Russian Highlights

Introduction 3

Compare Russia’s exciting capitals during this brief tour for a unique insight into Russian culture. Explore Lenin’s mausoleum, then wander the Kremlin’s red brick towers and gaze over the city’s iconic onion domes, including the flamboyant St Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square. By contrast, St Petersburg offers a ‘window to the west’, with a Venetian-style canal network, neo-classical architectural style and European-influenced sophistication.

Day 1: Arrive Moscow In and around Moscow Welcome to Moscow! You are free to arrive today at your leisure and start enjoying all that Moscow has to offer. Golden onion domes and towering skyscrapers, cosy cafes and hushed churches, Russias capital city is beautiful, atmospheric and overflowing with history. There is plenty to see and do here, including numerous cathedrals, museums, art galleries, palaces, the State History Museum and the iconic St Basils Cathedral, towers and monuments. We highly recommend arriving in Moscow a day or so earlier to make the most of this fascinating city. Moscows Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshad) is the main centre of the city and was a market place during the fifteenth century. The red part of its name does not refer to Communism or to the colour of the stone (which is actually grey) but derives from the old Russian word krasniy meaning beautiful. During the Soviet regime the square was known for its May Day parades and is the site of Lenins Mausoleum. It is said that soon after January 21, 1924, the day that Vladimir Lenin died, the Soviet government received more than 10,000 telegrams from all over Russia, which asked the government to preserve his body somehow for future generations. Lenins tomb, and final resting place, was then promptly set about being designed and a wooden tomb was constructed within 6 days of his death. A larger mausoleum was constructed later that year and stands today in the centre of the city in the prominent Red Square. There will be a pre departure meeting held in your hotel at 6pm tonight. Please check reception for details. Accommodation: 1 night(s) in hotels at Izmailovo Gamma or similar . Upgrade to your own room here. Optional Excursions: • St Basils Cathedral - 500 RUB • Tretyakov Gallery - 500 RUB • Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts - 300 RUB • Moscow Metro & Novodevichy Cemetary Tour - from 15 EUR • State Historical Museum - 400 RUB • Museum Panorama (Battle of Borodino) - 250 RUB • Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics - 250 RUB • Christ the Saviour Cathedral - Free • Bolshoi Theatre - from 500 RUB

Day 2: Moscow & Kremlin Tour Today you will have a guided tour of the Kremlin. The famous building is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a main focus of Russias political and historical heritage since the 13th century, housing both royalty and religious figures. The Kremlin wall contains a mass grave of Bolsheviks who perished during the battle for Moscow in 1917, together with the ashes of a number of well-known Russians, including writer Maxim Gorky and Yuriy Gagarin, the first Russian man to visit space. You will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the many activities in Moscow. Accommodation: 1 night(s) in hotels at Izmailovo Gamma or similar . Upgrade to your own room here. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s) Included Excursions: Moscow Kremlin guided tour Optional Excursions: • St Basils Cathedral - 500 RUB • Tretyakov Gallery - 500 RUB • Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts - 300 RUB • Moscow Metro & Novodevichy Cemetary Tour - from 15 EUR • State Historical Museum - 400 RUB • Museum Panorama (Battle of Borodino) - 250 RUB • Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics - 250 RUB • Christ the Saviour Cathedral - Free • Bolshoi Theatre - from 500 RUB

Day 3: Moscow & Overnight train to Veliky Novgorod We have the whole day to spend in Moscow enjoying some last minute sightseeing before we next head to Veliky Novgorod by overnight train. Moscows metro system is a network of beautifully and artistically decorated stations. Why not take a self-guided tour of the system and discover Moscows original underground art scene. Approximate Travel Times: 8 hours by overnight train. Accommodation: 1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains . No single room upgrade available. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s) Optional Excursions: • St Basils Cathedral - 500 RUB • Tretyakov Gallery - 500 RUB • Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts - 300 RUB • Moscow Metro & Novodevichy Cemetary Tour - from 15 EUR • State Historical Museum - 400 RUB • Museum Panorama (Battle of Borodino) - 250 RUB • Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics - 250 RUB • Christ the Saviour Cathedral - Free • Bolshoi Theatre - from 500 RUB

Day 4: Veliky Novgorod One of the oldest cities in Russia, Veliky Novgorod is steeped in history. It was one of the first hubs of religious, political and commercial activities in Russia and it is here where we find St Sophias Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Russia. Admire the five domed architecture that dominates the Kremlin in Novgorod, and visit the exhibition of the ancient bells that used to ring in St Sophias bell tower. Previously, the bells were heard from a 50 mile radius and had a distinct melody in memory of the composer Sergey Rakhaminoff, born in Novgorod. The bells were damaged during World War II, so unfortunately they now are grounded, however you can still enjoy panoramic views of Veliky Novgorod from the bell tower itself. Accommodation: 1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Volkhov or similar . Upgrade to your own room here. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s) Included Excursions: Guided tour of St Sophias Cathedral Optional Excursions: • Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture - 150 RUB • St George Monastery - Free • Fine Art Museum - 150 RUB

Day 5: St Petersburg In and around St Petersburg This morning we will make our way to St Petersburg. The cosmopolitan city of St Petersburg is known as the Venice of the North because of its rivers and canals which are fascinating and easy to explore by boat. St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and sits on the port of the Baltic Sea. Often considered the countrys cultural capital, St Petersburg has a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed historic centre and the Hermitage Museum; one of the largest art museums in the world! We will take an orientation walk around the key sights of the city, including a visit to the aforementioned Hermitage Museum to explore the extensive art collection there, and then you will be free to explore this great city at your leisure. Approximate Travel Times: 3 hours by local bus. Accommodation: 1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Cameo or similar . Upgrade to your own room here. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s) Included Excursions: Entry & Guided tour of the Hermitage Museum Optional Excursions: • Vodka Museum Tour and Tasting - 600 RUB • Mariinsky Theatre - from 1000 RUB • Catherine Palace - 700 RUB • Peterhof Palace - 550 RUB • Canal Boat Ride - 1100 RUB • Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) - 250 RUB • Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood - 250 RUB • St Isaacs Cathedral - 250 RUB • Cabin of Peter the Great - 200 RUB • Faberge Egg Museum Guided Tour - 600 RUB

Day 6: St Petersburg Today you are free to further explore the city. There are many sights to see in this former capital including the Winter Palace or the famous Church of the Spilt Blood. It is easy to spend hours wandering St Petersburg and taking in the citys European flare. Other highlights you could opt to visit are the unique Faberge Egg Museum or the Mariinsky Theatre to see a ballet performance. With so much to see, we highly recommend you book some extra time here in St Petersburg. Speak to an Adventure Specialist to find out about booking post tour accommodation. Accommodation: 1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Cameo or similar . Upgrade to your own room here. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s) Optional Excursions: • Vodka Museum Tour and Tasting - 600 RUB • Mariinsky Theatre - from 1000 RUB • Catherine Palace - 700 RUB • Peterhof Palace - 550 RUB • Canal Boat Ride - 1100 RUB • Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) - 250 RUB • Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood - 250 RUB • St Isaacs Cathedral - 250 RUB • Cabin of Peter the Great - 200 RUB • Faberge Egg Museum Guided Tour - 600 RUB

Day 7: Depart St Petersburg Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights. Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights. Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast(s)