Moscow & St Petersburg

Moscow & St. Petersburg

The 'Iron Curtain' has well and truly been opened, giving you a unique opportunity to discover the previously hidden sights of the former Soviet Union, with its wealth of cultural attractions, historical treasures, stunning palaces and magnificent monuments in the marvellous cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Holiday highlights
• Guided city Tour of Moscow
• Entrance to Tchaikovsky Museum in Klin
• Guided city tour of Novgorod
• Guided city tour of St Petersburg

Optional excursions
• Moscow evening show or concert
• Entrance to The Hermitage and Winter Palace in St Petersburg


Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 UK to Moscow - Fly from the UK to Moscow and transfer to Hotel Cosmos (3*) or similar, for the next three nights. (D)
Days 2 & 3 Moscow - At leisure in Moscow with plenty of time to explore the city’s numerous sights and attractions. Our included guided city tour will introduce you to some of the most famous monuments by coach. Red Square is situated in the heart of Moscow and is surrounded on all sides by impressive monuments. To the North of the square is the Moscow History Museum, which houses the largest collection of materials and documents relating to the history of Russia. The Western side of the square is lined by the dark red brick walls of the Kremlin, which were completed in 1516. In front of the Kremlin walls is Lenin’s mausoleum. The granite and marble structure, built in 1929, houses the embalmed body of Lenin. On the Southern part of the square is the symbol of Russia, the brightly coloured St Basil’s cathedral. The 16th century cathedral was ordered to be built by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate victory over the invading Mongols. Outside of central  Moscow, Novodevichy convent, constructed in 1544, is situated next to a tranquil lake, which rumour has it, was the inspiration for Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. The coach tour continues past the Sports stadium at Luzhniki, built for the 1980 Olympics and up to Sparrow Hills for a panoramic view over the city of Moscow. You then have time to explore any of the above sights in your own time. (B,D)
Day 4 Moscow to Novgorod - After breakfast we head for nearby Klin for a visit to The Museum of Tchaikovsky, then on to Tver for an included lunch, before we reach Novgorod for our overnight stay. Volkhov Hotel (3*) or similar. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Novgorod to St Petersburg - We start the day with a guided tour of Novgorod, taking in the city’s own Kremlin which is now part museum and part archive and the Cathedral of St Sophia which, finished in 1052, is one of Russia’s oldest buildings. No visit to Novgorod would be complete without a visit to the Yurev Monastery, a 12th century working home for Monks. Then we’re off to St. Petersburg to spend the next three nights at the Andersen Hotel (3*) or similar. (B,D)
Days 6 & 7 St Petersburg - Affectionately known as ‘The Venice of The North’ this great city has so many sights and attractions that it can be difficult to choose and find time to see all of them - here are a few suggestions: The Hermitage museum has over 3 million items and you could spend days wondering amongst its treasures. The museum is housed within the Winter Palace, home to the Tsars from 1762 to 1917; The Winter Palace itself, a miracle of green, white and gold columns, windows and statues; The Summer Garden and Palace, built for Peter The Great; St Isaac’s Cathedral, its golden dome dominating the skyline of St Petersburg; Church of The Resurrection, partly modelled on St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow; Peter & Paul Fortress, originally built as a defence against the Swedes but later used as a political prison for the likes of Dostoevsky, Gorky and Trotsky. We’ll introduce you to some of the main sights on our included guided city tour, and then you will have plenty of time on your own to seek out your particular favourites. (B,D)
Day 8 St Petersburg to UK - To St Petersburg airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)
(B) Breakfast (D) Dinner

This tour is operated on a hired in, local coach.

Note: A tourist visa is required for entry to Russia - more details will be sent to you after booking. The cost is approx. £70 and your passport must be valid for 6 months following your return to the UK.

Flight departures
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Durham Tees Valley All flights operate via Amsterdam or Prague

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