9 days / 8 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Moscow | 3 |
| Overnight Train | 1 |
| St. Petersburg | 4 |
- Discover Moscow and St. Petersburg
- Moscow’s Red Square
- Paint Matryoshka dolls
- Tour St. Petersburg’s Hermitage with the Curator
- Troika ride and private canal cruise in St. Petersburg
- Afternoon tea with a Russian Family
- A&K’s Guardian Angel and Concierge Rail Service
Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Moscow Welcome to Russia! Assistance through immigration/customs by an airport representative. Private transfer to your hotel choice of hotel.
Moscow (Choice of category)
Today’s sightseeing starts at magnificent Red Square with its famous landmarks, St. Basil’s domed cathedral and Lenin’s Tomb. Take a ride on the famous Moscow metro, renowned for the ornate splendour of its stations. This afternoon explore the Kremlin. Visit the Assumption, Archangel, and Annunciation Cathedrals, the Armoury Museum and the Diamond Fund which contains many gems including the 190-carat diamond given to Catherine the Great by her lover (B).
Moscow (Choice of category)
Today venture outside Moscow to Sergiev Posad, still commonly referred to by its Soviet name, Zagorsk. One of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks, visit the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius and its opulent treasury. For 500 years, this was the most important place of pilgrimage in Russia. Return to Moscow to visit the Tretyakov Gallery, housing the world’s best collection of Russian icons and an outstanding collection of pre-Revolutionary Russian art (B).
Moscow (Choice of category)
Today you choose how your would like to further explore Moscow. Perhaps select a private visit to Stalin’s Bunker or a tou of the Novodevichy convent complex. Founded in 1584 this magnificent building has 16 gilded domes and was the place that women of nobility, such as Peter the Great’s wife took vows to see their lives out. Or visit Izmaylovo, a handicraft centre famous for its open air market. Here visit the College of Applied Art to take a lesson in the traditional Russian painting of the Matryoshka doll. Learn the techniques of this fine art where upon completion, you may even take home your own hand-painted creation! This evening board the Grand Express overnight train to St. Petersburg (B).
Grand Express Train
Early morning arrival into St. Petersburg where your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. This afternoon visit one of the most famous museums in the world, the Hermitage, where you are introduced to a small part of the collection on a private 1-hour tour with the curator. Originally commissioned by Catherine the Great as a winter palace, the museum now houses over two million exhibits. Highlights include the Ambassador’s Staircase, the Throne Room and the Ballroom. Also visit the Gold Vault to view the exquisite royal jewels (B).
Hotel Astoria
Today’s sightseeing begins at the Peter and Paul Fortress, the oldest building in the city which sits alone on an island on the Neva Delta and acts as the burial site of most of the pre-revolutionary leaders of Russia. Visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, with its gold covered dome. This afternoon cruise the canals of St. Petersburg on a private cruise for a different perspective of the city and finish your day in the private home of a Russian family for afternoon tea (B).
Hotel Astoria
This morning travel to the summer palace of Peter the Great. The lavish décor of the buildings is rivalled only by its famous Grand Cascade of fountains. Time permitting, visit one of the smaller palaces such as Peter the Great’s original villa, Monplaisir. Cruise up the Neva River by hydrofoil (weather permitting May-Sep) back to St. Petersburg and visit the dramatically named Church of Spilled Blood (B).
Hotel Astoria
Visit Pushkin’s beautiful Catherine’s Palace with its formal parks which stretch to Rastrelli’s blue and white Hermitage building. Weather and season permitting enjoy a troika/carriage ride through the grounds. Lunch at the rustic Podvorie Dacha and then onto Pavlovsk Palace, a royal residence until 1917 (B,L).
Hotel Astoria
This incredible private journey finishes today as you transfer to the airport (B).
Note: Supplement to depart other days of the week. Refer to your A&K travel specialist for details.
Insider Pass
On a visit to St. Petersburg's famous Hermitage museum meet with the curator who will delight in showing you a room of your interest. Spend an hour with the curator as he highlights key pieces of the collection. With more than 1,000 rooms to choose from, some of the most popular include the Gold Treasury, with its Scythian Gold room and world-famous collection from the 7th-4th century BC and the Pavillion Hall of the Small Hermitage, designed in the mid-19th century by Andrei Stakenschneider. Here you will find the amazing Peacock Clock from the collection of Catherine the Great, along with beautiful mosaic floors. Or enjoy a special afternoon, as you visit the private home of a local family. Join the family for tea and cakes as they share their life stories with you, a wonderful snapshot of ‘real’ Russia.Departure Dates & Prices
| From | To | Twin | Single | Three | Four | Price Note |
| 29-03-2007 | 19-04-2008 | AU $ 9,975.00 | AU $ 17,530.00 | AU $ 10,795.00 | AU $ 8,145.00 | Gold |
| 05-10-2007 | 31-10-2007 | AU $ 11,210.00 | AU $ 19,250.00 | AU $ 11,280.00 | AU $ 9,295.00 | Platinum |
| 05-10-2007 | 25-10-2007 | AU $ 9,975.00 | AU $ 17,530.00 | AU $ 10,795.00 | AU $ 8,145.00 | Gold |
| 29-10-2007 | 14-12-2007 | AU $ 9,335.00 | AU $ 16,250.00 | AU $ 9,955.00 | AU $ 7,495.00 | Gold |
| 01-11-2007 | 14-12-2007 | AU $ 10,890.00 | AU $ 18,570.00 | AU $ 10,845.00 | AU $ 9,875.00 | Platinum |
| 11-01-2008 | 22-03-2008 | AU $ 9,335.00 | AU $ 16,250.00 | AU $ 9,955.00 | AU $ 7,495.00 | Gold |
| 18-01-2008 | 16-03-2008 | AU $ 10,890.00 | AU $ 18,570.00 | AU $ 10,845.00 | AU $ 8,975.00 | Platinum |
| 25-03-2008 | 26-03-2008 | AU $ 10,890.00 | AU $ 18,570.00 | AU $ 10,845.00 | AU $ 8,975.00 | Platinum |
| 27-03-2008 | 19-04-2008 | AU $ 11,210.00 | AU $ 19,250.00 | AU $ 11,280.00 | AU $ 9,295.00 | Platinum |
| 20-04-2008 | 28-05-2008 | AU $ 12,100.00 | AU $ 20,845.00 | AU $ 12,415.00 | AU $ 10,200.00 | Platinum |
| 20-04-2008 | 25-07-2008 | AU $ 10,860.00 | AU $ 19,115.00 | AU $ 11,930.00 | AU $ 9,035.00 | Gold |
| 25-06-2008 | 25-07-2008 | AU $ 12,100.00 | AU $ 20,845.00 | AU $ 12,415.00 | AU $ 10,200.00 | Platinum |
| 26-07-2008 | 16-09-2008 | AU $ 11,210.00 | AU $ 19,250.00 | AU $ 11,280.00 | AU $ 9,295.00 | Platinum |
| 26-07-2008 | 31-10-2008 | AU $ 9,975.00 | AU $ 17,530.00 | AU $ 10,795.00 | AU $ 8,145.00 | Gold |
| 25-09-2008 | 24-10-2008 | AU $ 11,210.00 | AU $ 19,250.00 | AU $ 11,280.00 | AU $ 9,295.00 | Platinum |
| 25-10-2008 | 13-12-2008 | AU $ 10,890.00 | AU $ 18,570.00 | AU $ 10,845.00 | AU $ 8,975.00 | Platinum |
| 01-11-2008 | 13-12-2008 | AU $ 93,335.00 | AU $ 16,250.00 | AU $ 9,955.00 | AU $ 7,495.00 | Gold |
Tour Departs: Daily
Treasures of the Tsars
Rates and availability are subject to change without notice.
To view rates in other currencies, please use currency converter as a GUIDE ONLY.
Your specialist will confirm at time of booking.
Enquiry/Booking Form (fields marked * are compulsory)
Never Miss A Deal!
your request.
Post a Comment