Russia Unplugged - 9 days
Check out two of Russia's most striking cities. Explore the sights of Moscow - Russia's lively capital, before continuing on to rural Pskov and Pechory for a local banya experience and capping off the adventure in St Petersburg, the jewel in Russia's imperial crown.
Day 1: Moscow
Saturday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Meet and greet arrival transfer from airport to hotel and check in. Tonight, our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place, afterward head to the bar with your tour leader and fellow passengers. Remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight - Moscow
Day 2: Red Square & St Basil's
To legendary Red Square for a guided walk of the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area. In Red Square, feast your eyes on the intensely coloured, onion domed St Basil’s Cathedral, the subject of countless postcards. Along one side runs the elegant façade of the illustrious GUM department store, once the only choice for shopping in the Communist era. Also on Red Square is Lenin’s Mausoleum. If open, we can pay our respects to the father of Communism for free! Rest of day free. Cultured out? Moscow’s restaurants and clubs are open until very late! Overnight - Moscow (B)
Russia Unplugged - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: The Mighty Kremlin
Journeying to Red Square via the underground Metro, we enjoy a guided tour of the mighty Kremlin. The fortified stronghold built in the 11th century, was home to the campaigns of Ivan the Terrible, Stalin, Lenin, Napoleon and more recently Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin. Inside the grounds we view the Russian Palaces of Congresses, Senate and Supreme Soviet buildings and make visits to the Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower and Tsar Bell.
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. 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 a select few against a US nuclear attack. Join us on an interactive tour of this bunker turned museum. Overnight - Moscow (B)
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. 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 a select few against a US nuclear attack. Join us on an interactive tour of this bunker turned museum. Overnight - Moscow (B)
Day 4: Explore Moscow
Moscow - Pskov. Free day. Pulsating neons and billboard hoardings are proof Moscow has embraced capitalism. However, its plentiful museums, Stalinist-era Metro, stately buildings and traditions ensure Moscow holds onto its rich heritage. The Metro is the easiest way to get around - take a whizz around the circle line, stopping at various stations to view some amazing works of station art. Later this evening, we travel by comfortable overnight train (open sleeper cabin) to Pskov.
Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)
Day 5: Pskov & a Russian Sauna
As our train bounds into Pskov, we are just 30km away from the Estonian border. Pskov is historically rich, having played host to a stream of Baltic invaders for 700 years. A tour of Pskov takes in the riverside fortified kremlin, cathedral and other sights. A short drive brings us to the beautiful 14th century Pechory Monastery, where we explore the peaceful grounds and if monastic law permits, an exploration of the burial caves of this fascinating and still-working cloister. Steaming up at a local Russian banya (sauna) will work our appetites up for a vodka and lunch. Tonight at our hotel we’ll tuck into dinner.
Overnight - Pskov and Pechory (B, L, D)
Day 6: St Petersburg
Pskov - St Petersburg. This morning, we drive to St Petersburg and arrive early afternoon. Founded by Peter the Great, grandiose St Petersburg is designed around an intrinsic network of canals and rivers. Known as the cradle of Revolution, in the 20th century the city underwent three name changes, three revolutions and a 900-day siege. The rest of the day is free. With more than 90 museums, many of which are housed in imperial palaces, plus flamboyant galleries and churches, there’s masses to see! Most of the inner city sights are on and just off the main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Day 7: The Hermitage
St Petersburg. This morning, we embark on a city tour driving along Nevsky Prospekt, through the museum and university district and Admiralty End, with stops at the Church on Spilled Blood and The Bronze Horseman.
After we enjoy a guided visit of the Hermitage Collection at the Winter Palace. Housing some 2.8 million pieces of art, with collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Greek vases and a vast and dazzling array of Old Masters, we’ll view the highlights. The rest of the day is free to do St Pete’s your way. The city has a thriving restaurant, bar and club scene if you're keen! Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
After we enjoy a guided visit of the Hermitage Collection at the Winter Palace. Housing some 2.8 million pieces of art, with collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Greek vases and a vast and dazzling array of Old Masters, we’ll view the highlights. The rest of the day is free to do St Pete’s your way. The city has a thriving restaurant, bar and club scene if you're keen! Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Day 8: Pukka Pass
Free day or Pukka Pass Bolt-on. Our Pukka Pass is inclusive of guiding, transport, entrance fees, lunch and visits to Peter and Paul Fortress on the Petrogradskaya Side, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Summer Gardens at Peterhof in summer.
Peter and Paul Fortress was built in 1703, on the orders of Peter the Great, is considered to mark the founding of St Petersburg. It has a gruesome history. Hundreds of forced labourers died while building the fortress and its bastions were used to hold political prisoners. A magnificent cathedral here houses the remains of the Romanov dynasty. Peterhof on the Gulf of Finland is Russia’s ‘Versailles’ and popular in summer. The lavish gold fountains - the centre piece of which is the ‘Grand Cascade’ are amazing. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Peter and Paul Fortress was built in 1703, on the orders of Peter the Great, is considered to mark the founding of St Petersburg. It has a gruesome history. Hundreds of forced labourers died while building the fortress and its bastions were used to hold political prisoners. A magnificent cathedral here houses the remains of the Romanov dynasty. Peterhof on the Gulf of Finland is Russia’s ‘Versailles’ and popular in summer. The lavish gold fountains - the centre piece of which is the ‘Grand Cascade’ are amazing. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Day 9: St Petersburg
Sunday. Our tour concludes after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon.
(B)
Want a more time to relax?
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Our Russia Unplugged tour is fast paced ideal for those with plenty of get up and go! If you’d prefer a holiday with a few more creature comforts, consider our 8 day Treasures of the Tsars - Moscow and St Petersburg with ancient Novgorod in between, offering a relaxed pace, plenty of free time, hotel upgrades and more.
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Tour Details
- Starts in: Moscow / Ends in: St Petersburg
- Departs: Saturdays - March to October
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:8, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1
- Hotel Rating: 3 star
- Tour Guide: Yes
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