Zdrastvutye! Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city. Upon arrival at the airport you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to rest after your flight or to begin exploring this phenomenal city. St. Petersburg, the ‘City of the Tsars’, is full of architectural monuments – if you’ve arrived early, it’s well worth tracking down some of the impressive structures throughout the city. The Palace Square, Kazan Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Isaac’s Square and many more of these historic centres capture the city’s imperialist charm, showing touches of European influence in the architecture of these old buildings.

PLEASE NOTE - Some flights may depart the night prior.

This morning your adventure begins in earnest with a welcome meeting with your guide and your fellow travellers. Following the meeting we will be travelling by local public transport to the Savior on the Spilled Blood Church which is one of the most fascinating places in St Petersburg and home to one of the largest mosaics in Europe. After our visit here, we’ll discover one of Russia’s most spectacular sights – the stunning Hermitage museum. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, the Hermitage is one of the largest and oldest museums in existence. The museum itself boasts over 2.7 million exhibits, displaying a diverse range of art and artefacts from across the world and throughout history (from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th-century Europe). Experts have calculated if you watch each item for one minute and spend 8 hours in the Hermitage daily, it will still take you almost 15 years to view everything that the museum has to offer. We will enjoy a delightful guided tour here and then later in the evening we will gather for a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast this morning we will board our private van and start the morning with a half day trip to the stunning Pushkin suburb. Famous for its glorious Catherine’s Palace and Amber room, it’s considered as one of the main attractions of the city. Constructed in the 18th century in Prussia, the original Amber Room was dismantled and eventually disappeared during World War II. Before its loss, it was considered an "Eighth Wonder of the World". A reconstruction was installed in the Catherine Palace between 1979 and 2003. We will partake on an informative tour with our guide around the palace and revel in the splendor of it’s gorgeous interior. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a local lunch at the café before returning to the city. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.

PLEASE NOTE: On occasions, Catherine Palace is shut on a short notice for official delegations, in this case you will be offered alternative program (Pavlovsk, Kronstadt)

This morning we’ll be travelling a short distance out of the city to uncover the opulence of the stunning Summer Palace and Park of Peter the Great, known as Peterhof or Petrodvorets. Our memorable arrival will be a special moment, much like that of the esteemed guests and European royalty of history. Disembarking at the pier and walking up the Fountain Alley, the magnificence of the water features and the splendour of the Big Palace will all be spread out before you – a breathtaking sight. The Tsar was heavily influenced by European styles and customs and so the place is roughly modelled on Versailles. Built to impress on guests the ruler’s wealth and taste, the grounds of the park are filled with fountains, cascades and landscaped gardens, and the location right on the Gulf of Finland makes for beautiful views. The palaces (of which there are three – Great Peterhof Palace, Marly Palace and Monplaisir Palace) are fascinating not only for the elaborate halls and galleries, but also for the fact that they have been so accurately restored after being almost completely destroyed during Nazi occupation in World War II. Following our visit here we will return to St. Petersburg in the early afternoon, where you will be free to use any free time to visit the last minute sites you might have missed.

Today you may enjoy a morning at leisure. There are plenty of options available and your guide will be able to suggest a variety of options. Shortly after lunch we will travel to the airport of St. Petersburg to board our flight to Kazan. Upon arrival in Kazan you will be transferred via private van from Kazan Airport to the hotel where you can have some rest before your Tatar adventure! Kazan is a city in southwest Russia, on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers and is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a semi-autonomous region.

PLEASE NOTE: Direct flights might not be available and a connection may be necessary.

Today will begin as we set out on a walking tour, taking in the color and East-meets-West charm of the capital of Tatarstan. As a region that is somewhat independent from the rest of Russia, the culture and food here has its own distinct flavour. During our walking tour we’ll stop in at a standard Soviet-style canteen where you may try some Tatar staples. This is a fantastic place to eat like a local and try a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, local pies, laghman (pulled noodles with meat and veggies) and, of course, chak-chak. A regional specialty, chak-chak is made of small balls of deep-fried, unleavened dough. These are pressed together to form a dome or tower, then smothered with honey and left to harden. This dish is a point of pride in Tatarstan. In the evening you’ll have the opportunity to try your hands at making some of the Tatar special dishes (including echpochmak, chak chak or lagman, the choice of dishes will depend on availability) as we participate in a Tatar cuisine cooking class.

This morning after breakfast we will travel 200 kilometers south of Kazan, where we will end up at the world’s most northern 13th-15th century monument of Muslim architecture. The Great Bolgar with its snow-white mosque resembling India’s Taj Mahal, picturesque ruins and majestic ancient buildings attract people from all over the world. Here, archaeologists find rapture — in the excavations, while travelers — in the acquaintance with the fascinating history of the Volga Bolgar and the Golden Horde. Here we will share why you should visit Bolgar and what to do in the city, which attracted past visits from the likes of Catherine the Great and Peter I. During the tour you will not only learn about this great civilization, but will also you can bear witness to the full cycle of bread production, from sowing and harvesting to grinding and baking. In the miller’s house, we will see that the interior was re-created based on original photographs of typical commercial bread production premises of the late 19th-early 20th centuries. Among the reconstructed interior we’ll be able to find objects that have survived over the centuries relating to everyday life, furniture, clothes, and tools of that time. The complex also contains the "Genghis Khan" restaurant and the "Dom Chaya" ("House of Tea") café where we will have a delicious lunch. Upon return to Kazan in the afternoon, the rest of the day will be yours to spend at leisure.

This morning is free for you to relax or maybe catch up on some sightseeing. If you have time, the National Museum of Tatarstan or the quirky Museum of Soviet Lifestyle are certainly worth checking out. In the afternoon we’ll join our local guide for a public boat tour along the magnificent Volga river, which offers a great chance to see Kazan from the water and get a different perspective. The Volga River is one of the largest and longest rivers in the continent of Europe and the Russians regard it as their national river and are very proud of it. In the evening, we’ll take a private van to the Kazan railway station to board our overnight train to Nizhny Novgorod. Trains on this journey are simple but comfortable and should make for an enjoyable experience.

PLEASE NOTE: Overnight trains are comfortable but simple. Cabins are quad share and each travelling pair will be grouped with another travelling pair. You’ll travel 2nd class on this trip. There's a western toilet/bathroom at the end of each carriage with a small sink and cold water. An attendant is assigned to every carriage to look after your comfort and safety. Each compartment has four bunks with luggage storage space inside. Bedding is provided. There's hot water available for making drinks or instant meals, tea and coffee. Sometimes snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board and most trains also have a dining car, although with a limited menu.

Today we arrive into Nizhny Novgorod in the morning and take a private transfer to our hotel. If your room is not ready at this time, you may store your baggage at the hotel before making your way to breakfast. After breakfast we’ll set out for some town exploration with our guide. Nizhny Novgorod is Russia’s fifth largest city and also lies on the Volga River. We’ll start our city introduction with a stroll down Rozhdestvenskaya pedestrian street, a beautiful historic street and unique open-air museum. Along this street you’ll find only stone houses, some of which date back to the middle of the 18th century. Next we’ll walk into the Novgorod Kremlin, located on the banks of the Volga River and the most ancient of the preserved Kremlin’s in Russia. Following this we will take a look at the famous Chkalovskaya staircase, a stunning monumental flight of steps in the center of Nizhny Novgorod, connecting Minin and Pozharsky Square. It is the longest staircase in Russia. Our tour will finish off with a spectacular 15 minute ride across the Volga to the nearby settlement Bor, where we will walk around and explore before returning to downtown. In the evening we’ll dine in a local restaurant and perhaps taste some of the locally caught fish.

Enjoy a free morning in town doing as you please before sitting down for lovely local lunch. After lunch, we’ll take a private van back to the railways station from where we will travel by speed train “Strizh” to Vladimir. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the medieval town of Suzdal. Suzdal is a main stop on Russia’s legendary Golden Ring, the circle of ancient and former capitals that played an important part in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church and that hold the memories of significant events in Russian history. The fairytale-feel historic small town of Suzdal is filled with contrasting examples of early Russian architecture, where onion-domed monasteries stand next to lovingly decorated wooden cottages. After a brief rest in the afternoon, we’ll join our guide for a truly local experience – mead tasting, the most popular drink in town. Later in the evening, we’ll visit a local family for delicious home cooked dinner.

This morning after breakfast we will join our local guide for a tour of charming Suzdal, including the grandeur of the striking, centuries-old Kremlin, the carved stonework of the Cathedral of the Nativity, the trading square, market and monasteries. This city-museum is known for its abundance of historical monuments and this enlightening tour will teach you much about Russia’s history. After the guided tour we’ll enjoy lunch with the group before appreciating some free time to explore this alluring town at leisure. In the evening, we’ll join our guide again for a truly Russian experience – Banya (Russian Sauna). Locals swear by the cleansing, healing and meditative properties of having a steam and a wash in the banya, and it can also be quite the social occasion! Make sure to avail yourself of some birch twigs and slap yourself (and others!) over the shoulders for a traditional Russian 'massage' to get the true banya experience.

We leave Suzdal this morning and travel to another stunning Golden Ring town – Sergiev Posad. This charismatic town is known for its 14th-century The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra monastery complex with its stunning blue and gold onion domes and interior frescoes. Here we’ll learn more about the importance of Orthodox religion in the country before trying some delicious local lunch in the monastery. After our tour here we’ll continue on for the final push to the capital of Russia, Moscow. The great city of Moscow has survived centuries of revolution and tumult, from the days of the tsars through the communist era to the growing pains of democracy. Beneath its modern veneer – a sign of Russia's recent embrace of capitalism – Moscow is a fascinating, historic city with a wealth of sights to see. Upon arrival you may choose to rest up for another intense day of sightseeing tomorrow or follow your guide for orientation walk of the city and choose out of plenty of things that Moscow can offer to a traveler.

Today we visit the mausoleum of Russia’s most famous revolutionary – Lenin. He was the initiator of the 1917 Russian revolution that ushered in the era of communism and we’ll be visiting his austere eternal resting place on the Red Square. We will then enter the remarkable Kremlin grounds with our local guide, the home to the oldest and most important churches in the country, and where many Tsars and Tsarinas are laid to rest. We’ll walk through the soaring towers and cathedrals of the political and spiritual heart of Russia before entering the Armoury Museum. Here we will witness an eye-bulging former royal collection of ambassadorial gifts, Faberge eggs, coronation robes and glittering jewels. Our day will end with a lovely dinner in a local restaurant.

PLEASE NOTE: On occasion Lenin's Mausoleum and Red Square may be closed to the public during regular opening hours without prior warning. As Moscow's premier tourist attractions, tickets for the Kremlin and Armoury are in high demand, and the Moscow Tourism Administration sets strict quotas to control visitor numbers. Time in each area is also limited to 90 minutes, with any exceptions possibly resulting in the guide losing their license. While we appreciate that some travellers would like to spend longer in the Armoury Museum, we ask for your understanding that the guide is under pressure to keep to the schedule. The Diamond Fund isn't included in your tour, but after the Kremlin and Armoury there may be time to visit. Entrance tickets can be purchased in the ticket office at the Armoury. The Diamond Fund is open for visitors from 10am-1pm and from 2pm-4pm. On Thursday it is closed.

Today you may enjoy an entire day of leisure. Take advantage of your free time to explore the city and its many exciting museums, galleries and parks. Moscow is really a delight to experience and the city will amaze and surprise you.

Following breakfast this morning you may enjoy another free day in Moscow. Get under the skin of the vibrant city and explore any sights you may have missed yesterday. Be sure to ask your guide about recommendations and other optional experiences. Later in the evening, we’ll be joining our local guide for a final dinner to celebrate the end of the journey. Tonight will be a fantastic opportunity to solidify the bonds you’ve created with your fellow travellers and swap your favourite stories from your adventure.

There are no activities planned for your final day. Take some leisure time after breakfast before you are required to depart for the airport in order to board your return flight home. We hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed your tour through this amazing country.

Arrive home today.