Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Meet and greet arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport. En route to your hotel enjoy a city orientation tour of this stunning city of Tsars, (dependent on time of arrival). Rest of the evening is free. Your guide will recommend some local bars and restaurants for you to try out. Overnight - St Petersburg

A day of sightseeing in the northernmost major city in the world. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St Petersburg is built around a series of bridge-connected canals and rivers, with many Baroque buildings. We start off with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Within the Peter and Paul Fortress compound is SS Peter and Paul Cathedral with its angel shaped weather vane perched on top of the razor thin needle; housing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Formerly a prison, Dostoevsky, Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin’s brother all spent time in the somewhat gruesome political prison.

This afternoon we enjoy a guided visit to perhaps the best museum in the world, housed in a majestic building - the Hermitage. With only 10 % of the 3 million exhibits on show, the variety and quality of the museum is breath-taking, ranging from gifts to the Tsars to archaeological finds and includes masterpieces from some of the greatest painters, as well as gilded Imperial carriages. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

Today we visit a summer palace of the Tsars, either Peterhof or Catherine Palace. Both stunningly beautiful buildings, the Peterhof boasts one of the largest fountains in the world, whilst Catherine Palace is home to the Amber Room, made from several tons of amber. The lavish Palace and gardens offer insight into the privileged lives of Russia’s Tsarsist aristocracy. Later, we transfer to the train station for our overnight journey to Moscow. Overnight - train to Moscow (B)

After hotel check-in, we head to legendary Red Square and on to the mighty Kremlin - seat of Russia’s power; where we enjoy a guided tour or the Kremlin and Armoury, taking in the the cathedrals, the bell-tower complex, the treasures in the armoury chamber and the largest bell in the world (200 ton) which has never been rung and is situated near the Tsar cannon that has never been fired. Overnight - Moscow (B)

A day combining art in every sense! We explore the Tretyakov Gallery which houses the best examples of Russian art, from icons to modern art, including Soviet propaganda paintings. This afternoon, we take a ride on the underground, seeing the Moscow Metro stations, built during Stalin’s rule as “palaces for the people”. Lavish designs, with columns and chandeliers, sculptures and paintings, they truly are a sight to behold. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Breakfast and hotel check-out. Transfer to airport.