Offering more time in St Petersburg, get acquainted with the beautiful city of tsars before exploring historic Novgorod and cutting-edge Moscow – home of legendary Red Square and the mighty Kremlin - Russia’s political powerhouse!
Saturday. 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 Welcome Meeting takes place. The remainder of the evening is free for you to do as you please. Your tour leader will recommend some local bars and restaurants for you to try out. Overnight - St Petersburg
A city tour gives us a run-down of St Pete’s key areas. We will drive along the famed Nevsky Prospekt, the museum and university districts and a stop will be made at the Church on Spilled Blood (viewed from outside from the Nevsky prospect side for photo opportunities), The Bronze Horseman and Peter and Paul Fortress. Peter and Paul Fortress was built on the orders of Peter the Great. At one time a gruesome prison, within the compound is SS Peter and Paul Cathedral - housing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
Later, we enjoy a guided visit at the Hermitage - which houses one of the biggest and best art collections on earth.
The rest of the day is free for you to further explore. Most of the city sights are dotted along and just off the main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt.
It’s an easy city to find your bearings and get around. St Petersburg has a spirited restaurant, bar and jazz club scene, plus some of Russia’s best beers. Alternatively watch an ever
energetic Cossacks performance or enjoy a night at the
ballet - the Russian ballet never fails to impress. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Russia Revolution - 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 on your own, alternatively fill your day with sightseeing by purchasing our pukka pass. Touring will
include, dependent upon opening hours and availability, either a visit to the gardens of Peter the Great’s palatial Peterhof which overlooks the Gulf of Finland (in summer) or a visit to Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo in winter (or Pavlosk Palace if Catherine Palace is closed). We then stop for lunch overlooking the Griboyedov Canal where we can enjoy a hearty meal. After lunch we continue with a guided tour of the interior of The Church on Spilled Blood with time to shop in the souvenir market located alongside the church. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
St Petersburg – Novgorod. Today gives the opportunity to shop for souvenirs, maybe some wooden dolls or russian memorabilia found at the canal side market near the striking Church on Spilled Blood. Or take a walk along Nevsky Prospekt. Later we travel by coach or train to Novgorod where we enjoy a steamy Russian banya (sauna). Overnight - Novgorod (B, D)
Novgorod – Moscow. Novgorod is one of Russia’s oldest cities, located within reach of the Volkhov River and Lake Ilmen. It was formed as a town in the middle of the 10th century. A tour of Novgorod takes in the riverside fortified kremlin, cathedral and other sights. The fortress was mentioned in chronicles as early as in 1044, whilst today’s walls and towers, despite being re-built in 15th century, are impressive all the same. Tonight we have dinner before travelling by overnight sleeper train from Novgorod to Moscow. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, D)
Moscow. Early this morning, we arrive into Moscow - the capital that spawned dozens of spy novels! Today we will ride on the capital’s efficient Metro to Red Square. From here, we’ll take in the jewels of Russia’s capital on a guided walk in the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area, taking in sights such as the epitome of Russian power – the Kremlin (guided tour on day 8), Lenin’s Mausoleum and the ritzy GUM department store.
At the south end of the square, feast your eyes on the wildly coloured, turban domed St Basil’s Cathedral, an enduring Russian symbol commissioned by Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the terrible) in 1555. Overnight - Moscow (B)
A free day to explore Moscow. There are plenty of galleries, museums and shops to entertain. Perhaps hit one of the late night bars or nightclubs this evening; Moscow’s nightlife can rival any of the world’s capital cities! Overnight - Moscow (B)
Today, we head into Red Square where, if open, we can pay our respects for free to Lenin, the grandfather of Communism, who has lain in state within his eerie mausoleum since his death in 1924.
We continue inside the Kremlin - Russia’s bastion of political might, where we enjoy a guided walk through the grounds, seeing numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the tsar bell.
This afternoon we offer an optional guided tour of a formerly top
secret Cold War bunker! Up until recently this Stalinist-era
Soviet Bunker was a secret symbol of Soviet Power. Hidden
beneath an ordinary two storey apartment building in Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this 75,000-squarefoot facility was constructed covertly, in the 1950’s, to protect against the threat of a US nuclear attack. In the 1990’s with the Cold War thawing and the death of communism, this bunker came off the top secret list and
is now open to the public! Enjoy an interactive tour of the bunker turned museum. Also included is a guided tour of some of the Stalinist era's most opulant metro stations.
Alternatively, explore Moscow your own way. Hop aboard the Metro and explore, or stop by the Izmailovsky flea market - a sprawling collection of stalls hocking everything from Soviet Red Army memorabilia to bootleg CDs, fluffy hats and Matryoshka dolls. Tonight an optional excursion to Moscow Circus. Overnight - Moscow (B)
Sunday. Our tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon.
(B)
FROM USD $1,689
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 group tours are guaranteed to depart subject to a minimum of 2 travellers.
Russia Revolution - 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.
Start the day with a visit to either the gardens of palatial Peterhof, overlooking the Gulf of Finland in the summer OR Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo in the winter (Pavlosk Palace is viewed if Catherine Palace is closed). We stop for lunch at the popular restaurant, where we enjoy a hearty meal, before exploring inside the beautiful Church on Spilled Blood.
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 (winter) or Peterhof Gardens (summer) bolt on is available on all tours visiting St Petersburg.
Head 65 meters underground to the Underground Cold War Museum - 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, followed by a tour of the most luxurious and extravagant of the Stalinist era metro stations with their marble columns and chandeliers all with an English speaking guide.
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.
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.
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!
Highlights & Inclusions
Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.
Trip Highlights
St Petersburg - UNESCO-listed city area including: Nevsky Prospekt, Museum and University districts, Peter and Paul Fortress, Church on Spilled Blood, The Bronze Horseman, Admiralty End and the Hermitage at the Winter Palace
Novgorod - ancient city by the Volkhov River - kremlin, cathedral and other sights
Other sites of St. Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass
Moscow - UNESCO-listed Red Square, Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum, St Basil’s Cathedral
What's Included
8 breakfasts, 2 dinners
1 overnight train Novgorod - Moscow (open sleeper cabin) including bed linen. Upgrade to 4 berth enclosed sleeper cabin available, contact us for details.
Guided sightseeing - St Petersburg city, Peter and Paul Fortress and the Hermitage at Winter Palace, Novgorod, Moscow city and Kremlin
Moscow Metro travel card - 6 journeys
Specialist Russian guides at local sights
NOTE: In Russia on the go use 3 star and 4 star accommodation as classified by the Russian Ministry of Tourism. However, please be aware that 3 star and 4 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.
7 nights 3 star hotels
Airport arrival transfer on day 1
Russian banya (sauna) experience
Escorted by an English speaking Russian tour leader
All relevant transfers and transportation on tour
What's Not Included
International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: $50-60 USD
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.
Ibis St Petersburg Centre - St Petersburg
From the popular hotel chain, the Ibis St Petersburg Centre is a modern, comfortable hotel. Guest rooms are stylish with sleek wooden flooring and bright spacious interiors. Wi-Fi is available in both the rooms and the rest of the hotel. The hearty all you can eat Russian and International breakfast is a great way to start your day.
The hotel is located in the centre, close to Nevsky Prospekt (the main shopping avenue of the city) and only 500 metres from St Petersburg railway station.
Our Rating : Standard —
Local Rating: 3 Star Hotel
Yurievskoe Podvorie - Novgorod
The Yurievskoe Podvorie is a traditional Russian farmstead hotel. All the rooms are comfortable with good amenities. The hotel also has a fantastic restaurant serving traditional Russian cuisine in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Our Rating : Standard —
Local Rating:
Izmailovo Gamma Delta - Moscow
Formerly part of the Olympic Village at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Divided into two wings, Gamma and Delta - thhe Izmailovo Gamma Delta is part of one of the biggest hotels in the world. The rooms are comfortable and with modern amenities and there is also a number of excellent restaurants plus a gym and swimming pool. On arrival to the hotel guests are often welcomed with chocolate and still bottled mineral water.
Well located with good access to transport links.
Our Rating : Standard —
Local Rating: 3 Star Hotel
Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Russia Revolution - 9 days
I loved all the sights in St. Petersburg, Novgorod and Moscow and the historical information we received.
Alex Killen ,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
The guide, Olga, was exceptionally good, keen, intelligent, involved, efficient, etc. The tour leader probably was the most important factor in making this such an exceptionally good experience.
Arnold Levin ,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
Our guide was fantastic - very knowledgeable and friendly. He is a great asset to your company.
Megan,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
Yevgeny was a wonderful guide! Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable I highly recommend him as a tour guide - He is also good looking :)
Peta Holness ,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
A fun trip, quite interesting. Rarely boring. Russia is not an easy country to travel in, but I appreciated all the help from the guides and from on the go. The local staff were also very good - they were tremendous help to me after I lost my passport.
Stephen Irish,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
Both St.Petersburg and Novgorod were Absolutely Amazing. The whole Experience of those Cities was great- the ballet, the church on spilled blood, the Banya and the hotel in Novgorod.
Shahedah Sabdia ,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
It's been an amazing experience. I enjojed the size of the groop and was very impressed how hospitable + knowlegeble Viktorisa was.
Madeleine Winterton ,
Russia Revolution - 9 days
Dear Sarah,
Just to let you know I had a fantastic holiday. Katya our guide was amazing, her knowledge of Russian History, Politics and Architecture was immense. She had a wonderful sense of humour and no request was too difficult for her to fulfill. I got to go to two ballets thanks to Katy's organisation (one at the Marinsky) which was such a special experience.
The overall tour organisation was efficient, plus the variety of the itinerary meant there was something to suit everyone.