Sorry, this page is no longer available.
Please click below to return to our homepage
Back to homepage

17 Day Russia’s Golden Ring

This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.

Pace
Moderate Pace

This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

Escorted Type
Fully Escorted

These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.

Group Size
Small Group

✓ Small group - 16 people max
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ 14 nights in central 4 star hotels in Russia's great cities
✓ Experience local Russian life on an overnight train
✓ Tour Russia’s famous Golden Ring
✓ Be charmed by the imperial splendour of St Petersburg & the old soviet style of Moscow
✓ Travel to the Tatarstan cities of Kazan and Boglar
✓ Daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
✓ Escorted English speaking guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent

What we love about this tour

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Itinerary

Hotel
Red Stars Hotel or Similar

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 before.

Hotel
Red Stars Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Optional Inspiring Sight - St. Petersburg Discovery

You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. See St Petersburg through the eyes of a locals and discover the history left behind by Rasputin and Lenin, visit the oldest and most beautiful railway station in St Petersburg and discover the beauty and unusual design of the metro. 

Starts: approx: To be confirmed on tour with your Tour Guide
Duration: approx: 3 ½ hours

Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.

 

Hotel
Red Stars Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

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)

Hotel
Red Stars Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

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.

Optional Inspiring Sight - St. Petersburg Like a Local

You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

See St. Petersburg’s weird and wonderful sights through the eyes of a local and discover the
history left behind by the likes of Rasputin and Lenin. Taste Russian vodka in a Soviet-style bar
and visit the oldest and most beautiful railway station in St Petersburg. See the beauty and
unusual design of the St. Petersburg metro. Please wear suitable footwear and bring an umbrella or rain jacket in case of rain.

Starts: approx: To be confirmed on tour with your Tour Guide
Duration: approx: 3 hours

Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.

Hotel
Courtyard By Marriott Kazan Kremlin or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

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.

Optional Tour - Faberge Museum

You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Enjoy entry to the famous Faberge Museum the world's largest collection of works by Faberge is at the Shuvalov Palace in St. Petersburg.

Hotel
Courtyard By Marriott Kazan Kremlin or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Hotel
Courtyard By Marriott Kazan Kremlin or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Hotel
Overnight Train Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

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.

Hotel
Mercure Nizhny Novgrad or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Hotel
AZIMUT Hotel Suzdal or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Hotel
AZIMUT Hotel Suzdal or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Hotel
Marco Polo Presnja Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Hotel
Marco Polo Presnja Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Hotel
Marco Polo Presnja Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

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.

Optional Tour - Optional Inspiring Sight- Moscow Underground

You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Explore the spectacular stations of Moscow Metro some of the most decorative and beautiful structures in Moscow, sample a traditional Russian snack and learn about Soviet life.

Please note that the optional tour is a walking tour. Please wear suitable footwear for walking and bring an umbrella or rain jacket in case of rain. During this tour you will travel using the Moscow metro system.

Starts: approx: To be confirmed on tour with your Tour Guide
Duration: approx: 3 hours

Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.

Optional Inspiring Sight - Moscow Behind the Icons

You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Enjoy Moscow’s greatest hits and see sights like St. Basil’s Cathedral and experience spots only the locals know. Learn about Russia’s emperor days and Soviet history.

Starts: approx: To be confirmed on tour with your Tour Guide
Duration: approx: 3 ½ hours

Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.

Hotel
Marco Polo Presnja Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Meals
Breakfast

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.

PLEASE NOTE - some flights may arrive the following morning.

Inclusions

  • Return international airfares with a full-service airline
  • Return airport transfers
  • 14 nights in centrally located 4 star hotels
  • 1 overnight train from Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod
  • Daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
  • The services of a professional fully escorted English speaking guide
  • In depth sightseeing including all entry fees as per the itinerary
  • All transportation and rail tickets as per the itinerary
  • 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent

  • St. Petersburg - Visit Savior on the Spilled Blood Church, home to one of the largest mosaics in Europe
  • St. Petersburg - Discover one of Russia’s most spectacular sights, the stunning Hermitage museum
  • St. Petersburg - Visit the suburb of Pushkin, famous for its glorious Catherine’s Palace and Amber room
  • St. Petersburg - Travel a short distance out of town to uncover the opulence of the Summer Palace and Park of Peter the Great, known as Peterhof or Petrodvorets
  • Kazan - Enjoy a walking tour, taking in the color and East-meets-West charm of the capital of Tatarstan
  • Kazan - Participate in a Tatar cuisine cooking class
  • Kazan - Experience life amongst the locals onboard an overnight train to Nizhny Novgorod
  • Nizhny Novgorod - Stroll down Rozhdestvenskaya pedestrian street, a beautiful historic street and unique open-air museum
  • Nizhny Novgorod - Admire the famous Chkalovskaya staircase, a stunning monumental flight of steps in the centre of town
  • Suzdal - For a truly local experience, taste Suzdal mead, the most popular and ancient drink in the area
  • Suzdal - For another truly Russian experience, try a Banya (a Russian Sauna), where locals swear by the cleansing, healing and meditative properties
  • Sergiev Posad - Explore another stunning Golden Ring town, known for The Holy Trinity of St. Sergius Lavra monastery
  • Moscow - Visit the mausoleum of Russia’s most famous revolutionary, Lenin
  • Moscow - Participate in many optional activities to complete your trip

Inspiring Stay

  • Enjoy central accommodation in Russia’s great cities of St Petersburg and Moscow
  • Stay in the iconic Golden Ring city of Suzdal and venture out as far as the Tatarstan cities of Kazan and Bodgar

Inspiring Sights

To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 2 bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 5 options (details listed under 'Optional Tours').

  • St. Petersburg Discovery - See St Petersburg through the eyes of locals and discover the history left behind by Rasputin and Lenin
  • St. Petersburg Like a Local - Enjoy less seen sights like panoramic views of the city for a local vantage, and conclude with an traditional lunch
  • Moscow Behind the Icons - Enjoy Moscow’s greatest hits and see sights like St. Basil’s Cathedral and experience spots only the locals know
  • Moscow Underground - Explore the spectacular stations of Moscow Metro some of the most decorative and beautiful structures in Moscow

Inspiring Taste

  • Enjoy memorable welcome and farewell dinners
  • Sample Tatarstan cuisine in a local restaurant and taste mead in Suzdal
  • Visit a local family in Suzdal for delicious home cooked dinner

Fine Print

For more information on the weather in Russia, click HERE.

Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:

For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable. 

All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.com prior to the cut-off period, to allow us sufficient time to respond and action your request. Should we not hear from you following this time period, your booking becomes non-refundable and you will be issued with a reminder for the second installment due for your booking. 

Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment. 

Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions. 

Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure: 

Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued. 

Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.com prior to the cut-off period specified, to allow us sufficient time to respond and action your request. Should we not hear from you once inside 90 days of scheduled departure, your booking remains non-refundable and becomes non-transferrable, and you will be issued with a reminder for the final balance due for your booking.

Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions. 

Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details

Deposit & payments

  • Secure your package with only a $100 deposit per person.
  • Pay a 2nd instalment of $2500 within 28 days.
  • You will then be invoiced for final payment 90 days prior to departure.

Booking Process

  • Select the purple 'Reserve Your Seat' tab to begin your booking (you must 'Sign Up' first by entering your email and creating a password)
  • Then select the purple 'Book now' tab of the tour you have selected
  • Select your Departure Date, Departure City, Number of Passengers, Room Configuration, any Upgrade Options, and enter any Special Requests
  • Click the purple ‘Proceed to Secure Checkout' tab
  • Enter your credit card or PayPal details to secure your deposit/payment
  • Once your order is complete, you will be prompted to complete a Booking Form so that we can fulfil your booking
  • Your booking is confirmed once your Booking Form is submitted and you can begin the countdown to your Inspiring Vacation!
  • You will then be allocated and contacted by one of our Dedicated Support Agent's (within 48 hours) who will support you right up until you return from your journey

Airfare Information

  • Full-service airline used will be Qatar Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa or similar

  • Flights are not direct and include a maximum of two connections

  • If you would like to travel with a preferred airline, please ensure you mention this in the special request field. Please note that appropriate fare and tax difference will be applicable in order to confirm your request.

  • All tickets will include 20 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.

  • Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 20 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.

  • Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees

  • Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required

  • Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control

Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades

  • Premium Economy - Not available.
  • Business Class available from an additional $7,000 per person in addition to the standard price (subject to availability).

Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.

Land Only discount
A reduction of $2,000 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.

Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.

Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:

  1. Once you have logged in to your account, click on ‘Book Now’ and complete the required fields until you reach the 'Special Requests' free text field.
  2. Here, please specify your preferred flight arrangements and/or preferred airline. Be sure to mention if you would like us to also quote additional nights' accommodation, with the number of nights needed.
  3. After finalising your purchase by processing your deposit payment, please proceed to submit your booking form with all traveller details. Your booking will then be assigned to your Dedicated Support Agent who will be in contact with you via email to verify your request.

By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension.

Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)

  • Pre-tour accommodation: $282 per room per night for double/twin/single including breakfast and transfer
  • Post-tour accommodation: $297 per room per night for double/twin/single including breakfast and transfer

Arrival and departure airport transfers

  • Arrival Transfer: $47 per vehicle
  • Departure Transfer: $68 per vehicle

Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.

Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

To enhance your journey, we're offering two (2) free sightseeing experiences out of a choice of options, listed below. Guests can also purchase any of the remaining sightseeing experiences (cost is per person):

  • St. Petersburg Discovery (Day 2) - $109 per person
  • St. Petersburg Like a Local (Day 4) - $109 per person
  • Moscow Behind the Icons (Day 14) - $109 per person
  • Moscow Underground (Day 14) - $109 per person

PLEASE NOTE - Only one optional tour can be chosen on day 14. Further, please note that transportation is not included for the optional tours, therefore you will be required to make your own way to and from. Rest assured, your tour guide can provide you with appropriate suggestions on how to make your way around. The optional tours take up to 3 hours, therefore please keep this in mind when making your selections.

Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.

Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.

  • Visas
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Tipping
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • International airport departure tax
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:

3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,399 person in addition to the twin share price.

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.

Visa & Passport information
It is the customer’s responsibility to become familiar of the visa requirements for their intended destination and to ensure they have the appropriate visa documentation, whether obtained before departure or on arrival.

Further, it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your intended date of return to New Zealand.

Inspiring Vacations is not responsible for delays or missed portions of the holiday package resulting from incorrect travel documents or visas, or for denial of entry for not having the appropriate visa or valid passport.

Please note that the information provided is subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, we recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx.

RUSSIA

You need a visa to enter Russia. You cannot get a visa on arrival. Applicants can only apply for a Russian visa if the entry date into Russia is within 3 months from the date of lodgement.
You will be contacted by your Dedicated Support Agent who will need to obtain a Letter of Invitation from our ground supplier.

Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.

Group Size
6 -16 people.

Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.

Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.

Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.

Why book with us
award badges 0 award badges 1 award badges 2
Processing...