Treasures of Two Capitals
Our phone: 1-800-884-1721
URL: http://www.travelallrussia.com/st-petersburg-tours/treasures-of-two-capitals-moscow-and-st-petersburg3-tour40.html
Tour details
Dates: any
Type: private tour
Price per traveler: from $2,336 per person
Included in the price:
- All museum entrance fees, special no-line admission and finest guides in entire Russia to show you Russia's amazing history and sights;
- Russian visas, full visa processing service;
- Your own private driver for airport transfers and tours;
- Train tickets to Grand Express train from Moscow to St. Petersburg (overnight) or high-speed Sapsan train;
- Your choice of finest hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg:
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3-star package: $2,336 per person - Moscow Hotel Sovietskiy (standard room)
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4-star upgrade: $2,630 per person - Moscow Courtyard Marriott or Assambleya Nikitskaya Hotel (Standard room) |
| 5-star upgrade: $4,263 per person - Moscow: Hotel National |
Not included in the price: airfares
Our price promise: once you have made a deposit for your tour, we are promising you that your price will stay the same, regardless of any currency fluctuations.
The mighty walls of the Kremlin, the golden cupolas of Russia’s ancient churches, the priceless art of the Hermitage, and the lavish palaces of St. Petersburg await you on this journey to Russia. Led by the best guides in the country, these private tours will introduce you to a world of majestic history and culture. Come find out why the Treasures of Two Capitals is our most popular private tour!
Welcome to Moscow, the historic capital of Russia and its largest and most vibrant city! You will arrive around noon and your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check in you may relax in your room, grab a bite to eat at the hotel, or visit nearby restaurants. We recommend that you rest in preparation for your eventful week ahead.
Your journey today will take you to Red Square, Vorob'evy Hills Park’s World War II Memorial, and the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Savior. You will even get to trek inside the mighty Kremlin and the world-famous St. Basil's Cathedral.
The Kremlin is one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia. It was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from Mongol invaders. Moscow has since outgrown the Kremlin’s defensive walls, but the fortress has remained a symbol of power. Today it is a museum of Russian history and the location of important government ceremonies, including the inauguration of the president and meetings with foreign leaders.
St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow. This colorful cathedral with its bright onion domes and red brick accents is also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed and was built between 1555 and 1561.
Today you will go on a short ride through Moscow’s marble-arched subway paradise before stopping at the city’s best art museum, the Tretyakov Picture Gallery. In the evening you will board an overnight train to Russia's second capital, St. Petersburg.
Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia's northern capital! The culmination of the world’s best cities, St Petersburg is the crown jewel of travel destinations. 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 go on a panoramic tour of the city with stops at Peter and Paul Fortress, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. The tour will last four hours, leaving the rest of the afternoon free to rest or explore the city on your own.
The Peter and Paul Fortress has taken on many roles except the one it was designed for – to defend the city from sea invaders. It was a political prison for dissidents of the tsarist regime, a museum during the rise of the Soviets, and has been a tomb for Russian emperors since the collapse of the USSR.
St Isaac's Cathedral is among the most imposing cathedrals in Europe. Its decadent golden cupolas, sweeping observation deck, lush interior decorations, and ornate artifacts make it one of the most popular sites in St Petersburg.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood was built to commemorate one of Russia's greatest emperors, Alexander II. It was built on the spot of the emperor’s infamous death at the hands of a radical dissident who threw a bomb into his carriage. Alexander II is most famous for liberating the Russian serfs two years before the abolition of slavery in the US. This tour will focus on the exterior of the cathedral, but if you would like to explore inside the church, you may visit it during free time.
NOTE: EARLY CHECK IN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.
Russia’s best collection of art is located in the ancient home of Russia’s emperors, the very place where they rose to power and ruled one-fifth of the world's territories. It was also here that the Bolsheviks overthrew their reign and attempted to destroy the palace, but its artistic value was so immense that they transformed it into the museum it is today. If you were to spend three minutes by each exhibit in the Hermitage, it would take you three years to see them all. Under the direction of your experienced private guide, however, you will see the best of the Hermitage in four hours before exploring the palace on your own.
Optional: tour of the Diamond Room, a jewelry collection from 300 BC to present day ($115 per person).
Visit to Diamond Room should be booked at least one month before the tour!
You have two options for today.
Peterhof Palace is a royal residence on the outskirts of St. Petersburg most famous for its Versailles-inspired fountain park. It was the official summer residence of Russian tsars and played host to such rulers as Peter the Great. Your tour of the palace will last six hours.
Note: It takes about one hour to get to Peterhof by car. A boat ride is an alternative mode of transportation available during the summer ($35/traveler).
OR
Catherine's Palace was a gift from Peter the Great to his beloved wife Catherine. Located in the town of Pushkin (also known as Tsarskoe Selo), it is most famous for its Amber Room that was looted during World War II by German troops during the siege of St. Petersburg. The remnants of the room were recovered by American troops but took more than 50 years to reconstruct.
Today is the final day of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport where you will leave with a lifetime of memories from Russia’s two amazing capitals. We hope you return to this enigmatic country soon!
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Moscow
Welcome to Moscow, the historic capital of Russia and its largest and most vibrant city! You will arrive around noon and your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check in you may relax in your room, grab a bite to eat at the hotel, or visit nearby restaurants. We recommend that you rest in preparation for your eventful week ahead.
Day 2: The Red Square and the Kremlin
Your journey today will take you to Red Square, Vorob'evy Hills Park’s World War II Memorial, and the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Savior. You will even get to trek inside the mighty Kremlin and the world-famous St. Basil's Cathedral.
The Kremlin is one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia. It was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from Mongol invaders. Moscow has since outgrown the Kremlin’s defensive walls, but the fortress has remained a symbol of power. Today it is a museum of Russian history and the location of important government ceremonies, including the inauguration of the president and meetings with foreign leaders.
St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow. This colorful cathedral with its bright onion domes and red brick accents is also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed and was built between 1555 and 1561.
Day 3: Moscow - St. Petersburg
Today you will go on a short ride through Moscow’s marble-arched subway paradise before stopping at the city’s best art museum, the Tretyakov Picture Gallery. In the evening you will board an overnight train to Russia's second capital, St. Petersburg.
The Moscow Subway was constructed by the Soviets not only to streamline the city's transportation, but also to celebrate their accomplishments. The entire system is a work of socialist realism with delicate crystal chandeliers and twisting granite columns. On top of immense cultural value, Moscow's subway is a super-efficient transportation powerhouse that carries three million passengers daily and spans the entire city in a star-like fashion. It can also serve as a nuclear shelter in times of war.
The Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's most famous collection of art and one of the world's top art galleries. The gallery began as the private collection of wealthy Muscovite merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who lived in the 19th century and donated his collection to the city.
Note: Economy air, economy express train, or first class overnight train tickets to St. Petersburg are included in the price of your tour, as are transfers to the airport or train station. If you fly you will spend an extra night in St. Petersburg, but if you take a train you will experience the famous Russian train system.
NOTE: LATE CHECKOUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PACKAGE. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO CHECKOUT IN THE MORNING. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR BAGS AT THE HOTEL OR YOU CAN REQUEST A LATE CHECKOUT. TO ARRANGE LATE CHECKOUT IN ADVANCE, PLEASE ASK YOUR TOUR SPECIALIST.
The Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's most famous collection of art and one of the world's top art galleries. The gallery began as the private collection of wealthy Muscovite merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who lived in the 19th century and donated his collection to the city.
Note: Economy air, economy express train, or first class overnight train tickets to St. Petersburg are included in the price of your tour, as are transfers to the airport or train station. If you fly you will spend an extra night in St. Petersburg, but if you take a train you will experience the famous Russian train system.
NOTE: LATE CHECKOUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PACKAGE. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO CHECKOUT IN THE MORNING. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR BAGS AT THE HOTEL OR YOU CAN REQUEST A LATE CHECKOUT. TO ARRANGE LATE CHECKOUT IN ADVANCE, PLEASE ASK YOUR TOUR SPECIALIST.
Day 4: St. Petersburg City Tour
Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia's northern capital! The culmination of the world’s best cities, St Petersburg is the crown jewel of travel destinations. 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 go on a panoramic tour of the city with stops at Peter and Paul Fortress, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. The tour will last four hours, leaving the rest of the afternoon free to rest or explore the city on your own.
The Peter and Paul Fortress has taken on many roles except the one it was designed for – to defend the city from sea invaders. It was a political prison for dissidents of the tsarist regime, a museum during the rise of the Soviets, and has been a tomb for Russian emperors since the collapse of the USSR.
St Isaac's Cathedral is among the most imposing cathedrals in Europe. Its decadent golden cupolas, sweeping observation deck, lush interior decorations, and ornate artifacts make it one of the most popular sites in St Petersburg.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood was built to commemorate one of Russia's greatest emperors, Alexander II. It was built on the spot of the emperor’s infamous death at the hands of a radical dissident who threw a bomb into his carriage. Alexander II is most famous for liberating the Russian serfs two years before the abolition of slavery in the US. This tour will focus on the exterior of the cathedral, but if you would like to explore inside the church, you may visit it during free time.
NOTE: EARLY CHECK IN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.
Day 5: The Winter Palace and the Hermitage
Russia’s best collection of art is located in the ancient home of Russia’s emperors, the very place where they rose to power and ruled one-fifth of the world's territories. It was also here that the Bolsheviks overthrew their reign and attempted to destroy the palace, but its artistic value was so immense that they transformed it into the museum it is today. If you were to spend three minutes by each exhibit in the Hermitage, it would take you three years to see them all. Under the direction of your experienced private guide, however, you will see the best of the Hermitage in four hours before exploring the palace on your own.
Optional: tour of the Diamond Room, a jewelry collection from 300 BC to present day ($115 per person).
Visit to Diamond Room should be booked at least one month before the tour!
Day 6: Peterhof or Catherine's Palace
You have two options for today.
Peterhof Palace is a royal residence on the outskirts of St. Petersburg most famous for its Versailles-inspired fountain park. It was the official summer residence of Russian tsars and played host to such rulers as Peter the Great. Your tour of the palace will last six hours.
Note: It takes about one hour to get to Peterhof by car. A boat ride is an alternative mode of transportation available during the summer ($35/traveler).
OR
Catherine's Palace was a gift from Peter the Great to his beloved wife Catherine. Located in the town of Pushkin (also known as Tsarskoe Selo), it is most famous for its Amber Room that was looted during World War II by German troops during the siege of St. Petersburg. The remnants of the room were recovered by American troops but took more than 50 years to reconstruct.
Day 7: Departure
Today is the final day of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport where you will leave with a lifetime of memories from Russia’s two amazing capitals. We hope you return to this enigmatic country soon!
Interested in this tour?
Top sights
Arrive in Moscow
The Red Square and the Kremlin
Moscow - St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg City Tour
The Winter Palace and the Hermitage
Peterhof or Catherine's Palace
Departure
