Russian Highlights Tour

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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
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
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• See Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral
• Visit Lenin's tomb
• Sergiev Posad, the spiritual heart of Russia
• St Petersburg, the jewel in Russia's crown

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, MOSCOW: Arrive in Moscow and check in to hotel. Time to relax or explore this fascinating city.

Day 2, MOSCOW: Guided tour of the Kremlin, Red Square and the Tretyakov Gallery. (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. (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. (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)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]