Day 1:
Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to check in for 3 nights at the 4 star Holiday Inn Tagansky. Conveniently located near Proletarskaya metro station – just 3 stops from the city centre with no changes. Evening at leisure. (Check in from 14.00hrs)

Day 2:

After breakfast, our English speaking tour guide will meet you at Reception at 10.00am for an orientation tour of the city, starting with a tour, on foot, of some of the spectacular underground metro stations in Moscow, known as the ‘Palaces of the People’ when they were first built. You will be amazed at the beautiful sculptures, bronzes, mosaics and crystal chandeliers. Later, by coach, you will see some of the famous landmarks and places to which you may return at your leisure. The tour sights include Red Square, the Kremlin, Sparrow Hills, Bolshoi Theatre, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Victory Park, Novodevichy Convent, the White House and the famous Moscow streets. Tour concludes at around 16.00hrs at the hotel or you may stay in the city and make your own way back to the hotel. No entrances included today. Evening at leisure.

Day 3:

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the famous landmark of the city, the magnificent Kremlin. Within the territory is the fascinating Armoury Museum, your guide will include a visit to this spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits. Return to the hotel at around 13.00 or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel. Entrances today: Kremlin, 1 Cathedral, Armoury museum Evening at leisure.

Day 4:

Check-out at your leisure before 12.00. Free time until early afternoon departure transfer from the hotel to the railway station. Be ready in reception for transfer to Leningradsky rail station for your journey from Moscow to St Petersburg on the high speed Sapsan train. Departs Moscow at 16:30hrs *. Arriving at approximately 20.45 hrs, transfer with our local guide and check in to the 4 star Novotel St Petersburg City Centre Hotel. Evening at leisure. (*Train times may vary)

Day 5:

After breakfast, departing at 10.00 hrs, your panoramic orientation tour of the city will commence. You will see all the major sights of this beautiful city, St Petersburg. You will see the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace, Peter and Paul Fortress and pass along Nevsky Prospect. St Isaac’s cathedral is also on our route, as well as the Church on the Spilled Blood. Included is a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, a fort which guards the city of St Petersburg, located on the island, facing the Hermitage and dominating River Neva. Built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, it was never used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There a son of Peter the Great, Prince Alexei, a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, writer Radischev, Decembrists and revolutionaries were held as prisoners. Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, contains the remains of Russian rulers since 1725. Return to the hotel at around 14.00 or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel. Entrances today: Peter and Paul Fortress. Evening at leisure.

Day 6:

After breakfast, departing at 10.00 hrs*, your guide will take you to visit the Hermitage Museum – the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the World, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt and Rubens. We also include the new General Staff building, home to the French impressionist collection – a feast for art lovers. Return to the hotel at around 14.00 hrs* or you may stay on at the Hermitage and return to the hotel on your own at your leisure. *Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide Entrances today: Hermitage museum. Evening at leisure.

Day 7:

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by your guide to visit one of St Petersburg’s most prized Palaces. In the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo) 29km south of St. Petersburg, is Catherine’s Summer Palace. The construction of the palace for the Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around the palace and, in the middle of 18th century, Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory. Not far from the Catherine’s Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. Return to your hotel early/mid afternoon. Entrances today: Catherine’s Palace. Evening at leisure.

Day 8:

After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 12.00 am and your departure transfer will be provided to the airport / station as required. Further services / programme extensions can be provided upon request.