Tour of Russia

The vast nation of Russia is not only the largest country in the world, it’s also been one of the most mysterious for decades. It’s a land with an incredibly rich cultural heritage and tradition that has been hidden from view for many years.

Like an early spring flower coming into bloom after winter, Russia is bursting with life, energy and color. The great cities of Moscow and St Petersburg are proudly showing off their wealth of history to the world. There are over a thousand years of art and architecture waiting to be discovered, mixed with a contemporary buzz and excitement that has to be experienced rather than described.

This treasure trove of forests, lakes, palaces and cathedrals is becoming massively popular with tourists from across the globe. The gray, monolithic buildings of the mid-twentieth century are becoming as popular with visitors as the colorful domes of St Basil’s or the imperial splendor of St Petersburg, as every facet of the nation’s incredible past is opening up for inspection and enjoyment.

Day 1 – Transfer to your hotel in Moscow

Included: Transfer to hotel
Excluded: lunch and dinner
Transfer to your hotel in MoscowArrive in Moscow and enjoy some free time to relax or to start exploring the historic city. Choose from one of the many restaurants for dinner and perhaps experience some of the city’s night life.

Day 2 – A day at the Kremlin and Armory

Included: Transfers, Licensed English speaking guide, Lunch and admissions.
Excluded: dinner
A day at the Kremlin and ArmoryStart your visit to the Russian capital with a tour of the world famous Kremlin or ‘fortress’. The Moscow Kremlin is the official home of the President of Russia and it houses several museums, four palaces and four cathedrals.Here you’ll see the Tsar Bell, the largest bell in the world, and the Tsar Cannon. You’ll visit the Cathedrals of the Annunciation, the Archangel Michael and the Assumption and stop at the old Arbat to look for souvenirs.Other sights not to miss include the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great and the Church of the Twelve Apostles, two wonderful examples of Russian church architecture with its richly decorated interiors.
Following the lunch break your tour will move on the Armory museum. One of the oldest museums in Moscow it houses a vast collection of art including a wide range of historic artifacts and jewelry from the times of the Tsars. There are also weapons and armor, including that of Boris Godunov and the jewel-encrusted helmet created for Tsar Michael. Work by the famous goldsmith Peter Faberge is on display, including ten of his amazing decorated eggs.
You’ll then have time to explore the sights on your own and to do some shopping before being taken back to your hotel.

Day 3 – Moscow City and Metro Tour – 6 Hours

Included: Transfers, Licensed English speaking guide, lunch and admissions.
Excluded: Dinner
The City Bus Tour is a great introduction to the city of Moscow. As you’re driven around you’ll get an overview of the different neighborhoods, famous buildings and landmarks, the palaces, museums and cathedrals. Make a note of those that interest you most so that you can plan to return to them later.The tour includes an opportunity to experience the panorama of the Kremlin from the Sophiiskaya Embankment, as well as to see sights such as Lubyanka Square, Tverskaya Street, Christ the Savior Cathedral, New Arbat Street, the White House of Russia, Victory Park, Lenin Hills with the Moscow State University, as well as many other Moscow streets and squares.After lunch you’ll experience the city from a different perspective as you’re taken on a 2 hours tour of the historic Moscow Metro. With over 180 miles of track and 180 stations, it’s one of the busiest metros in the world. It also contains some of the most ornately decorated stations in the world, boasting wonderful example of Socialist realist artwork. Your tour takes you to many of the major stations including Mayakovskaya, Arbatskaya, Ploschad Revolucii, Komsomolskaya and Kievskaya. At each stop you’ll have time to marvel at the impressive décor and architecture on display.
At the end of the tour you’ll be returned to your hotel.

Day 4 – 2 days 1 night – Golden Ring Cities Trip

City tour at Vladimir and Suzdal Included: Licensed English speaking guide, admissions, lunch.
Excluded: Dinner
This excursion of 2 days and 1 night takes you to some of the ‘Golden Ring’ cities, ancient towns north-east of Moscow with a rich architectural and religious heritage.Your first stop is at Vladimir, briefly the capital of Russia in the twelfth century and ravaged by the invading Mongols in 1238. It is now more like a provincial town with a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the busyness of larger cities.You’ll be a taken on a tour which includes the Golden Gate, originally built in 1164, and the Assumption Cathedral with its five domes. You’ll also see Dmitry’s Cathedral, the Chambers and the Water Tower.
Following a break for lunch you’ll be taken along the central avenue of the city and down a number of smaller streets, giving you an insight into the lives of local people. You’ll also be shown some quieter residential areas.
Next stop on the journey is nearby Suzdal, another Golden Ring city. Here you will visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture, an open-air collection of practical and beautiful wooden buildings with reconstructed interiors.
As the day draws to a close you will be dropped at your hotel.

Day 5 – Half day tour at Suzdal and transfer back to Moscow

Included: Transfer, Licensed English speaking guide, admissions and lunch.
Excluded: Dinner
You’ll be met at your hotel and taken on a tour of Suzdal, one the religious centers of the Russian Orthodox Church and home to a wide variety of beautiful religious buildings.The tour includes the Euthimiev Monastery and the Pokrovsky Convent. Don’t forget your camera as you explore a town that feels more like a country village but boasts an incredible number of exciting and attractive buildings.Feel free to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant (not included) and don’t miss the chance to sample Suzdal’s famous Medovuha, a light alcoholic drink made from local honey.
Your tour also includes a visit to workshops where you can see ceramics being made using traditional methods.
At the end of the day you’ll return to Moscow.

Day 6 – Last Day in Moscow – 5 hours

Included: Licensed English speaking guide, admission, lunch and dinner
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you’ll be taken to see the New Tretyakov Gallery and Sculpture Park. Based in the Central House of Artists on the Moskva River, this collection of modern Russian art includes work by Kandinsky, Chagall, Malevich and many other 20th century artists.Next stop is Red Square, the centre of Moscow and for many, the heart of all Russia. This huge space has been used as a market place and a point from which the Tsars addressed their people. In more recent times it has been the center-piece of the famous Victory Day parades where the Soviet government would show off its military strength. Red Square has also hosted live concerts by Paul McCartney, Shakira and other performers.Lenin’s Mausoleum, the resting place of the embalmed remains of the founder of the Soviet Union, stands on one side of the square.
Another building dominating the square is St Basil’s Cathedral, an instantly recognizable example of Russian architecture. It was erected in 1561 and originally called Trinity Church.
After lunch you’ll visit Izmailovsky Park and street market, where you’ll have an opportunity to shop for souvenirs. Take advantage of the chance to buy gifts and momentos and to bargain with the stall holders, before returning to your hotel.

Day 7 – Transfer from Moscow to St. Petersburg – 4 to 5 hours

Included: Transfer, Licensed English speaking guide, admissions, lunch and dinner
Exclude: Airfare
On arrival at St Petersburg you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken on a visit to Peter and Paul’s fortress. This was constructed to protect the city from possible attack by Sweden but it was never used for military purposes and was soon converted into a political prison.The next stop is Yusopov Palace, the home of one of Russia’s wealthiest families. Descended from the Khans they owned huge estates and factories and occupied many senior political positions in the time of the Tsars. The building was the site of the 1916 murder of the influential Russian monk Rasputin. It was taken over by the state after the Russian revolution and is now a museum.The next destination is St Isaac’s Cathedral, with one of the largest church domes in the world which took 40 years to build. The interior was originally covered in detailed paintings, many of which have been converted into mosaic form.
At the end of the day you’ll enjoy a dinner at a typical Russian restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Day 8 – Tour of Pushkin and Church of the Savior on Split Blood – 7 hours

Included: Airfare, Licensed English speaking guide, admission, lunch and dinner.
You’ll be taken to the nearby town of Pushkin, about 15 miles south of St Petersburg and originally founded by the Tsars as a summer retreat.Your visit will include Catherine Palace, established by Catherine the Great and home of the famed Amber Room, a huge hall which was decorated with up to 6 tons of amber before being looted during the Second World War. It has now been largely reconstructed.Stroll in the stylish gardens that surround the palace and wander among its attractive pavilions as you soak up the atmosphere of what was once the Tsar’s vacation home.
After a lunch at Russian Inn you’ll be taken to the Church of the Savior on Split Blood. It is built over the spot where Tsar Alexander II was fatally attacked in 1881, and the section of cobbled path on which he was riding when assaulted is preserved inside the richly decorated building. The church combines older Russian styles with 20th century artwork and contains over 7,500 square meters of mosaics.
Following the tour of the church you will be taken on a canal boat ride.

Day 9 – Tour of Peterhof and Hermitage – 7 hours

Included: Transfer, Licensed English speaking guide, admission, lunch.
Your final day begins with a tour of Peterhof, a series of palace and gardens that were set out by Peter the Great. Admire the waterfalls and fountains, the Grand Palace and the Upper and Lower Gardens.After lunch at a park café you’ll embark on a hydrofoil trip to nearby Hermitage. Here you’ll see the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage and the Gold Room, a series of palaces full of valuable artworks and with highly decorated interiors. This is feast of artistry with which to end your tour.You will then be transferred to your hotel or the airport.