The Soul of Russia 5*

Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to the legendary capital of Russia - Moscow! Upon arrival, your private driver transfers you to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free to relax in your cozy room, dine in one of the nearby restaurants or start exploring the amazing city center on your own.

Day 2: Departure from Moscow and Tour in Sergiev Posad
In the early morning your private guide-driver picks you up in Moscow and takes you on a 2-day Golden Ring Tour. 

In about 2 hours after your departure from Moscow, you arrive to Sergiev Posad. Here you enjoy a wonderful sightseeing tour around the most cherished treasures of Sergiev Posad. 

The highlight of the day is a tour lead by a churchman in the spiritual center of Russian Orthodoxy - the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. 

After a lunch break, your guide takes you to a cozy town Suzdal.

Day 2: Arrival in Suzdal
After arrival you have a check-in and a free evening to enjoy the atmosphere of provincial Russia.

Day 3: Tour of Suzdal, Vladimir and Departure to Moscow
Following breakfast meet your guide in the hotel lobby and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Suzdal known as a city-museum of the Golden Ring. Suzdal boasts its large number of preserved historical monuments of ancient Russian art and architecture.

During the tour, you visit UNESCO World Heritage Site - the brilliant architectural complex of the Kremlin. Continue your trip to the Museum of Wooden Architecture which is an example of classical ancient Russia.

After a lunch break, you depart from Suzdal.

On the way to Moscow you are taken to Vladimir to witness unique architectural creations. During your tour around this town, you go inside the Dormition Cathedral that preserves the world famous frescoes of Andrei Rublev dating back to the 15th century. Together with your guide you explore the architectural complex of the Cathedral of St. Dimitriy (exterior) and walk along a central pedestrian street full of galleries, artists, and local souvenirs. 

Once the tour is over your driver takes you to Moscow.

Day 3: Arrival
Upon arrival to Moscow, your private driver transfers you to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free to relax in your cozy room, dine in one of the nearby restaurants or start exploring the amazing city center on your own.

Day 4: Exploring the Kremlin, Armoury Chamber & the Heart of Moscow 
This day is dedicated to the exploration of one of the most outstanding Moscow icons - the Kremlin and the heart of Moscow - the Red Square.

Following breakfast, you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and walk to the Kremlin territory where you have a chance to explore the gems hidden behind the Kremlin walls such as the Cathedral Square and the Assumption and Annunciation cathedrals. Then you visit the famous Armoury Chamber that houses a unique collection of crown jewels, stunning coronation finery, hand-forged armor and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and world-famous Fabergé eggs.

After a short break for coffee, you take a walk through the beautiful Red Square, go inside the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral and explore the famous GUM department store. After the tour, you walk back to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 5: Tretyakov Gallery & Moscow Subway Tour 
Following breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and have a transfer to the world-famous treasure trove of the Russian fine art, the Tretyakov Gallery, where you have amazing time viewing the gems of its collection, including the famous masterpieces of Ivan Aivazovsky, Mikhail Vrubel and Viktor Vasnetsov.

After the tour, you take a ride on the Moscow Subway and feel the taste of local life and explore the most beautiful stations of Moscow Subway, which is known to be one of the most beautiful and efficient metro systems in the world. After touring the subway, you walk back to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 6: Panoramic City Tour & Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Following breakfast, you check out from your hotel and enjoy a panoramic Moscow city tour. Today you have a chance to enjoy one of the best city views at Sparrow Hills and see the grand building of Moscow State University, the highest of seven Stalinist skyscrapers of Moscow. 

Today you also see the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior and learn the story of its destruction and reconstruction. 

Today you also drive by the Victory park, have a photo stop at the Triumphal Arch and visit the new Zaryadye Park, dubbed as the new symbol of Moscow, where you have amazing photo opportunities with the most picturesque views on the historic center of Moscow.

After the tour, you are transferred to the train station where you board the modern high-speed Sapsan train that takes you to St. Petersburg in comfort and safety in just 4 hours.

Day 6: Arrival to Saint Petersburg
Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the train station platform and takes you to your centrally located hotel for overnight.

Day 7: St. Petersburg City Tour & Boat Ride
After breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and go on an amazing panoramic city tour around the most cherished gems of St. Petersburg, including Palace Square, the Hermitage Museum, the Mariinsky Theater, Nevsky Prospect and many other popular attractions.

Then you visit the Peter and Paul Fortress - a burial place of almost all the Russian emperors and empresses from Peter the Great to Nicholas II and his family. You have a photo stop at the magnificent St. Isaac's Cathedral and go inside the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which stands where Russia's great emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded.

Today guide takes you to one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg - the Shuvalov Palace located on the Fontanka River to show you the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts.

After a break for lunch, you enjoy a private boat ride along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg to see the city from a completely new perspective.

After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

The boat ride is available from May to September.

Day 8: Tour of the Hermitage Museum & Folk Show
Following breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and go to the legendary Hermitage Museum to see its unique collection of world art.

During the tour, you visit the halls of the Winter Palace to explore the main collection of the Hermitage, including the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Francisco Goya and Thomas Gainsborough, as well as the famous Diamond Room that contains the unique collection of priceless gems belonging to the Romanov family.

Cross the Palace square to enter the General Staff Building which houses Hermitage's superb collection of Modern European Art, primarily consisting of the world-famous French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

After the tour, you return to your hotel to have some rest.

In the evening you enjoy a fascinating Folk Show at the Nikolaevsky Palace. 

Day 9: Trip to Peterhof
After breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and travel to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to explore the former summer residence of Russian tsars and the gem of palace architecture - Peterhof.

During the tour, you visit the famous Bath Cottage and take a walk in the beautiful Lower Park, lavishly adorned with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes.

After the tour, you have a unique hydrofoil ride back to St. Petersburg. 

Upon your return to the city, you are taken to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Trip to Pushkin
After breakfast you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and head for Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) to explore the brilliant Catherine's Palace that is a striking example of baroque architecture gifted by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I.

During the tour you walk through the lavish parks and gardens of this outstanding palace and enjoy its gorgeous interiors, including the replica of the world-renowned Amber Room.

After the tour you return to your hotel in St. Petersburg and have the rest of the day free.

Day 11: Departure from St. Petersburg
This is the final day of your amazing tour of Russia! After breakfast you check out from your hotel and your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight back home.

We hope you've enjoyed both magnificent Russian capitals and return home with lifelong memories and unforgettable impressions. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!