Tour Overview
Russia breathes superlatives: the world's biggest country; its largest supplier of natural gas and second-largest oil producer; and home of the planet's longest railroads, busiest subway system (Moscow's), and one of its deepest, biggest, and oldest lakes (Baikal, in Siberia). It even boasts balmy beach resorts (on the Black Sea), though the Kremlin and the snowcapped cupolas of its cathedrals seem truer reflections of this northern nation's might and mysticism. What the country lacks in climatic warmth, Russians make up for with their bottomless generosity and jovial hospitality. Survivors of despots from Ivan the Terrible to Stalin, Russians place high value on keeping their home worlds safe from the perils of without and stocking the larders with homemade jams, pickles, and desserts. The past decade has been rough on Russians, but it's sharpened their adaptation skills. Today's Russian university graduates know more languages, more about financial markets, and more about text messaging than many of their Western counterparts.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Moscow, RussiaUpon arrival at the Moscow airport, you will be met by an English-speaking representative, welcomed to Russia and shown to your waiting car. You will then be privately transferred to your hotel, located in the center of Moscow, where you will be assisted with check-in procedures. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure. You will be confirmed for two nights at the Baltschug Kempinski Hotel in standard room accommodation, inclusive of buffet breakfast.
Baltschug Kempinski Hotel Day 02: Moscow
Meet your private vehicle and English-speaking guide for a full-day (8-hours) overview tour of Moscow with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide. From the embankment where your hotel is located you can get a great view of the whole Kremlin complex, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Cross the river for a tour of Red Square where you will see the walls of the Kremlin, GUM stores, Lenin’s Tomb and get up close to St. Basil’s itself. Continue your panoramic tour past the infamous former KGB headquarters and see classic Stalinist architecture such as the “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers. See other notable districts of the city such as the Arbat, Gorky Park and Sparrow Hill where you get great views of the Novodevichy Convent complex. End the day with a ride on the subway, built during the 1930’s these are art deco master-pieces and true underground palaces in their own right.
Baltschug Kempinski Hotel (Breakfast)
Day 03: Moscow - St. Petersburg
Your guide and private vehicle will meet you today for a half-day tour to Moscow’s greatest collection of monuments, the Kremlin. Here you will visit the Assumption Cathedral and the State Armory Museum, which dates back to 1485. The State Armory is the oldest museum in Russia. As its name implies, it contains many ancient weapons and armor, but you will also find a treasure trove of crown jewels, golden-crusted icons, bejeweled royal scepters and exquisitely carved thrones. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to the railway station for the 4.30pm departure for St. Petersburg where you will be shown to your pre-reserved seats in the standard class carriage. Upon arrival at 10.00pm (times subject to change) you will be met from the train door where you will be transferred the short distance to your hotel and assisted with check-in procedures. You will be confirmed at the Kempinski Moika 22 Hotel in superior room accommodation inclusive of buffet breakfast.
Kempinski Moika 22 (Breakfast) Day 04: St. Petersburg
Your guide and private vehicle will meet you in today for a half-day (4-hours) panoramic tour of St. Petersburg. The vast St. Isaacs Cathedral is just outside your hotel, you will then continue along the banks of the Neva river where your guide will point out the most important palaces that line it. You will cross the river to the small island that is home to the Peter & Paul Fortress, the oldest building in St. Petersburg and where Peter the Great founded the city. At the heart of the fortress at the Cathedral is the burial site of most of the pre-revolutionary leaders of Russia. You may also wish to see the prison where the pre-revolutionaries were held before being exiled to Siberia. Continue your overview of the city including the Church on Spilled Blood, Mikhailovsky Palace and Nevsky Prospekt before returning to your hotel.
Kempinski Moika 22 (Breakfast) Day 05: St. Petersburg
This morning meet your English-speaking guide for a walking tour (4-hours) to one of the most famous museums in the world, the Hermitage. Originally commissioned by Catherine the Great as a winter palace, the museum now houses over two million exhibits. Some of the interior highlights include the Ambassador’s Staircase, the Throne Room and the Ballroom. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Kempinski Moika 22 (Breakfast) Day 06: St. Petersburg
Choose between two excursions (6-hours) today to either the Peterhof or Pushkin: Travel to the Peterhof Palace, Peter the Great’s summer palace. The lavish décor of the buildings is rivaled only by its famous Grand Cascade of fountains. Alternatively travel out to the Tsar’s village, also known as Pushkin. Dominating the village is Rastrelli’s blue and white Catherine Palace with its formal gardens. See the exquisite interiors, notably the ballroom and the newly restored Amber Room. See Pavlovsk Great Palace before returning to St. Petersburg.
Kempinski Moika 22 (Breakfast) Day 07: St. Petersburg - Depart
You will be privately transferred to St. Petersburg Airport today with English-speaking assistance.
(Breakfast)
