Day 3 (Thursday): Moscow - Sergiev Posad - Moscow
Today we travel 75km North of Moscow, to a small town of Sergiev Posad, former Zagorsk, founded in the 14th century and renowned as a centre of ancient Russian art and architecture. For centuries it served as a place of pilgrimage and the religious capital of Russia. Within the old walled city admire the fairy-tale golden and blue domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most beautiful of all monasteries. After lunch at a popular restaurant, return to Moscow, the rest of the day is at leisure. This evening take an Optional tour of Moscow by night & Subway, to see the metro stations which Stalin called “Palaces for the People”.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 (Friday): Moscow - St. Petersburg
Time at leisure in Moscow, before being transferred to the railway station for a 4-hour high-speed Sapsan train ride to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel. You can also join an optional Russian Folklore evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 (Saturday): St. Petersburg
There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe’s best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over 100 islands and linked by over 600 bridges, it is often referred to as the “Venice of the North.” Today the main sites to be visited are Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Senate Square with the monument to Russian Emperor Peter the Great, the founder of the city, St. Isaac’s Square with St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Smolny Cathedral, Cruiser Aurora, Field of Mars and Nevsky Prospect. Visit also Peter and Paul Fortress; built-in 1703 on a small island, it was meant to protect the city from enemy attacks. Peter and Paul Cathedral tower in the centre of the fortress and is nowadays used as the burial place for Russian Emperors. Your evening is free or perhaps join an optional Evening Canal Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 (Sunday): St. Petersburg
This morning is a highlight of the tour with a visit to the world-famous Hermitage, housing more than four million works of art. It ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums of the world, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. Admire the world-famous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya and French Impressionists. The Hermitage occupies five buildings, the largest is the Winter Palace, the former residence of Russian Emperors. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city on your own or perhaps you may choose to take an optional tour to Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Tonight join your fellow travellers in a farewell dinner. Perhaps conclude your tour with an optional Russian Folklore evening. This morning you’ll make a highlight visit to the world-famous Hermitage, housing more than four million works of art. It ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums of the world, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. Admire the world-famous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya and French Impressionists. The Hermitage occupies five buildings, the largest in the Winter Palace, the former residence of Russian Emperors. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city on your own or perhaps you may choose to take an optional tour to Petrodvorets, Peterhof Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Tonight join your fellow travellers in a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 (Monday): St. Petersburg
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Escorted Tour Package Includes:
- Airport transfer from Moscow airport to the hotel
- Centrally located first-class hotels
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome dinner in Moscow (glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
- 1 lunch and 2 dinners (coffee or tea included)
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Director throughout
- Licensed Local Guides
- High-speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg
- Baggage handling at hotels
- Whisper technology enhanced touring
- Admission included where indicated in bold letters
- Hotel taxes and service taxes
- Departure transfer from the hotel to St. Petersburg airport
Not Included:
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Extra meals
- Anything not mentioned in the 'Package Includes'
Hotels (or similar):
- Moscow: Hotel Marriott Courtyard
- St. Petersburg: Hotel Radisson Sonya
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (km)