Treasures of Two Capitals
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URL: http://www.travelallrussia.com/tours-to-moscow/russia-two%20capitals-tour54.html
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival to Moscow Welcome to Moscow - Russia's historic capital, its largest and most vibrant city, one of the world's most interesting places! 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. |
| Day 2 | The Red Square and Kremlin Today you will head to the hub of Moscow: Red Square, one of the most recognizable areas in the city. Shown so often on television and movies, Red Square is the epicenter of culture and life in Moscow, bordering both the Kremlin and the merchant area of Kitai Gorod. After spending some time here you will proceed to St. Basil's Cathedral, the world-famous onion-domed church, before heading into the Kremlin. Moscow’s Kremlin is a marvelous work of architecture and history. Half of its territory is reserved for government offices while the other half is open to the public. Moscow’s best guides will tell you all of the fascinating stories that have taken place inside the Kremlin since 1147. What to see in Moscow: Moscow City Guide |
| Day 3 | Moscow City Tour There is much more to Moscow than Red Square and the Kremlin! Two such must-see places are the Moscow Subway and the Tretyakov Picture Gallery. Located deep underground, the Moscow Subway System is also a nuclear shelter and a museum of Soviet socialist art. Nowhere else in the world will you find a metro system filled with such stunning décor and detail, such as the gleaming crystal chandeliers and ornate marble arches. Three million passengers each day glide through stations as majestic as palaces. You will take a short ride on the subway to get a taste of life in Moscow. The Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's best collection of art and one of the most expansive collections of Russian paintings in the world. The gallery began as the private collection of wealthy 19th century merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who donated his collection to the city. Right after the tour, we will transfer you to the train station for your departure to St. Petersburg on a new modern express train Sapsan. Notes: Hotel check out at noon. You should either check out before going on the day's tour and leave your bags in the special storage room of the hotel, or you can request your travel specialist to arrange late checkout. |
| Day 4 | St. Petersburg The culmination of the world’s best capitals, St. Petersburg is the crown jewel of travel destinations. Your tour guide will take you to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and St Isaac's Cathedral. After four hours of guided touring you will have the chance to 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 stands now as a tomb for Russian emperors. St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most imposing buildings 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 stands on the spot of the emperor’s infamous assassination 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 on your own as it is very close to your hotel. Optional evening program: St. Petersburg boasts some of the best theaters in the world! You can book your theatre tickets here. What to see in St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg City Guide |
| Day 5 | The Hermitage and the Winter Palace St. Petersburg has no shortage of beautiful palaces, but the Winter Palace stands above them all. It holds one of the best collections of art in the world, boasting works of such rarity that you will leave hypnotized by beauty. This collection 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! Recommended activity for the afternoon/early evening: take a boat ride through St. Petersburg’s canals. Optional tour of Catherine's Palace is also available. Please ask your tour manager for details. |
| Day 6 | Peterhof Many of Russia's noble families were reluctant to move their residences to Peter the Great's new northern capital, and the Tsar was forced to issue a decree banning to build elsewhere in the country, so as to ensure that the nation's wealth and construction skills were transferred to St. Petersburg. Only a century later, the city could boast a huge number of palaces, including some of the grandest residences not just in Russia, but in the whole Europe. Peterhof or "Peter's Yard", we are going to visit today, is considered to be the fountain capital of the world, an absolute architectural gem of St. Petersburg. This royal residence on the outskirts of St. Petersburg is most famous for its Versailles-inspired fountain park. It was the official summer residence of Russian tsars and played host to such ruler as Peter the Great. Visit magnificent Grand Summer Palace, lavishly decorated with the two white pavilions with gilded cupolas at the end of the wings. Stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 glorious fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes, including the famous Samson Fountain. The duration of this tour is 5 hours. Notes: * You will join a group tour (group size 2-16 persons). * Peterhof is open daily, except Monday and last Tuesday of each month. * Lunch at a local restaurant in Peterhof is not included in the price. |
| 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! |