
A full two weeks to explore various historical and cultural sights of western Russia. From the national capital, Moscow, discover the famous “Golden Ring” of medieval Russian cities and the capital of the vibrant Tatar Republic, Kazan, before reaching Peter the Great’s elegant northern capital, St. Petersburg. This 2-week Russia historical tour includes five UNESCO World Heritage sites, with highlights including Moscow’s Red Square, Vladimir’s 12th century white stone architecture, the Suzdal and Kazan Kremlins, the Orthodox monasteries of Sviyazhsk Island, and the imperial palaces of St. Petersburg. Also enjoy the views of the Volga River from Nizhny Novgorod and immerse yourself in the folk art centre of Gorodets. With optional activities like craft master classes and music and dance shows, and visits to unique places like the Gorodets Samovar Museum, there are also plenty of opportunities to experience traditional Russian culture.
Tour itinerary:
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
During your free time in Moscow, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Armoury in the Kremlin (except Thursdays);
Night city tour: ‘Evening lights of Moscow’;
River cruise on the motor ship ‘Flotilla Radisson Royal’;
Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre, concerts, the circus, or other performances.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
During your free time in Vladimir, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Master classes on making patchwork or amulet dolls;
Mead tasting.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
During your free time in Nizhny Novgorod, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Ride on the Nizhny Novgorod funicular;
Walking tour along Rozhdestvenskaya Street;
Visit to the Yurkovka Art Gallery.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Interactive show, “Visiting the Oblayevs” – discover the mansion of the Oblayev merchant family and watch a theatrical performance demonstrating the lifestyle of the merchant class in Gorodets;
Performance of traditional Russian folk songs, ‘Take a walk in Gorodets’;
Master class in Gorodets’ famous style of painting – paint an egg, spoon, or plate);
Master class in gingerbread painting;
Tasting of local Willowherb tea and gingerbread.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
During your free time in Kazan, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Chak-chak Museum to learn about and taste traditional Tatar food and drink tea;
“Kazan hospitality” interactive programme – demonstration of traditional Tatar dances, songs, clothes, and food, with the chance for visitors to participate in dancing, singing, and a photo session in costume;
Master class on playing the Tatar harmonica;
Handicraft master classes: pottery, leather embossing, coin minting, casting (pendants, rings), basket weaving, fabric printing, painting on water (ebru), weaving, and making soap, candles, or folk toys;
Master class on Tatar costumes – learn about traditional Tatar clothing, see a demonstration of 16th-19th century costumes and headdresses, and dress up to have your photograph taken.
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Tree Archaeology Museum;
‘Streltsy Fun’ interactive performance – a staged battle between Russian and Tatar knights at the time of Ivan the Terrible.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 1-2 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional excursions and activities (at additional cost):
Boat tour along the rivers and canals;
Night city tour, which includes watching bridges open;
Excursion to the Peter and Paul Fortress;
Tickets to performances at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
* Closed on Tuesdays and rearranged for another day within the tour program;
** Closed on Fridays and rearranged for another day within the tour program.
- All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan type car, 3-7 pax by minivan, 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14+ pax by 40-50 seat bus);
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included (11 breakfasts);
- Sightseeing tour programme in each city with local, English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Tickets for trains from Moscow – Vladimir, Vladimir – Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod – Kazan, and Kazan – St. Petersburg;
- Visa support for Russian tourist visa;
- In groups of 11 or more travellers, 1 person travels free of charge and is accommodated in a single room.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches, dinners and 2 breakfasts on trains);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Consular fees for Russia tourist visa;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Personal travel insurance;
- Tips/gratuities for guides and drivers (although these would be appreciated).
Accommodation:
Moscow - 3 nights | |
Veliy Hotel Mokhovaya Moscow, Sverchkov 8 Hotel, Starosadskiy Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Hotel Moscow - Baumanskaya | Godunov Hotel, Arbat House Hotel, Pushkin Hotel, Brick Design Hotel |
Vladimir - 2 nights | |
Orion, Vladimir, Russian Village | Park-hotel Voznesenskaya Sloboda, mini-hotel Vladimirsky Dvorik |
Nizhny Novgorod - 1 night | |
Ibis Nizhny Novgorod, Domino, Jouk-Jacque | Courtyard by Marriott, AZIMUT Nizhny Novgorod, Marins Park Nizhny Novgorod, Sheraton Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin |
Kazan - 2 nights | |
Ibis Kazan, Nogai, Apart-Hotel Yamskoy Posad | Ramada Kazan City Centre, DoubleTree by Hilton Kazan City Centre, Apart-Hotel on Pushkina 26 |
St. Petersburg - 3 nights | |
Ibis St. Petersburg Centre, Station Hotel L1, Hotel Bristol, Mini-hotel Centre | Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky, Original Sokos Olympia Garden, Vedensky Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Nevsky |