Little Tour of Russia

Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is to relax or perhaps begin your independent discovery of the fabled capital of Russia. Tonight, a briefing by your Tour Director on the fascinating tour that awaits you, followed by a Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Moscow (D)

Moscow, one of the largest cities in the world, is the symbolic heart and soul of the country. Your sightseeing tour begins at Red Square, dominated by colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. Visit the Armory Museum, with its impressive collection of Tsarist, Russian, and foreign jewelry, armor, and other artifacts. Walk along the wide boulevards and a stroll through GUM, Russia’s largest department store, following the drive by Moscow University. Further on the north bank of the River Moskva, passing by baroque Novodevichy convent; ending the tour at the popular Arbat shopping district, time to shop or enjoy lunch on your own. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Moscow (B)

Today we will drive to Sergiev Posad, a small town 75 km north of Moscow. Founded in the 14th Century, Sergiev Posad is known as the religious capital of Russia, the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the center of ancient Russian architecture and art. You will walk inside the old walled city and admire golden and blue domes St. Sergius Lavra of Holy Trinity. It is a fascinating monastery in Russia included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
After lunch at a popular restaurant, and return to Moscow for rest and leisure time.  In the evening take an optional Moscow by Night &  Subway and explore underground “Palaces for the People" as Stalin used to call them. Overnight in Moscow (B, L)

Free morning in Moscow, in the afternoon we transfer to the railway station for our four hours high speed Sapsan train ride to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Join an optional Russian Folklore evening. Overnight in St. Petersburg (B, D)

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. Visit Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors from Peter I. Your evening is free or join an optional Evening Canal Cruise. Overnight in St. Petersburg (B)

This morning you will visit the world famous State Hermitage Museum. It was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764 and is now among the oldest and largest museums in the world with more than four million works of art. On display are famous masterpieces by Rafael, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck and Goya. Winter Palace is the biggest of the five buildings occupied by the Hermitage and is the former residence of Russian Royal families.
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 travelers in a farewell dinner.  Overnight in St. Petersburg (B, D)

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to continue your trip. (B)