Russia

Part I: Moscow – The Political & Cultural Heart

Day 1: Arrive In Moscow

✈️ Arrival: Arrive at the Moscow International Airport.

🚗 Transfer: Our tour manager will welcome you and help you transfer and check in to your luxury hotel.

🍹 Leisure: Spend the rest of the day leisurely, enjoying places around the hotel.

🏨 Overnight: Moscow.

Day 2: Moscow City Tour – Red Square & Kremlin Area

🏛️ Sightseeing: Head out for a comprehensive city tour, driving by famous streets and viewing major landmarks:

Streets & Squares: Tverskaya Street, Manezhnaya Square, and Lubianka Square.

Landmarks: Poklonnaya Hill, New Maiden Convent, Vorobievy Hills, Saviour Cathedral, Bolshoy Theatre, and Kropotkinskaya Embankments.

🟥 Red Square: End the tour with a visit to the iconic Red Square, and cover the different beautiful Cathedrals around the Kremlin (e.g., St. Basil’s Cathedral).

🏨 Overnight: Moscow.

Day 3: Moscow City Tour – Old Arbat Street

🚶 Guided Tour: Head out for a guided tour of Old Arbat Street.

🎨 Culture: Explore this famous cobblestone street, one of the oldest in Moscow, known for its architectural marvels, street shows, and vibrant artisan culture.

🛍️ Shopping: Browse the numerous shops selling souvenirs, art, and traditional goods.

🏨 Overnight: Moscow.

Day 4: Moscow – Izmailovo Market

🛍️ Excursion: Head to the Izmailovo Kremlin in the suburb of Izmailovo.

🖼️ Market: Spend the day exploring the Izmailovo Market, the largest flea market in Moscow, famous for selling souvenirs, paintings, antiques, and second-hand items.

🏨 Overnight: Moscow.

Part II: St. Petersburg – The Imperial Capital

Day 5: Moscow to St. Petersburg

🚂 Transfer: Check out and transfer to the train station to catch the comfortable high-speed Sapsan train to St. Petersburg (approx. 4 hours).

🛎️ Check-in: Your local guide will meet you at the station and help you check into your hotel.

🍹 Leisure: You are free to spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the beautiful neighborhoods.

🏨 Overnight: St. Petersburg.

Day 6: St. Petersburg City Tour & Peter and Paul Fortress

🏛️ Sightseeing: After breakfast, embark on a tour of Russia’s cultural capital, covering key highlights:

Landmarks: Spit of the Basil Island, St. Isaac Cathedral, Palace Square, Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, and the cruiser Aurora.

Drive-by: Travel along Nevsky Prospekt (the main street), Neva Embankments, Isaac’s Square, and Arts Square.

👑 Fortress: Visit the famous Peter and Paul Fortress, the original citadel of the city and the burial site of the Russian royal family.

🏨 Overnight: St. Petersburg.

Day 7: St. Petersburg – The Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace)

🖼️ Cultural Immersion: Dedicate the full day to exploring the Winter Palace, the former royal residence.

Hermitage: The palace is now converted into the vast Hermitage Museum, which houses an impressive collection of over 3 million items, including masterpieces of world art, sculptures, and imperial collections (costumes, crockery, weaponry).

🏨 Overnight: St. Petersburg.

Day 8: St. Petersburg – Pushkin (Tsar’s Village)

🏰 Excursion: Head to the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo/Children’s Village).

👑 Palaces: Visit the beautiful Alexander Palace and the extraordinarily rich Catherine Palace.

✨ Amber Room: Marvel at the world-famous Amber Room within the Catherine Palace, decorated with over 6 tonnes of amber panels.

🏨 Overnight: St. Petersburg.

Day 9: Depart Russia

✈️ Departure: After breakfast and check-out formalities, you will bid goodbye to Russia.

🚗 Transfer: Transfer to St. Petersburg International Airport (LED) to catch your flight back home.