One of the best ways to see Russia is by taking a group tour
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Group tour A Taste Of Russia (8 days 7 nights)
Moscow (3 nights) - train – Velikiy Novgorod - Saint-Petersburg (4 nights)
Taste the Russian culture, traditions and way of life by visiting 3 completely different cities: Europe’s largest megapolis Moscow, gorgeous Saint-Petersburg with glittering baroque palaces and romantic canals, provincial Novgorod with the spirit of the medieval Rus and the oldest masterpieces of Russian architecture.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Moscow: Arrival in Moscow, our representative will meet you at the airport. Hotel check-inDay 2, Moscow: 09:45 City sightseeing tour. Tretiakov Art Gallery.
Day 3, Moscow: 09:00 Tour of Kremlin grounds, Armory.
Day 4, Moscow: 10:00 Walking tour of Moscow Metro and Arbat shopping area. Transfer to the train station. 16:30 Day train to St. Petersburg. 20:45 Arrival transfer in St. Petersburg. Hotel check-in.
Day 5, St. Petersburg: 10:00 A city sightseeing tour with Peter and Paul Fortress; in the afternoon – Hermitage excursion
Day 6, Veliky Novgorod: 08:30 After breakfast departure to Veliky Novgorod by car. 12:00 a city sightseeing tour with visit to St. Sophia cathedral; lunch; a visit to Yuriev Monastery and Museum of Wooden Architechture; return to to St. Petersburg by car
Day 7, St. Petersburg: 09:15 Pushkin (out-of-town excursion) Catherine’s Palace & Park
Day 8, St. Petersburg: After breakfast - departure
Moscow
Moscow is the capital and the largest city in Russia as well as the largest metropolitan area in Europe with a population well over 10 million. This amazing city has served as the capital of the Soviet Union, the Russian Empire and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Moscow has had a tumultuous history dating back to medieval times when it was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruki (Yuri of the Long Arms, known for the length of his arms!) in the early 12th century. It has seen numerous invasions and sieges from the Mongols to the Poles and Lithuanians to the Crimean Tatars to Napoleon and finally the Nazi’s but it has persevered and today is a thriving metropolis. The city is filled with unique architecture from the Kremlin and Red Square to giant Stalin skyscrapers to new office blocks built during the economic boom of recent years and it contains a strikingly beautiful metro system. The city is the center of political as well as economic power in Russia and visitors can feel the energy in the streets. There is always something going on in Moscow and there is so much to see. Your tour will give you valuable insights into Russia’s history, its art and most importantly its culture and people. Welcome to Moscow, we are sure you will have an unforgettable stay with us.
Red Square
Red Square is the central square of Moscow and literary of all Russia. In older times the square was known as Torg (Trade) Square and only in the middle of the 17th century it acquired its present name. The word “red” meant primarily “beautiful” in old Russia. The square is dominated by the walls and towers of the Kremlin on one side and the facade of the beautiful GUM department store with its world famous boutiques on the other side. A major adornment of the square is the Intercession Cathedral better known as the Cathedral of Vasily Blazhenny (St. Basil’s Cathedral), emerging as if from the pages of a fairytale. The cathedral was built in 16th century to commemorate the subordination of the Kazan Khanate to the Moscow State, under the rule of Ivan the Terrible. The ensemble of Red Square includes the monument to Minin and Pozharsky who lead the struggle of Russians against Polish-Lithuanian invaders during the Time of Troubles in the beginning of 17th century. Reminiscent of the Soviet epoch is Lenin’s Mausoleum with the embalmed body of the leader of the proletarian revolution. The Kremlin is a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city´s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury and the workplace of the Russian President. The Kremlin is the center of Russia´s political life and State power and has been home to Tsars, General Secretaries of the Soviet Union and Russian Presidents. The Kremlin has always been the spiritual centre of Russia. Within the Kremlin is the Armory Chamber that houses the permanent exhibition “The Diamond Fund of Russia” with its world famous collection of unique precious stones and jewelry.
Vorobiyovy Gory
From the observation platform on Vorobiyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) you will have an incredible panoramic view of the city, including Novodevichy convent built of red and white bricks, the Moscow river, Moscow skyscrapers of the Stalin era, the Luzhniki sport complex and other highlights.
Tretyakov gallery
Tretyakov gallery is a must-visit for those who are interested in Russian art, culture and history as it houses the most important state collection of Russian icons and paintings in the world. The world famous gallery contains works of Russian art from the 10th century up to the present. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and 19th century including works by Rublev, Kandinsky, Karavak, Vishnyakov, Nikitin, Antropov, Levitsky, Kiprensky, Tropinin, Fedotov, Repin and many others.
Moscow Metro
One of the most astonishing city attractions is the Moscow Metro which is well known for the outstanding design of its halls and stations. The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union´s achievements both for the Russians themselves and visitors from abroad. The stations are all uniquely designed with decorative elements including mosaics, statues, marble floors, walls and staircases to name a few.
Old Arbat
Old Arbat street, one of Moscow’s oldest streets. The street has gone from being the headquarters of Ivan the Terrible’s secret police, the Oprichina to the center of aristocratic life in Moscow in the 18th century to finally being the center of the Russian intelligentsia and bohemian life in the capital. You will be told of the street´s interesting history and view the street´s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the street´s many craftsmen.
Veliky Novgorod
The full medieval title of the town is “His Majesty Lord Novgorod the Great”. Translated from Russian, the name “Novgorod” means roughly “The Great New City” or “The Big New City”. Despite its name, Novgorod is among the most ancient cities of the East Slavs - first mentioned in 859. The city lies along the Volkhov river just below its outflow from Ilmen lake. Due to its geographical location, Novgorod was never conquered by the Mongols during the time of the Golden Horde. That is one of the reasons why no other Russian city can compare with Novgorod in the variety and age of its medieval monuments.
The cathedral of St. Sophia
Your first impression of the city will be the Kremlin of Novgorod - the oldest in Russia. The structure dates back to 864. You will have the chance to walk along its ancient walls during your visit. The cathedral of St. Sophia dominates the structure of the Kremlin. Built between 1045 and 1050 under the patronage of Vladimir Yaroslavich, the son of Yaroslav the Wise. It is the best preserved of 11th century churches, probably the oldest structure still in use in Russia and the first one to represent original features of Russian architecture (austere stone walls, five helmet-like cupolas). It is adorned with beautiful frescoes from the 12th century and icons. The dome of the cathedral is made in the form of a huge helmet, to show the defendant power of the city. The Novgorod Kremlin, traditionally known as the Detinets, also contains the oldest palace in Russia (the so-called Chamber of the Facets, 1433), which served as the main meeting hall of the archbishops; the oldest Russian bell tower (mid-15th cent.), and the oldest Russian clock tower (1673) are also within the Kremlin’s walls. Among later structures, the most remarkable are the royal palace (1771) and a bronze monument to the Millenium of Russia, representing the most important figures of Russian history (1862). You will also visit the Yuriev Monastery, a medieval religious complex built in 1030 along the Volkov River. The Cathedral of St. George will impress you by its size and beauty, as it was initially intended to surpass even St. Sophia’s cathedral in grandeur. You will then visit the open-air museum of wooden structures “Vitoslavisty" which is located close to the monastery. The museum consists of old wooden houses, huts, churches brought from all over the Novgorod region. The museum will give you an idea of how Novgorod’s inhabitants lived in the past.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the former capital of Imperial Russia, home of the Tsars and one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic cities. St. Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 on the banks of the Neva River and the Gulf of Finland. The city has seen its share of historical events including the Decembrist revolt, the palace coup and murder of Tsar Pavel, the intrigues of Catherine the Great, the assassination Tsar Alexander II, the influence of Rasputin on the Russian royal family, the Revolution of 1905 and the October Revolution of 1917 which brought the communists to power. During WWII, the city then known as Leningrad, went through a harrowing two and a half year blockade and siege by the Nazi invaders resulting in the deaths of over 1 million of its citizens. Today, St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city with a population of over 5 million. It is also known as the center of Russian art, culture and literature – former citizens included Pushkin and Dostoevsky just to name a few. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of beautiful palaces and monuments including the Winter Palace. The city is also known as the Venice of the North because of its location on various islands in the Neva River and its many canals and bridges. St. Petersburg is home to the world famous Hermitage Museum which contains one of the world’s largest collections of art including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Matisse, Picasso as well as many other old masters and impressionists. We are sure that you will find St. Petersburg one of the most if not the most fascinating places you have ever visited. Welcome to this most beautiful and mysterious of cities.
The Peter and Paul Fortress
The Peter and Paul Fortress is the original citadel of Saint Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703. The fortress contains several notable buildings clustered around the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which has a 123 meter bell-tower and a gilded angel-topped cupola. The cathedral is the burial place of Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Alexander the Third. The sandy beaches underneath the fortress walls are among the most popular in St. Petersburg.
Winter Palace
The Winter Palace also known as the Hermitage is one of the most wonderful palaces in North Eastern Europe and today is one the world’s finest museums. The museum consists of five historical buildings including the Winter Palace - the residence of the Russian Tsars. The museum contains over 3 million pieces of art with dates ranging from high antiquity to the present day. Among the Hermitage´s treasures are artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and a large collection of impressionists and post impressionists including Matisse and Picasso as well as many others. We will spend 3 hours at the museum, however, to view the collection in its entirety would take almost 15 years, spending 8 hours a day in the museum and taking one minute to examine each exhibit.
Park of Tsarskoye Selo
The Palace and Park of Tsarskoye Selo is a former country residence of the Russian emperors. It is a fascinating monument of the world´s architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Its 3 parks occupy an area of 600 hectares on which are located over 100 architectural monuments: from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to intimate pavilions and park sculptures designed by masters of the Venetian school such as P. Baratta, A. Tarsia and D. Bonazza. The center of Tsarskoye Selo is Catherine´s Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms and decorative bronze sculptures. The Palace also contains the Amber Room - a truly unique work of craftsmanship – a room made entirely of amber. The room was looted by the Nazi’s during WWII but luckily most of its pieces were recovered. The room was fully rebuilt in 2003. Tsarskoye Selo was also the main residence of the last Tsar Nicolas II and his family.
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Prices include:- hotel accommodation: Renaissance Moscow Hotel Monarch Centre (deluxe room) and Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden (standard room)*,
- tickets to all museums,
- transportation to museums and for excursions,
- transfers on arrival and departure both in Moscow and St. Petersburg,
- English-speaking guide service,
- breakfast at hotels,
- lunch in Veliky Novgorod,
- one-way train tickets from Moscow to St. Petersburg (economy class seats),
- visa invitation – the document necessary for obtaining a Russian visa when applying for one at the local Russian Consulate in your country.
* Might be substituted with an alternative.
Prices do not include:
- optional services
- theater tickets
- visa processing costs
- international airfare (we can assist you in booking discount airfare, contact us to find out more or book the discount tickets yourself through our internet ticket office)
- travel insurance.
To book a tour, 30% of the tour amount is due on the day of tour booking. The remaining 70% of the tour amount is due within 21 days before your arrival in Russia or the city that the tour is scheduled for.
Cancellation terms:
21 days before the tour starting date and more: 100 EUR per person
10 days and less before the tour starting date: 50% of the tour price
Our Russian tours are offered as land only where you arrange your own airfare and we meet you at the airport and handle everything else. You can easily book the discount tickets yourself through our own discount internet ticket office. The airline tickets we offer are the cheapest available on the web. Please browse our discount air tickets section to learn more.
Very often travelers coming to Russia have many questions concerning our tours, accommodation, visas, transfers and more. To see the answers to the most frequently asked questions, please consult our FAQ page by clicking here.
Taking a guided tour from Moscow to Saint-Petersburg will leave you with memories to last a lifetime