Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg Group Tour

Fly to Moscow. Transfer to the hotel and check in for three nights. (B)

• Hotel Description

This morning meet the Moscow tour guide at 9.30am in the hotel lobby, and visit Gorki Leninskie Sanatorium. This is the place where Vladimir Lenin died and the estate, located in the suburbs of Moscow, has three museums in his honour. After lunch, return back to Moscow for a three hour city sightseeing tour. The knowledgeable guide will provide you with a detailed and interesting insight into the history of Moscow and the main points of interest; the tour is an excellent way to appreciate the enormity of the city. (B, L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast head to one of Moscow’s most iconic attractions, the Kremlin. This half day tour includes entrance to the Armoury Chamber, built in 1841 as a weapons and arms factory, which now houses Russian treasures ranging from religious icons to Fabergé eggs. (Please note: excursion time to be confirmed locally by your local guide) In the afternoon, visit Old Arbat Street on a walking/shopping tour. As one of Moscow’s most famous thoroughfares, originally forming a key part of the trade route into Moscow, the street developed into a district for nobility and parliamentary members, before becoming home to artists and intellectuals. The historic influences of Old Arbat combined with its more recent revival as a lively shopping district make it an eclectic and interesting place to spend several hours exploring. Also included is a tour of the most impressive stations of the Moscow Metro. (B)

• Hotel Description

In the morning visit the Tretyakov Gallery to admire the world renowned collection of Russian fine art. After the tour enjoy some free time before transferring to the railway station for the journey to St Petersburg. Travel by Sapsan fast train, departing Moscow at 15:30 and arriving St Petersburg at 19:20. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in for a four night stay. (B)

• Hotel Description

Depart this morning at 10am on a three hour morning city tour of St Petersburg by coach, accompanied by a knowledge local guide who will help familiarise you with the city, its history, and points of interest. Enjoy several key sights along the way, with a photo-stop at St Isaac’s Cathedral. This afternoon visit Peter and Paul Fortress; dating back to 1703 the fortress is one of the oldest buildings in St Petersburg and the resting place of Peter the Great. (B)

• Hotel Description

Meet with your local guide for a 9.30am transfer to the world-renowned Hermitage Museum. An attraction for nearly all visitors to St Petersburg, one could spend weeks exploring the vast collection of outstanding works of the Hermitage. Open to the public since the mid 1800’s, and displaying nearly three hundred thousand artifacts across six buildings this fascinating collection features works from Russia, Europe and Egypt. The guide will be on hand until 1pm, and after this time you may continue at your leisure to explore, or transfer back to the hotel. (B)

In low season Jan-Apr and Oct-Dec—Day 5 & 6 are swapped around so visit the Hermitage on Day 5 and the city tour on Day 6

• Hotel Description

Visit undoubtedly one of St Petersburg’s most popular attractions, the grand estate of Tsarskoye Selo in the town of Pushkin, and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Russian nobility. Admire the lavish late-Baroque Catherine’s Palace with its restored Amber Room, and spend time exploring the picturesque grounds and gardens. (B)

• Hotel Description

Spend the morning at leisure until a midday departure transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)