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This tour takes you to Moscow and St. Petersburg - the
two capital cities from which the Tsars ruled the Russian
Empire. The excursion schedule includes not only the
major highlights of these cities, but provides a focus
on the history of Russia, as influenced by these rulers.
You start in Moscow, a city over 850 years old, and
home to Russia's most famous Kremlin. Here the Tsar's
ruled until Peter the Great saw fit to move it to St.
Petersburg, the city he is credited with building. In
St. Petersburg, you will see in the art and architecture
just how wealthy and powerful this empire once was,
and learn about the last days of the Tsars as the Revolution
of 1917 changed the history of Russia forever, and in
the process, moved the capital back to Moscow.
As there are many other sites to see in both of these
cities, aside from those directly related to the Tsars,
we have left some free time, which you can use to explore
on your own, or you can opt to include other excursions
- from art and literature to shopping or just neighborhood
walking tours. We also recommend attending a performance
at the Bolshoi, Marinsky, or a range of other theaters.
Once your travel dates are set, we will be happy to
provide you with scheduling information. |
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Style: Traveller
Tour grade: No special training
needed
Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Tour dates:
Daily departures all year around
For price and included service, please
contact us at:
sales@selenatravel.com
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| Day
1 |
Arrive
in Moscow, Transfer to hotel. |
H |
| Day
2 |
Morning
tour of the historic heart of the city, including
Red Square and the Kremlin. In the Kremlin, visit
the Cathedrals and the Armory for an introduction
to the Tsars who ruled from Moscow. Afternoon
free time. |
Gc |
| Day
3 |
Morning
tour to Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, where Tsars
in the 14th century built their summer residences.
Afternoon free time. |
Gc |
| Day
4 |
Morning
tour of Novodevichy Convent, where Peter the Great
and other Tsars sent their wives and daughters
to "keep them out of trouble." Evening
transfer to train station for overnight train
to St. Petersburg. |
Gc |
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Day
5-6 |
Arrival
in St. Petersburg, transfer to hotel. General
city tour, including St. Isaac's Cathedral, the
best place for a bird's eye view of the city.
Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, final resting
place from the Tsars, from Peter the Great to
the Nicholay II and his family. Visit the Church
of Our Saviour-on-the-Spilt-Blood, built on the
site of his murder in 1881.
Day trip to the Summer Palace in Peterhoff, with
its magnificent Grand Cascade, designed by Peter
the Great |
Gc |
| Day
7 |
Morning
tour of the Hermitage Gallery (Winter Palace),
one of the greatest collections of art in the
world. Afternoon free time, although you may well
find that you are still exploring the many halls
of the Hermitage until closing! |
Gc |
| Day
8 |
Free time.
Walk around the interesting side streets of St.
Petersburg, shop, visit more museums, or take
in a performance. You will have no shortage of
options, but if you like, we'd be happy to make
some suggestions based on your interests. |
Gc |
| Day
9 |
Transfer
to the airport after breakfast |
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 St.
Petersburg City
Founded in 1703, St. Petersburg has just celebrated
its 300th anniversary in 2003. The second largest
city in Russia, it is often compared to Venice
and Amsterdam due to the large numbers of canals
that flow through the city. Although it may
look "European" at first glance, the
city of St. Petersburg still has a very "Russian"
feel, which makes it very unique indeed.
Over the course of its history, St. Petersburg
has had a couple other names: Petrograd and
Leningrad. In 1991 it reverted back to its original
name. Founded by Peter the Great, it was supposed
to be the "Window on Europe" that
would allow Russia to progress along the lines
of Western Europe where Peter spent many years.
 Attracted
to the city's character, writers, poets and
artists flocked here and made St. Petersburg
their home. It is very easy to feel that you
are walking in the footsteps of many famous
figures in history and literature. Here you
can find house-museums of Dostoyevsky and Pushkin,
the Marinsky Ballet, and the world's greatest
art collection at the State Hermitage Gallery.
Recently declared the cultural center of Russia,
there is more than enough to keep anybody busy
here for several days. Most attractions are
easily reached on foot, and are concentrated
in the downtown area.
 Moscow
- the name carries many images and thoughts:
parades in Red Square with tanks rumbling through;
cold, snowy winters and unsmiling faces. To
the romantic adventurers, it is home to the
KGB, Lenin, the mafia and more.
To the youngest generation, Moscow may even
be known as a city of nightlife.
Winters may be cold here, but that's about the
only stereotype you will encounter. Summers
are bright and warm, and a walk down the Arbat,
Moscow's famous pedestrian mall, or in the many
city parks, will introduce you to many a Muscovite
smiling, enjoying the street entertainment and
the company of friends.
 The
past, present, and future of Russia is seen
in the many faces of the buildings and the people
of Moscow. The past is found in the scars and
memorials from invading armies, from the yoke
of the Mongols to WWII, and in between the Poles
and Napoleon.
Beautiful domed churches dot the skyline despite
80 years of official state atheisms, and unique
architectural designs can be found dating back
hundreds of years. In fact, archeological discoveries
have shown that humans have inhabited this region
for thousands of years, some of these are on
display at various museums.
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