Moscow & St Petersburg

Trinity Monastery of St Sergius, Sergiyev Posad

From fascinating Moscow to the grandiose palaces of regal St Petersburg, a wonderful opportunity to experience Russia's two greatest cities.

Your Itinerary

DAY 1: UK - Moscow.

Fly to Moscow where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for three nights. (D)

DAY 2: Moscow.

Begin your exploration of Moscow this morning on a sightseeing tour with a local guide. Highlights include imposing red-brick towers, extravagant palaces and historic Cathedral Square on today's included trip to the 12th-century Kremlin, where gleaming gold domes and cupolas sit atop three of the Kremlin's best known architectural treasures: the Dormition, Annunciation and Archangel Michael cathedrals. This evening, why not join the optional 'Moscow by night' tour to see the city's beautiful illuminations? (B)

DAY 3: Moscow.

A full day to explore the sights and sounds of this spellbinding city. Perhaps join the optional visit to the State Tretyakov Gallery, a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. Or perhaps visit the gold-domed Cathedral of Christ our Saviour, rebuilt in 1994 after its destruction by Stalin in 1931 and a powerful symbol of Russia's spiritual identity and nationhood. Alternatively, explore at leisure and maybe take a stroll through historic Red Square to marvel at the brightly decorated onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral or revisit the Kremlin, where a magnificent Armoury exhibits an impressive selection of royal jewels and armour. This evening, enjoy an optional excursion. (B)

DAY 4: Moscow - Sergiyev Posad - Overnight train to St Petersburg.

Head to the Golden Ring city of Sergiyev Posad this morning for a visit to the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius. Thought to be one of Russia's most splendid architectural treasures, this vast fortified monastery attracts thousands of worshippers and is a favourite film location due to its stunning, five-tiered Bell Tower. Return to Moscow for dinner before boarding an overnight train and travelling in a 2nd class couchette (4 berth, mixed gender) to St Petersburg. An optional upgrade to a 1st class (2 berth) sleeper is available at a supplement. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: St Petersburg.

Arrive in St Petersburg this morning where you will have breakfast before enjoying the city's main highlights on a sightseeing tour. This fascinating city offers incredible sights in the shape of majestic monuments, parks, boulevards and more. Admire the historic centre and marvel at highlights such as the impressive Winter Palace façade and Nevsky Prospect, with its ornate onion-domed Church of the Resurrection and beautiful St Isaac Cathedral. Later, perhaps join the optional excursion to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the historical core of St Petersburg, ordered and planned by Peter the Great in 1703 and a monument to military and engineering craft. (B, L)

DAY 6: St Petersburg.

After breakfast, enjoy an included visit to Peter the Great's former summer residence: Peterhof Palace and Park. Inspired by The Palace of Versailles, Peterhof is a treasure trove of glorious French Gothic interiors and famously fountained gardens. This afternoon, enjoy a chance to see St Petersburg's beautiful city from the water on an optional cruise along its canals. (B)

DAY 7: St Petersburg.

Enjoy an included visit to one of the city's must-see sights - the awesome Hermitage Museum. This unforgettable museum houses an unparalleled collection of glorious artwork as well as antiques, jewellery and sculpture, and boasts scintillating interiors, including the famous Jordan staircase. This afternoon, join the optional excursion to Pushkin, the luxurious summer residence of Russia's Tsars and home to magnificent Catherine's Palace. Admire this fascinating monument to the architecture and gardening arts of the 18th and 19th centuries and marvel at the many lavish chambers including the splendid Amber Room, once dubbed the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. For your last night in Russia, why not enjoy a folklore show of fiery dances and original songs with snacks and sparkling wine at the majestic Nikolaevsky Palace, which belonged to the Grand Duke Nicholas in the 19th century. (B)

DAY 8: St Petersburg - UK.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Accommodation on Tour

Moscow: Holiday Inn Suschevsky (4*); St Petersburg: Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky or Sokos Olympia Garden (4*).

Visa Requirements

A visa is required for entry into Russia. This must be obtained prior to arrival.

1st Class Train Upgrade for an extra £125 per person

For added comfort and superior travel, why not upgrade to a 1st class, 2 berth sleeper on the overnight train from Moscow to St Petersburg?

Note:There is no single accommodation available on the overnight train.

Your Holiday Map

Moscow & St Petersburg

Itinerary Map

Optional Excursions

To help you plan and make the most of your holiday, below is a list of optional excursions available to you.

BY NIGHT

Most of you have seen pictures of famous Moscow buildings illuminated but there is nothing like the real thing. This late evening programme takes you on a drive through Moscow to show you these famous landmarks which have a magical and somewhat mystical appearance by night.

€32 (Euro)

TRETYAKOV GALLERY

The State Tretyakov Gallery is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. It is located in one of the oldest districts of Moscow, not far from the Kremlin. The date of its foundation is estimated as being around 1856 when the young Tretyakov first acquired works by Russian artists of his day with the aim of creating a collection, which might later grow into a museum of national art. Russian art works ranging from the 11th to the early 20th century are on show in the Gallery's historic building on Lavrushinskiy Pereulok

€39 (Euro)

CATHEDRAL CHRIST THE SAVIOUR

In 1994 reconstruction began on the Cathedral of Christ our Savior, considered one of the most powerful symbols of Russia's spiritual identity and nationhood and destroyed by Stalin in 1931. Rebuilding the church was the centerpiece of a huge renovation plan in Moscow pursued by its mayor, Yuri Luzkkov. When the cornerstone was laid, Luzhkov said "Let the reconstruction of the main cathedral stand as symbolic proof of hundreds of destroyed churches and millions of lost lives."

€33 (Euro)

MOSCOW CIRCUS

Complete your visit to Moscow by enjoying an unforgettable evening at the world-famous Moscow State Circus, renowned for its breathtaking performances by acrobats, trapeze artists and clowns.

€49 (Euro)

MOSCOW RIVER CRUISE

You will be transferred from your hotel to the cruise, which starts in the centre of Moscow and lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. From the river, view the Kremlin, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, the Red October chocolate factory, Gorky Park, the Peter the Great Monument, and Luzhniki stadium - in fact, all of the famous sights of Moscow.

€36 (Euro)

PETER & PAUL FORTRESS

This fortress on Zayachiy Island is the historical core of St. Petersburg. Ordered and planned by Peter the Great in 1703, it is a monument of military and engineering craft.

€28 (Euro)

CANAL CRUISE

A chance to see this beautiful Russian city from the water by joining a cruise through its canals.

€34 (Euro)

BALLET

A unique opportunity to see a famous ballet in St. Petersburg, possibly Swan Lake or another well known ballet.

€103 (Euro)

CATHERINE'S PALACE

The palace and park ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo (a former country residence of the Russian emperors) is a fascinating monument to the architecture and gardening arts of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Tsarskoselsky Lyceum, situated next to the Palace, was an elite school established at the beginning of the 19th century for noble families' offspring. The Great Russian poet, Aleksandr Pushkin, attended here. In the park and Catherine's Palace there are various exhibitions open to the public.

€48 (Euro)

NIKOLAEVSKY PALACE & FOURCHET

For your last night in Russia, why not enjoy a folklore show of fiery dances and original songs with snacks and "champagne" at the majestic Nikolayesvky Palace, which belonged to the Grand Duke Nicholas in the 19th century.

€47 (Euro)

Please note that optional excursions and prices are subject to change.

Moscow & St Petersburg 7 nights

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Aberdeen

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Manchester

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Moscow & St Petersburg 7 nights

Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.

Earlier Dates Date Depart From Price from PP   Later Dates
  13 Jul 2012 Make your own way

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  13 Jul 2012 Aberdeen

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06:00 Lufthansa German Airline
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  13 Jul 2012 Birmingham

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07:15 Lufthansa German Airline
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  13 Jul 2012 Edinburgh

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13:30 Lufthansa German Airline
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  13 Jul 2012 London Heathrow

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07:30
(+ £40)
Lufthansa German Airline
08:50 British Airways
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  13 Jul 2012 Manchester

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06:55 Lufthansa German Airline
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Moscow & St Petersburg

Price from £1355.00

What's Included

  • Flights UK - Moscow; St Petersburg - UK
  • Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
  • Meals on tour 7 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 2 dinners (D)
  • Services of a tour director on tour
  • Porterage at hotels & railway stations (for one suitcase per person)
  • Individual Audio System You will be given headphones and a receiver so you can clearly hear the tour director/local guide during your visits.
  • Transfers between overseas airports and hotels
  • All local and airport taxes/service charges
  • Overnight train journey from Moscow to St Petersburg in a 2nd class, 4 berth couchette. Single room not available on overnight train

All this included

  • Moscow City sightseeing, Kremlin visit
  • Sergiyev Posad Day excursion
  • Overnight train Moscow to St Petersburg
  • St Petersburg Peterhof Palace and Gardens, City sightseeing, Hermitage Museum visit

Departures from

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Edinburgh
  • London Heathrow
  • Manchester

Departures between

13 Jul 2012 to 21 Sep 2012

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NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme

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