HIGHLIGHTS OF RUSSIA - 8 days tour
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE TOUR
Fixed weekly departures (English language)
every Saturday from 05.01.2008 - 19.12.2009
Overview
This is the perfect way to book direct for a high-quality, low cost tour with likeminded travellers. Join a well organized group tour, visiting the highlights of Russias present and former capitals - two unforgettable cities of contrast.
Our tours depart every Saturday throughout the year and are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 passengers. Simply book your own flight/train to Moscow and departing from St Petersburg and we will do the rest.
Moscow
Moscow is the thriving heart of business with fabulous architecture reflecting Stalin's influences, alongside historical churches.
It offers designer shops, leafy parks, great restaurants and a wealth of art and culture.
St Petersburg
St Petersburg is a calm contrast. Peter's 'Window on the West' displays classic
Italian architecture and canals which are reminiscent of some of Europe's finest cities.
Moscow (3 nights)
1st class overnight train Moscow to St Petersburg (1 night)
St Petersburg (3 nights)
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY IN MOSCOW AND ST PETERSBURG
- DAY 1
The Cosmos Hotel
On arrival in Moscow, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to check in for 3 nights.
The 4 star Hotel Cosmos is situated in an attractive area of Moscow, close to the botanical gardens and the open air park exhibition centre VDNKh.
19.00 hours - dinner at the Hotel. Evening at leisure.
- DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, your English speaking tour guide will meet you at Reception at 10.00am for the full day panoramic orientation tour of the city, viewing the famous landmarks and places to which you may return at your leisure. The tour sights include Red Square, the Kremlin, Sparrow Hills, Bolshoi Theatre, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Victory Park, Novodevichy Convent, the White House and the famous Moscow streets. Included in this tour today is a visit to the Tretyakov Museum.
Dinner at the Hotel. Evening visit to the famous Moscow Circus.
- DAY 3
After breakfast, your guide will continue to show you the sights of Moscow. Today you will explore the grounds of the magnificent Kremlin territory. Within the territory is the fascinating Armoury Museum, your guide will include a visit to this spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits.
Dinner at the Hotel. Evening at leisure.
- DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will take you on a walking tour along the Arbat where you will have the opportunity to soak up the Moscow culture and browse and shop at leisure. You will also be taken to visit some of the spectacular underground stations in Moscow, known as the 'Palaces of the People' when they were built. You will be amazed at the beautiful sculptures, bronzes, mosaics and crystal chandeliers.
Dinner at your hotel and time to relax, prior to your transfer to the Leningradsky Rail Station for your overnight train journey to St Petersburg travelling in shared first class 2 berth compartments.
Trains depart around 23.30 - 24.00 and arrive next day at 07.30 - 08.00 according to schedule.- DAY 5
Hotel Moskva Twin Room
On arrival in Saint Petersburg around breakfast time, you will be met transferred to the Hotel Moskva for breakfast.
Once revived, your panoramic orientation tour of the city will commence at 10.00 am.
You will see all the major sights of this beautiful city, St Petersburg.
You will see the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace, Peter and
Paul Fortress and pass along Nevskij Prospect.
St Isaac's cathedral is also on our route, as well as the Church of the Spilled Blood. (No entrances included this day)
Dinner at the Hotel. Evening at leisure.
- DAY 6
After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Hermitage Museum - the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. This is one of the largest museums in the World, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt, Rubens, French impressionists, - a feast indeed for art lovers. You will also visit the outstanding fort which guards the city of St Petersburg, and is located on the island, facing the Hermitage and dominating River Neva, - Peter and Paul Fortress. It was built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, but it was never used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There a son of Peter the Great, Prince Alexei, a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, writer Radischev, Decembrists, narodniks and revolutionaries were held prisoners. Peter and Paul Cathedral designed by Tresini contains the remains of Russian rulers since 1725.
Dinner at the Hotel. Evening at leisure.
- DAY 7
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by your guide to visit one of St Petersburg's most prized Palaces. In the village of Pushkin (formally Tsarskoye Selo) 29km south of St. Petersburg, is Catherine's Summer Palace. The construction of the palace for the Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around it and, in the middle of 18th century, Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the 'Amber Room', now completely restored to its former glory. Not far from the Catherine's Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied.
Dinner at the Hotel. Evening at leisure.
- DAY 8
After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 11.00 am and your departure transfer will be provided to the airport / station as required.
Further services / programme extensions can be provided upon request.
The tour price includes:
Accommodation based on two persons sharing a twin room:
Moscow - Hotel Cosmos standard twin room
St. Petersburg - Hotel Moskva standard twin roomHalf board daily starting with dinner on first Saturday and ending with breakfast on last Saturday
Transfers on arrival in Moscow and departure in St.Petersburg:
Applies to international city airports and main rail stations only - supplement for domestic airport/riverports may apply.Entrances:
Moscow - Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Circus, Kremlin with Armoury museum.
St Petersburg - Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress, Catherine's Palace.First class overnight train Moscow-St.Petersburg (sharing 2 berth compartment)
Services of an English-speaking guide
Visa support letter for duration of tour
24-hour emergency contact
Prices: Per person in Euros
Low season 2008/9
EUR 1,094.00 per person based on two persons sharing a twin room
EUR 251.00 single room supplement (does not apply to train journey)
EUR 193.00 single supplement on train Moscow-St Petersburg (1st class)
Low Season 2008/9: Oct 08 - Dec 08 and Jan 09 - Apr 09 and Oct 09 - Dec 09
High season 2008/9
EUR 1,204.00 per person based on two persons sharing a twin room
EUR 394.00 single room supplement (does not apply to train journey)
EUR 193.00 single supplement on train Moscow-St Petersburg (1st class)
High Season 2008/9: May 08 - Sept 08 and May 09 - Sept 09
Not included in price:
Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
Extra personal costs incurred at the hotel
Extended visa support
Visa service
Visa registration fee payable locally
Departure dates:
Every Saturday throughout 2008/9
*Tour operates with a minimum of 2 persons
Notes:
Hotel - check in after 14.00 hours only. Check out by 11.00 hours
Singles - remember to add the train supplement if you require your own compartment
Singles - sorry, we do not operate a shared room scheme for single travellers
Visa support - is supplied for duration of tour only. Extension of visa support costs EUR 20 per person.
Visa Support - is granted to eligible foreign nationals only. This is at the discretion of the authorities
Russian Visa - don't forget that you will need to obtain a tourist visa BEFORE you arrive in Russia
Important - remember to apply for your visa at least 1 month prior to travel
Visa Service - if you are residing in the UK, please ask about our Russian visa service
