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| Ancient Russian Cities
An 11-Day tour starting from $8,595
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There is a certain crystalline quality of light you find only in Russia, a country of unimaginable distances, of folk songs and great novels, of opulent palaces and inestimable works of art. History here is not consigned to the past; instead it plays out before you every day in the pageant of Russia’s great cities. Explore epic Moscow with its monuments and tombs, and glory in regal St. Petersburg, home to czars and princes, elegance and light. |
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Moscow, Metropol Hotel:
One of the grandest hotels in Russia, the Metropol is located near Red Square and the Kremlin. Lavishly furnished with antiques, the hotel is also equipped with the most modern conveniences. Since its completion in 1898, the Metropol has been a part of history, with its corridors witnessing many of the historic events of the century. Designed in “Style Moderne,” from the beginning the Metropol attracted the cream of Moscow society: Leo Tolstoy and Rachmaninov frequented the hotel. Bernard Shaw and Bertold Brecht were guests of the hotel. The guest list since renovation boasts names of presidents and prime ministers from around the world. The incomparable style of the hotel is nowhere more evident than in its elegantly decorated rooms and suites ‒ the careful blending of original paintings and antiques has created a special opulence and warmth. Appointments and layout in each room and suite are different and all rooms are equipped with bath and shower, satellite and cable TV, radio, mini-bar, direct dial satellite telephone, modem outlet, hair dryer, air-conditioning, desk, dressing-gown and slippers and daily newspaper. There are three restaurants in the hotel: The Metropol, an amazingly beautiful and luxuriously decorated room, serves Russian and European cuisine; The Europeisky is a cozy comfortable room with Russian and European cuisine; and The Boyarsky features unique Old Russian cuisine, along with ethnic music and songs. There is also the Shalyapin Bar and the Confectioner Café. Hotel facilities include casino, night club, health club and fitness center, massage, sauna, swimming pool, beauty saloon, boutiques and gift shops. Suzdal, Pushkarskaya Sloboda Hotel: The new Pushkarskaya Sloboda Hotel is a mini village with its private paved streets, is located in a peaceful beautiful place at a bend in the Kamenka River. The accommodations are in unique wooden Russian izbas (houses) which are the exact replicas of the typical Russian homes of the turn of the century. The izbas have every modern convenience. St. Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe: The Grand Hotel Europe, Russia’s oldest operating grand hotel, is a world of luxury and comfort with more than a century of tradition. The historic hotel is located in the center of enchanting St. Petersburg. A complete renovation returned the hotel to a level of gracious elegance and luxurious comfort not seen since the era of the czars. Your superior classic room has an entrance way and bedroom with seating area, writing desk and comfortable armchairs for relaxing. All rooms are equipped with satellite TV, mini-bar, IDD telephone with voice mail, in-room safe and fax modem line. The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with amenities including a hairdryer. Restaurants in the Grand Hotel Europe offer a full range of elegant dining experiences, from casual to formal. L’Europe is a French and European restaurant with live music. You’ll also enjoy the Caviar Bar featuring red and black caviar, fish specialties and a selection of finest Russian vodkas.
DAYS 1 & 2, Thursday & Friday - Depart for Moscow, RUSSIA
Depart your home city on Thursday for Moscow. You will arrive on Friday morning, be greeted at the airport and transferred to your luxury hotel. One of the world's largest cities, 20th century Moscow has leapt forward to become the country political, scientific, industrial and cultural focus. You’ll have the remainder of the day to rest after your long flight or to begin exploring this exciting city on your own. Metropol Hotel DAY 3, Saturday -Moscow Moscow became the capital of Russia in the 15th century. Located on the Russian Plateau and divided by the Moscow River, Moscow spreads over 350 square miles. This morning begin exploring the city on your sightseeing tour. Start at Red Square and enjoy the unique architecture of the fourth largest square in the world, featuring the Cathedrals of St. Basil and Our Lady of Kazan, the largest History Museum in Russia, the shopping arcades of GUM, the mausoleum of Lenin and the Kremlin necropolis. Spreading along the northeastern wall of the Kremlin lies Red Square. Within the wall are buried many famous Russians and, at its foot, is a common grave of the revolutionaries killed here in 1917. You’ll view the interior of the Lenin Mausoleum in the center of Red Square, which contains the body of Lenin preserved in a crystal crypt. GUM, stretching along Red Square directly opposite the Kremlin, is the largest department store in Russia. It handles over 500,000 customers a day, with a staff of 4,000 who sell just about everything available in Russia. Walk through the interior of St. Basil's Cathedral. View the grounds of New Maiden Convent, a fortress and monastic ensemble of the 16th century with a world-famous cemetery. Drive through the Moscow State University campus and take in the view from a panorama platform on Vorobiovy (Sparrow) Hills, the highest spot in Moscow. After lunch, visit the Tretaykov Gallery, named after the Tretaykov brothers, who donated their unique art collection to the city of Moscow. The Tretaykov Gallery is the national museum of Russian fine arts of the 10th to 20th centuries. This special gallery offers an unforgettable exhibit of icons as well as Russian masterpieces. Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner party with your Travcoa Travel Director and fellow travelers and learn more about the advetures ahead. Metropol Hotel DAY 4, Sunday - Moscow The striking contours of the ancient Kremlin, or fortress, have come to be a veritable symbol of Soviet Moscow. As Russia’s seat of power since the Middle Ages, the most ancient relics of Russian history and culture have been preserved within its walls. Now the Kremlin is one of the biggest museums in the world. State regalia of Russia, invaluable icons, and treasures of Russian tsars are stored in the Kremlin chambers and cathedrals. This morning you’ll view the Czar Bell and Czar Cannon, the Belfry of Ivan the Great –the Kremlin’s tallest structure – Cathedral Square and the Armory Chamber Museum. The Armory Museum, the oldest museum of Russia, contains a unique collection of icon covers, crosses, thrones, carriages, coronation robes and clergy vestments and Byzantine cameos. You’ll see the bejeweled Fabérgé Easter Eggs and the 800 diamond throne of Czar Alexei. At the Diamond Fund you will view the jewelry made for the royal court and the Imperial regalia, including the Great Imperial Crown made for Catherine the Great and maces, scepters and the Great Chain. Tour Cathedral Square, a breathtaking architectural ensemble of the 15th to 17th centuries, where the life of Russian grand princes and czars started and ended; the Annunciation Cathedral where they were baptized and crowned; and the Archangel Michael Cathedral where they were buried. After lunch, experience the Metro, Moscow's subway, which is like an underground marble palace – the stations are ornately decorated with sculptures, paintings, mosaics and chandeliers. This evening attend the famous Moscow Circus. Metropol Hotel DAY 5, Monday - Moscow, Vladimir & Suzdal Your leisurely drive this morning will take you to Vladimir, arriving in time for lunch. The city was founded in 1108 and was Russia’s capital until the 1300’s. In the Cathedral of the Assumption (Uspensky Cathedral), built in 1158-61, you’ll see the amazing Last Judgment frescoes created in the Middle Ages by Andrey Rublyov, one of the world’s foremost icon painters. In the Cathedral of St. Dmitry, view the beautiful stone carvings. Among the many notable structures in Vladimir are the Golden Gate (1164), a former city gate; and several old monasteries. Later you will drive through the countryside to Suzdal, a village of one-story cottages and 30 gorgeous churches overlooking the Kamenka River. Suzdal is noted for its very ancient cathedrals and monasteries, all in exceptional condition, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Suzdal is over 1,000 years old. The quaint town is an outstanding architectural museum, containing more examples of period architecture than any other Russian town. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for you to walk around and explore on your own. Your accommodations are at the VIP Tourist Complex of Suzdal, located at a bend in the Kamenka River.Pushkarskaya Sloboda Hotel DAY 6, Tuesday - Suzdal & Moscow Your sightseeing this morning in Suzdal includes the Kremlin – the fortress and oldest part of the city. The Kremlin has preserved the earthen ramparts and the moat of the old fortress, some churches and the ensemble of the Bishop's Chambers with the old cathedral. You’ll also see the Museum of Wooden Architecture, The building traditions and everyday life of peasants of Vladimir region of the 18th and 19th centuries are shown here. The museum recreates a Russian village with a long street, wooden houses, a church which was the center of public life of the village, and auxiliary structures. Visit the Cathedral of Nativity and Spasso-Yefimiev Monastery. After lunch in Suzdal, you’ll depart for Moscow, arriving in time for dinner. Metropol Hotel DAY 7, Wednesday - Moscow & St. Petersburg Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Moscow at your own pace. Take time to photograph the splendor of Red Square, or perhaps explore the expansive GUM department store. After a special lunch, we drive to the Moscow airport for our flight to St. Petersburg. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to freshen up before dinner. Your luxurious accommodations are at the Grand Hotel Europe, Russia’s oldest operating grand hotel, a world of luxury and comfort with more than a century of tradition. Grand Hotel Europe DAY 8, Thursday - St. Petersburg Enchanting St. Petersburg was home to the Russian aristocracy and immortalized by Tolstoy. The homeliness of Peter's cottage and the city's placid canals contrast with "the brooding grandeur of the Winter Palace, but they share a graceful stillness that is difficult to forget. St. Petersburg is very European and unlike any other city in Russia. Known as “Venice of the North,” St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands in the delta of the Neva River and is a city of beautiful Baroque palaces, picturesque canals, splendid avenues and elaborate cathedrals. The year 2003 marked the 300th anniversary of the founding of the almost perfectly planned city. The glorious maritime setting on the shores of the Baltic Sea is a supreme monument to its founder Peter the Great. One of the world’s most northerly cities, it was designed as “a window on Europe.” Your day begins with a tour of the highlights of St. Petersburg. Visit Peter and Paul's Fortress, located on Zayachi Island (Hare Island. This was the first structure to be erected in the new city of St. Petersburg by Peter the Great between 1703 and 1728. Peter planned that the Baroque style Cathedral, which stands in the center, would be the final resting place for himself and all his royal successors. Today it is the resting place of most of the Romanov Monarchs and their sarcophagi can be viewed inside. However, the fortress is better known for its function as a prison, the most renowned prisoner being Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, commissioned by Alexander I in 1818. The third-highest domed building in the world, it took some 400,000 workers over forty years to complete. The Cathedral dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg. Its gilded dome, covered with 100 kilograms of pure gold, soars over 100 meters into the air, making it visible far out into the Gulf of Finland. Continue on to the Winter Palace, or Hermitage. The Winter Palace is undoubtedly the most famous building of imperial St. Petersburg, not only as the residence of the czars and the backdrop for the 1905 and 1917 Revolutions, but also as the home of the Hermitage, the world's largest museum of art. Its collection is so large that it would take years to view it in its entirety; at last count, there were nearly three million works on exhibit. You would face 400 halls and a 14.5 mile walk if you decided to visit all the exhibits. You’ll explore the magnificent Winter Palace and its stunning interior gilded with lapis lazuli, jasper, malachite and marble. Created for Catherine the Great, you can stroll the Grand Hall, which was used for winter balls, and see the czar’s golden carriage. Grand Hotel Europe DAY 9, Friday - St. Petersburg This morning cross the Neva River at Petrodvorets to visit the magnificent Summer Palace of Peter the Great, built in 1704. You’ll explore the vast museum that includes Peter the Great’s study, with its 14 incredibly carved wooden panels. Designed to rival Versailles, the 300-acre park on the shore of the Gulf of Finland boasts spectacular fountains, the Grand Palace, crowning the hill above the fountains, and about 20 smaller palaces and pavilions. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you will tour the Prince Yusupov Palace. Enjoy its beautiful architecture, interior design and paintings. The Palace is associated with the notorious Rasputin, the spiritual teacher of Alexandra, the last Russian Czarina. It was here that Rasputin was assassinated in 1916 under most mysterious circumstances. You will see the cell where Rasputin was held. This evening attend an outstanding performance. During the May to mid-August season it will be at the Mariinsky Theatre (formerly known as the Kirov Theatre). The "Mariinsky was built in 1860 as an opera house, but its reputation rests largely on the ballet that was added to its repertoire two decades later. (The Mariinsky Theatre is closed in August; it will be substituted by a folkloric show.) Grand Hotel Europe DAY 10, Saturday - St. Petersburg In the morning you will visit Pushkin, formerly known as Tzarskoye Selo, the country estate and summer palace that was presented by Peter the Great to his first wife Katherine. You will admire the marvelous Baroque style Katherine’s Palace. The State Museum Tzarskoye Selo is one of Russia's biggest and best-known museums, famous for the diversity and splendor of its collections of Russian, European and Oriental fine and decorative arts of the 18th to early 20th century. You’ll have a unique chance to see the recently restored Amber Room and learn the fascinating story about its history. Return to St. Petersburg for lunch. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to pursue your personal interests or to get in a bit of shopping. This evening celebrate your discoveries of ancient Russian cities at a festive farewell cocktail and dinner party with your felow travelers. Grand Hotel Europe DAY 11, Sunday - Depart for Home This morning you will be transferred to the airport in St. Petersburg and depart for your home city or on to your next destination. NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent upon local conditions and/or operational changes or improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within each destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled closure, special events, weather, traffic, etc. Please contact your Vacation Planner before scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will receive an up-dated itinerary approximately 30 days prior to your journey’s scheduled departure date.
• Explore Red Square, the Kremlin, and St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Enjoy a private tour of the Armory Museum’s Diamond Fund housing the Faberge Eggs • Enjoy a private visit to the Amber Room at Catherine’s Palace, and Rasputin’s cell in Yusupov Palace • Attend cultural performance by renowned troupes in St. Petersburg All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy
Single Supplement $2,195 |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||