The best of Russia

Day 1
Moscow

Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to check in for 3 nights at the 4-star Holiday Inn Sokolniki Hotel (or similar). Conveniently located by Sokolniki metro station – just 6 stops from the city centre with no changes.
(Check in from 14.00 hrs.)
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 2
Vladimir

After breakfast, you will meet your guide at 10.00hrs. at the reception for your full day excursion, travelling from Moscow to Vladimir. Your route takes you first to Sergiev Posad with sightseeing included. Continue with your guide to Hotel Nikolaevsky Posad, Suzdal and check in for the night.
Uspensky Cathedral, Vladimir
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 3
Moscow

Breakfast and check out of your hotel
You will meet your guide at 10.00hrs. and start a full day sightseeing in Suzdal and Vladimir returning to your Moscow hotel by car (arrival estimated at 21.00 hrs.)
Overnight at the hotel

Day 4
Moscow

After breakfast, our English speaking tour guide will meet you at the reception at 10.00hrs. for an orientation tour of the city, starting with a walking tour to some of the spectacular underground metro stations in Moscow, known as the 'Palaces of the People' when they were first built. You will be amazed at the beautiful sculptures, bronzes, mosaics and crystal chandeliers. Later, by coach, you will see some of 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. Tour concludes at around 16.00hrs. at the hotel or you may stay in the city and make your own way back to the hotel. (No entrance fees included today)
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 5
Moscow

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the famous landmark of the city, the magnificent Kremlin. Within the territory is the fascinating Armory Museum, your guide will include a visit to this spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits. Return to the hotel at around 13.00hrs. or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel. (Entrance to the Kremlin, one Cathedral and the Armory museum is included)
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 6
Moscow / St. Petersburg

Check-out at your leisure before 12.00hrs.
Free time until early afternoon for your departure transfer from the hotel to the railway station. Be ready at the reception for transfer to Leningradsky rail station for your journey from Moscow to St Petersburg on the high speed Sapsan train. (Train departs Moscow at 16.30 hrs.) Train times may vary
Arriving at approximately 20.45hrs., transfer and check in to the four-star Solo Sokos Vasilievsky Hotel or similar.
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 7
St. Petersburg

After breakfast, departure at 10.00hrs. for a panoramic tour of the city. 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 Nevsky Prospect. St Isaac's cathedral is also on our route, as well as the Church on the Spilled Blood. 
Included is a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, a fort which guards the city of St Petersburg, located on the island, facing the Hermitage and dominating River Neva. Built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, 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 and revolutionaries were held as prisoners. Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, contains the remains of Russian rulers since 1725. (Entrance to Peter and Paul Fortress is from May to September only. From October to April, we visit the Museum of Political History)
Return to the hotel at around 14.00hrs. or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel.
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 8
St. Petersburg

After breakfast, departure at 10.00hrs to visit the Hermitage Museum – the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. 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 for art lovers. (Entrance to Hermitage Museum is included).
Return to the hotel at around 14.00 hrs or you may stay on at the Hermitage and return to the hotel on your own at your leisure. (Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide)
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel

Day 9
St. Petersburg

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to visit one of St Petersburg's most prized Palaces. In the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo) 29 km 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 the palace 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. Return to your hotel early/mid afternoon. (Entrance to Catherine's Palace is included).
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10
St. Petersburg

After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 12.00hrs and your departure transfer will be provided to the airport/ station as required.

**Further services / post-program can be provided upon request.

The package rates include:

• three nights in Moscow on bed and breakfast basis at a 4-star hotel
• fast train from Moscow to St. Petersburg on economy class
• four nights on St. Petersburg on bed and breakfast basis at a 4-star hotel
• tours and transfers as per the itinerary

The package rates do not include:

• the international flight tickets
• any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• extra personal cost
• extended visa support
• hotel registration fee payable locally in St. Petersburg