St Petes & Moscow – 6 days land only

{tab Description}

- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 4 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 overnight train from St. Petersburg - Moscow in a sleeper cabin including bed linen
- Breakfast daily
- Assistance of an English speaking guide
- Entrance fees to the museums as per itinerary
- Touring as per itinerary

{tab Day 1}

St Petersburg

Welcome to Russia & the start of your holiday! Upon arrival you will be met at St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport & transferred to your hotel for check-in. Dependent on your time of arrival you may enjoy a city orientation tour on the way to the hotel. The rest of the evening if free - your guide can recommend some local bars & restaurants for you to try out.

{tab Day 2}

Sightseeing

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in St Petersburg, the Jewel in Russia’s Imperial Crown. Today remnants of the city’s grandiose past can be seen in its beautiful historic centre; made up of a series of canals this UNESCO World Heritage site is dotted with elegant baroque bridges, impressive rococo architecture & spectacular palaces. We will start the day with a visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, a former political prison. Within its grounds is the SS Peter & Paul Cathedral, an 18th century church that houses the tombs of the Romanov Tsars. With its marbled columns, amazing chandeliers & incredible carved & gilded icons, the church creates a reverent setting for the tombs of the Romanov monarchs

This afternoon we will enjoy a guided visit to the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Made up of five interlinked buildings, the museums boasts one of the world’s largest art collections, with exhibits ranging from the Stone Age to present day, including works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Da Vinci & more.

{tab Day 3}

Peterhof or Catherine Palace

St Petersburg - Moscow. Today we visit a summer palace of the Tsars, either Peterhof in summer or Catherine Palace in winter. Palatial Peterhof is the former summer residence of Peter the Great. Peterhof Park is famous for its array of magnificent gold fountains, with highlights including the Grand Cascade, which comprises 64 different fountains & over 200 bronze statues.

Originally commissioned as a modest building for the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine Palace was later transformed by their daughter into the blue-&-white fairytale palace it is today. Located on the tsar’s suburban estate - Tsarkoe Selo, the palace provides a fascinating insight into the history & luxurious lifestyles of the tsars. Later, we transfer to the train station for our overnight journey to Moscow.

{tab Day 4}

Red Square

Upon arrival in Moscow we will head to our hotel for check-in before hopping on-board the metro to make our way to legendary Red Square. At the southern end of the square is the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, with its colourful tent roofs & twisting onion shaped domes. Here you will also find the towering red walls of the Kremlin, with the rooftops of palaces & cathedrals peeking over the top. Covering the entire eastern side of the square is the elaborate facade of the glamorous GUM shopping mall.

From here we will head on to the mighty Kremlin - the seat of Russia's political power, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the complex. Highlights will include the armony, a series of impressive cathedrals & churches, including the Cathedral of the Annunciation - a breathtaking cathedral crowned by gold onion domes, & Ivan the Great Bell Tower with its tsar bell.

{tab Day 5}

Tretyakov Gallery

Today you will really get an appreciation of Russian fine art, from in its art galleries & museums, to where it finds itself in every day life. First stop will be the Tretyakov Gallery which houses the best examples of Russian art, from icons to modern art, including Soviet propaganda paintings. This afternoon, we will take a ride on the metro, built during Stalin’s rule as “palaces for the people”. Lavish designs, with columns & chandeliers, sculptures & paintings, they truly are a sight to behold.

{tab Day 6}

Moscow

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast & hotel check-out at 12 noon. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward travel.