Treasures of the Tsars - 8 days

Moscow and St Petersburg with ancient Novgorod in between, offering a relaxed pace, plenty of free time, entrance fees, coach tour of St Pete's, departure transfer and a finer style of accommodation.

Saturday. Welcome to Moscow and the start of your holiday! Arrival transfer from the airport to hotel and check in. This evening our Welcome Meeting takes place. Remainder of the evening at leisure, maybe go for a drink in the bar or coffee in the lounge. Overnight - Moscow

Day 2: The Mighty Kremlin

This morning we visit legendary Red Square and enjoy a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin. The fortified stronghold, built in the 11th century, was home to the campaigns of Ivan IV, Stalin, Lenin, Napoleon and more recently Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin. Inside the enclave we view the Russian Palaces of Congresses and tour Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Tsar Bell and The Armoury (optional). Later, visit St Basil’s Cathedral, the subject of countless postcards or spend some time inside the illustrious GUM department store - once the only choice for shopping in the Communist era. The remainder of the afternoon is free. Consider joining us for a visit to a Soviet Bunker. See Soviet Bunker bolt-on box. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Treasures of the Tsars - 8 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: Red Square

Today, we can return to Red Square where, if open, we can pay our respects to Lenin’s Mausoleum or consider taking a journey on the Stalinist-era Metro, to view some of the gold gilded frescoes that adorn many of the circle line stations. Alternatively, join us on an optional adventure to the Star City Cosmonaut Training Centre, by undertaking our star city bolt-on. Tonight, we travel by comfortable overnight sleeper train to Novgorod. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

Day 4: Russian Banya

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 1044; whilst today’s walls and towers, despite having been re-built in 15th century, are impressive all the same. Steaming up at a local Russian banya we enjoy a sauna, lunch and a sip of vodka. Later, we travel to St Petersburg by coach arriving late evening. Overnight - St Petersburg (B, L)

Days 5 - 6: St Petersburg

This morning, we drive to St Petersburg. Arriving early afternoon we embark on a coach tour of the city, driving along Nevsky Prospekt and Admiralty End, with stops at the Church on Spilled Blood and The Bronze Horseman. On day 6, a day at leisure or Pukka Pass Bolt-on. Our Pukka Pass is inclusive of guiding, transport, entrance fees, lunch and visits to Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Summer Gardens at Peterhof or Catherine or Pavlovsk Palace in winter. Overnight - St Petersburg (B:2)

A well wrapped on the go group posing for a photo

Day 7: Hermitage

Today, we enjoy a guided tour 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. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

Day 8: St Petersburg

Friday. Our tour ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. (B)

Inside a Soviet Bunker bolt on

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.

FROM USD $1,999

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

Date		Price/Person	Single Supp.
03 APR - 10 APR	10% off	USD $1,999	USD $699
15 MAY - 22 MAY		USD $1,999	USD $699
19 JUN - 26 JUN		USD $1,999	USD $699
17 JUL - 24 JUL		USD $1,999	USD $699
14 AUG - 21 AUG		USD $1,999	USD $699
28 AUG - 04 SEP		USD $1,999	USD $699
11 SEP - 18 SEP		USD $1,999	USD $699
09 OCT - 16 OCT		USD $1,999	USD $699
2011

Date		Price/Person	Single Supp.
16 APR - 23 APR		USD $1,999	USD $699
14 MAY - 21 MAY		USD $1,999	USD $699
18 JUN - 25 JUN		USD $1,999	USD $699
16 JUL - 23 JUL		USD $1,999	USD $699
13 AUG - 20 AUG		USD $1,999	USD $699
27 AUG - 03 SEP		USD $1,999	USD $699
10 SEP - 17 SEP		USD $1,999	USD $699
08 OCT - 15 OCT		USD $1,999	USD $699

Treasures of the Tsars - 8 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.

Tour Bolt-ons - Catherine Palace or Peterhof

USD $149

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.

Tour Bolt-ons - Inside a Soviet Bunker

USD $139

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.

Experiences

If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.

Live It Local

The-Palace-Of-Catherine-The-Great-In-St-Petersburg

Palaces & Forts

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!

Soviet Style

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.

Wonders of the World

St Basil's Cathedral

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

Moscow - UNESCO-listed Red Square, Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum, St Basil’s Cathedral
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

Novgorod - ancient city by the Volkhov River, Novgorod Kremlin, cathedral and other sights.
Other sites of St. Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass

What's Included

7 breakfasts and 1 lunch
1 overnight trains Moscow - Novgorod (4 berth sleeper cabin) including bed linen
Guided sightseeing - Moscow city, Red Square and Kremlin, Novgorod Kremlin territory, St Petersburg city coach tour and Hermitage at Winter Palace
Entrance fees to the Moscow Kremlin, Novgorod Kremlin territory and the Hermitage at the Winter Palace
Escorted by English speaking Russian tour leader
Relevant transfers and transportation on tour

6 nights 3 - 4 star hotels
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8
Russian banya (sauna) experience
Moscow Metro travelcard (6 single 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.

What's Not Included

Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: $40-50 USD

International flights and visa

Postcards

Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.

Very insightful and interesting. I could not compliment Katya, our guide enough - we felt very lucky to have such a passionate and knowledgeable guide. Thank you for everything.

Richard and Shirley Walker, Sep 2009

Just wanted to submit some feedback for our recent On The Go tour of Russia - the Treasures of the Tsars.

This was an excellent tour - really well paced with plenty of time to explore Moscow, Novgorod and St Petersburg. Included and optional excursions were excellent and I would highly recommend these (especially the bunker tour in Moscow and the Pukka pass in St Petersburg).

While we saw many great sites and had some amazing experiences the true highlight of our trip was our guide, Katya.

Katya's knowledge of Russia seemed endless and she shared with us information on history, politics, religion, important sites and people. She was also a great source of knowledge for the best places to shop, eat and even go to the toilet (very important when travelling).

We would highly recommend our tour (and On The Go) to people interested in visiting Russia as we found the experience to be excellent.

Gail Collins, Jul 2009