Overview:
This guided tour of Russia introduces you to the highlights of Moscow and St. Petersburg and gives you the additional opportunity to explore the Golden Ring, a collection of small towns to the Northeast of Moscow. These ancient towns played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church and preserve the memory of the most important and significant events in Russian history. The towns have been called "open air museums" and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12th–18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. These towns are among the most picturesque in Russia and prominently feature Russia's famous onion domes.
Departure Dates: no departures
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Moscow
On arrival in Moscow, you will be met and transferred for check-in at Radisson BLU Hotel Belorusskaya****
Day 2 (Sunday): Moscow
After breakfast at the hotel, your English speaking tour guide will meet you at Reception at 09:45 for a full day panoramic orientation tour of the city, viewing the famous landmarks and places to which you may return at your leisure. The tour sights include Red Square, the Kremlin, Sparrow Hills, Bolshoi Theatre, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Victory Park, Novodevichy Convent, the White House, and the famous Moscow streets (entrances are not included, only photo stops). Time for some lunch in the city and in the afternoon you’ll visit the Tretyakov Art Gallery.
Day 3 (Monday): Moscow – Vladimir
After breakfast, you will continue to explore the sights of Moscow. You will explore the grounds of the magnificent Kremlin and visit one of the cathedrals. Within the Kremlin you will see the fascinating Armoury Museum, your guide will include a visit to this spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your journey to Vladimir (16:45 – 18:50). Upon arrival in Vladimir, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation at Hotel Pushkarskaya Sloboda. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Tour of the Golden Ring towns, departure to St. Petersburg
After breakfast, check out form the hotel and your tour departs for Suzdal, which is situated 35 km North of Vladimir. Suzdal is "architecturally protected" and as your guide takes you on the city tour, you will feel you have slipped back in time when visiting the Kremlin grounds, the Cross-vaulted Chamber, Cathedral of Nativity and the Spaso-Efimievsky Monastery with bell ringing. You will also visit the museum of Wooden Architecture in summer and the Gold Room in winter.
Tour will be followed by a visit to Bogolubovo - an urban-type settlement with 4 thousand people located some 10 km north-east of Vladimir. Bogolyubovo was built between 1158 and 1165 while it was the residence of the Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River is a symbol of mediaeval Russia, listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
In the afternoon, after having lunch, we return to Vladimir for a city tour. Vladimir is one of the most ancient of Russian cities, founded in 990 by Kyiv prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. During the city tour you will visit St. Demetrius Cathedral and the Museum of Lacquer Miniature.
Dinner in Vladimir followed by an overnight train from Vladimir to St. Petersburg (22:21 – 10:00). Accommodation in 1st class 2-berh compartments.
Day 5 (Wednesday): St. Petersburg
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, you will be met by your tour guide and taken for a panoramic orientation tour of the city. You will see the major sights of this beautiful city. The Peter and Paul Fortress and a passing along Nevskij Prospect. St Isaac's Cathedral is also on our route as well as the Church of the Spilled Blood (entrances are not included today, only photo stops). The Peter and Paul Fortress, which guards the city of St. Petersburg is located on the island facing the Hermitage and River Neva. It was built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, but it was never used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There, a son of Peter the Great, Prince Alexei, a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, the writer Radischev, Decembrists, narodniks and revolutionaries were held prisoners. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, contains the remains of Russian rulers since 1725.
Accommodation at the Domina Prestige Hotel***** or Grand Hotel Emerald*****.
Day 6 (Thursday): St. Petersburg
After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Hermitage - the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. This is one of the largest museums in the world. Founded in 1764, its collection includes over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Roden, Rembrandt, Rubens, French impressionists, a feast indeed for art lovers.
Day 7 (Friday): St. Petersburg
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by your guide to visit one of St. Petersburg’s most prized palaces. In the village of Pushkin (formally Tsarskoye Selo) 29km south of St. Petersburg, is Catherine’s Summer Palace. The construction of the palace for the Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around it and, in the middle of 18th century, Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory. Not far from Catherine's Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. Catherine Palace (Jan - Apr & Oct - Dec) Petrodvorets Grand Palace and Gardens (May - Sep)
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure from St. Petersburg
After breakfast at your hotel, check out and your departure transfer will be provided to the airport about 3 hours and 30 minutes before your flight.
Package Includes:
- Direct flights from London Heathrow on British Airways
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler
- 2 nights' accommodation in Moscow at Holiday Inn Lesnaya Hotel
- 1 night's accommodation in Suzdal at Sokol Hotel
- 3 nights' accommodation in St. Petersburg at Radisson Sonya Hotel
- Transfers in Moscow, Vladimir and St. Petersburg
- 2nd class seats on train Moscow – Vladimir
- 1st class 2-berth compartment on an overnight train Vladimir – St. Petersburg
- Services of English speaking guides
- Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Breakfasts at the hotels
- 1 lunch on Day 4
- 2 dinners on Days 3 and 4
- Visa support documents (tourist confirmation and tourist voucher)
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
Not included in price:
- Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
- Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
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