Back in the USSR - 9 days
The best of Russia - classical St Petersburg with all the fine arts, Moscow - the enduring capital of all Russia, plus one of the Baltic beauties - Estonia - a former union member which boasts the beautiful maritime capital Tallinn.
Tuesday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Meet and greet arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport to your hotel and check in. Tonight, our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place. Rest of evening free. Your tour leader will recommend some local bars and restaurants for you to try out.
Overnight - St Petersburg
A city tour offers us an overview of all the key sights. We drive along Nevsky Prospekt, through the university and museum districts, with stops at the Church on Spilled Blood and Admiral End. Later, we enjoy a guided visit at the Hermitage, which houses a gargantuan art and antiquity collection. The rest of the day is free to enjoy St Pete's your way. Most of the city sights are dotted along and just off the main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt. St Petersburg has an inspiring cafe, bar and music scene, so perhaps indulge
Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Back in the USSR - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
A free day to explore St Pete's your way, or join our optional
pukka pass bolt-on. Our Pukka Pass includes guided sightseeing, entrance fees, lunch and transport with visits to Peter and Paul Fortress on the Petrogradskaya Side, St Isaac's Cathedral - one of the world's largest cathedrals and the Summer Gardens at Peterhof. Later this evening we board our overnight sleeper train bound for Moscow.
Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)
This morning, we'll ride the Metro to Red Square, from where we undertake a guided walk. In Russian, Moscow's famous Red Square is called Krasnaya Ploschad. The word 'red' doesn't refer to the colour of the bricks or Communism. The word 'krasnaya' simultaneously means 'red' and 'beautiful'. In Red Square, feast your eyes on the wildly coloured, turban domed St Basil's Cathedral - an enduring Russian symbol. Remains of day free.
Overnight - Moscow (B)
Today, in Red Square, if open, we can pay our respects to Lenin, the father of Communism, who lies in state in his eerie granite mausoleum. We continue inside the Kremlin, home to the campaigns of Ivan the Terrible, Stalin, Lenin, Napoleon and more recently Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin. Inside the enclave we are able to view the Russian Palaces of Congresses, Senate and Supreme Soviet buildings and make visits to the Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Tsar Bell and Armoury (optional). The remainder of the afternoon is free for your explore on your own or why not sign up for our Inside a
Soviet Bunker bolt on? Head 65 meters underground to explore a Stalinist-era bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. See the giant tunnels and get a guided tour of the rooms and secret paraphernalia.
Overnight - Moscow (B)
Moscow - Tallinn. Free day to pursue whatever takes your fancy in Moscow. For souvenirs head to Izmailovsky flea market, boasting a massive collection of stalls selling everything from Soviet Red Army memorabilia to bootleg CDs, fluffy hats and Matryoshka dolls. Tonight, we bid farewell to our Russian tour leader and travel north by sleeper train to Tallinn.
Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)
Day 7: Tallin/Estonia
Arriving into Tallinn, we are met at the rail station and transferred to our hotel where, after breakfast, we enjoy a city tour. Sparkling with kaleidoscopic history, culture and architecture, Tallinn - the capital of the Northernmost and smallest of the Baltic states, hugs the Gulf of Finland. Steeped in maritime tradition, Tallinn is a walker-friendly city and offers an enchanting mix of church spires, medieval turrets and cobblestone streets in its World- Heritage listed Old Town. Overnight - Tallinn (B, L)
Day 8: The Old Town
Today we continue our discoveries in the Old Town, where we stroll the fascinating narrow streets and alleyways, which give way to medieval towers, churches and shopfronts that were once the preserve of wealthy merchants. We also take in the upper part of the Old Town known as Toompea, where we view the Parliament Building and some churches. Overnight - Tallinn (B)
Day 9: Tallinn
Wednesday. Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon.
(B)
Inside a Soviet Bunker
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Take a tour of a Soviet Bunker. Head 65 meters underground to explore a Stalinist-era bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. Cleverly hidden beneath an ordinary apartment building, on a busy street in the heart of Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this mighty 75,000-square-foot facility was constructed in secret in the 1950's, to protect the select few against a US nuclear attack.
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Important Please Note: A multiple entry Russian visa will be required if you plan to return to Russia at the end of this tour.
Prices & Departure Dates
Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person supplement.
All our scheduled tour departures are guaranteed subject to a minimum of 2 travellers. To date we have not cancelled a single trip!
2010 |
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| 06 APR - 14 APR |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 04 MAY - 12 MAY |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 08 JUN - 16 JUN |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 22 JUN - 30 JUN |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 06 JUL - 14 JUL |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 20 JUL - 28 JUL |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 03 AUG - 11 AUG |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 17 AUG - 25 AUG |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 14 SEP - 22 SEP |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 12 OCT - 20 OCT |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 09 NOV - 17 NOV |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 23 NOV - 01 DEC |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 07 DEC - 15 DEC |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
2011 |
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| 11 JAN - 19 JAN |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 01 FEB - 09 FEB |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 01 MAR - 09 MAR |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 05 APR - 13 APR |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 03 MAY - 11 MAY |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 07 JUN - 15 JUN |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 21 JUN - 29 JUN |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 05 JUL - 13 JUL |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 19 JUL - 27 JUL |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 02 AUG - 10 AUG |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 16 AUG - 24 AUG |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 13 SEP - 21 SEP |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 11 OCT - 19 OCT |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 08 NOV - 16 NOV |
|
USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 22 NOV - 30 NOV |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
| 06 DEC - 14 DEC |
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USD $2,279 |
USD $599 |
Back in the USSR - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Bolt-ons
Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.
| Take a step back in time - enjoy a guided tour of the stunning Royal Residences of the Russian Tsars, located in the outskirts of St Pete's and admire the beautiful Russian countryside on the way. Our Catherine Palace (summer) or Peterhof Gardens (winter) bolt on is available on all tours visiting St Petersburg. |
| Escape the bustling city of St Petersburg with an overnight stay in a country house in ancient Novgorod. Your visit begins with a tour of the historic Kremlin (Fortress) grounds and the open air museum of Russian wooden architecture. You’ve free time to admire Novgorod - listed by UNESCO as one of the top 100 cities of the world. Why not soak up the views from a leisurely walk along the Volkhov river, visit one of the great medieval abbeys, or wander round the quaint shops and bars.
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| In purchasing our pukka pass, you’ll get a full day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg including all transportation, guiding, entrance fees and lunch. Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac's Cathedral and either palatial Peterhof (summer) or Catherine Palace (winter). St Pete's at its best!
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| Head 65 meters underground to a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. This mighty 75,000-square-foot facility was constructed covertly in the 1950s, to protect the select few against a US nuclear attack. Step back in time to the clandestine and tense era of the Cold War and enjoy an interactive tour of this bunker turned museum, with an English speaking guide.
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Experiences
If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.
| Want to see how the other half live? Then take a look at our selection of tours that visit all the best palaces and forts around the world. Many of the wonderfully ornate edifices that we visit are now historical museums and sites of interest allowing you to have a good old look around. And when you've had your fill of sightseeing, it's time to live like a king and stay in one of the many hotels that have been converted from a palace or fort! |
| On many of our group tours we provide the chance to get to experience certain aspects of Russian culture that visitors often miss – the Russian Banya (Sauna) and a once top secret underground bunker. In Pskov we take you to a Banya where you can get out of the cold and experience the healing properties for yourself, just watch out for the Bannik! In Moscow you can step back in time to the clandestine and tense era of the Cold War and enjoy an interactive tour of the secret bunker turned museum. |
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| One of Russia’s most iconic images is undoubtedly St Basil’s Cathedral, with its riotously colourful tent roofs and twisting onion shaped domes, each with their own distinctive pattern and colour scheme. Located on Red Square in Moscow, opposite the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 to mark the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces. It was designed by architect Postnik Yakovlev and completed in 1561. According to legend, Ivan was so ‘blown away’ at the beauty and intricacy of Postnik’s work; he had him blinded so that he would never be able to design anything as fantastical again! |
What You See and What You Get
We have listed below the key highlights on this trip as well as all the things that are included. Additionally, where appropriate, we have listed the items thar are not included the trip price.
Trip Highlights
- St Petersburg - UNESCO-listed city area including: Nevsky Prospekt, Museum and University districts, Church on Spilled Blood, The Bronze Horseman, Admiralty End, St Petersburg Hermitage at the Winter Palace
- Moscow - UNESCO-listed Red Square, Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum, St Basil’s Cathedral
| - Other sites of St. Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass
- Tallinn - UNESCO-listed Old Town - Raekoja Plats, Vene, Tallinn port, Kadriorg Palace, Toompea, Tallinn Song Bowl, Parliament Building, Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, Toomkirik (the Dome Church), St Olav's or St Nicholas' church
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What's Included
- 8 breakfasts and 1 lunch
- 2 overnight train St Petersburg - Moscow (open sleeper cabin) and Moscow - Tallinn (4 berth sleeper cabin) including bed linen
- Guided sightseeing - St Petersburg city tour, Hermitage at Winter Palace, Moscow city, Red Square and Kremlin, Tallinn city and sights
- Escorted by English speaking Russian tour leader (local tour leader in Tallinn - subject to groups of 6 or more)
- Relevant transfers and transportation on tour
| - 6 nights 3 star hotels
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1
- Moscow Metro travelcard (6 single journeys)
- Specialist Russian guides at local sights
- Note: In Russia on the go use 3 star accommodation as classified by the Russian Ministry of Tourism. However, please be aware that the 3 star standards throughout Russia vary greatly and cannot be compared to hotels of a similar standard in Western Europe or, and in particular, the United States.
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What's Not Included
- International flights and visa
- Entrance Fees: $50-80 USD
| - Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
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Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Hi Ryan
Thanks for a great holiday and for your help with our visas.
We loved the whole trip, both St Petersburg and Moscow were amazing cities with so much to see and do. Great nightlife in Moscow so we were glad to have a couple of nights there (and hangovers). Tallinn was the icing on the cake and now we're 'back in the UK' planning our next adventure!
Elizabeth Howard, Oct 2009