Two Capitals of Russia
Programme Overview
Duration: 8 days
This group itinerary is ideal for visitors wanting to explore Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Highlights: St Petersburg, Moscow
Arrive St Petersburg
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg you will be met in the Customs Hall and assisted with formalities, with Fast-Track entry and then transferred to your hotel in the very heart of St. Petersburg where your Tour Director will greet you.
This evening enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Europe
Meal Plan: D
St Petersburg
This morning, enjoy a memorable guided visit to the famous Hermitage. By special arrangement you will be able to enter the museum before the official opening hour to enjoy the State Rooms of the Winter Palace in private. From here you will continue to the Small Hermitage, then to the priceless masterpieces exhibited in other areas of the Hermitage building. The Hermitage museum was the residence of the Russian Emperors in the past; nowadays it comprises five palaces and is one of the largest museums in the world.
During the afternoon you will visit the private home of the graphic artist, Yuri Petrochenkov, to meet him and enjoy tea. For a long time he has worked with paper for drawing and engraving, and over the last 20 years he has been creating designs for porcelain including platters, plates, and especially porcelain eggs. He applies the same techniques as on paper, but using different materials. His designs have been influenced by the avant-garde periods of such artists as Malevich, Kandinsky, and Souietine. Some of his designs show the influence of the pre-revolutionary "Imperial" period. This influence is very apparent in some of his exquisite porcelain eggs. Two of which has been bought by Malcolm Forbes for his collection of Fabergé Eggs. Since 1978, Yuri Petrochenkov has been visiting Western European countries and the U.S.A., where he exhibits and sells his works, and teaches his special techniques of porcelain painting. Since 1993 he has been giving special master classes of porcelain painting in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Europe
Meal Plan: B
St Petersburg
Drive into the countryside to the village of Pushkin (formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo), renamed in 1937 on the centenary of the famous Russian poet's death. Visit the grounds of the sparkling Catherine Palace. Tour the palace including the recently reconstructed Amber Room and the beautifully landscaped grounds.
Enjoy a traditional hearty Russian lunch at Podvorie Dacha accompanied by a concert of Russian folklore music. The restaurant is housed in a typical Russian log building with an interior filled with wooden panels and bearskins hanging on the walls. This restaurant has in recent years hosted President Putin's birthday celebrations.
Spend the afternoon on a private boat on the rivers and canals of Saint-Petersburg, a vantage point which allows a unique view of the major architectural treasures of the city. Sights include the Hermitage, Admiralty, Peter and Paul Fortress and the Aurora battleship.
During the evening you might like to visit the opera or ballet in one of the world's best theatres – The Mariinsky Ballet and Opera Theatre.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Europe
Meal Plan: B,L
St Petersburg
Transfer by motor coach to Peterhof, the great summer estate and artistic gem of Peter the Great, nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, with early entry to avoid the crowds. A prominent highlight is the Grand Cascade, a delightful sequence of 37 gilded bronze sculptures, 64 fountains and 142 water jets descending from the terraces of the Great Palace to the Marine Canal and the sea. The park features numerous palaces, summer houses and pavilions, including the Hermitage, specifically designed for holding Imperial dinner parties.
Upon your return to St Petersburg, enjoy lunch and a Cookery class at "Restoran" restaurant. The chef will show you how to make Russian traditional dishes such as borscht, pancakes or dumplings. You will have the opportunity to participate and enjoy the fruits of your labours!
After lunch, continue to the Yusupov Palace, home to Prince Felix Yusupov, who organised the assassination of the infamous Siberian monk Gregory Rasputin. You may visit the room where the assassination took place as well as the delightful living areas of the Palace, including a wonderful private theatre.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Europe
Meal Plan: B,L
St Petersburg - Moscow
Take a morning flight from St Petersburg to Moscow. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the city centre. You will be taken on an orientation tour of the city before checking in to your hotel on the edge of Red Square.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city at leisure.
Overnight: Ritz Carlton Hotel
Meal Plan: B
Moscow
Begin your day with a special before-hours opening visit to the Kremlin including the famous State Armoury Museum and State Diamond Fund, Cathedral Square and the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Your tour will start with the State Armoury, the oldest museum in Russia, home to a collection of precious stones, masterpieces of 18th and 19th century jewellery, priceless artefacts dating as far back as the 14th century as well as an impressive collection of carriages from the best Russian and European masters, precious fabrics, and royal gala clothes. The Armoury is famous also for its fine collection of Fabergé eggs. Afterwards see the dazzling exhibition of the State Diamond Fund, containing the "pride and glory" of Russia, including the crown jewels, used for centuries in coronations right up to that of Tsar Nicholas II at the end of 19th century.
Continue your tour of the Kremlin Territory and then by special arrangement and after a security check visit the impressive Grand Kremlin Palace with its magnificent Halls of St. George, St. Vladimir and St. Andrew.
After the Kremlin have lunch at "Red Square, 1" restaurant and continue your tour with a visit to the Cold War Museum – the former soviet Secret Command Post "Tagansky" (GO-42), built at the height of the confrontation period between the USSR and the USA. Here, 65 metres below street level, you will be able to explore the maze of corridors and tunnels as well as view fascinating exhibits of the time.
Overnight: Ritz Carlton Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Moscow
This morning depart for a visit to the Tretyakov Gallery, housing the greatest collection of Russian art and icons in the world. Accumulated in the last century by the Tretyakov brothers, this museum contains an extremely important icon section, including works by Andrei Rublyov, and exquisite paintings from the 19th century Romantic school.
After a guided tour of the collection, enjoy a private choral concert in the church of St Nicholas close to the Tretyakov Gallery. The afternoon is then at leisure to finish your sightseeing of Moscow at your leisure.
Dinner tonight will be at the splendid Artist Gallery Restaurant. Located in the building of the Tsereteli Art Gallery, a beautiful late 18th century mansion close to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, this restaurant is a marvellous venue, decorated with frescos, bronze bas-reliefs and mosaics of the famous Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli – President of the Russian Academy of Arts. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free.
Overnight: Ritz Carlton Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Depart Moscow
Today you will be privately transferred to one of Moscow's airport for your return flight.
Meal Plan: B