Vodka Shot - 6 days
St Petersburg and Moscow in one short blast. Enjoy Pukka Russia, seeing the best of these two legendary cities, from the incredible Hermitage and Church on Spilled Blood to brightly coloured St Basil's Cathedral and the mighty Kremlin. It's the most fun you can have in under a week!
Tuesday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! 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
Stunningly grandiose St Pete’s - founded by Peter the Great in 1703 is built around a series of bridge-connected canals and rivers. We start the day with a city tour, driving along Nevsky Prospekt, we stop to see the outside of the Church on Spilled Blood and explore Peter and Paul Fortress, giving us a solid introduction of this beautiful city. At one time a gruesome prison within the Peter and Paul Fortress compound is SS Peter and Paul Cathedral - housing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the treasure-filled Hermitage at the Winter Palace.
Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Vodka Shot - 6 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, alternatively jump on board with our optional Pukka Pass! The Pukka Pass includes entrance fees and guiding, with visits to the Church On Spilled Blood, Peterhof in summer or Catherine or Pavlovsk Palace in winter and lunch and beer tasting at the Tinkoff Brewery. Later this evening we board our overnight sleeper train bound for Moscow. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)
Moscow. The city that kept Bond busy. At Red Square, we enjoy a guided walk of the Kitay Gorod and Lubyanka area. Discover the delights of Red Square, home to St Basil’s, the GUM department store and Lenin’s Mausoleum. The rest of the day is free for you to
further explore.
Overnight - Moscow (B)
Today, we tour Russia’s powerhouse - the mighty Kremlin, with a guided walk through the grounds where we’ll see numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the tsar bell - the largest bell that never rang! Later you can visit St Basil’s Cathedral, commissioned by Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the terrible) in 1555 to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. The multi-tented cathedral with brightly coloured onion shaped domes is destinctively iconic Russia.
Afterward there is free time. If open, you can pay your respects to the grandfather of Communism at Lenin’s mausoleum. The city offers amazing galleries, museums, plenty of cafes, shops (including the GUM department store for high rollers) and bars all within walking distance. Alternatively, hop from station to station using your Metro pass. Be sure to take the circle line to fully view and absorb the opulence of Stalin’s marble clad, chandelier lit underground stations.
Overnight - Moscow (B)
Sunday. Our Vodka Shot tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon.
(B)
Upgrade your stay!
For those that would like a little extra comfort whilst travelling, we offer an upgrade package on our Vodka Shot tours. Upgrade to a stylish 4 star hotel for 2 nights in St Petersburg, 2 nights 4 star accommodation in Moscow and 4 berth sleeper train upgrade from St Petersburg to Moscow.
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, (if another solo traveller of the same sex is already booked upon the tour), thus avoiding the single person supplement.
All our scheduled tour departures are guaranteed subject to a minimum of 2 travellers.
2012 |
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| 14 FEB - 19 FEB |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
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| 13 MAR - 18 MAR |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
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| 10 APR - 15 APR |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 08 MAY - 13 MAY |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
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| 05 JUN - 10 JUN |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 03 JUL - 08 JUL |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 17 JUL - 22 JUL |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 31 JUL - 05 AUG |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 21 AUG - 26 AUG |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 11 SEP - 16 SEP |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
|
| 09 OCT - 14 OCT |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
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| 16 OCT - 21 OCT |
|
USD $1,199 |
USD $649 |
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| 13 NOV - 18 NOV |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
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| 04 DEC - 09 DEC |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
2013 |
|
| 12 FEB - 17 FEB |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 12 MAR - 17 MAR |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 26 MAR - 31 MAR |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 09 APR - 14 APR |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 07 MAY - 12 MAY |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 04 JUN - 09 JUN |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 02 JUL - 07 JUL |
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USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 16 JUL - 21 JUL |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 30 JUL - 04 AUG |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 20 AUG - 25 AUG |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 10 SEP - 15 SEP |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 08 OCT - 13 OCT |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
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| 15 OCT - 20 OCT |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
| 12 NOV - 17 NOV |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
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| 03 DEC - 08 DEC |
|
USD $1,079 |
USD $349 |
|
|
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| 4 star upgrade package |
USD $749 |
USD $-370 |
| 4 Berth Sleeper Train Upgrade St Petes - Moscow |
USD $119 |
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Vodka Shot - 6 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
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! |
|  |
| 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
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, Church on Spilled Blood (exterior only), The Bronze Horseman, Admiralty End, St Petersburg Hermitage at the Winter Palace
- Other sites of St Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass
| - Moscow - UNESCO-listed Red Square, Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum and St Basil’s Cathedral
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What's Included
- 5 breakfasts
- 1 overnight train St Petersburg - Moscow (open sleeper cabin) including bed linen
- Guided sightseeing - St Petersburg city, Hermitage at Winter Palace, Moscow's Red Square and Kremlin
- Escorted by an English speaking Russian tour leader
- All relevant transfers and transportation on tour
| - 4 nights 3 star hotels
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1
- Moscow Metro travel card - 6 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
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Entrance Fees: $50-60 USD
| - International flights and visa
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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.
Kate was an exceptional guide with all her informatonvery helpful, nothing was a problem, very well organized lady.
Murray John Guise , Aug 2011
Moscow dancing concert - amazing. Olga was wonderful Very energetic!
Rebecca Talbot , Aug 2011
Hi Emma,
Just wanted to let you know I had a fantastic time on my Russia Vodka Shot tour. Eugine the guide we had in St Petersburg was fantastic, his tour of the Hermitage in particular was amazing, his knowledge and passion for the works of art there was very impressive to say the least. A fantastic trip but of course not long enough :)
Thanks again for giving me the chance to visit Russia!!
Lauren Chaberka, Jun 2011
Had a brilliant time and would recommend this tour and on the go tours to anyone.
Toni Eather , Mar 2011
This was my first overseas trip and it was an experience I will never forget. The tour guide was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable in both historical, cultural and party issues!!! I would not hesitate in recommending not only On The Go as a tour company but also the specific trips I did through Russia and Croatia. Will definitely be calling on you for my next trip.
Mr Denton Sandlant, Jan 2011
What a brilliant trip. So many fun memories. Our guide was very informative on all the Russian arts and culture. Trully great experience.
Mr Lukasz Panek, Dec 2010
Onthego's Vodka Shot tour is a brilliant trip for all of those who want a taste of Russia in an action packed itinerary. My partner and I flew into St Petersburg and were picked up and taken directly to our hotel without delay. Two days followed in what is probably one of the more stunning cities in Europe, with distinctly Russian architecture and some great history lessons from our tour leader. Moscow is a huge, trendy and full on city which is colossal and full of history on the same level as cities such as London or Paris. Apart from some great historic spots including the Red Square, we visited numerous bars, cafes and had some great weather. On the conclusion of our 6 days we were totally sold by Russia and we hope to return.
I would fully recommend this tour to anyone who thinks Russia is inaccessible or difficult – Vodka Shot proves that it isn't.
Mr Richard Crowe, Oct 2010
We had an amazing time visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg with On-The-Go. The tour was very well organised, and we were especially pleased they organised our visas (usually an arduous process). The local tour guide was excellent - not only did she provide ample information on the historical sites we were visiting, she also provided a very interesting perspective on her life growing up in Russia. It was an amazing set of cities to see and glad we also had the opportunity to enjoy an excellent range of bolt-ons and cultural performances (very good seats!).
Mr Carlos Ubeda, Sep 2010