Festive Russia

Few places are as evocative of a Christmas card as St. Petersburg-€™s pastel architecture covered in a layer of snow. The canals are frozen and the air crisp, but you will receive a warm welcome at the start of your journey. 
Join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers on Day 1 at 5:00pm for your Welcome Meeting as detailed on your joining instructions.

St. Petersburg, the -€˜Venice of the North-€™, is often claimed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is the former capital of Imperial Russia, home of the Tsars and unlike the capital Moscow, calm and easy-going. The city flourished under the reign of Catherine the Great and today is resplendent with wide boulevards and attractive canals that you will discover on a city tour today.

A final day to explore St. Petersburg before boarding your first overnight train which will take you to Vologda.

This morning you arrive in Vologda, a pretty 12th century town where the houses are dripping in crenellated wooden architecture reminiscent of the lace the region is famous for.

This city is full beautiful churches, cathedrals and interesting monuments. The Kremlin here is well worth a visit. This evening we head to the train station for our next overnight train.

Arriving into South Kotlas train station, we then transfer to Veliky Ustyug, home of Father Frost.

The fairy tale continues at the home of Father Frost. Wander the streets full of festive spirit and maybe purchase a memorable decoration to take back to your own Christmas tree. Visit the home of Ded Moroz and his granddaughter, Snegurochka, who helps deliver the presents.

Leaving behind Father Christmas we venture to Yaroslavl.

Yaroslavl is a UNESCO World Heritage city situated on the Golden Ring of Russia and one of the best preserved in the region. Founded in 1010 the centre is dotted with the onion domes like no other place in Russia.

This morning we take a day train to our final destination, Moscow and begin our exploration of this magical city. 

Our final stop is in Moscow. Time your journey to be in the capital for New Year-€™s Eve for an outstanding display of fireworks or enjoy the holiday fun of ice skating and winter markets around the Kremlin complex. Whilst hard to outdo all that we have seen so far, St. Basil-€™s standing resplendent in the snow in Red Square will be a fitting lasting memory of your journey.

The Kremlin, a walled complex of domed cathedrals and palaces, was the religious center of the Russian Orthodox Church and the residence of the Tsars. Today you will visit a collection of tsarist treasures in the Armoury Chamber; the Cathedral of the Assumption where Tsars were crowned, the Bell Tower and the Faberge jewels and icons.

All good things come to an end and so does our Festive Russia journey. We say farewell to our fellow travellers and depart our hotel this morning.