Moscow and St Petersburg

8-days/7-nights

 

Day 1

Arrive at Moscow airport where you will be met by a car and guide and transferred to your hotel.

 

Day 2:

Breakfast at your hotel

Excursion to the Kremlin – the heart of Moscow, including a visit to the cathedrals. The Kremlin was always the centre of political life and the Tsar’s Coronation Ceremony took place in one of the cathedrals.  All the Tsars before Peter the Great are buried at the Kremlin.  Includes an excursion to Armory Chambers which has a collection of art, crowns and jewelry from the time of the Tsars.

The day runs from 0900-1500 and includes a private car and guide.

Your own arrangements for dinner.  Tonight you might like to attend a concert or the ballet (depending on the programme).

 

Day 3:

Breakfast at hotel.  Morning at leisure.

12:00: Check out from your hotel.  Take an excursion to explore the city, including stopping at Red Square, Basilius Cathedral, Arbat, New Spasski-Sobor.  Also scheduled is a Metro Tour – the Moscow Metro is fascinating and well worth the visit.  There will be an opportunity to do some shopping on Arbat Street. 

Finally, you will be transferred to the Train Station to catch your train to St. Petersburg. 

Your car and guide will be with you from 12:00 – 23:00.

Overnight on the train in a first-class compartment (sleeps 2).

 

Day 4.

Breakfast on the train

8:00: A rrive St.Petersburg  You will be met by a car and driver, who will take you on an excursion around the city, with stops at the most famous sights.  These include the spit of Basil Island, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square, Church of the Saviour of the Spilled Blood, Bronze Horseman Monument etc.  You will also visit St. Peter and Paul Fortress which was the first building in the city, the highest fortress and the burial place of all Russian Tsars from Peter the Great onward.

15:00: Check in at your hotel 

 

Day 5.

Breakfast at your hotel

Excursion to the world famous Hermitage museum.  Founded by Catherine the Great the museum occupies 5 buildings and has, among others, a famous collection of Western-European Art that includes paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyke, French Impressionists.  The Winter Palace is a part of the Hermitage.

A further excursion to the 4^th largest domed cathedral in the world – St. Isaac’s.   It is decorated with 16 types of marble, various semi-precious stones, paintings and mosaics

Car and guide from 10:00 to 16:00.

 

Day 6.

Breakfast at hotel

Morning excursion to Pushkin to visit Catherine's Palace with the famous Amber Room.  Catherine’s Palace was founded in 1718 as a summer residence.  It was reconstructed several times in the XVIII-XIX centuries and now you can see interiors in baroque, classical and rococo styles.  During World War II the palace was occupied and very badly damaged.  Some rooms were restored quite recently.  Among them is the famous Amber Room.

After a break for lunch (lunch not included) visit Pavlovsk with its famous classical style palace.  Pavlovsk is located only 4 km from Catherine’s Palace.  It was started as a residence of the Tsars at the end of the XVIII century, and was built originally for Paul I.  Later it belonged to different grand dukes.  Its particular charm and homely atmosphere set it apart from other residences in the suburbs of St. Petersburg.

Car and guide from 10:00 to 16:00.

Day 7.

Breakfast at hotel

Tour to Peterhof - the fountain capital of the world and the oldest summer residence of the Russian Tsars built on the shore of the Guld of Finland.  Excursion around the Low Park with survey of the fountain cascades.  There are more than 100 fountains decorated with bronze and gilded or marble sculptures.  Visit to GrandPalace that was started by Peter the Great.  Gala and living rooms are in baroque and classical styles.

Car and guide from 09:30 to 15:00.

This is a good evening to plan to attend a concert or the ballet (see notes below).

 

Day 8.

Breakfast at your hotel.  Transfer (without guide) back to the airport in time for your departing flight.

 

Price - please ask us to quote you as this depends on the time of year, number of people travelling, and standard of accommodation.

 

We do recommend that you stay either in 4 or 5 star accommodation, although we can book 3-star if you specifically request this.

 

Price to include:   

Hotel accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis (4 or 5 star)

Entrance to all Museums, Attractions as detailed in the itinerary.

Air conditioned car or mini van with an English-speaking guide, as per the itinerary.

First class train fare from Moscow to St Petersburg in a 2-person sleeping compartment.

Not included:     

Flights

Travel Insurance

Russian Visa

Gratuities

Articles of a personal nature

 

We will provide all the information necessary for you to obtain your Russian visa.

This itinerary can easily be reversed – starting in St Petersburg and finishing in Moscow. We also highly recommend that you attend the ballet or a concert during your holiday – we will check the programme during your stay and are happy to obtain tickets for you (subject to availability). 

 

SO MUCH TO SEE, SO MUCH CHOICE!! CALL US TO DISCUSS ON 01256 882634 OR e-mail your enquiry