Russian Highlights - Overland Trip

1 ½ weeks: Moscow to St Petersburg (IMT-UTRH)

Intro

This is your chance to experience the intoxicating highlights of this vast and fascinating country. With the allure of the bold, brash oxymoron that is Moscow, the cultured elegance of St Petersburg and the most picturesque towns of the famous \'Golden Ring\' - the cultural and political heart of Russia - in between, this is a real trip of a lifetime.

Maximum Group Size

Arrival Transfer

Airport transfer to hotel day 1

Fully Escorted

By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides in Moscow and St Petersburg

Transport

Private bus, trains

Activities

Extensive walking around cities and sites. Optional rowing on Lake Nero

Accommodation

10 nights tourist class hotels, 1 overnight train

Meals

Breakfast as per itinerary. For other meals allow approx €13-18

(US$15-20) per day

Entrance Fees

Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

Itineraries

Day 1,MOSCOW

Arrive in Moscow and check in to hotel. Time to relax or explore this fascinating city. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of the tour. You should meet your tour leader at 6pm in the reception of the hotel. (No meals)

Day 2,MOSCOW

Guided tour of the Kremlin, Red Square and the Tretyakov Gallery. This afternoon we visit the Kremlin. (B)

Day 3,MOSCOW

A free day for further exploration of the other highlights of Russia’s capital city. (B)

Day 4,MOSCOW - ROSTOV VELIKY

Today we start our tour of the ‘Golden Ring’ - an area of very old towns north east of Moscow. We visit the Monastery of St Sergius in Sergiev Posad, followed by beautiful Pereslavl on the way to Rostov Veliky. (B)

Day 5,ROSTOV VELIKY - YAROSLAVL

In the morning we have the opportunity to row on Lake Nero and explore the many churches and museums of the Rostov Kremlin before travelling to Yaroslavl, an enchanting old town on the banks of the Volga. (B)

Day 6,YAROSLAVL - SUZDAL

A morning to explore Yaroslavl before travelling to Suzdal, where you will think you have travelled back in time to ancient Russia. (B)

Day 7,VLADIMIR - NOVGOROD

The morning is free to explore the monasteries, convents and wooden cottages of Suzdal. Later we visit Bogolyubovo and Vladimir, containing some of the most beautiful buildings in Russia, before we journey back to Moscow for the overnight train to Novgorod. Approx. 1 hour by bus and 8 ½ hours by train (B)

Day 8,NOVGOROD

Full day to explore Novgorod; opportunity in the evening to try a Russian sauna at the local banya (bathhouse).

Day 9,NOVGOROD - ST PETERSBURG

Travel to St Petersburg, Russia’s city of canals. Approx. 3½ hours by bus (B)

Day 10,ST PETERSBURG

Guided tour of St Petersburg, including the world famous Hermitage and the Gardens of Pushkin. (B)

Day 11,ST PETERSBURG

We travel to Petrodvorets to see the spectacular palace, built by Peter the Great and famed for its avenue of fountains. Free afternoon. (B)

Day 12,ST PETERSBURG

Tour ends. (B)

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Last updated: 22nd October 2009