Festive greetings! Upon arrival at Moscow Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. This evening, meet your guide and the rest of the group at our welcome meeting. Spend the remains of the evening at leisure. Perhaps enjoy a few drinks in the bar and get to know your new travelling companions. Overnight - Moscow

This morning we embark upon a walking tour of the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area. In Red Square see the spectacular facade of St Basil’s Cathedral, the elegant GUM department store and Lenin’s Mausoleum.

Later in the day, there is the option to go ice skating with your tour leader in Gorky Park, which is a highlight of the festive season in Moscow! Loud music creates a fun and lively atmosphere in the park. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Today, we enjoy a guided tour of the mighty Moscow Kremlin. Opposite Red Square, the golden domed Kremlin, is Russia’s political powerhouse, where many infamous tyrants and dictators have conducted their business including Ivan the Terrible and Stalin. Below the glistening gold domes are a series of breathtaking cathedrals and churches within the Kremlin complex. Highlights include the Cathedral of the Annunciation - a breathtaking cathedral crowned by gold onion domes, Ivan the Great Bell Tower and its Tsar Bell (at an incredible 200 tonnes- it is the largest bell in the world). The remainder of the afternoon is free for you explore the city or gear up for your own Moscow New Year’s celebration! We recommend ringing in the New Year in Red Square where crowds of people gather to celebrate and watch the fireworks! You’ll be guaranteed to see in the New Year with a bang! Overnight - Moscow (B)

Happy New Year! Spend New Year’s Day at leisure exploring Moscow, why not get some shopping in at the extravagant GUM department store. This evening we board our overnight sleeper train, bound for St Petersburg. Overnight - On board train (B)

This morning see the sights of St Petes on a city tour. We travel down Nevsky Prospekt and stop to see the facade of the Church On Spilled Blood and the Bronze Horseman. We also enjoy a guided tour of Peter and Paul Fortress. Spend the remains of the day at leisure or opt for additional sightseeing on our Pukka Pass.

If you opt for the Pukka Pass enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing. 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. 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. Entrance fees, lunch and transport are all included, payable at time of booking. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

Today offers free time to explore St Pete's your way or if you opted for the Pukka Pass enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing. 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 Griboyedov Canal where we can enjoy a hearty meal. After lunch 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. Entrance fees, lunch and transport are all included, payable at time of booking. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)

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