Take in the highlights of St Petersburg and Moscow on this 7 day tour. From the beautiful Church on Spilled Blood and the exquisite palaces of the Tsars, to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral and the mighty Kremlin. Topped off with an optional excursion to the Golden Ring town of Sergiev Posad to visit the revered Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius monastery.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
St Petersburg
Tuesday. Welcome to Russia. Arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport to your hotel and check in. Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group at the welcome meeting and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: St Petersburg
St Petersburg city tour
With a maze of canals, elegant architecture and a distinctly European feel, the beautiful city of St. Petersburg is one of Russia's most alluring destinations; home to world-class museums and galleries, exquisite palaces and impressive monuments. This morning we take in the highlights of St Petersburg on a sightseeing tour, including Peter & Paul Fortress and magnificent St Isaac's Cathedral, the Winter Palace, the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood and Nevsky Convent.
St Petersburg is known as the City of the Tsars and this afternoon there's an optional excursion to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo, which was the tsars summer residence. Catherine the Great's lavish palace is most famous for its spectacular Amber room, bedecked in gold and amber. This evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace to watch a Russian folklore show, with Russian champagne and snacks.
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast
Optional Peterhof and Hermitage
Spend today at leisure independently exploring St Petersburg or join our optional excursions. This morning there's an optional excursion to Peterhof and the Grand Palace on the Gulf of Finland. Often referred to as the 'Russian Versailles’, Peterhof is most famous for its gardens with the spectacular Grand Cascade, gold fountains and sweeping vistas.
Returning to the city centre there's an optional afternoon tour of the Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace - which houses one of the biggest and best art collections on earth. Then this evening there's the opportunity to enjoy some traditional Russian cuisine and an optional dinner at Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti.
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast
High speed train to Moscow
St Petersburg - Moscow. This morning there is an optional cruise along the canals of St Petersburg before we board the high speed train to Moscow around noon. Take in the Russian landscapes along the Volga River as our train heads south to the capital. We arrive into Moscow late afternoon and check into our hotel. Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
Moscow sightseeing
This morning we set out to explore Moscow on a guided tour, taking in the highlights of Russia’s dynamic capital city. We take in legendary Red Square with its spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Theatre Square, gome of the Bolshoi Theatre and Sparrow Hills with Moscow University. We will also enjoy a tour of the Kremlin grounds and one of its gold-domed cathedrals.
This afternoon there's an optional tour of remarkable Moscow Metro including the historic and stations on the Ring-Line. These extravagant stations date back to the Stalinist era, with incredible statues, marble pillars and chandeliers. The tour also includes a guided stroll along the famous pedestrian Arbat Street. The evening offers an optional Moscow-by-night river cruise aboard the beautiful White Flotilla.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
Optional visit to Sergiev Posad
Spend the day at leisure in Moscow or join an optional full day excursion to the quaint Golden Ring town of Sergiev Posad. Here we visit Russia's most important monastery - the revered 14th-century Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius with its striking blue-and-gold cupolas and white walls.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
Moscow
Monday. Our tour of Russia comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out today. A departure transfer to the airport is included.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky, St Petersburg
Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky is a stylish hotel in a desirable location on Vasilievsky Island, close to the Neva Embankment and a five minute drive from Nevsky Prospect and the Hermitage. As St Petersburg's first gallery hotel, it hosts art exhibitions year round. Guest rooms are distinctively decorated with beautiful colours and luxury hard wood floors. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and there is a popular restaurant serving delicious French-Russian fusion food. Head to the Irish Pub, the 8th Line for a relaxed evening and a few refreshing beverages.
AZIMUT Hotel Smolenskaya Moscow, Moscow
AZIMUT Hotel Smolenskaya Moscow is ideally located in the heart of the capital, just steps from historic Arbat Street. This modern, 23-storey property offers wonderful, panoramic views of Moscow's skyline and comfortable en suite guest rooms, equipped with air conditioning, free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast each morning and dine at a choice of restaurants, including the Sakhalin south-eastern seas fish restaurant, the #SIBIRSIBIR Siberian restaurant and the trendy Avenue restaurant serving international cuisine. For drinks head to the Ramen Izakaya Bar which has a stunning view of the famous Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. This popular hotel also offers a spa and fitness centre.