Easy Pace Russia - 8 Days

From the grand baroque of St. Petersburg to Moscow's iconic treasures, Russia is an enigma that just has to be sampled by any serious traveller!

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit the spectacular Hermitage Museum, one of the oldest & largest museums in the world
    * Stroll through the beautiful gardens of Peter the Great's Summer Palace at Petrodvorets

Included Personal Insights

    * Hear a fascinating presentation about Mikhail Gorbachev 'Saint or Sinner' as seen through the eyes of our guest speaker & local Russian journalist
    * Go deep beneath Moscow to see the marble, mosaics, sculptures & ch&eliers of one of the most beautiful underground stations in the world

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See St Isaac's Cathedral, whose great dome dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg
    * See the fortress of St Peter & Paul, Decembrist's Square & the Winter Palace
    * Drive down Nevsky Prospekt to see the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan & enjoy a wonderful view down Kanal Griboedova to the Russian-style Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.
    * See the cruiser 'Aurora' which played a vital role in the October Revolution of 1917
    * Hear the story of the siege of Leningrad, one of the longest in modern history
    * Tour Moscow's Red Square, seeing St Basil's Cathedral, GUM department store & Lenin's tomb
    * Visit one of the Cathedrals inside the walls of the Kremlin

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
    * Afternoon train from St Petersburg to Moscow
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 8
    * Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

    * Choose from a selection of restaurants on your St Petersburg Dine-Around evening (DA)
    * 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 three-course table d'hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

Day 1 - ST PETERSBURG

Welcome to St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, expressly to be the new capital of Tsarist Russia. In only 20 years of concentrated effort, the city rose from the desolate Neva marshes, under the personal supervision of the Tsar himself from his house beside the river. Although the city was virtually destroyed during World War II's 900 day siege, it has been lovingly restored & abounds in important monuments & beautiful buildings. Your airport transfers depart from St Petersburg airport at 11:30, 14:30 & 17:00. Meet your Tour Director in the evening for a Welcome Drink before dinner.

Hotel: Radisson Sonya. (D)

Day 2 - ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING

A sightseeing tour takes in St Isaac's Cathedral, the fortress of St Peter & Paul, Decembrist's Square, & the Winter Palace – former residence of Russian tsars. Travel down St. Petersburg's main avenue, Nevsky Prospekt, for views of the great Cathedral of Kazan & the onion domed Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood. See the memorial to the Nazi siege of Lenningrad during World War II & the cruiser Aurora, whose crew signalled the outset of the Russian Revolution. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore, shop or relax. This evening perhaps take a cruise through the centre of Peter the Great's capital while enjoying champagne & vodka? (BB)

Day 3 - ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING

Catherine the Great used to lament that only "the mice & me" were able to admire her vast art collection. Thankfully, this is no longer true because today you visit the Hermitage, one of the world's greatest museums. Located in the Winter Palace, wander through this fabulous collection of paintings & objets d'art, ranging from Egyptian carvings­ to Impressionist masterpieces. This afternoon you are free to do as you please! Maybe take an optional excursion to the former residence of the Yusupov family & the scene of Rasputin's murder? (BB)

Day 4 - ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING

Visit the fabulous gardens & fountains of Peter the Great's summer residence at Petrodvorets. For over 200 years, Petrodvorets was used for official ceremonies, lavish feasts & formal receptions. Back in St Petersburg, the afternoon leaves plenty of time to shop for Russian souvenirs. For your dining pleasure this evening, you are invited to choose from a selection of local restaurants. (BB,DA)

Day 5 - ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING - MOSCOW

A city of incomparable architectural, historic & artistic interest, St Petersburg is all yours this morning to enjoy as you wish. This afternoon, discover the unique adventure of train travel 'soviet style' as you head for the capital. On arrival in Moscow, transfer to your hotel for dinner & a leisurely three night stay.

Hotel: Hilton Moscow Hotel Leningradskaya. (BB,D)

Day 6 - MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING

Begin the day if you wish with an included & fascinating presentation about Mikhail Gorbachev 'Saint or Sinner' as seen through the eyes of our guest speaker & local Russian journalist. Then, with a specialist guide, begin your exploration of the Russian capital. Start in Red Square, lined by Moscow's famous landmark buildings. At one end rises the crimson & ivy coloured onion-shaped domes of St Basil's Cathedral, in front of the Kremlin stands Lenin's Mausoleum, while on the opposite side of the square stands GUM, the Grand Soviet department store which now offers the most glamorous & fashionable goods from the West. Walk inside the walls of the Kremlin Fortress to visit one of the cathedrals. In your free time why not visit the Borodino Panorama Exhibition which brings to life the Battle of Borodino, one of the most important events in Russia's history & immortalized in Tolstoy's epic, 'War & Peace'. (BB)

Day 7 - MOSCOW AT LEISURE

Visit one of the Metro stations which Stalin called 'palaces for the people'. Gain a personal insight into the themes depicted among the marble, mosaics, sculptures & chandeliers. Moscow has captivated the imagination of travellers for centuries so the rest of the day is set aside to explore at your own pace. Consider a visit to the treasure chest of the Imperial Russian Family to see their crown jewels, jewel-studded thrones & costumes as well as the famous Fabergé Egg collection. Later, there is the opportunity to tour this bustling city by night & admire the evening magic of the famous Red Square & the Kremlin? (BB)

Day 8 - MOSCOW

Departure transfers will arrive at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport at 05.00 & 11.00 & at Moscow's Domodedevo airport at 05.00 & 13.00. (BB)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

MOW01 - MOSCOW BY NIGHT
A tour of this bustling city by night with an opportunity to admire the evening magic of the famous Red Square and the Kremlin as well as many other sights. EURO 26

MOW02 - IMPERIAL SPLENDOUR
A visit to the treasure chest of the Imperial Russian family to see their crown jewels, jewel-studded thrones and costumes as well as the famous Faberge Egg collection. EURO 45

MOW03 - ZAGORSK
Our excursion takes us to Zagorsk - renowned as a centre of ancient Russian art and architecture. For centuries it has served as the religious capital of Russia and place of pilgrimage for the faithful of the Russian Orthodox creed. Within the old walled city we see the Troitse Sergiyevo Lavra, a working monastery, where the Orthodox faith was tolerated by the State and kept alive even during the 'years of atheism'. You will also have a chance to browse for some locally made Russian handicrafts, wooden toys and Matryoshka dolls on sale at the local market. EURO 47

MOW04 - RUSSIAN STATE CIRCUS
A chance to enjoy the Russian State Circus. Tickets subject to availability. Full transportation will be provided. EURO 47

MOW06 - RUSSIAN MOSAIC
The complex history of Russia is fixed in the soul of the people and this tour will cover recent and past historical events which have shaped this nation. We visit the Borodino Panorama exhibition which brings to life the decisive events of 1812, in a painting 115m long, accompanied by special sound effects reproducing the battle sounds of the 19th C. Pass the awe inspiring Memorial Park complex inaugurated for the 50th anniversary of World War II before we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Novodevichy Cemetery were we see memorials to such great names as Kruschev, Chekhov, Einstein, Raisa Gorbachev and Yeltsin. (On occasions when Borodino is closed we will visit the Memorial Park complex instead).
EURO 40

SPB02 - NEVA RIVER CRUISE
Soak up the atmosphere, romance and lights of this unique and beautiful city known as 'the Venice of the North'. A cruise through the canals and along River Neva transforms the city into a magical place that has inspired generations of artists - a photographer's dream. Sip champagne as the city drifts by! A wonderful introduction to the former imperial capital.
EURO 23

SPB04 FOLKLORE CONCERT
A spectacular evening concert, held in one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg, where some 80 musicians, singers and dancers will thrill us with their superb performance. EURO 45

SPB03 - YUSUPOV PALACE
A chance to visit this beautifully restored baroque palace, the former residence of the Yusupov family and the scene of Rasputin's murder. Here we will tour the palace including the room where the murder took place and hear the fascinating story of this Siberian monk and his influence on the Imperial Family. EURO 23

SPB05 - CATHERINE PALACE
In the little town of Tsarskoe Selo, now called Pushkin, is the most beautiful palace in all of Russia. It was the favourite palace of Catherine the Great, and our guided tour shows us this restored palace at its most glittering and golden best.
EURO 45

SPB06 - RUSSIAN BALLET PERFORMANCE
There may be an opportunity to attend a ballet performance. Subject to availability of tickets and performance. The price will vary, depending on the venue & the Ballet Company, starting from: EURO 65