PRIVATE TOUR: From past to present, take in the best of beautiful St Petersburg - Russia's imperial capital and the ancient capital - Novgorod the Great. Then end your tour in Moscow, cutting edge capital of modern-day Russia. Exploring lavish tsars palaces and riverside kremlins, onion-domed cathedrals, museums and more.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
St Petersburg
Arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.
Overnight: St Petersburg
St Petersburg City Tour
Explore the beautiful St Petersburg today - City of the Tsars. Start your tour with a drive along the famous Nevsky Prospekt, with photo stops along the way at the magnificent St Isaac's Cathedral and The Bronze Horseman. Explore Peter and Paul Fortress and the beautiful Peter and Paul Cathedral, which houses the majority of the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Then travel on to visit the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood.
After a hearty Russian lunch enjoy a guided tour of the world renowned Hermitage Museum in the striking Winter Palace. The museum houses one of the biggest and best art collections on earth.
If you'd like to book any additional excursions in St Petersburg such as an evening at the ballet or a boat trip along the canals this can be arranged in advance.
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast, Lunch
Peterhof or Catherine Palace
Head out of the city to explore one of the tsars' lavish palaces this morning. Visit Peterhof Palace and its beautiful gardens on the Gulf of Finland in the summer (May to mid October) or Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo in winter.
Located in the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof was the summer residence of the tsars and the spectacular gardens are referred to as the Russian Versailles, with sweeping vistas and incredible gold fountains which form a Grand Cascade. Magnificent Catherine Palace is bedecked in gold and its legendary Amber room is the real highlight, golden from floor to ceiling.
Returning to the city the rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure. Most of the attractions are dotted along and just off the main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt and it's an easy city to navigate.
Overnight: St Petersburg | Breakfast
Free time in St Petersburg
St Petersburg – Novgorod. Enjoy a leisurely morning in St Petersburg, giving you the opportunity to simply relax or perhaps shop for some souvenirs. Lots of Russian memorabilia can be found at the canal side market near the striking Church on Spilled Blood. This afternoon drive to Novgorod, arriving in time for dinner and a steamy Russian banya (sauna) - remember to pack your swimwear!
Overnight: Novgorod | Breakfast, Dinner
Veliky Novgorod
Novgorod – Moscow. Novgorod (aka Veliky Novgorod), was the capital of Russia in the 14th century and it's one of Russia’s oldest cities. Straddling the Volkhov River this beautiful city dates back to the 10th century and is often referred to as the Birthplace of Russia. A guided tour of city takes in the ancient Kremlin, the cathedral and other sights of interest. Located on the west bank of the Volkhov River, the Novgorod Kremlin fortress was mentioned in chronicles as early as 1044 and today's walls and towers, despite being re-built in the 14th century, are impressive all the same. After dinner tonight there's time to relax before travelling by overnight sleeper train from Novgorod to Moscow.
Overnight: Sleeper Train | Breakfast, Dinner
Moscow's Red Square
Arrive into Moscow early this morning where you will be met off the train and transferred to your hotel. Then ride on the capital's efficient Metro to Red Square, where your guided walking tour begins, taking in the jewels of Russia’s capital. At the southern end of Red Square, feast your eyes on the wildly coloured, turban domed St Basil’s Cathedral, an enduring Russian symbol commissioned by Ivan IV (aka Ivan the terrible) in 1555. Flanked on one side by the walls of the Kremlin, this famous square is also home to Lenin’s Mausoleum and the ritzy and historic GUM department store. After your tour the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in the capital. Moscow has a wealth of amazing galleries, museums and shops to explore.
During your stay in Moscow if you'd include some additional excursions such as the Kostroma Folk Show and a Moscow by Night cruise this can be arranged in advance. Please contact us for details.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
The Kremlin
Head back to Red Square this morning to pay your respects to Vladimir Lenin - the famous Russian revolutionary, at his eerie mausoleum. It is here that his embalmed body has lain in state since his death in 1924. Then continue to the Kremlin for a guided walk through the grounds, where you will see numerous government buildings, ornate gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell.
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast, Lunch
Free day in Moscow
Today is free for you to spend at leisure or we can book additional sightseeing upon request. Perhaps visit the Tretyakov Gallery which houses the best examples of Russian art, from icons to modern art, including Soviet propaganda paintings, or head 65 metres below ground to visit the Underground Cold War Museum in a formerly top secret Soviet bunker. We also recommend visiting more of Moscow's magnificent Soviet-era metro stations. With its beautiful mosaics and sculptures the metro is known as Stalin's finest architectural achievement.
If you'd like to shop for souvenirs, the wonderful Izmailovo Market is just a short stroll from your hotel. This sprawling market lies behind the walls of an ancient kremlin and sells everything from matryoshka dolls to fur hats. Don't forget to bargain!
Overnight: Moscow | Breakfast
Moscow
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out today.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The 'Solo Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Grand Hotel Tchaikovsky, St Petersburg
Grand Hotel Tchaikovsky is conveniently located on a quiet street in the Tsentralny District of St Petersburg, just 650m from Chernyshevskaya metro station and 3km from the city centre. With a beautiful historic facade and a modern interior, this comfortable 4 star hotel offers 70 spacious guest rooms which overlook the city. Rooms are fully equipped with a jacuzzi bathtub, minibar, fridge, flat screen cable tv and free WiFi. A tasty and generous buffet breakfast is served daily in the hotel restaurant and guests can relax with a drink at the hotel bar after a busy day of sightseeing.
Yurievskoe Podvorie Boutique Hotel, Novgorod
Yurievskoe Podvorie is a traditional Russian farmstead hotel, located in one of the most picturesque corners of Novgorod, surrounded by lush forest. This charming boutique property has 20 guest rooms, which are spacious and comfortable, with en suite bathrooms, tv and mini bar. Guests can enjoy hearty Russian cuisine at the hotel's two restaurant halls and let off some steam in the traditional Russian banya (sauna).
Izmailovo Delta Hotel, Moscow
The 4 star Izmailovo Delta Hotel forms part of the huge Izmailovo Gamma Delta complex, which was built to accommodate guests and participants of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Offering comfortable guest rooms with modern amenities, the complex also boasts 16 restaurants and bars serving Russian and international cuisine, a SPA, gym and swimming pool, in addition to shops, a bank and post office. Conveniently located with the Partizanskaya Metro Station just 350 yards away, it's a quick 10 minute metro ride to Red Square where you can take in the highlights of the capital. The hotel is also ideally located for souvenir shopping, with the famous Izmailovo Market just a short stroll away.
In Brief
