Vodka Shot – 6 days land only

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- Arrival airport/hotel transfer
- An overnight train ticket from St Petersburg to Moscow (open sleeper cabin including bed linen)
- 4 nights 3* hotel accommodation
- Breakfast daily, a lunch & a dinner
- A Moscow Metro travel card valid for 6 journeys
- Guided sightseeing in Mosow & St Petersburg
- Touring as per itinerary
 
 
** Excludes entrance fees of approximately USD40 - USD50 per person

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St Petersburg

Tuesday. Welcome to Russia & the start of your holiday! Arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport to your hotel & check in. Later tonight you'll be treated to dinner with the rest of your group at the hotel, followed by an informative welcome meeting. Remainder of the evening at leisure - your tour guide can recommend some local bars for you to try out.

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The Hermitage

This morning a driving tour provides an introduction to the beautiful city of St Petersburg. Travelling by bus we will make our way along the famed Nevsky Prospekt, past the museum & university districts and a few stops will be made along the way to see the magnificent St Isaac's Cathedral & The Bronze Horseman. Later, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Hermitage - which houses one of the biggest & best art collections on earth. The rest of the day is free for you to further explore. Most of the city sights are dotted along & just off the main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt. It’s an easy city to find your bearings & get around. St Petersburg has a spirited restaurant, bar & jazz club scene, plus some of Russia’s best beers.

During our time in St Petersburg there may be the chance to join one of our optional evening excursions, such as a canal cruise (May to September), a traditional Cossacks performance or a night at the Russian Ballet. There may even be the chance to try your hand at preparing Russian cuisine with an interactive cooking class. All optional excursions are subject to availability, & are booked and payable locally.

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St Pete's sightseeing

St Petersburg - Moscow. We start today's touring with a visit to Peter & Paul Fortress and the Peter & Paul Cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Then we'll head out of the city to explore the beautiful gardens of Peterhof 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 are a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations, with spectacular gold fountains. At Catherine Palace it's the exterior and the interiors of this lavishly decorated building that really catch the eye - and the lavish Amber room is a real highlight! After stopping for a hearty traditional lunch at a local restaurant, we'll continue on for a guided tour of the exquisite interior of The Church on Spilled Blood.

Meeting back at the hotel at an agreed time, we gather our bags & travel to the railway station for our overnight journey by train to Moscow.

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Moscow's Red Square

Early this morning, we arrive into Moscow. Taking the metro, we will make our way to the legendary Red Square - the starting place of our guided walking tour. Here we will take in sights such as the epitome of Russian power – the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum & the ritzy GUM department store. At the south end of the square, feast your eyes on the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral. Spend the remainder of the day at your own leisure.

During our stay in Moscow there will be the chance to join some of our optional evening excursions, such as a night at the famous Moscow Circus (Oct - May), a traditional Cossack Show or a Moscow by Night coach tour.

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The Kremlin

This morning we head back to Red Square for a tour of the Kremlin - Russia's political powerhouse, with a guided walk through the grounds. Here we’ll see numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals & the tsar bell - the largest bell that never rang. Later there will be free time for you to further explore the area. Why not venture inside St Basil's Cathedral, or pay your respects to the grandfather of Communism at Lenin's Mausoleum.

Alternatively we offer an optional guided tour of a formerly top secret Cold War bunker today which can be booked locally. Up until recently this Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker was a secret symbol of Soviet Power. Hidden beneath an ordinary two storey apartment building in Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this 75,000 square foot facility was constructed covertly, in the 1950s, to protect against the threat of a US nuclear attack. In the 1990s, with the Cold War thawing, this bunker came off the top secret list & is now open to the public.

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Moscow

Sunday. Our tour comes to an end after breakfast & hotel check out.