Explore Red Square, the Kremlin and opt to go inside a Soviet Bunker in Russia's vibrant capital Moscow before taking the express train to St Petersburg. In the City of the Tsars visit lavish palaces, the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood and more on this 7 day tour of Russia.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Moscow
Sunday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! You will be met at the airport in Moscow upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This evening at 7pm meet your guide and the rest of the group for dinner at the hotel and an informative welcome meeting. Remainder of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Moscow | Dinner
Red Square & The Kremlin
First thing this morning we will hop on the Moscow Metro and make our way to legendary Red Square. As the historical, political and social heart of Moscow, this famous square is home to some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Within the Red Square we will find the iconic domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, the imposing red brick walls of the Kremlin and the glitzy Neo-Russian facade of the GUM shopping mall. Highlights of the day include a guided tour inside the grounds of the mighty Kremlin, touring Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower and monumental Tsar Bell.
Also in Red Square, housed within a red and black marble building, is Lenin's Mausoleum. If open, you can enter the mausoleum and pay your respects to the famous Russian revolutionary whose embalmed body has lain in state since his death in 1924. The rest of the day is free for you to continue exploring the city or perhaps enjoy some retail therapy.
During our stay in Moscow there will be the chance to join one of our optional evening excursions, such as a traditional Cossack Show and a Moscow by Night coach tour and river cruise. Book and pay locally.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast, Lunch
Inside a Soviet Bunker
Today is free for you to spend at leisure in the capital or you can opt to head down into a Soviet Bunker, by purchasing our Inside a Soviet Bunker add-on. Heading 65 metres below ground take a guided tour of this fascinating Underground Cold War Museum - a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. Hidden beneath an ordinary
apartment building in the heart of Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this mighty 75,000-square-foot facility was constructed covertly in the 1950s, to protect the select few against a US nuclear attack. The site was in operation throughout the 1970s. In the 1990s with the death of communism, this bunker came off the top
secret list and is now open to the public. The rest of the day is free to explore.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
St Petersburg City tour
Moscow - St Petersburg. This morning we take a high speed train to St Petersburg. Upon arrival we embark on a city tour, driving along Nevsky Prospekt, past the museum and university district and Admiralty End, with stops to view the exterior of magnificent St Isaac's Cathedral and The Bronze Horse. After lunch we tour the exquisite Church On Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress and the beautiful SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
Spend the evening at leisure. During our time in St Petersburg there will also be the chance to join optional excursions, such as a night at the Russian Ballet, a boat trip along the canals or a visit to the Vodka Museum (book and pay locally).
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast, Lunch
Peterhof or Catherine Palace
This morning we head out of the city to explore the beautiful Peterhof Palace located on the Gulf of Finland in the summer or visit Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo in winter (or Pavlosk Palace if Catherine Palace is closed).
Often referred to as Russia’s ‘Versailles’, the gardens of Peterhof Palace are a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations. The real highlight are the spectacular gold fountains. At Catherine Palace it's the interior of this lavishly decorated building that really catches the eye - and the exquisite Amber room is a real highlight!
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast
The Hermitage Museum
The highlight of today is a guided tour of the treasure-filled Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace, which houses one of the biggest and best art collections on earth.
Later, we visit a fascinating exhibition of a former Soviet era communal apartment. To help ease the burden of Russia's housing problem in the 1920s the government transformed city apartments owned by one person into these communal dwellings with factory workers, military personnel and members of Soviet institutions moving in.
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast
St Petersburg
Saturday. Today our tour comes to an end. If you would like to extend your time in Russia, we can book post-tour accommodation upon request.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
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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.
Izmailovo Delta Hotel, Moscow
The 4 star Izmailovo Delta Hotel forms part of the huge Izmailovo Gamma Delta complex, which was built to accommodate guests and participants of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Offering comfortable guest rooms with modern amenities, the complex also boasts 16 restaurants and bars serving Russian and international cuisine, a SPA, gym and swimming pool, in addition to shops, a bank and post office. Conveniently located with the Partizanskaya Metro Station just 350 yards away, it's a quick 10 minute metro ride to Red Square where you can take in the highlights of the capital. The hotel is also ideally located for souvenir shopping, with the famous Izmailovo Market just a short stroll away.
Harbor Club Hotel, St Petersburg
Well-located in St Petersburg, the Harbor Club Hotel can be found on a quiet street, yet only a short walk from the bustling city centre. Its guestrooms feature modern décor, with spacious ensuite bathrooms and modern amenities including air conditioning. You’ll also find a shared lounge and bar, as well as an on-site restaurant serving tasty European cuisine. Here, guests can enjoy a continental or buffet breakfast or, if you’d prefer, there is also the option of dining in the comfort of your hotel room.
Our tour guide was every good, knowledgeable and flexible which made our to. Our tour guide was every good, knowledgeable and flexible which made our tour enjoyable. ”
Excellent, Olga our tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. Always prepared to do that bit extra to make this the best trip I can remember being on.”
I had a great trip start to finish and felt completely safe in Russia. All the highlights in the itinerary were fantastic and unforgettable. The hotel in Moscow was spacious and in a very good location as too was the the hotel in St Petersburg (though a tad smaller). The location made it very easy to travel around on your own as some places were a walking distance away or a few stops on the underground so top marks.
For me, the tour was more than what I expected and this was down to our tour guide Natalya with her personalised touches and near perfect English. She was very knowledgeable, very helpful (even out of hours!) people person who went above and beyond to make this trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
So I thank 'On The Go Tours' for creating a great holiday and for having wonderful staff ”
Had an amazing time away and an amazing tour. Tatiana was a fantastic tour guide. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. ”
We just returned from a unforgettable tour of Russia. We were a small group of only 11 people in Moscow and 5 people in St. Pietersburg. Our Guide had a great command of English and was very helpful.We had a great holiday.
Natalia has a great personality, very knowledgeable, patient and helpful and a superb guide.
We were surprised on how clean and safe Moscow and St Petersburg were compared to our own country, South Africa. I must say the continental breakfast at both hotels were not as good as it can be.
I would thoroughly recommend this tour - and Natalia. ”
Just returned from a wonderful tour of Russia. For some reason everyone else in the group cancelled so it was just me and my wife and the lovely tour guide Natalia. She has a great command of English and was very helpful and we had a very personalised tour and a great holiday.
Natalia has a great personality, very knowledgeable, patient and helpful and a superb guide.
No issues or hassles at any points and was surprised how clean and safe Moscow and St Petersburg were compared to some other European destinations. Also food was cheap. I would advice travellers to learn a smattering of Russian particularly the script if they want to venture solo on the Metro.
The hotels were acceptable through my room the Moscow hotel - Izmailovo Hotel - Gamma-Delta was a little musty though this was compensated by the great breakfast and proximity to the Metro.
Also the bonus is the wonderful Moscow. flea market 5 minutes away.
Also I had a scare because when booked in they could not find my reservation. Be aware the Gamma and the Delta are separate hotels even though they are co-located and adjacent.
The st Petersburg Hotel (“ the Moscow”) did a more basic breakfast but the room was fresher. Be warned that you will go through at least 6 vodka shots on this tour and a lot of walking which was great. The other “on the go” Staff were very helpful also.
The best optional add is the Moscow Circus. The Peterhof palace is also a must-see. Try to separately book the Armoury in the Kremlin prior to your tour.
Don't waste money getting your private train compartment It is much more fun in the communal carriage overnight.
I would thoroughly recommend this tour - and Natalia. ”
I really enjoyed the overnight train and all our coach drivers were great. I liked being able to walk around the cities and use the local public transport to see the cities from a more local perspective. Thanks to Natalya, our tour guide, who was absolutely brilliant! ”
Thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Katarina's depth of knowledge is incredible and her friendly approach to the travellers made the tour very enjoyable.”
Katia is an excellent guide and ambassador for Russia.She is very knowledgeable and easily approached. Her English is also excellent. She is to be commended on a fantastic tour. She was always friendly and very helpful. ”
Katya is an excellent guide and ambassador for Russia. She is very knowledgeable and easily approached. Her English is also excellent. She is to be commended on an excellent tour. She was always friendly and very helpful whenever assistance was needed. ”
In Brief
Tour Add-ons
Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons
Our tour guide was every good, knowledgeable and flexible which made our to. Our tour guide was every good, knowledgeable and flexible which made our tour enjoyable. ”
