Festive St. Petersburg and Moscow Winter 2021 2022

Imposing, stately, magnificent – St. Petersburg extends a warm welcome for a festive sojourn that will see you visit two imperial cities cloaked in a magical winter blanket. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and light dinner at your hotel before an enchanting introduction of the city during an orientation drive.

MEAL(S)
Welcome Reception

HOTEL
Courtyard by Marriott Vasilievsky

Admire Peter the Great’s inspiring vision that culminated in the creation of a majestic city to rival Europe’s most magnificent capitals. Join your Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour that will take you past the Tsar’s regal Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the grand avenue of Nevsky Prospekt. Included is a visit to the 18th-century Peter and Paul Fortress. Later, Connect With Locals and meet the students of St. Petersburg’s Theatre for canapés and a stage performance.

MEAL(S)
Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Rasputin And The Romanovs

This tour pays tribute to one of Russia’s noble and royal families and provides an explanation for the collapse of the monarchy. You’ll visit the opulent interior of Yusupov Palace, one of the grandest noble residences in the country, and learn about the plot to murder the mystic Rasputin.

Adult Price: EUR49.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Catherine Palace

Recently restored, Catherine’s Palace in the town of Pushkin is one of the largest Royal summer residencies ever built. The palace is most famous for it’s fabled Amber Room, a world-famous chamber decorated in amber panels that are backed with gold leaf and mirrors. Your Local Specialist will reveal all of the secrets and history of the palace.

Adult Price: EUR63.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Catherine the Great’s cherished collection of art takes centre stage today as we Dive Into Culture and enjoy a Small Group Sightseeing visit to the Hermitage Museum with a Local Specialist. Navigate the spectacular corridors that house one of the world’s largest and most valuable art collections representing the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Spend the rest of your day exploring the grand boulevards, golden spires and regal façades of this great city. Why not end your St. Petersburg visit in a colourful whirl of traditional dance at a Russian folklore show?

MEAL(S)
Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Evening At The Ballet

There may be an opportunity to attend a ballet performance in the historic atmosphere of a Tsarist era theatre. Subject to availability of tickets and performance. Price will vary from €100-€130, depending on the venue and the Ballet Company. This optional involves reservations and entrance prepayments. If you decide to cancel the optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.

Adult Price: EUR0.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Imperial Splendours And Architectural Gems

Your Local Specialist will offer a guided tour of the interiors of two iconic churches. The Church of the Saviour on the Spilt Blood, built to commemorate the assassination of Tsar Alexander II, has one of the country’s most intricate displays of mosaic icons. Additionally, St Isaac’s Cathedral is the 4th-largest cathedral in the world. Designed by a French architect, its immense interior is comprised of malachite and other precious materials. This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. If you decide to cancel the optional a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.

Adult Price: EUR44.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Russian Folklore Evening

A chance to attend one of the best Russian folklore programs in St. Petersburg. You’ll enjoy a high-energy performance featuring Cossack dances, songs, instruments and costumes from around Russia. During intermission, sample local champagne and vodka. An unforgettable experience! This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. If you decide to cancel the optional a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.

Adult Price: EUR67.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Tuck into hearty breakfast of Russian fare before embarking on a high-speed train to Moscow, passing a wintery landscape of soaring church spires and small villages. The Russian capital wears its extraordinary triumphs and tumultuous history on its sleeve and we have an opportunity to explore both over the next few days. Follow the imposing red walls of the Kremlin and the chilly banks of the Moskva River on this exploration of Russia’s political, economic, religious and financial hub.

MEAL(S)
Breakfast

HOTEL
Marriott Tverskaya

An enchanting winter wonderland awaits as we admire the more than 400 dazzling light installations that illuminate the city for its annual Christmas Light festival. Stroll through city squares that come alive with Christmas market stalls. Smells of mulled wine, gingerbread and caviar-filled crepes fill the air while stalls spill over with an astounding array of handcrafted gifts. Join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour to see the vibrant façade of St. Basil’s Cathedral and visit the Kremlin. There’s plenty of time later to stock up on festive souvenirs and explore one of the world’s grandest cities on your own terms.

MEAL(S)
Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Metro And Red Square By Night

Often cited as the most beautiful subway system in the world, Moscow’s grandiose Metro stations are decorated with mosaics, stained glass and bronze statues. They’re also one of the few remaining places featuring Communist iconography. We’ll see them with our Local Specialist and complete our visit with a walk through Red Square, where the evening illuminations should provide enviable photo opportunities.

Adult Price: EUR37.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Treasures Of The Tsars

Skip the queues with our Local Specialist and journey through the Treasure Chamber of the Russian Tsars – one of the most important museums in Russia due to its unique collection. You’ll see priceless Faberge eggs and Catherine the Great’s diamonds and many gowns. You’ll also discover the Imperial carriages, which are studded with precious stones and gold; coronation thrones; and other one-of-a-kind items from the Romanov Dynasty. This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

Adult Price: EUR56.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Moscow’s fascinating history and culture are yours to explore today. Spend your full day at leisure discovering the victories and tragedies that have shaped this magnificent city, from the elegant frescoed metro stations to the sad graveyard of Fallen Monuments. Consider visiting one of the city’s museums or join an Optional Experience to Sergiyev Posad, the largest religious and cultural centre in Russia. Our journey together is almost at its end as we join our travel companions for a Farewell Dinner.

MEAL(S)
Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Sergiyev Posad – The Real Russia

68 km from Moscow, Sergiyev Posad (known as Zagorsk in the Soviet era) is the centre of the Orthodox faith and Russia’s most important pilgrimage site. With our Local Specialist, we’ll visit the recently-renovated Troitse-Sergiieyeva Lavra, a working monastery, unique in the fact that it still operated during the atheist years of Communist rule. We’ll also have time to browse the markets, where you might like to buy locally-crafted lacquer boxes or Matryoshka dolls. This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. If you decide to cancel the optional a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.

Adult Price: EUR56.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Patriots and Bohemians

Few things set fire to the soul of the Russian people like their heroic fight against fascism. The tremendous power of their emotions has been beautifully translated into the spectacular Victory Park, where we’ll walk through gorgeous gardens full of impressive memorials with our Local Specialist. In the Museum, we’ll see large-scale 3D paintings that give the illusion of one’s presence in the centre of events. Afterwards we’ll discover the Bohemian atmosphere of Moscow’s “Montmartre”, lined with delightful cafes, restaurants and time for last-minute souvenir shopping.

Adult Price: EUR43.0*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

For now it’s time to say a fond do svidaniya to two great Russian cities. Airport transfers are available.

MEAL(S)
Breakfast