As the former mediaeval citadel and capital of
Communism, Moscow is a beautiful city of gold
onion-domed churches that scrape the skyline
alongside Stalin's gothic Seven Sisters. With
the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's
surrounding the historic Red Square, we enjoy
from the first day the fascinating history and
architecture this city has to offer. Even Moscow's
metro is a work of art, with bronze statues of model
citizens lit by ornate chandeliers and there is plenty
time to explore to wander around the craft stalls
on Arbat Street.
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Day 01:
Join tour Moscow Arrive Moscow and check into hotel.
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Day 02:
Orientation and Red Square Moscow is the pivotal centre o
f Russia and there is much to see and do here. This mornisng
we will do a tour of the metro, which is itself an experience
– many of the stations being cavernous underground halls
elaborately decorated with chandeliers.
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Day 03:
Visit the Kremlin This morning we take the metro to the massive
Moscow Kremlin – a city within a city. The triangular walls enclose
an incredible complex of buildings including three fine palaces
, cathedrals, belfries and towers that represent Russia throughout
its glorious past.
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Day 04:
Free in Moscow; optional Sergiev Posad tour; overnight
train to St Petersburg Today is left at your leisure to explore
the many other sights Moscow has to offer. You might opt
to visit Lenin's tomc (closed Mondays), one of the many fine
art galleries, the impressive GUM department store, the
Bolshoi theatre or Gorky Park. Alternatively you might like
to take an optional tour to Sergiev Posad, the stunningly
beautiful monastery 60 km from Moscow that is one of the
most important pilgrimage sites in the country.
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Day 05:
In St Petersburg; city tour St Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) was
founded by Peter the Great as his 'Window on the West', and built
on the hundred islets that form the delta of the Neva river. It must
surely be acclaimed as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe –
some would say the most beautiful. Peter's original idea for its
location as a naval base on the Baltic Coast was perhaps something
of a mistake: the port is ice-bound for one third of the year.
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Day 06:
In St Petersburg; Winter Palace and Hermitage Included on
our second day is a visit to the Winter Palace and
Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage is unquestionably one
of the finest art galleries in the world, containing the works
of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael,
Velázquez, Rubens and Rembrandt, as well as
contemporary pieces by Matisse and Picasso. This afternoon
is free to enjoy the city at your leisure.
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Day 07:
Free day in St Petersburg Today is free to explore St Petersburg and
if you have not done so already you should spend some time just
wandering down Nevsky Prospekt. The main street in town is a
fascinating walk with three miles of shops, cafés, waterways,
elegant buildings and historic monuments. There is the option of
a visit to Yusupov Palace, the city residence of one of Russia's
wealthiest families. The tour includes the state rooms, private
apartments and its beautiful theatre as well as the basement
apartments where the 'mad monk', Rasputin was murdered in
the early twentieth century.
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Day 08:
Visit Catherine the Great's Palace at Pushkin; Tour ends St
Petersburg This morning we shall visit Pushkin (formerly
Tsarskoe Selo, the 'Tsar's Village'), where Pushkin's 19th
century wooden house is located. The Tsar's royal estates
were built here, including the summer residence of
Catherine the Great, a majestic palace styled in blue and
gold rococo. After viewing its sumptuous interior, including
the grand gold and crystal ballroom, we may stroll around
the lakes and gardens of the palace. After the visit we will
go to the airport to take our flight home.
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