Treasures of Two Capitals (Classic)

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow

Welcome to Moscow, the historic capital of Russia and Europe’s largest city! Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. There is no program planned for this evening, but your hotel is located in the heart of the city. Check out local restaurants or take a walk in the fresh summer breeze of a Moscow evening.

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 City Tour

Welcome to St. Petersburg! The crown jewel of Russia, St. Petersburg is one of the world's most magnificent travel destinations. Today you will visit Peter and Paul Fortress, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac's Cathedral before having free time to explore the city on your own.

Peter and Paul Fortress was constructed by Peter the Great to defend the city from sea invasions, but has served many other roles. It was later converted into a prison for political dissidents before being harnessed by the Bolsheviks as a museum. After the collapse of Soviet power, the fortress was turned to a tomb for the Russian imperial family. 

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of the most distinct churches in Russia. It stands on the spot where one of Russia's greatest emperors, Alexander II, was assassinated. Alexander II is most famous for liberating Russian serfs two years before the abolition of slavery in the US. Your tour today will be of the church’s exterior, but if you wish to explore the inside of the church you may do so during free time. 

St Isaac's Cathedral stands among Europe’s most imposing churches. Its decadent golden cupolas, sweeping observation deck, lush interior decorations, and ornate artifacts make it one of the most popular sites in St Petersburg. 

During your city tour you will also see visit St. Isaac’s Square and observe from the outside the Mariinsky Theater, the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, the Palace Square, the Spit of Vasilievskiy Island, the Bronze Horseman Statue, Peter's Log Cabin, the cruiser Aurora, Smolny Palace, the Nevsky Prospect, the Square of Arts and more. 

Optional evening program: St. Petersburg boasts some of the best theaters in the world! Ask your tour specialist to arrange the tickets.  

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

Today you will travel outside of the city to Peterhof Palace, the summer residence of Russia’s tsars. Located on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof is most famous for its Versailles-inspired parks and fountains. Peter the Great spent the majority of his time here due to its proximity to the wharfs and his developing navy. 

Day 7: Departure

This is the final day of your journey through Russia’s two amazing capitals. Your driver will take you to the airport. We hope you return to this magical country soon!