Highlights of Russia (8 Days and 7 Nights)
Tour Highlights: Moscow - St Petersburg: Red Square, Kremlin, Armoury, Moscow Metro, Tretyakov Gallery, Gorky Leninskiye; Peter & Paul Fortress, Hermitage, Catherine Palace at Pushkin.
Day 1, Moscow
Arrival transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation.
Day 2, Moscow
After breakfast, a guided out-of-town excursion to Gorki Leninskye, a large museum complex set up in a nice estate where Vladimir Lenin lived until his death in 1924. The estate also boasts an exposition of Russian suburban life of the 19th-20th centuries. Lunch included. In the afternoon, 3hour Moscow city sightseeing with photo stops, including Red Square, Kremlin, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Vorobiovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) and other major landmarks. No entrances included.
Day 3, Moscow
After breakfast, a walking tour of the Kremlin grounds and visit to the Armoury. The Moscow Kremlin is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and boasts such architectural marvels as gold-domed cathedrals, the gigantic Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, the Grand Kremlin Palace, and other historic monuments. Visit to one of the cathedrals to admire frescoes and icons created by old masters. Visit to the Armoury Chamber (time of visit to be specified by the guide) to marvel at a unique collection of gold and silver articles, diamonds, the tsar crowns and regalia. In the Afternoon, tour of the Moscow Metro, the most beautiful underground transport network distinguished for artistic decorations of stations. A walking tour of Arbat, the downtown pedestrian street full of souvenir shops, street performers, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Day 4, Moscow
After breakfast, check out of hotel with luggage. Tour of the Tretyakov Gallery, the largest repository of Russian paintings and icons based on the 19th century. Private collection of Pavel Tretyakov, a wealthy Moscow merchant.
Transfer to the railway station. Train Moscow St Petersburg 2nd Class, departure time:16h30. Arrival in St. Petersburg at 20h25. Guided transfer to the hotel.
Day 5, St. Petersburg
After breakfast, a 3hour tour of St. Petersburg with photo stops including the main city thoroughfare Nevsky Prospect, architectural masterpieces of the Admiralty, Kazan Cathedral, Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, Anichkov Bridge and other highlights of the city. No entrances included. In the afternoon. A 1,5h visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of the new capital set up by Peter the Great. Walk around the Fortress grounds and admire the numerous historic buildings, the cannon with over a 150-year long tradition of firing at noon, the Trubetskoy Bastion, where rebellious poets, writers and other prominent personalities were incarcerated in imperial Russia. Visit the impressive Peter & Paul Cathedral, the burial grounds of Russian emperors.
Day 6, St. Petersburg
After breakfast, meet your guide for a 2,5h visit of Hermitage. The world-renowned museum is home to an enormous collection of masterpieces by great masters, and fascinating Scythian gold articles. Your guide will ensure you see the best.
Day 7, St. Petersburg
After breakfast, take a guided tour to Pushkin. Formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo, the town of Pushkin is famous for the majestic Catherine Palace. Visit the Grand Hall decorated with glided woodcarvings and mirrors; the Dining Room with magnificent porcelain dinner services and other palace interiors. Admire the gorgeous Amber Room faced with natural amber of different colours, and hear the story of its recreation.
Day 8 - St. Petersburg
Transfer to airport for departure.
Belarus 5 days
Day 1
Meeting at the International Airport of Minsk, arrival at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 2
A reconnaissance trip around the city of Minsk and familiarization with the most characteristic features: the island of tears and the old city, Victory Square, a public library, visiting one of the most beautiful natural parks.
Day 3
Breakfast, then journey through the line of Stalin. This is an open-air museum, which includes World War II vehicles and warships and then visiting the largest shopping center in the Minsk.
Day 4
Have breakfast and go to the tourist village of Dudutki, which imitates life in the old Belarusian village, where tourists can learn about life hundreds of years ago, learn about the products of these villages, and then go to Lake Minsk, one of the largest lakes in the Republic of Belarus - beautiful nature.
Day 5
Check out from hotel and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
