Easy Pace Russia
Vacation Dates: July 24 – August 1, 2010
DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight.
DAY 2 – SUN – ST PETERSBURG. Welcome to St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, expressly to be the new capital of Tsarist Russia. In only 20 years of concentrated effort the city rose from the desolate Neva marshes, under the personal supervision of the Tsar himself from his house beside the river. Although the city was virtually destroyed during World War II's 900 day seige, it has been lovingly restored and abounds in important monuments and beautiful buildings. Your airport shuttle will transfer you to your tour hotel Meet your Tour Director in the evening for a Welcome Drink before dinner.
DAY 3 – MON – ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING.
A sightseeing tour takes in St Isaac’s Cathedral, the fortress of St Peter and Paul, Decembrist’s Square, Nevsky Prospekt Boulevard, the great cathedral of Kazan and the Winter Palace – former residence of Russian tsars. See the memorial to the Nazi siege of Lenningrad during World War Two and the cruiser ‘Aurora’, whose crew signaled the outset of the Russian Revolution, at anchor on the Neva River. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore, shop or relax. This evening perhaps take a cruise through the centre of Peter the Great’s capital while enjoying champagne, caviar and vodka?
DAY 4 – TUE – ST PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING.
Catherine the Great once lamented about her vast art collection, “the only ones to admire all this are the mice and me”. Thankfully, this is no longer true because today you visit the Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest museums. Located in the Winter Palace, wander through this fabulous collection of paintings and objets d’art, ranging from Egyptian carvings to Impressionist masterpieces. St Petersburg is a city of incomparable architectural, historic and artistic interest; spend the rest of the day exploring it at your own pace, or join an optional excursion to the former residence of the Yusupov family and the scene of Rasputin’s murder?
DAY 5 – WED – ST PETERSBURG – OVERNIGHT TRAIN.
Visit the fabulous gardens and fountains of Peter the Great’s summer residence at Petrodvorets. For over 200 years, Petrodvorets was used for official ceremonies, lavish feasts and formal receptions. Back in St Petersburg, the afternoon is at leisure. Later, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. In order to maximize your time in Russia’s two main cities, the comfortable overnight train to Moscow is the way to go! Discover the unique adventure of train travel ‘soviet style’ as you settle into your sleeper compartment and the gentle rocking of the carriages lulls you to sleep.
DAY 6 – THU – MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING. On arrival in Moscow transfer from the train to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then, with a specialist guide, begin your exploration of the Russian capital. Visit one of the Metro stations which Stalin called ‘palaces for the people’. Gain a personal insight into the themes depicted among the marble, mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers. The afternoon leaves time to shop for Russian souveniers. Later, there is the opportunity to tour of this bustling city by night and admire the evening magic of the famous Red Square and the Kremlin?
DAY 7 – FRI – MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING. Tour Red Square, lined by Moscow’s famous landmark buildings. At one end rises the crimson and ivy colored onion-shaped domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, in front of the Kremlin stands Lenin’s Mausoleum, while on the opposite side of the square stands GUM, the grand Soviet department store which now offers the most glamorous and fashionable goods from the West. Walk inside the walls of the Kremlin Fortress to visit one of the cathedrals. In your free time why not visit the Borodino Panorama Exhibition which brings to life the Battle of Borodino, one of the most important events in Russia’s history and immortalized in Tolstoy’s epic, ‘War and Peace’.
DAY 8 – SAT – MOSCOW AT LEISURE. Moscow has captivated the imagination of travelers for centuries so a full day is set aside to explore Moscow at your own pace. Consider a visit to the treasure chest of the Imperial Russian Family to see their crown jewels, jewel-studded thrones and costumes as well as the famous Faberge Egg collection.
DAY 9 – SUN – RETURN TO USA. Departure transfers to airport.
Pricing*: $4,145.00
* Price is per person and includes air fare based on current currency exchange rates. Price is subject to change based on exchange rate. This itinerary is based on our 2009 day to day itinerary. Itinerary is subject to change for 2010.
Join this tour! Please contact us at:
Phone: 352.556.3111
Email: contact@TravelsWithHelene.com