Russia | Jewel of Russia
 Russian history |
|
9 days / 8 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Moscow | 3 |
| Overnight Train | 1 |
| St Petersburg | 4 |
Day 01 Arrive Moscow
A welcome to the Russian capital with assistance through immigration & customs by an airport representative. Private transfer to your hotel.
Moscow (Choice of category)
Day 02 Moscow
Moscow is the largest city in Europe and sightseeing today begins at magnificent Red Square with its famous landmarks, St. Basil’s cathedral and its colourful onion domes and Lenin’s Tomb. Take a ride on the famous Moscow metro and explore the Kremlin, the historic fortified complex at the city’s heart. Visit the Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals, the Armoury Museum and the Diamond Vaults where the dazzling crown jewels of the Romanovs are on display (B).
Moscow (Choice of category)
Day 03 Moscow – Sergiev Posad – Moscow
Venture outside Moscow to Sergiev Posad, still commonly referred to by its Soviet name, Zagorsk. One of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks, visit the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius and its opulent treasury (B).
Moscow (Choice of category)
Day 04 Moscow – Design Your Day
Described as one of Europe’s most stylish destinations for the luxury traveller we let you plot your own course. Choose one of the following activities. A private visit to Stalin’s Bunker and the Novodevichy convent complex. Or hands-on handicrafts at Izmaylovo where you take a lesson in painting traditional Russian matryoshka dolls. This evening board the Grand Express overnight train to St. Petersburg (B).
Grand Express Train (Choice of category)
Day 05 St. Petersburg
Early morning arrival into St. Petersburg where your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. This afternoon visit one of the most famous museums in the world, the Hermitage, where you are introduced to a small part of the collection and perhaps visit the Gold Vault, to see the exquisite royal jewels (B).
St. Petersburg (Choice of category)
Day 06 St. Petersburg
Your day begins at the Peter and Paul Fortress, which sits on its own island and is the burial site of most of the pre-revolutionary leaders of Russia. Visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral and cruise the canals of St. Petersburg on a private vessel. Finish your day with afternoon tea in the home of a Russian family (B).
St. Petersburg (Choice of category)
Day 07 St. Petersburg – Petrodvorets – St. Petersburg
Travel to the summer palace of Peter the Great on the Gulf of Finland. Built in the early 1700s to rival Versailles, its lavish décor is rivalled only by its 300 acres of garden complete with 66 fountains and 39 gilded statues. Cruise up the Neva River by hydrofoil (weather permitting May-Sep) back to St. Petersburg (B).
St. Petersburg (Choice of category)
Day 08 St. Petersburg – Pushkin – Pavlovsk – St. Petersburg
Visit Pushkin to see the beautiful Catherine’s Palace, Rococo summer residence of the Tsars. It is surrounded by lovely formal parks, pavilions and woodland. Enjoy lunch at the rustic Podvorie Dacha before continuing on to Pavlovsk Palace, a royal residence until 1917 (B,L).
St. Petersburg (Choice of category)
Day 09 Depart St. Petersburg
This incredible private journey finishes today as you transfer to the airport (B).
Note: Itinerary departs Fridays - supplement to depart other days as well as travel over Christmas & New Years Eve.
Optional Extensions
Jewels of Russia private journey combines well with a Tale of 3 Cities and our Poland Extension making a grand Tale of 7 Cities. A&K’s Clipper Odyssey also sails throughout Russia’s Far East. Another combination is A&K's Luxury Rail suggestions.
Choice of Accommodation
| City | Platinum | Gold |
| Moscow | Ararat Park Hyatt (Park Room) | Hotel Baltschug Kempinski (Superior Room) |
| Grand Express Train | Grand Deluxe Compartment | Premium Compartment |
| St. Petersburg | Hotel Astoria (Superior Deluxe Room) | Hotel Astoria (Deluxe Room) |
