Family Tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow

Welcome to Moscow, Russia's largest and most vibrant city! Your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check-in you can relax in your room, grab a bite to eat in the hotel's restaurant, or visit the surrounding sites. We recommend taking the opportunity to adjust to the time zone so that you will be well-rested for your eventful program the following day.

Moscow is often described as a modern city where life is fast and busy. However, the Russian capital can also be children-friendly and fun to explore. We created this tour to show you the city highlights while making your journey interesting and fascinating for the whole family.

Day 2: Moscow City Tour and Kremlin

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you on one of the most captivating tours in the world. You will observe the colorful interior of St. Basil's Cathedral and climb its winding stone staircase. In the Armoury Chamber in the Kremlin, you will see royal carriges and clothing, service and ceremonial armours, weapons and dishware. Also inside the Kremlin is the gigantic Tsar Bell and the famous Tsar Cannon, unique examples of old Russian casting. Next is the World War II Memorial in the Vorobyevi Hills Park, then the KGB buidling, the GUM department store, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The tour will last about eight hours.

Recommended Evening Activity: Moscow State Circus, $75 per person 

*Optional: If you want your children to spend their day on the playground or in an amusement park while you go on the tour, ask your Travel Specialist for the services of a professional babysitter.

Day 3: Moscow Miracle City

Today you will visit the Miracle City ("Chud Grad") in Izmailovo. You and your children will have the unique opportunity to participate in master-classes of traditional Russian handcrafting, such as painting the Matryoshka nesting dolls, carving wooden toys and animals, or cooking Russian pelmeni. You will be able to make souveniers and take your exclusive pieces of work home to friends and relatives. The duration of the tour is six hours.

Recommended Afternoon Activity: "Atriland" entertainment center for children. The largest amusement center in Moscow has attractions like carting, shooting, bowling for kids, an adventure playground, disco, and cafes for children. Ask your Travel Specialist for more information.

This evening you will depart from Moscow by express train Sapsan and will arrive to St. Petersburg in 3.5 hours. Your guide will meet you at the train station and will take you the hotel for check. The rest of the evening you can relax and take a stroll to the near by restaurants.

NOTE: LATE CHECK OUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PACKAGE. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO CHECK OUT IN THE MORNING. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR BAGS AT THE HOTEL.

Day 4: St. Petersburg City Tour

Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia’s most beautiful city! St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia until the Revolution of 1917, but remains Russia's most dynamic and amazing city. With the canals of Venice, the palaces of Paris, and the churches of Rome, you will not be disappointed by its beauty and culture.

You will have the best guides in St. Petersburg to make the most of your visit to one of the top ten travel destinations in the world. They will take you on a panoramic tour of the city with stops at the Peter and Paul Fortress and the cruiser Aurora.

The Peter and Paul Fortress was designed to defend the city from naval attacks, but was used as a political prison for dissidents of the tsarist regime and as a museum during the soviet era. The fortress now stands as the tomb for the Russian imperial family.

The Cruiser Aurora Museum in St. Petersburg fired the shot that started the Bolshevik Revolution. The Aurora was one of three Pallada-class cruisers, built in St. Petersburg for service in the Far East  (on the Pacific). All ships of this class served during the Russo-Japanese War.

In the evening, you can take your children to "Venice", St. Petersburg's ice-cream and pastry cafe on the Nevsky Prospect.

Day 5: Hermitage

The Hermitage Museum is to St. Petersburg what the Kremlin is to Moscow. Located in the gorgeous Winter Palace, it sits in the very heart of the city, a palace so beautiful that not even the Bolsheviks could destroy it during their takeover in 1917. They say that if you were to spend three minutes by each exhibit in the Hermitage it would take you three years to see everything. With an experienced guide leading you through the sea of heart-stopping exhibits, you will see the best of St. Petersburg’s art in two hours. You will take a boat ride along the beautiful rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. We will even sail part of the Neva River. The duration of the tour is four hours.

*Optional: Request the services of an English-speaking photographer to take memorable pictures of your children in St. Petersburg.

Recommended Evening Activity: Dino Park, an amusement center with cars and bikes, merry-go-rounds, labyrinths, and air hockey (for children up to 8 years old). Ask your Travel Specialist for more information.

Day 6: Peterhof

This day is reserved for a trip outside of the city to Peterhof Palace. Peterhof is most famous for its fountain park, which rivals that of Versailles. Its sprawling gardens, ornate fountains, and lavish decorations will enthrall you. Duration of the tour is six hours.

Tip: It takes about one hour to get to Peterhof by car. A boat ride is an alternative option that is available during the summer (price $35 per traveler).

In the evening you can take your children to "La Strada", a restaurant where you can enjoy Italian cuisine while your children play in the play room.

Day 7: Free Day

This day is left free for you to explore the city on your own. We recommend taking a walk down the Nesvky Prospect and visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood was built to commemorate one of Russia's greatest emperors. Alexander II is most famous for liberating the Russian serfs two years before the abolition of slavery in the U.S. After he was assassinated, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood was erected in his honor.

Recommended Evening Activity: Folklore show with traditional dances, songs, and music at the Nikolaevsky Palace, $60 per person

Optional: Ask your Travel Specialist for the services of a professional English-speaking photographer, if you wish to take photos of your child and family.

Day 8: End of the Tour

Your driver will take you to the airport. You will be leaving Russia with a lifetime of memories from her two beautiful capitals, Moscow and St Petersburg. We hope you return to this enigmatic country soon!