Welcome to Russia! 

Your tour starts in St. Petersburg, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel.

St. Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built on a series of islands, all linked to each other by no less than 550 bridges. The city centre is full of historical buildings, and a trip to the Hermitage, which houses a large collection of paintings, sketches, sculpture and other unique works of art is not to be missed. Alternatively you may choose to visit the world famous Mariinsky Theatre to see an opera or ballet performance. Every year the festival 'Stars of the White Nights' takes place in June.

Inside the St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress is the cathedral of the same name. The interior is very beautiful and it is where the tsars of the Romanov family are buried. Throughout the city you will come across many more fairy-tale cathedrals including the golden dome at the majestic Isaac Cathedral, where you can get a spectacular panoramic view of the city.

The Kazan Cathedral is equally magnificent, with a gallery of granite pillars. A visit to a Russian Orthodox service leaves a lasting impression. Rare minerals were used in the creation of the stunning mosaics, floors and canopies. The front wall of the church is decorated with glazed enamel tiles, and the church itself is built in the spot where Alexander II was murdered.

Your visit to St. Petersburg is incomplete without admiring the tsars’ summer residences, such as the Peterhof (Peter’s Court), the Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village) and Pavlovsk. Peterhof, known in Russian as Petrodvorets, and nicknamed the Versailles of the North. The neo-classically designed Palace of Catherine the Great in Tsarskoye Selo is another highlight of St. Petersburg, surrounded by beautiful French gardens.

You may also like to take a cruise on the Neva River and numerous canals, it is well worthwhile. Walk through the busy main artery of St. Petersburg: the Nevski Prospect. There are beautiful palaces, churches and beautiful buildings ranging from baroque to neoclassical style to be found. Here on Nevski Prospect are the largest department stores, such as Gostiny Dvor passage, numerous shops, cafes and restaurants.

You still have the whole day free to explore. During the afternoon, when it is time to catch your train, you will be taken to the train station by your English speaking tour guide in St Petersburg. After saying goodbye, you travel by comfortable overnight train to Moscow, the capital of Russia. There is no travel guidance in the train.

This morning you arrive in Moscow, where your ideal starting point is a visit to Krasnaya Plosyad (Red Square), which is towered over by the Kremlin from its position on the banks of the River Moskva. The Kremlin is not just the home of the President but is also the oldest historical monument in the city and houses some great museums and beautiful cathedrals. The most famous of these is the Virgin Mary Cathedral, where the Russian tsars were crowned. You should also visit the Cathedral of St. Basil, built by order of Ivan the Terrible, the beautiful Christ the Saviour Cathedral with its golden domes, and the Novodevici Monastery with a stunning golden dome-church and magnificent towers. A visit to one of the former stately homes, (now open air museums) is also a must, along with a visit to the Pushkin Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery and The Bolshoi Theatre.

One of the easiest ways to get around Moscow is the widespread metro network, which is also the most efficient and the cheapest metro network in the world. A trip on the ‘river tram’ is also a great way to see the city and you must take time to wander the narrow alleys that branch off the main boulevards.

Today you may choose the optional trip out to Sergiev Posad, the jewel in the crown known as the Golden Ring of Russia. This city (about 70km outside of Moscow) is an important religious center for Russia. It was founded in the middle of the 14th century by Sergius of Radonezh and in 1993 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has more than 50 wonderful buildings and constructions and the gold topped Trinity Cathedral especially, makes for a splendid photograph.

The Old Arbat is one of the oldest and probably most famous streets in Moscow. If you go through the street it appears as if you have gone back in time. Out of the side streets, old mansions and villas have survived. Many of them are connected with the names of famous figures in Russian culture. At number 53 for example, lived in 1831 the great Alexander Pushkin.

This is the last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Moscow until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Russia.

Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.

When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 8) is not included.