Classic Russia
Russia’s two greatest cities provide an ideal base from which to explore the country’s rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage. Moscow is now the epicentre of modern Russia, while St Petersburg is renowned for its magnificent palaces, worldclass museums, elegant canals and grand architecture.
Moscow is a city of contrasts where ancient monasteries and ultra-modern monoliths stand side by side, epitomising the changes sweeping through Russia. The city's origins as a symbol of Russian spiritual and political power go back 850 years, and the city remains such today. The Kremlin, is at the heart of Moscow in every way - symbolically, historically and strategically. Next to it Red Square is home to the magical St Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's tomb. Moscow's famous metro survives in all its constructivist glory, with chandeliers, marble and opulent design meaning Forty-four of its stations have been designated as architectural landmarks.
Built over 300 years ago by Peter the Great as his 'window on the west', St Petersburg is a city unlike any other. In between the peaceful riverside walkways and canals the city is packed with the grandiose relics of tsarist days: visit grand parks, imperial palaces, the former citadel and museums bursting with treasures.
Tour Duration: 7 nights
Tour Highlights:
- Stay in the National Hotel in Moscow, just off Red Square, and Taleon Imperial Hotel, a former palace, in St Petersburg
- Guided tour of the opulent Moscow metro
- Visit Peterhof palace & gardens by hydrofoil
- 5-star accommodation throughout
Day 1: Fly to Moscow
Fly to Moscow with British Airways. Transfer to the National Hotel, just off Red Square, for 3 nights.
Day 2: Moscow
Morning tour including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, GUM state department store, Moscow State University, Novodevichy Convent, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Gorky Park. Finish with a brief metro tour to visit some of the city’s grandest stations. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: Moscow
Full day at leisure or optional morning visit to Sergiev Posad. Built around the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius, it is one of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks. Optional afternoon tour to either the Tretyakov Gallery or the Museum of Cosmonautics.
Day 4: Moscow, St Petersburg
Morning visit to the Kremlin, including Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum, with its collection of imperial treasures and Fabergé eggs. Take a late afternoon train to St Petersburg (4 hours). On arrival, transfer to the Taleon Imperial Hotel for 4 nights.
Day 5: St Petersburg
Morning tour of St Petersburg, including the main shopping street of Nevsky Prospekt and Vasilievsky island, and the entrances to the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Afternoon at leisure to visit St Isaac’s Cathedral. (Days in St Petersburg may run in a different order due to entrance times.)
Day 6: St Petersburg
Tour of the Hermitage. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, it has an unrivalled collection of European masterpieces.
Day 7: Pushkin, St Petersburg
Morning tour of Catherine Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. Afternoon visit to Peterhof to view the exterior of the Summer Palace with its ornate gardens and cascade fountains. Return to St Petersburg by hydrofoil.
Day 8: Fly Home
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London.
If you’d like us to quote on a tailor-made Tour for anytime in 2019/20/21 then just get in touch and we’ll do the rest.