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 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 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.
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 enjoy picturesque landscapes of Russian countryside and experience the comfort of modern Russian express trains. .
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
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.
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. 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. Your tour of the palace will last 6 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), the Palace is a striking example of baroque architecture with its gorgeous interiors that are more than spectacular. The so-called Golden Enfilade of state rooms, designed by Rastrelli, is particularly renowned and forms the focus of the palace tour. Catherine’s Palace is famous for its Amber Room which was looted during World War II by the Germans during their 300 day siege of St. Petersburg, so that it took more than 50 years to reconstruct the legendary room.
Interesting facts: * In Elizabeth's reign it took over 100 kg of gold to decorate the palace exteriors. * Tsarskoye Selo is also associated with Russia’s greatest poet Alexander Pushkin, who studied in the town’s Lyceum from 1811 to 1817.
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!
Tour details
Treasures of Two Capitals
Price
$ 2,336 per person
What's included
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights 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:
3-star package: $2,336 per person
- St. Petersburg Hotel Herzen House (standard room)
- Moscow Hotel Sovietskiy (standard room)
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.
Interested in this tour?
Visa
Travelers from most Western countries including the US and Canada need Russian tourist visas in order to enter Russia. We offer full-service visa processing for customers from the US and Canada. Customers from other countries can receive an official Russian visa invitation from us:
We recommend that you book arrival and departure transfers in advance. All of our transfers are serviced by modern vehicles and professional drivers. Our driver will meet you by airport exit gate or in hotel lobby; he will be holding a sign with your name on it.
"Travel All Russia" is the world leading agency for travel to Russia. Based in Washington DC, London, Moscow and St Petersburg, With services ranging from private tours to Russian river cruises, "Travel All Russia" organizes the most amazing travel itineraries to this enigmatic country always delivering unmatched value, signature service and uncompromising quality. Welcome to "Travel All Russia" - Where Journeys to Russia Begin. Continue »
2300 North Pershing Dr. Suite 202, Arlington VA, 22201 USA. US toll-free: 1-800-884-1721
Mayakovskogo st. 18, Suite 22, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Tel. Russia: 7-812-490-6729
