Treasures of Two Capitals - Summer Edition 2010

Day 1: Moscow

Day 2: Moscow

The tour starts after breakfast. This is our first full day in Moscow and it we will make the most of it. The tour will last for about 8 hours.

We will visit the Red Square and swing by Vorob'evy, Hills Park (World War II Memorial), check out beautiful Cathedrals of Christ the Savior and go inside the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral.

The Kremlin

The Kremlin of Moscow is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Russia and one of the world's most incredible sights. This ancient citadel that was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from the invaders such as the Mongols. Moscow has grown much since those days and overtime, but the Kremlin has always remained a symbol of Russian state. Today, it is a gigantic museum of Russian history and the place, where Russian government holds its most important ceremonies, including the inauguration of president and meetings with foreign leaders.

Day 3: Moscow

This is our second day in Moscow and in the evening, you will board a train and travel to Russia's northern capital - St Petersburg. You will need to check out from the hotel at 12:00. Don't worry about the luggage - you can leave bags in the hotel.

Today, we will decent underground to experience Moscow Subway and also visit one of Russia's finest art galleries - Tretyakov Picture Gallery.

Moscow Subway

Moscow Subway was constructed by the Soviets not just to streamline the city's transportation, but also to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet system. The subway is works of art, socialist realist art for the most part. Each station of Moscow Subway is unique and is dedicated to a certain historic event of a great Russian artist. On top of its cultural value, Moscow's subway is a super efficient transportation system carrying 7 million passengers each day and spanning the entire city. It is also located deep under the ground and can play a role of a nuclear shelter.

Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's most famous collection of art and one of the world's top art galleries. The gallery started as a private collection of wealthy Moscow merchant Tretyakov, who lived in 19th century and donated his collection to the city.

Day 4: St Petersburg

You will arrive to St Petersburg in the morning. Your guide will meet you at the train station. After checking in the hotel, we will start the tour of St Petersburg - the crown jewel of the world's best travel destinations. The tour will take you to Peter and Paul Fortress, and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and St Isaak's Cathedral. The tour will last for four hours so you will have a chance to explore the city streets on your own in the afternoon.

Peter and Paul Fortress

Peter and Paul Fortress has served many roles except for the one that it was designed for - to defend the city from the sea. It was a political prison for the dissidents of the tsarist regime. During the soviet era it was transformed into a museum and since the collapse of the USSR it became the tomb of the Russian emperors.

St Isaac's Cathedral

St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe. Its gigantic golden cupolas, an excellent observation deck that overlooks the entire city, rich inside decorations and artifacts make this cathedral one of the most popular tourist sights in St Petersburg.

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. The church was built on a spot, where the emperor had been murdered when radical dissident threw a bomb in his carriage. Alexander II is most famous for liberating Russian serfs (2 years before the abolition of slavery in the US in fact). On this tour, we won't go inside of the church, but if this is something you would like to do, you may visit it on your own as it is closed to your hotel.

Day 5: St Petersburg

After breakfast in the hotel, we will proceed to the very heart of the center of the city, to the Palace Square and the Winter Palace. Today's tour will last for 5 hours.

The Hermitage

St Petersburg has dozens of beautiful palaces, but the Winter Palace stands above them all. First of all, it is one of the best collections of art in the world. Secondly, this collection is located in the very building where Russian emperors lived. It is here that they rose to power and its if from these walls that they ruled 1/5 of the world's territories. It was also here that the Bolsheviks overthrew their reign. The Bolsheviks were tempted to destroy the palace, the symbol of tsars, but its artistic value was so immense that they transformed it into the museum.

They say, that if you were to spend three minutes by each of the exhibits in the Hermitage, it would take you three years to see them all! But don't worry, you will have an experienced private guide who will show you the best of the Hermitage in 4 hours. Once his tour ends, you can continue wondering around endless halls of this beautiful palace.

*Optional: tour of the Diamond Room a jewelry collection from 300 BC to present day ($85 per person).

Day 6: Peterhof

St Petersburg has so many interesting sights, but it is difficult to see them all in just few days. As most experienced guides in St Petersburg agree, there are five must-see sights in St Petersburg: Peter and Paul Fortress, Church of Savior on Spilled Blood, St Isaak's Cathedral, The Hermitage and Peterhof. You have already seen the first four and this day is reserved for Peterhof. The tour will last for about 6 hours.

Peterhof

Peterhof is a lavish royal residence on the outskirts of the city. It is most famous for its fountain park that rivals that of Versailles. Peterhof was the official summer residence of Russian tsars and is home to the Summer Palace.

*Optional: Peterhof is located on the outskirts of the city and it takes about one hour to get there by car. You can also reach it by boat, which is faster. Additional price: $35 per person.

Day 7: St Petersburg

This is a last day of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport.

You will be leaving home fascinated with Russia and her two beautiful capitals, Moscow and St Petersburg. And, we hope you will want to come back to this very special country some day again.