Starts in: Moscow / Ends in: St Petersburg
Departs: 20 December 2010
No local payment required
Breakfast:8, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 1
Hotel Rating: 3 star
Tour Guide: Yes

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XMAS Kremlins Tsars - 9 days

Stop dreaming of a white Christmas and make it a reality! Draped in a blanket of snow, explore the famous sights of Moscow, steam up in a Russian banya in ancient Pskov, choose from an exciting range of winter sports on Xmas day and soak up the delights of St Petes.

Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Wanting more time in Moscow? This is the trip! Meet and greet arrival transfer from airport. Transfer to hotel for registration and check-in. Tonight our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place. Rest of the evening free. Overnight - Moscow

Day 2: 21 Dec: 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. Overnight - Moscow (B)

XMAS Kremlins Tsars - 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: 22 Dec: Gorky Park and Ice Skating

A free day to explore, why not visit Sculpture Park – redundant statues of important men from the Soviet era languish in this unusual park which is located just across the road from legendary Gorky Park with its winter ice rink where cheap skates can be hired. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Day 4: 23 Dec: Explore Moscow

Moscow - Pskov. Free day to enjoy Moscow or why not bolt-on our optional Star City adventure. 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 sleeper train to Pskov. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

A couple stand by their wonderful snowman

Day 5: 24 Dec: Christmas eve in Pskov

Good morning, Pskov! Today, enjoy a tour of Pskov – an ancient town that has played host to a stream of Baltic invaders. Our Pskov tour takes in the riverside fortified Kremlin, cathedral and other sights. We’ll then steam up at a real Russian banya (sauna). Hot on the heels - a lunch with vodka. Later we go for an evening meal at a local restaurant. Maybe have a couple of drinks to celebrate Xmas eve. Cheers! Overnight - Pskov and Pechory (B, L, D)

Day 6: 25 Dec: Christmas Day and Winter Sports

Pskov - St Petersburg. Merry Christmas! This morning, a short drive brings us to the beautiful 14th century Pechory Monastery. Later we enjoy a day of winter sports - ice-skating on the frozen lake or cross-country skiing with lunch. There are no mountains in the region, so a special type of ski is used for cross-country. Please note that if the weather is inclement, the itinerary may be altered. Evening coach to St Petersburg. Overnight - St Petersburg (B, L)

The bright lights of the city reflect against the snow

Day 7: 26 Dec: Explore the city

Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St Petersburg is the bee's knees. It’s one of the prettiest cities in all Russia. This morning, a city coach tour gives us an overview. If you purchase the pukka pass, today will also include additional guided sightseeing inclusive of transport. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

Day 8: 27 Dec: Winter Palace

Enjoy a guided visit to the Hermitage Collection at the famous Winter Palace. The rest of the day is free to do St Pete’s your way. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

Day 9: 28 Dec:

Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon. (B)

Discover Novgorod

Experience rural Russia with a 1 night stay in a country house in ancient Novgorod. After guided touring, there's free time to explore and fun to be had in a banya, before tucking into a tasty home cooked meal!

SAVE 30% when booking a group of 4 or more!

FROM USD $1,679

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.
20 DEC - 28 DEC	USD $1,679	USD $559

XMAS Kremlins Tsars - 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.

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 - Novgorod Countryside Stay

USD $719

The fortress walls and Volkhov River in UNESCO-listed Novgorod

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.

Tour Bolt-ons - Star City

USD $219

Visit Star City - home of Russia’s Space Program - and where all cosmonauts have received their specialist training since Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut in space in 1961. Star City or more correctly - Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre has been the training centre for every cosmonaut since Gagarin.

Tour Bolt-ons - Pukka Pass

USD $189

The fountains in the gardens of Peterhof Palace in St Petersburg

In purchasing our pukka pass, you’ll get a full day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg including all transportation, guiding, entrance fees and lunch. Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac's Cathedral and either palatial Peterhof (summer) or Catherine Palace (winter). St Pete's at its best!

Experiences

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

Adrenalin Rush

Skiing

Hit the slopes of the beautiful High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, or enjoy a little skiing action on your Trans-Siberian adventure, where you can cross country ski beside the mighty Lake Baikal in Siberia or up in Russia's wild Ural Mountains. Skiing is offered as an optional activity on Trans-Siberian Classic journeys.

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.

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, Gorky & Sculpture Park
Pechory - ancient monastery
Other sites of St. Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass

Pskov - ancient town near Estonian border
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

What's Included

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
1 overnight train Moscow - Pskov (open sleeper cabin) including bed linen
Guided sightseeing - Moscow city, Red Square and Kremlin, Pskov, Pechory monastery, St Petersburg city tour and Hermitage at Winter Palace
Winter pursuits - ice skating, cross-country skiing in Pskov (dependent on weather)
Escorted by English speaking Russian tour leader
Relevant transfers and transportation on tour

7 nights 3 star hotels
Airport arrival transfer on day 1
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

International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: $50-80 USD

Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Postcards

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

Overall I've had an excellent time in Russia & a memorable Christmas.
Ksenia was fabulous, always willing to go the extra mile & very funny!
Thank you!

Kyle, Jan 2010

Ksenia was an excellent guide with amazing knowledge of Russian history. She was very informative, enthusiastic and fun.
I enjoyed Russian Banya in Pskov and had had great Xmas dinner!

Amanda McKar, Jan 2010

I've had an absolute ball in Russia and so pleased I chose to spend Xmas here as it just added to the atmosphere. Our guide was the best, she has so much knowledge and shares this with everybody! She goes out of her way to assist no matter what the request!

Sue Brooking, Dec 2008

Katya is a bit of pure gold. She was funny, intelligent, honest and very well versed in her Russian history. Beyond knowing everything about everything in every location we went to, at our request on our bus trip into Moscow she gave us a brief but poignant history of the rise and fall of Communism. It really put things into a real perspective for us. I am indefinitely grateful to her for making the trip so easy and educational. She was amazing. She should be held on to for as long as you can.

Sean O'Connor, Dec 2008

Hello Craig,
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed my trip to Russia. We had a good group and got to see a lot. The Christmas party was great and ended with snow and fireworks - truly a special touch. The people at the hotel really made a great effort to make our Christmas eve celebration special and we all appreciated it since we were far away from home. It was really well done.

Happy New Year!!!

Best Regards,

Cinthya Orrala, Dec 2008

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