa. Enjoy dinner and jazz at the Tchaikovsky Restaurant. Walk with Professor Goldsmith for yet another tour of St. Petersburg's many canals.


Sep. 06 – Day Six

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today travel by hydrofoil to the grandest imperial palace; Peterhoff and all its many palaces and Gardens started by Peter The Great and completed by the last Czar, Nicholas II. See Nicholas and Alexandra's Italianate Villa as it is being reconstructed. Be among the first to see the Farm Palace, birthplace of Tatiana Romanov. Enjoy a delightful lunch on your own at “L'Orangerie.” Then drive to visit the Cottage, summer home of the last Dowager Empress, Marie. Stop at several palaces, many owned by Romanov Grand Dukes, on the return to St. Petersburg. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg including Mars Field, Peter the Great's Summer Palace & Gardens. Then enjoy a ballet performance of Swan Lake at the Russian Classical Ballet Palace or the Mussorsky Theater. Finish with a late dinner at your hotel's elegant Noble Assembly restaurant.


Sep. 07 – Day Seven

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today walk “next door” for a “behind the scenes” tour of the famed Russian Museum, (with the Mikhailovsky Palace as the central building), with Dr. Goldsmith and one of the museum's very own curators. Lunch on your own. After lunch continue with a city walking tour that includes St. Isaac's Cathedral and a private tour of newly restored Grand Duke Alexei's Palace. This evening's entertainment will be filled with Russian folk dancing, music and singing at the Nikolaevsky Palace, followed by a late dinner at your hotel at the renowned Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant.


Sep. 08 – Day Eight

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today enjoy two special tours with Professor Goldsmith; “The Art Nouveau ("Style Moderne" in Russia) of St. Petersburg.” Take Goldsmith's "Russian Revolution Tour:” and tour the Smolny Institute, the private girl's school commandeered by Lenin on the night of the October Revolution, 1917. Lunch on your own. Then we will see the Tauride Palace – built by Catherine the Great and which Czar Nicholas II opened after the 1905 Revolution. In another area of the city, we will visit Rasputin's apartment. Enjoy a Gala Farewell dinner at your hotel, in the Caviar Bar Restaurant – and its unique “proto Art Deco” decor.


Sep. 09 – Day Nine

Early breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer to St. Petersburg Airport for your return flight to the USA via Paris.


Optional Post Tour of Paris - 3 days / 2 nights (contact us for details)

Including optional tours of "White Russia Paris" with sites affiliated with the Romanovs including Mathilde Kschessinskaya's dance studio (where Margot Fonteyn studied) and the home of the exiled Prince Felix Yusupov. Also included will be a tour of Vaux le Vicomte – the professor's favor chateau just outside Paris.



Your Program Includes

• Roundtrip private transfers from St. Petersburg Airport to the 5* Grand Hotel Europe
• Seven nights deluxe accommodations at the 5* Grand Hotel Europe
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Welcome Dinner, Farewell Dinner
• Other meals as specified in the itinerary
• Extensive sightseeing as outlined
• Evening cultural activities as outlined
• All entrance fees, taxes and service fees
• Ground transportation by deluxe motor coach
• Local guides where necessary
• Fully escorted by Professor Barry Goldsmith

Not Included:

• Airfare from your home city
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals not mentioned
• Single supplement charge
• Visa fees

Total: $4950.00
Single Supplement: $2100.00





Karnataka Plus - India

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Discover a unique experience to the land of India - a land of diversity, a culture of color and a heritage that goes back thousands of years! Led by Barry Goldsmith, an architectural and cultural historian, Karnataka Plus will take you from the northern regions of India all the way to the exotic southern beaches of Goa. In this tour you will visit some of the architectural wonders that portrays Mughal and Colonial influences over hundreds of years including the famous Taj Mahal, visit the tiger sanctuaries and pay homage to the intricately carved Hindu Temples.


December 5

Arrive into Delhi where you will be met and assisted upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Relax in the hotel for the night.


December 6 - Delhi

After breakfast you are taken for a full day sightseeing tour of the Capital city of India-Delhi which will begin with walk in the narrow lanes of the old city, recounting tales and anecdotes of the days when this was the bustling hub of the Mughal dynasty The walk takes you to the age old Silver market, through quaint streets selling incredible wares, to the tranquility of a Jain temple. After visiting Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India enjoy a ride on Rickshaws on your return. Drive past the magnificent Red Fort, - a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Lunch is at the fascinating Chor Bizarre restaurant. After lunch you proceed for the tour of New Delhi. The colonial buildings in New Delhi can be seen in all their splendor as some of them are open to the public and others are the seat of the Indian government. New Delhi was designed and planned by the English architect Edwin Lutyens therefore a part of the city is also called the Lutyen's Delhi. The Presidents Mansion, Parliament House, India Gate and the war memorial in the central vista of New Delhi, are among Lutyens designs. Return to the hotel for the night.


December 7 - Delhi and Ranthambore

Morning have a leisurely breakfast. Early in the afternoon, you are transferred to the railway station to board the train to Sawai Madhopur that is at a distance of meagre 13 Kms from Ranthambore. Kota Jan Shatabdi Chair Car 1320/ 1800 hours On arrival, you are driven to the hotel and in for a relaxed evening. Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. Its abandoned fortress, lakes and above all its `friendly' tigers have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973.


December 8 - Ranthambore

A pre-dawn safari allows you to witness early morning life in the jungle. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Afternoon, enjoy another safari into the wild, returning for a relaxing evening and dinner at the hotel.


December 9 - Ranthambore to Bharaptur - 60 kms/ 01 hours; Bharaptur to Agra

Today you leave early morning from your hotel to board the train to Bharatpur which is an hour's drive from Agra - the city of Taj. Packed breakfast will be provided. Kota Jan Shatabdi Chair Car 0710/ 0925 hours (Operates on all days except Sundays) On arrival, drive to Agra and assisted with checking in. Afternoon you are taken for a visit to the Red Fort that is a world heritage site. This fort was started by Emperor Akbar in 1565. The high red stone monument stretches for around 02 Kms. The palace is a notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. Continue to the sunset visit of - Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday’s) - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is the ultimate tribute to love ever transcribed in architecture. This great monument, completed in 1653, took almost 22 years and 20,000 workers to build. Known for its symmetry, the Taj Mahal sits on a raised platform surrounded by four minarets and is the crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture. Return to the hotel for the night.


December 10 - Agra to Delhi - 230 Kms 05 hours; Delhi to Bangalore

Post breakfast drive to Delhi to board on your flight to Bangalore - the capital city of Karnataka. You will be taken for lunch before transferring to the airport. Delhi/ Bangalore 9W 811 1750/ 2030 hours Met and assisted on arrival and driven to the hotel. Relax for the night.


December 11 - Bangalore to Chikmagalur - 240 Kms 06 hours

This morning you have your breakfast in the hotel and check out. We set on for your drive through two architecturally important buildings of Bangalore - Vidhan Soudha & Bangalore Palace, and then on to Chikmagalur. Vidhan Soudha is a massive building in neo Dravidian architecture presently functioning as the state legislative assembly. Completed in 1956 the building is entirely made of Bangalore granite in the Dravidian style. It is a beautiful work of art having floral motifs on stone carvings drawn from the celebrated temple craft of South India. The Bangalore Palace was built by Chamaraja Wodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore in 1887. The Palace flaunts turreted parapets, battlements, fortified towers and arches. The palace built in Tudor style is largely constructed of wood, and is famous for its carving and paintings. On arrival in Chikmagalur, you are assisted with checking into the hotel.


December 12 - Chikmagalur

Today you set out to visit two amazing temple groups of Karnataka - Belur and Halebid. A fast growing metropolis, the garden city of Bangalore is the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Situated at about 1000 meters above sea level, it is known for its salubrious climate where temperatures remain moderate through out the year. The clean and spacious city of Bangalore has many imposing structures full of historic and modern architecture. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Channakeshava, built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D. It was built to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. The star-shaped main structure and carvings in black stone, resembling metal are a must see. Also visit the Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebid that was the wealthy capital of the Hoysala in the 12th and 13th century. The Hoysaleshwara temple, standing on a platform like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scrollwork in stone. Belur and Halebid are 17 Kms apart but have always been referred to in one breath, as belonging together. Though built by the same school (Jakkanna Achari is credited as the architect), you upon building them will realize are quite different in appearance.


December 13 - Chikmagalur to Hospet - 280 Kms 07 hours

This morning, you are taken for the scenic drive from Chikmagalur to Hospet and the drastic changes in the landscape is very evident. The landscape towards this side of the country is very dry and all rocky, but not without green trees waving with winds. Lunch is enroute and on arrival you check in and rest at leisure for the evening.


December 14 - Hospet

Hampi's economy is fuelled largely by agricultural and mining at present. The area is rich in iron-ore and manganese. In addition to this, with its status of a World Heritage site tourism is another chief contributor to the economy. The day is to explore the World Heritage Site of Hampi that means the city of victory. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments, are examples of excellent workmanship. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km. Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth. Return to the hotel for the night.


December 15 - Hospet to Badami - 200 Kms 05 hours

This morning, you are driven to Badami, another architectural marvel. On arrival, check into the hotel and have a leisurely lunch. Later visit the sites of Aihole and Pattadakkal. Pattadakkal, with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings were crowned. Aihole is regarded as the birthplace of Indian architectural styles and the site of the first built temples, as distinct from those carved out of solid rock. It has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semi- circular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery encircling the sanctum. The oldest temple here is the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. The Revalphadi Cave - dedicated to Shiva - is remarkable for its delicate details.


December 16 - Badami

Today after an early breakfast, you are set out for an excursion to Bijapur that is at a distance of 130 Kms, a drive of about 2.5 hours. Bijapur city is well known for the great architecture of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. The city is rich in historical attractions mainly related to Islamic architecture - Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, Jumma Masjid & Malik-e-maidan (The monarch of the plains) amongst the most important. You will also visit Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza. The Gol Gumbaz built by Muhammad Adil Shah in the year 1656, is an excellent example of the traditional Islamic style of architecture. The dome stands unsupported by pillars and the structure is also unique in the sense that the four minarets themselves are the staircases, leading to the top dome. The Monument is the second largest dome in the world, second only to St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. The most fascinating and remarkable feature of the Gol Gumbad is its acoustical system. Badami houses some magnificent cave temples, dating back from 600 to 700 A.D. The temples are carved out of sandstone and have some magnum opuses like the 18 armed Nataraja - the manifestation of Lord Shiva erected in 81 imposing poses is a marvel created out of carved stone. Even the faintest whisper around the dome echoes several times. Ibrahim Rauza is a mausoleum complex just outside the city. The rauza consists of the tomb of Adil Shah II and his wife, and mosque within a square compound, both rising face to face from a common raised terrace. It is said that the grandeur of this structure inspired the construction of Taj Mahal. A neatly maintained garden complements the beauty of the monument. Return to Badami for overnight.


December 17 - Badami to Dandeli - 230 Kms 05 hours

Before setting out for your next destination, we will proceed for the most outstanding sight - the Badami caves. A World Heritage Site - the cave temples of Badami are picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The cave temples are carved out of soft sandstone on the cliff of a hill and are simple in style. The Chalukyan style of architecture is a unique blend of the Indo-Aryan Nagara style and the Dravidian style. This style is apparent in all the four cave temples. Post sightseeing you are driven to Dandeli. On arrival, check into your lodge at Dandeli. Located at a distance of 125 kms from Goa, Dandeli is the largest Sanctuary of Karnataka. Nestling some very rare animal and birds, it is an unspoilt, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife and abounds with a richness of flora and fauna. Evening is at leisure


December 18 - Dandeli to Goa - 125 Kms 2.5 hours

You are taken on a short trail for bird watching into the sanctuary and optional ride on the rafts to go on for exciting white water rafting expedition. Return to the resort for lunch and then driven to Goa. On arrival, check into your hotel and the evening is at leisure.


December 19-20 - Goa

The day is at leisure for you.


December 21 - Goa/Mumbai

Depart India: Today, fly to Mumbai to connect to your international flight back home. Goa/ Mumbai IT 513 1420/ 1520 Hours. On arrival you are taken for a farewell dinner at one of the hotels in Mumbai, after which you are given a departure transfer to the International Airport where you board your evening flight back to New York.


December 22 - Return to New York

Arrive New York.



END OF SERVICES



Your program includes:

• Accommodation based on twin sharing on bed & breakfast basis at all places except in Ranthambore where it will be on ‘All Meals’ basis and Dandeli where it will be on ‘Jungle Plan’ basis.
• Lunch at Chor Bazaar
• Dinner in Mumbai in a local restaurant
• Surface Transportation using an Air conditioned Vehicle.
• Services of an English speaking Accompanying escort from arrival in Delhi to the checking in at the hotel in Goa.
• AM and PM game drive in Ranthambore
• Train fare from Delhi to Sawaimadhopur and from Sawaimadhopur to Bharatpur
• Entrance fees to Monuments (single entry) at all places as per the itinerary.
• Government of India’s Service Tax

Not Included:

• International airfare to New Delhi and out of Mumbai (contact Wayfare India or Safari Ventures for assistance at 917-686-2620)
• Any visa charges / insurance / airport taxes.
• Any domestic airfare (quoted as supplement).
• Any item of personal nature such as tips to porters / bell boys /waiters / drivers / guides / Escort, table drinks, telephone calls, laundry bills, still / video camera fees.
• Any item other than specified above.

Total: $6,995 per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $1,650