Highlights of Russia (Moscow and St Petersburg)

Welcome to Russia! Arrival in St. Petersburg.

Keep your eyes peeled at St. Petersburg airport for the "BienvenidoSPB" sign for your transfer to the hotel. On arrival in St. Petersburg you will be met by our friendly representative who will escort you by car or mini bus to your hotel. Your Russian tour begins right away as on the way to the hotel, you will have the opportunity to get your first glimpse of this truly unique and beautiful city.

Freshen up and meet in the lobby around 6:00 pm for an informal meeting with your guide and other tour members. Your tour leader can also recommend some local bars to enjoy a drink with your new travel buddies.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This walking tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with all of the city's major highlights. Our professional guide will take you down Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg's most famous and vibrant thoroughfare. There you will see some of the city's most interesting architectural monuments including the Kazan Cathedral and the Winter Palace. You will then proceed to Vasilevsky Island - the area of the city that Peter the Great originally planned to be the city center. This island juts out into the Gulf of Finland - reminding you of St. Petersburg's close proximity to the sea and maritime history. The tour will include a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress - a symbol of St. Petersburg and also the oldest building in the city. While there, you will visit Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of the Russian Tsars from Peter the Great onward.

Next up, a guided visit to the world-famous treasure-filled Hermitage Museum. The museum consists of five historical buildings including the Winter Palace - the residence of the Russian Tsars. The museum contains over 3 million pieces of art with dates ranging from high antiquity to the present day. Among the Hermitage's treasures are artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, and Rubens, as well as many others. We will spend 3 hours at the museum, however, to view the collection in its entirety would take almost 15 years, spending 8 hours a day in the museum and taking one minute to examine each exhibit.

You will then be taken back to your hotel to relax. In the evening you will have free time to stroll along the city streets and to dine at a restaurant of your choice. If you would like recommendations on good places to eat, just ask us.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you have a free day to explore this magnificent city on your own, make the best of it! You can take on some optional activities such as the Tsar's Route tour with lunch. The route visits to Peterhof Garden and Catherine Palace during summer months or Pavlosk Palace and Catherine Palace in winter months.

Later this evening, board the overnight sleeper train bound for Moscow and rest up. Overnight train in a sleeping cabin accommodation.

Time to embark on a city tour of Moscow.

Launch a guided walk tour through Moscow’s heart, meeting the amazing Red Square and Kremlin Palace. Ask your local guide all your questions on the history, challenges and the culture of Russia. The city offers amazing galleries and museums and plenty of cafes, shops and bars.

After the city tour you, if you're still hungry for more, you have the option to join a tour of the World War II Museum. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours. You can roam the main shopping streets, try out local dishes or explore the fancy nightlife.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start off the day with a guided walk throughout the grounds of Kremlin and soak in mighty government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the Tsar bell. Stroll down the road to reach the stunning St Basil’s cathedral and the Red Square. Capture a mental picture to last forever, the multi-coloured domes create a breath-taking sight for all travellers. Continue down Arbat street; one of the oldest surviving streets of the capital and home to many historical Russian figures.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates before checking out of the hotel (11:00). Time to start counting days for your next adventure with BienvenidoSPB!