 Best of Moscow and St. Petersburg
Save your money on low-season trip and explore the treasures of two Capitals of Russia
Your fully escorted tour includes: Two meals per day in Moscow and St. Petersburg 5 nights deluxe-class hotel accommodation in Moscow, St. Petersburg Comprehensive sightseeing (listed below) Services of English-speaking guides in Moscow and St. Petersburg Ground transportation by first-class motor coach First-class overnight sleeper train between Moscow and St. Petersburg
Tour highlights: Moscow, St. Petersburg Kremlin, Moscow with three Cathedrals Tretyakov Gallery Moscow Metro Arbat Street Tour of Hermitage Museum Catherine's Palace in Pushkin Peter and Paul Fortress St. Isaac's Cathedral
DAY 1. ARRIVE MOSCOW. Arrive at Moscow International Airport. Meet awaiting tour escort and motor coach and continue to the hotel for check-in. Welcome dinner and overnight in Moscow.
DAY 2. MOSCOW. After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of the city, including Red Square, which was originally known more prosaically as the tog or marketplace. The present name dates from the 17th century, meaning 'beautiful.' Red Square is famous for its markets, fairs and religious festivals, as well as a famous place of execution. Here, rebels met their deaths beside the raised circular dais called the 'Lobnoe Mesto,' from which state decrees were also read out. Independent lunch in the city downtown. See the former headquarters of the KGB, Moscow University and the Russian 'White House.' Take an afternoon tour of the Kremlin including a visit to three main Cathedrals. Dinner and overnight in Moscow.
DAY 3. MOSCOW, OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, visit of the Tretyakov Gallery. Founded in 1856 by Pavel Tretyakov to show the work of Russian artists. Today, after much expansion, the gallery houses and celebrates over 57,000 pieces of the most important ancient and contemporary Russian art in the world. After the museum, ride the amazing Moscow Metro, where every station is an individual monument to Soviet art and design. Dinner at the local restaurant. Evening transfer to the train station for your overnight trip to St. Petersburg.
DAY 4. ST. PETERSBURG. Morning arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to your hotel with a city tour. En route, you will enjoy the sights of this gorgeous city - Tsar Peter the Great'sWindow to the West. Only 300 years old, the city was built by Tsar Peter to capture and rival the beauties of Paris and Venice. You'll love the extravagant baroque architecture of the city center, Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square and Smolny Convent. This afternoon, enjoy the many wonders of the elegant Winter Palace, which now houses the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest art and cultural museums in the world. This vast collection (about 65,000 items) includes some of history's most important art. Dinner and overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 5. ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, travel outside St. Petersburg to the lovely city of Pushkin - formerly Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village. Tour Catherine Palace, the beautiful Baroque-style building that was built by Empress Elizabeth and named for her mother, Catherine the First. The architect was Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace, and the Hermitage Pavilion. Like many other royal residences, the palace sustained heavy damage during World War II, although most of it has been restored to its former glory. Enjoy a Russian troika ride. Continuation of sightseeing tour including views of the Peter and Paul Cathedral designed by the famous architect Rastrelli. It stands on the grounds of Peter and Paul Fortress in the oldest section of the city and contains the tombs of Russian rulers from Peter the Great through Alexander III. Dinner. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 6. ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, continue your tour with a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral (under construction from 1818 to 1858), largest in the city. With its tall gilt dome, is one of the landmarks of the city. The rest of the day is available for independent sightseeing, shopping and last-minute photo opportunities. Dinner. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 7. ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, transfer to St. Petersburg International Airport after your unforgettable journey through this fascinating land.
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