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When I visited Yasnaya Polyana during a recent trip to Moscow, it was obvious why this was Tolstoy's favourite place from where he wrote his masterpieces. Even during a visit there in the 21st century, you can't help but be taken aback by the peace and tranquillity of its idyllic setting, with its avenues of birch trees, dense woodland and expansive lakes. Tolstoy's house itself was wonderfully preserved and you could almost feel his literary presence there with you!
Review: Yasnaya Polyana
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Russia Holidays
Places of Interest in Russia
About Russia
Thirty years on from our first foray into Russia it never fails to enthral. From the grandiose cities of Moscow and St Petersburg to the wilds of Siberia, Russia continues to surprise.
Moscow and St Petersburg vie for cultural supremacy. Moscow's Red Square with the Kremlin and psychedelic St Basil's Cathedral and St Petersburg's Hermitage are the iconic images of Russia but contrast the big cities by visiting the towns of the Golden Ring dotted with golden-domed Orthodox churches in a rural setting. Watch the world go by as you cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg passing typical villages and luminous silver birch forests.
Pause at Ekaterinburg, the burial place of the Romanovs, before heading into Siberia with its endless steppes and taiga. Stop off at towns on the Trans-Siberian rail route or head into the wilderness to stay in yurts and encounter shamans and throat singers. Experience the dramatic beauty of Kamchatka with its active volcanoes, raft along rivers, spot bears and relax in hot springs.
Find time to visit the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, squeezed between Poland and Lithuania, take in the hero city of Volgograd, relax on the Russian Riviera at Sochi and join the locals in a steam bath.
Russia City Breaks
A Moscow City Break is an ideal way to sample this wonderful city's many treasures. Regent Holidays offers a selection of hotel options for a city break in Moscow from 3 star to 5 star hotels.
from £455
per person
per person
Kaliningrad is a superb city break choice for the adventurous traveller. Separated from mother Russia by Lithuania and Belarus, this enclave boasts Soviet architecture and hints of a German past with its red-bricked cathedral.
from £485
per person
per person
A magical city of palaces, pastel painted buildings, sparkling waterways and an abundance of art treasures - a St Petersburg city break is definitely a weekend away which will not disappoint at any time of year.
from £495
per person
per person
Inspired by the excellent film 'The Last Station', we have developed this weekend break to Moscow which includes a private day trip by car to Yasnaya Polyana, last home and resting place of the great Leo Tolstoy.
from £850
per person
per person
These special offer Moscow Theatre Breaks depart on any Friday and include return flights with bmi, 3 nights in four or five-star hotels with breakfast, sightseeing tours, and a theatre performance at the Bolshoi Theatre.
from £930
per person
per person
These special offer St Petersburg Theatre Breaks depart on any Friday and include return flights with bmi, 3 nights in centrally located three-star hotels with breakfast, sightseeing tours and a theatre performance at the Mariinsky Theatre.
from £1025
per person
per person
Russia Beach Holidays
For a beach break off-the-beaten track, visit the picturesque Russian resort of Svetlogorsk. This relaxing break allows you to kick back and enjoy Svetlogorsk with its long, sparkling beach, al fresco eateries, bars and pretty tree-lined streets.
from £599
per person
per person
Russia Cruises
Cruise on the waterways of the Tsars between Moscow and St Petersburg aboard the MS Rachmaninov on this 10 or 11 day itinerary. There are eight cruise departures from Moscow and seven cruise departures from St Petersburg in 2012.
Featured Itinerary
from £1330
per person
per person
Cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg aboard the MS Chekhov on this longer itinerary (11 days). There are four cruise departures from Moscow and from St Petersburg in 2012.
Featured Itinerary
from £1515
per person
per person
Cruise between St Petersburg and Moscow in style aboard the luxurious Volga Dream ship. Book now and save £565 per person on this special 7-day White Nights cruise.
from £1169
per person
per person
This 12 day cruise along several Russian rivers, linked by the Moscow Canal and the Baltic Waterway, is the perfect opportunity to explore beautiful Russian landscapes and ancient towns, with their impressive selection of historical and architectural gems.
from £1425
per person
per person
Discover some of Russia's most spectacular hidden gems on this fun-packed 20 day tour. This cruise sails froms Moscow to Astrakhan and then continues from Astrakhan back up the River Volga and down the River Don to the gateway of the Caucasus-Rostov-on-Don.
from £2040
per person
per person
Relaxing, fun-packed and eye-opening at the same time, this 13-day expedition cruise from Moscow to the Caspian Sea aboard the luxurious Volga Dream is an unbeatable way to experience the real Russia.
from £2235
per person
per person
This tour on the MS Mikhail Svetlov gives you the chance to float down one of the longest rivers in the world - the Lena River - and is perfect for nature lovers, those looking to experience different culture and for those craving a real Russian adventure!
from £2485
per person
per person
Cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg in style aboard the luxurious Volga Dream boat as well as enjoy 4 or 5-star accommodation in each city. This is the highest quality boat that cruises on this route; the service and attention to detail are second to none.
from £2510
per person
per person
The ultimate in adventure and luxury, the Natural Treasures of the Russian Far East cruise allows you to experience the untamed nature of this far-flung corner of the world while sailing aboard the stunning, first-class Orion II.
from £6460
per person
per person
Russia Group Tours
Our best-selling group tour combines the highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg and is an excellent experience for a first time visitor to Russia or for those who enjoy a more relaxed group tour. This tour departs throughout the year.
Featured Itinerary
from £1185
per person
per person
This tour is on board a private train that our local partners operate from Moscow to Beijing and vice versa. The train is of a considerably higher quality than the working trains, with all meals and comprehensive sightseeing included.
Featured Itinerary
from £3970
per person
per person
Discover the ancient cultures and breathtaking landscapes of the vast expanse that is Siberia on our Great Sayan Ring Tour. Covering the Krasnoyarsk, Tuva and Khassia regions, this tour is a comprehensive exploration of a stunning and mysterious land.
Price TBC
A unique chance to visit this often over-looked oblast of Kaliningrad on an escorted group tour. Dates: 22-25 Jun 2012
from £879
per person
per person
This group tour not only offers the chance to explore the magnificent city of Moscow but also the impressive capital of Tartarstan – Kazan. Steeped in history and intrigue, Kazan is a relatively undiscovered gem that absolutely must be seen.
from £1399
per person
per person
For a taste of an authentic, traditional Russia rarely visited by outsiders, this tour is hard to beat. Visit two of the Golden Ring's most fascinating cities, Vladimir and Suzdal, as well as the magnificent duo of Moscow and St Petersburg.
from £1675
per person
per person
This Trans-Siberian Railway tour allows you to see and experience the highlights of this famed route such as Moscow, Lake Baikal and the Mongolian steppe.
from £1850
per person
per person
This Russia group tour includes cosmopolitan Moscow and elegant St Petersburg, as well as visiting the old Russian towns of Vladimir, Suzdal, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Uglich and Novgorod.
from £1925
per person
per person
This group tour for 2012 starts in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, before moving onto the splendours of Moscow and St Petersburg. Travelling between cities by train, this is an authentic and thoroughly enjoyable travel experience.
from £1980
per person
per person
Experience the highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg in sumptuous luxury on this brand new group tour for 2012, with accommodation provided in hand-picked five-star hotels and 1st class train travel in between.
from £2085
per person
per person
Experience the iconic Trans-Siberian journey in style aboard the Tsar’s Gold private train. All of your accommodation, rail tickets, transfers, sightseeing and meals are taken care of, leaving you free to enjoy the journey in comfort.
from £4845
per person
per person
Russia Individual Tours
This top selling individual itinerary combines 3 nights in Moscow and 4 nights in St Petersburg with a choice of different hotel categories and travel by the fast train, which connects these cities in 4 hours!
Featured Itinerary
from £970
per person
per person
This individual tour includes private sightseeing tours of the main highlights of St Petersburg and offers a choice of 3 different hotel categories from 3-star to 5-star. This is our most popular holiday to St Petersburg.
Featured Itinerary
from £985
per person
per person
This is our most popular itinerary on the Trans-Siberian, allowing you to see and experience the highlights of such a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway - Lake Baikal and the Mongolian steppe.
Featured Itinerary
from £1565
per person
per person
Adding a new twist to the standard Moscow and St Petersburg itinerary, this individual tour not only includes extensive sightseeing in Moscow and St Petersburg but also visits the ancient town of Sergiev Posad and historic Novgorod.
Price TBC
The ultimate in armchair travel! Watch the world go by from the comfort of your compartment. The ideal way to link continents as part of an epic overland journey.
Price TBC
Explore Latvia, Lithuania and Kaliningrad in Russia on this unique itinerary developed by Regent Holidays. By using the excellent local bus system - we are able to connect the cities, harbour towns and villages included in this Baltic holiday.
Price TBC
Combine the Baltic delights of Helsinki with the Imperial splendours of St Petersburg on this 8 day individual itinerary using the day train to link both cities.
Price TBC
This new Russia tour visits the main highlights of Solovky, including the grand Solovetsky Monastery, the Solovetsky canals and Hill Sekirnaya.
from £655
per person
per person
Combine Tallinn’s medieval Old Town and its maze of cobbled streets, awash with chic cafés and gourmet restaurants with the opulent palaces, Venetian-like bridges and soothing pastel shades of Tallinn’s neighbour – St Petersburg.
from £715
per person
per person
This new Russia tour includes some of the highlights of the Karelian Republic such as Kizhi and Solovetsky Islands and visits intriguing sights such as Valaam Monastery and the Belomorsk Petroglyphs.
from £970
per person
per person
This new itinerary combines Belarus, Lithuania and Kaliningrad using local trains, buses and private transfers to link up places en route. An ideal individual holiday for travellers who enjoy quirky holidays with free time left for exploration on your own.
from £985
per person
per person
This luxury break in Russia combines Moscow and St Petersburg staying in some of the best hotels and flying with British Airways. We also include business class tickets on the fast train between the cities.
from £2060
per person
per person
This wonderful holiday to Russia includes stays in some of the best hotels and visits three of the cities on the Golden Ring including Sergiev Posad, Suzdal and Vladimir.
from £2345
per person
per person
The ultimate in adventure and luxury, the Natural Treasures of the Russian Far East cruise allows you to experience the untamed nature of this far-flung corner of the world while sailing aboard the stunning, first-class Orion II.
from £6460
per person
per person
Russia Railway Holidays
This tour is on board a private train that our local partners operate from Moscow to Beijing and vice versa. The train is of a considerably higher quality than the working trains, with all meals and comprehensive sightseeing included.
Featured Itinerary
from £3970
per person
per person
This Trans-Siberian Railway tour allows you to see and experience the highlights of this famed route such as Moscow, Lake Baikal and the Mongolian steppe.
from £1850
per person
per person
Experience the iconic Trans-Siberian journey in style aboard the Tsar’s Gold private train. All of your accommodation, rail tickets, transfers, sightseeing and meals are taken care of, leaving you free to enjoy the journey in comfort.
from £4845
per person
per person
In the know...
2011 is the year to spoil yourself with a stay in a five-star hotel in Moscow. Prices in Moscow for five-star hotels, especially over the weekends are the cheapest we have seen them at Regent Holidays for many years, due to the recent economic recession. Five-star hotels in Moscow usually have excellent locations, exemplary standards of service, good facilities and the most amazing buffet breakfasts, just right to set you up for a day of sightseeing in Moscow or a trip outside the city.
Regent Holidays is the tailor-made specialist for Russia and we can provide you with a quote for a five-star hotel in Moscow at the start of any Russia holiday or trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Regent Recommends...
Moscow and St Petersburg are always the top two destinations to visit in Russia but be adventurous and include one or two other places be it either Volgograd, Ekaterinburg or even Novgorod. Top of our list are the Solovetsky Islands and perhaps venturing north to Murmansk, the largest city within the Arctic Circle. This important port on the shores of Kola Bay is warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream and is free of ice throughout the year. It was built with British assistance during World War I and the Northern Lights can be seen here during winter months.
