Saturday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your long weekend! Arrival transfer from the airport to hotel and check in. Tonight, our Welcome Meeting takes place, an opportunity to meet fellow travellers. Remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight - Moscow

Start the day with a guided walk of the Kitay-Gorod (one of the oldest parts of Moscow) and Lubyanka area. You’ll see ancient churches and buildings and the outside of the FSB (successor to the infamous KGB) as you head to the highlight of your walk - the impressive Red Square. Experience the magic of Moscow as you approach the Resurrection gate - a beautiful red archway that leads to Red Square, from where you can catch your first glimpse of the wonderfully coloured fairytale castle of St Basil’s. If open, you can view the somewhat eerie but healthy looking wax work like figure of the embalmed Lenin in his mausoleum. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. In the evening why not experience some of the many bars and restaurants that Moscow has to offer. Overnight - Moscow (B)

There’s plenty to keep you occupied today - why not get to know the city by wandering through the backstreets on the south banks of Moscow River, or drink in views of the Kremlin from a Moscow River boat cruise? If the thought of tackling Moscow by yourself doesn’t appeal, you can join us on one of our many optional group excursions.

Moscow Kremlin - In the morning we take a guided tour of the impressive Moscow Kremlin - home to the Russian president and previously a citadel of the Tsars and headquarters of the Soviet Union. The enclave contains many stunning sights, from the gold domed Cathedral of the Annunciation to the also gold topped Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Russians don’t do things by halves and this is obvious when you view the 200 tonne Tsar Bell that sits beside the tower! Book and pay locally.

Inside Soviet Bunker - This afternoon we offer a guided tour of a Cold War 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. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Tuesday. Our Mood for Moscow ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon (B)