Moscow to St Petersburg

009390-W20

The land of the Tsars, bloody revolutions and architectural prowess – this is Russia! This trip reveals the best of Russia’s three most fascinating cities and includes entrance fees to the key monuments and museums. Free time is also essential to absorb the atmosphere and make the most of other optional visits.

Highlights
Details
Itinerary
Included
Not Included
Tour Notes
Map
Highlights
  • Guided tour of Moscow's Kremlin and Armoury
  • Discover Novgorod, the birthplace of Russia
  • Visit the famous Amber Room at Catherine Palace in Pushkin
  • Enjoy St Petersburg's sites including the Hermitage Museum & Faberge Museum
  • Immerse yourself in Russian history and culture
Details

Tour Size: min. 6 / max. 16

 

Tour Code:
009390-W20

Itinerary
Open All
Day 1: Moscow

Arrive in the early evening and transfer to your centrally located hotel in Moscow. The journey takes approximately 1 hour from Domodedovo Airport, during peak season this can be longer due to heavy traffic. The closest subway station to your hotel is Arbatskaya on the blue line (the only station where all four lines meet).

After dinner, take an evening walk to Red Square.

Day 2: Moscow - Red Square, Lenin's Tomb

This morning you can enjoy a guided walk across Red Square, past Lenin’s Mausoleum visiting the infamous leader’s tomb. After you gain your bearings, there is free time to visit the magnificent St Basil’s Cathedral, which was built by Ivan the Terrible and remains one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. You then hop aboard the efficient Metro system, for a short tour of some of the most beautiful stations.

Later there is time to see Moscow’s premier art collection at the Tretyakov Gallery, where the priceless Russian Icon collection is kept along with other highlights. Or you may choose to do some shopping at the souvenir market.

Evening visits to the Bolshoy Theatre are very popular and are available to book online (subject to availability). The circus is also a popular choice – however, live animals are used in some acts so this may not be to everyone’s taste. Please note that tickets can only be booked in advance.

Day 3: Kremlin, Armoury Museum - Novgorod

Today you will head straight to the highlight for many who visit Moscow, the Kremlin – a city within a city. It is still the seat of much political power and contains many of Russia’s greatest treasures. You will visit the magnificent cathedrals of St. Michael the Archangel, the Annunciation and the Assumption, as well as the Tsar Bell and the golden domes of Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Also included is a visit to the famous Armoury, a museum of opulent treasures including fabulous gold coaches and the famous Faberge eggs. There is some more free time in the afternoon before you meet your group at the hotel for the short transfer to the train station. There will be time to visit the shops to buy some snacks and drinks for the journey, before boarding your late night sleeper train to Novgorod.

Day 4: Novgorod

No other Russian city can compete with Novgorod in the variety and age of its historical monuments. You spend a relaxing morning on a gentle walking tour through the riverside Kremlin dating back to the 10th century. Take in the sites of St Sofia’s Cathedral Yaroslav’s Court and the Millennium Monument, created to celebrate 1000 years of Russia. The afternoon is free, a chance to experience a less visited city with a truly Russian feel. Most choose to head out into the countryside to enjoy the Yuriev Monastery and the Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, to learn more about rural life in Russia

For many Novgorod is a real highlight and a welcome break from hectic Moscow before moving on to St Petersburg.

Day 5: Pushkin

In the morning you transfer to the small town of Pushkin to see the incredible Catherine Palace and gardens. Every room in this huge palace is as opulent as the last, lined with gold and marble. The highlight, however, is The Amber Room, which was dismantled by the Nazis during the war and its content lost somewhere in East Prussia. It has recently been restored to its former glory and is a sight to behold. After the tour there is free time to enjoy the gardens, visit the Lyceum School where Pushkin studied, or return to the hotel for a traditional banya a traditional Russian sauna.

Day 6: St Petersburg

After a short transfer, by train, you arrive in one of the finest and most extravagant cities in Europe – St Petersburg. This is a relatively young city, which only celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2003. It was the vision of Peter the Great and was part of his desire to bring ‘old Russia’ into the modern European age. Much of its design and work was contributed to by foreign designers and craftsmen – the result being some of the finest 18th and 19th-century buildings to be found in Europe, but with a distinct Russian influence. Your hotel is located just off Nevsky Prospekt, St Petersburg’s most famous street, full of fine mansions, cathedrals and shops, all with a story to tell. Enjoy an orientation tour before free time for an optional visit inside the Peter and Paul Fortress and the famous cathedral that contains the tombs of the Romanovs, St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church of the Spilt Blood. You will meet your group again in the early evening, for a visit to the new Fabergé Museum housing 4,000 pieces of fine decorative art, the highlight of which is a group of nine imperial Easter eggs created by Fabergé for the last two Tsars.

Day 7: St Petersburg

Make the most of your final full day in Russia, with a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, it was founded in 1764. Here every room is a piece of art in its own right, you will marvel at the Pavilion Hall, Peacock Room, and Hanging Gardens and that’s before you’ve even seen any art! The afternoon is free. Why not take in the sights of the city by boat on a relaxing canal trip?

Please note that this day may operate in reverse due to entrance slots at the Hermitage.

Day 8: Deptarture from St. Petersburg

After breakfast, there is some free time before the flight back home. Or, you can ask us to quote you on some extra time in this stunning city, or onward travel to nearby Finland or the Baltics.

Included
  • 6 nights of accommodation at comfortable, 3* hotels; 1 night sleeper train
  • Travel by minibus, train and metro
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Tour leader throughout
  • Letter of invitation (required for Russian Visa)
Not Included
  • Flights to Moscow/from St. Petersburg
  • Optional tours
  • Gratuities to guide and driver
  • Passport and visa fees, vaccinations as required
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
Tour Notes

Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.

Map