Luxury Tour to Moscow & St Petersburg - Travel in the Style of the Tzars (CB-15)

On arrival at the airport in Moscow you’ll be met by your guide for the transfer to your centrally located hotel. After check in formalities have been completed there’ll be time to freshen up and unpack. Tonight, let us know if you’d like us to take care of your dinner reservation. We’d suggest Godunov, a three minute walk from Red Square, which serves traditional Russian cuisine amid classic décor. Alternatively, check out the views from the rooftop O2 Lounge at the Ritz Carlton, overlooking Red Square and the Kremlin, which specialises in seafood dishes, caviar and sushi.

Included transport: private car.

This morning it’s time to get you acquainted with Moscow. We’ll begin in Red Square. This historic square is lined with notable landmarks, including St Basil’s Cathedral, GUM department store and Lenin’s Mausoleum. There’ll be plenty of time for sightseeing before we move on to the Ritz Hotel where you can experience a traditional Russian tea ceremony and enjoy lunch. Afterwards, hop in a car for a city tour which includes a visit to Novodevichy convent, sometimes referred to as New Maiden’s Monastery.

We can also arrange an optional visit a Russian banya and would recommend Sanduny, which is the oldest functioning bath house in the city and probably the grandest. Once again this evening we are happy to make dinner arrangements for you if you wish. Tonight, perhaps a table at White Rabbit would appeal, with a fine dining contemporary menu to accompany the splendid views through its glass dome. For something more relaxed, why not try the farm to table food at Lavkalavka, which relies on seasonal local produce.

Included excursions: Red Square with Lenin Mausoleium, St. Basils, GUM store, City Tour with Novodevichy Convent, Russian Tea Ceremony as a Lunch Break at Ritz Carlton.
Included transport: private car.

The Kremlin awaits this morning, with its beautiful churches and fascinating Armoury, as well as the extensive collection of gems and jewellery which comprise the Diamond Fund. There’s no rush, but when you’re ready to leave we’ll take a ride on the sumptuously decorated Moscow Underground, a metro system well renowned for its ornate sculptures and chandeliers.

We recommend you try Café Pushkin for lunch (optional), with its elegant halls and sophisticated menu. One of the city’s best known eateries, it was originally a fictitious place named in a song which later provided the inspiration for a real life café of the same name.

Once again, we can assist with dinner reservations and can suggest a convenient pre-theatre option. We suggest tickets to the ballet tonight, if they are available, ideally at the Bolshoi. But as an alternative you can visit the Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky or Hermitage theatres in St. Peersburg. Note that Russian theatres are generally closed from the end of July to mid September as they tour or close for annual holidays. Round off the evening with cocktails expertly created by the mixologists at the Swissotel City Space Bar (optional).

Included excursions: Kremlin, Armoury & Diamond Fund. Moscow Metro.
Included transport: the car is not required as all landmarks are close to the hotel.

Our sightseeing today focuses on the Tretiakov gallery. Originally the private collection of a wealthy merchant family, it was gifted to the city of Moscow over a century ago and is one of the greatest exhibits of Russian art in the world.

This afternoon, subject to availability, we will also book you a place on the Tour Behind the Curtains at the famous Bolshoi Theatre. (Note: as capacity is strictly limited and if a visit is not possible, we will arrange instead a guided visit to the Marrinsky or Mixailovsky Theatre, although please be aware these are also subject to availability).

High-speed train customers:
After lunch (not included), those travelling by day train will be transferred to the railway station. The high speed journey by Sapsan train to St Petersburg takes around 4 hours. On arrival you’ll be met at the train station and driven to your hotel where you’ll check in. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure. Dinner reservations can be made if required.

Overnight train customers:
For those opting for the overnight service, the rest of the afternoon in Moscow is free for you to continue sightseeing at your leisure or perhaps take the opportunity to do a little souvenir shopping. Later, you’ll be taken to the railway station to board the train in good time for departure. You’ll be booked into a Grand compartment on the Grand Express, sleeping two, which has a shower, sink and toilet as well as air-conditioning. The train has been likened to a 5 star hotel on rails.

Included excursions: Tretiakov Gallery. Bolshoi Theatre - Behind the Curtains.
Included transport: private car.

Those arriving in St Petersburg this morning enjoy an included transfer to the hotel. The sightseeing programme commences with a visit to Peter and Paul's Fortress as well as other major sights in the city, such as the cruiser Aurora which signalled the beginning of the Great Social Revolution more than 90 years ago.

After lunch (not included), we’ll take you to the Museum of Russian Vodka, which recounts the story of Russia’s favourite drink from the 14th century to the present day. You’ll learn about the fermentation process, production and cultural traditions associated with vodka and enjoy a tasting.

There is also the opportunity, weather permitting, to take a helicopter ride over St. Petersburg (optional). The scale of its canals and waterways is best appreciated from the air and of course it’s not everyone who can say they had a bird’s eye view of the city’s landmarks. Tonight, we are happy to make suggestions for restaurants and help with reservations. One of our favourites is the elegant L’Europe, furnished in Art Nouveau style; enjoy the ballet while you dine by candlelight in this sumptuous setting.

Included excursions: City Tour. Peter & Paul’s Fortress. Cruiser Aurora, Museum of Russian Vodka.
Included transport: private car.

Today we begin at one of Russia’s most glorious buildings, the Catherine Palace. Located in nearby Pushkin, this Baroque style palace was once the home of the Romanovs and its well preserved state rooms offer a glimpse into the regal life of the past. From there, we’ll take you to Pavlovsk, the newest of the grand Imperial estates that surround the city. It is named after Catherine the Great’s son and it was she who gifted him the land on which he could build this neo-classical palace encircled with beautifully landscaped gardens.

If the weather’s fine, you’ll have the opportunity to take a ride in a troika, a traditional Russian sleigh. Afterwards, you’ll visit a typical Russian dacha, or country-side home, where there’ll be a tea ceremony and plenty of pancakes and pirozhki to munch on.

Back in the city centre, we can help with dinner reservations. Perhaps you’d enjoy a meal at Palkin, serving French and Russian cuisine on the site of a 19th century restaurant which was frequented by Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Tchaikovsky.

Included excursions: Palaces in Pushkin (Catherine Palace & the Amber Room) & Pavlovsk. Troika Ride. Visit to a Russian Dacha. Tea Ceremony.
Included transport: private car.

Today it’s finally time to explore what’s behind the doors of the famous Hermitage Museum, a world-class repository for art and antiques. One of the highlights of a visit is the chance to see the Gold Room, crammed with jewellery dating from ancient times as well as more recent pieces. Later we continue to the Church of Christ's Resurrection (also known as the Savior on Spilled Blood) and St. Isaac's Cathedral - one of the finest architectural monuments of the XIX century and famous landmark of St. Petersburg. After lunch, you’ll have the chance to admire treasures of a different kind in the Fabergé Museum at the Shuvalov Palace. Tsar Alexander III commissioned the first of these exquisite eggs in 1885 as a gift for his wife; she was so delighted it became a family tradition and the eggs grew more elaborate year on year.

For dinner tonight we suggest Stroganoff Steak House, the largest in Russia, located conveniently close to St Isaac’s Cathedral. Alternatively, fish for your supper at Russkaya Rybalka, fit for a president, on Krestrovsky Island; Putin once entertained Jacques Chirac at this delightful waterside restaurant.

Included excursions: Hermitage Museum and the Golden Room. Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Isaac's Cathedral. Faberge Museum.
Included transport: private car.

It’s time to bid farewell to Russia after what we hope has been an enjoyable and rewarding stay. Our driver will accompany you to the airport where you will be able to board your flight home.

Included transport: private car.