RUSSIA

After Breakfast, enjoy a day of sightseeing in St Petersburg, the Jewel in Russia’s Imperial Crown. Today remnants of the city’s grandiose past can be seen in its beautiful historic centre; made up of a series of canals this UNESCO World Heritage site is dotted with elegant baroque bridges, impressive rococo architecture and spectacular palaces. We will start the day with a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, a former political prison. Within its grounds is the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, an 18th century church that houses the tombs of the Romanov Tsars. With its marbled columns, amazing chandeliers and incredible carved and gilded icons, the church creates a reverent setting for the tombs of the Romanov monarchs

Later we head off to one of the greatest and most beautiful art museums in the world - the Hermitage State Museum. The collection of the Hermitage includes more than three million works of art and artefacts of world culture, including Da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, Monet and Michelangelo. Among them are paintings, graphic works, sculptures and works of applied art, archaeological finds and numismatic material.

Overnight at St Petersburg

Breakfast at hotel. Today we visit to Tsarskoye Selo to see the magnificent Catherine Palace and its legendary Amber Room.  Palatial Peterhof is the former summer residence of Peter the Great. Peterhof Park is famous for its array of magnificent gold fountains, with highlights including the Grand Cascade, which comprises 64 different fountains and over 200 bronze statues.

Originally commissioned as a modest building for the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine Palace was later transformed by their daughter into the blue-and-white fairytale palace it is today. The Palace is an astonishing example of Baroque architecture with its striking interiors that are incredibly spectacular. The Catherine Palace is known for its legendary, unique Amber Room that was looted during World War II, and completely and painstakingly recreated as recently as 2003 – a process that took over 20 years and cost more than $12 million. Later, we transfer to the train station for our overnight journey to Moscow.
Overnight on sleeper train

Upon arrival in Moscow we will head to our hotel for check-in. Later we will proceed to metro to make our way to legendary Red Square, arguably one of the most famous squares in the world. It got its name from the Russian word for "red", which many centuries ago meant "beautiful". At the southern end of the square is the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, with its colourful tent roofs and twisting onion shaped domes. Here you will also find the towering red walls of the Kremlin, with the rooftops of palaces and cathedrals peeking over the top. Covering the entire eastern side of the square is the elaborate facade of the glamorous GUM shopping mall.

From here we will head on to the mighty Kremlin - the former residence of the Tsars and now the residence of the Russian President. Highlights will include the armony, a series of impressive cathedrals and churches, including the Cathedral of the Annunciation - a breathtaking cathedral crowned by gold onion domes, and Ivan the Great Bell Tower with its tsar bell.
Overnight at Moscow.

Today you will really get an appreciation of Russian fine art, from in its art galleries and museums, to where it finds itself in every day life. First stop will be the Tretyakov Gallery which houses the best examples of Russian art, from icons to modern art, including Soviet propaganda paintings. This afternoon, we will take a ride on the metro, built during Stalin’s rule as “palaces for the people”. Lavish designs, with columns and chandeliers, sculptures and paintings, they truly are a sight to behold.
Overnight at Moscow

Today after breakfast, check-out from hotel and time while you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travel.