Spirit of Russia
11 Day Tour
4 Days in Moscow *****Hotel Golden Ring
3 Days in Suzdal ***Hotel Hot Springs
4 Days in St. Petersburg ****Hotel Dostoevsky
This journey reveals the major influences that have shaped this country. Your discovery takes you to former capital cities of Russia in the last 800 years. Adorned with dramatic frescoes, lavishly gilded and intricately decorated Russian cathedrals will bring to life the majesty of the “Land of the Firebird”.
Day 1, Friday
Upon arrival to Moscow airport, you will be met by your private guide and driver and accompanied to your deluxe downtown hotel. You might want to have a bite before the night tour.
Tonight: At 10pm, your guide will take you on a “Moscow Nights” city tour. You will drive on the main Moscow Street Tverskaya; see Lubyanka Square where the KGB headquarters is; the impressive building of Moscow University on Sparrow Hill which is one of the “seven sisters’ – seven skyscrapers that Stalin had built; and the Moscow White House (The Parliament). Stop on the Kremlin embankment for its spectacular view of the Kremlin churches, and don’t miss the view of the newly famous Borodino “Bridge of Kisses”.
Meals: None
Day 2, Saturday
This morning you will be taken on a short ride on the famous Moscow metro, visit the Tretyakov Gallery, which houses the best Russian art of the last 1,000 years. Lunch at a private restaurant with traditional Russian food. After you might want to walk the streets of Moscow like a true Muscovite. Explore Red Square; visit Lenin's Tomb, St. Basil Cathedral and the famous State Department Store GUM. You should not miss the unique Museum of the Romanov Dynasty, the 16th century house, where the first Romanov tzar was born.
Tonight: Moscow Circus.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3, Sunday
Today you will be given a few challenging tasks: to find a certain place at the city on your own, or to exercise a certain Russian tradition.
Tonight: at the Dinner you might want to tell the fellow travelers about your day.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4, Monday
Today you will visit the Kremlin and its museums. After a walking tour of the Kremlin grounds, you might enjoy the historical Armory Museum. Just to walk by Elizabeth’s and Catherine’s The Great collection of royal carriages will take you a good half hour. Visit the dazzling Diamond Fund exhibition, the best of its kind in the world. You might want to end the day strolling along Arbat street in the late afternoon. This street is filled with musicians, artists, cozy coffee shops and souvenirs.
Tonight: evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 5, Tuesday
In the morning check out of the hotel. Start your journey to the roots of Russian history by visiting one of the four most revered monasteries in Russia Sergiev Posadskay Lavra. For the last 600 years it played a significant role in the history of the country. After seeing the monastery, you will drive the back roads, rarely used by foreigners, to the ancient city of Suzdal. Check into your brand new private hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6, Wednesday
This morning you will tour Suzdal, an 11th century tiny city-museum, where the life style of its citizens has changed little in the last 300 hundred years. Time stops in Suzdal. You will see and experience medieval Russia, hear the traditional church bell concert which has been rung daily for centuries. Lunch will be today at a local house.
Tonight: Dinner with folklore show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7, Thursday
Morning hotel check out. Depart for Vladimir, a former capital of Russia. Among the sites you cannot miss, is the burial place of the famous Russian Prince Alexander Nevski. You will recall this name the very next morning, in St Petersburg, where the main street of the city Nevski Prospect, is named after him. Late afternoon, after lunch, drive back to Moscow to board the historical midnight train to St. Petersburg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8, Friday
Early morning arrival in St.Petersburg. Explore this beautiful city, magically built just in 9 years back in 1703. Its mansions, gardens, cathedrals, streets and bridges are like poetry in stone”. The private residence of Peter surprises many as it is the most modest wooden house in the whole city, and could be said to be reflective of his Moscow childhood which he spent in “Terems” (wooden houses). Later you will visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of this 300 years old city. You will walk in the Summer Garden, so poetically described by famous Russian poet Pushkin. Leisure time after check-in.
Meals: None
Day 9, Saturday
You will start the day with your guide, visiting the Russian Museum. Its 160 rooms will walk you thru the history of Russian art and culture. In the afternoon you will drive to the countryside to the beautiful Pavlovsk Palace, the most elegant of St. Petersburg's Necklace of Summer Palaces.
Tonight: Classical or folklore show (schedule permitting)
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10, Sunday
All day today you can dedicate to the incredible Hermitage Museum. Your guide will take you to The Malachite Room, the Imperial living quarters, famous collection of Impressionists, historical sculptures, cameos, antiques, paintings and much more. You might want to explore the museum on your own in the afternoon. Evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 11, Monday
Transfer to airport for departure flight home.
Please contact us to book this program now.
| Arrive Moscow | Dpart St. Petersburg | Tour Price | Code | ||
| May 20 | May 30 | $2,800us | GR01 | ||
| June 17 | June 27 | $2,850us | GR02 | ||
| July 22 | August 01 | $2,900us | GR03 | ||
| August 19 | August 29 | $2,800us | GR04 | ||
| September 23 | October 03 | $2,700us | GR05 | ||
| October 07 | October 17 | $2,650us | GR06 |
All prices are Land Only, per person, double occupancy. Single Supplement us$750. Tour departure guaranteed with the minimum of four guests.
Not Included in Tour: Russian visa fees, tips, cancellation and/or medical and travel insurance.
