DAY 1

• Arrive in Moscow and transfer to your hotel.

  • If arriving at Moscow airport, (unless a tour operator is picking you up) your best choice from the airport is a taxi. <Important public transport information>

  • If arriving by train, you will arrive at the Leningradsky train station.

    • Taxi is the best choice.

• Helpful travel resource guide.

• Learn about the Moscow Metro subway <map>

• Beware—downtown Moscow has one of the worst traffic congestions in the world.

  —We urge you to use the Metro more often than a taxi if possible. You will save significant time.

• Overnight: Moscow (3 nights)

• Where to stay: Tsentralny district - the hotels are within walkable distance of the Red Square and the Kremlin.

  • During peak season it may be best to see the square with a night tour, to avoid lines & fully enjoy the attractions.

    Tsentralny is a well-connected area, with 8 metro stations. Taking a taxi,(expensive), is also an option for visitors.

DAYS 2 and 3

• Explore Moscow.

• Kremlin - is a fortified complex in the center of Moscow. It overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west.

• Red Square - the most famous tourist attraction in Moscow. It is the heart and soul of Russia.

  • See the most notable attractions of the Red Square including Lenin's Mausoleum, Monument to Minin and Pozharsky and Lobnoye Mesto.

  • St. Basil's Cathedral - take a picture of the most famous Russian church.

• Moscow Metro subway: Visit the most beautiful and famous stations of the Moscow metro, many of which are listed as cultural heritage sites. Lined with marble and decorated with chandeliers, mosaic artworks, heroic statues and gilded trimmings, they are works of art.

• Armoury Chamber - visit the former Russian Imperial Treasury - now one of the richest museum collections in the world. An incredible display of ancient swords, imperial carriages, horse ceremonial harnesses, and crowns.

• Stroll down historic Arbat Street and along Tverskaya Street, without a doubt the two most famous streets.

  • Both have beautiful architecture, are commercial and touristy, with shops, restaurants and street artists.

• Overnight: Moscow.

  
  

DAY 4

• Depart Moscow by train to Saint Petersburg.

• The high-speed Sapsan train is Russia’s fastest. It is capable of speeds up to 250 km/h. There are several trains daily.

  • The trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg takes 4.5 hours. Distance: 720 km (438 miles).

  • Prices for all First and Business class seats include one hot meal, newspapers and magazines. Best choice.

  • Train departs Moscow at Leningradsky station and arrives St. Petersburg at Moskovsky station.

• Overnight: Saint Petersburg (4 nights)

• Where to stay — Tsentralny district – the main tourist area in Saint Petersburg.

  • The main shopping street, Nevsky Avenue, offers fashion to caviar, while dining and nightlife options include bohemian cafes, haute-cuisine restaurants and luxe clubs.

DAY 5 - 7

• Explore Saint Petersburg. <map>

• Travel Guidebooks: DK Top 10 Saint Petersburg and Lonely Planet: Russia.

• Helpful travel resource guide.

• Learn about getting around with the Metro subway.

• Check the restaurants and bars on Rubinshteina Street and Nevsky Ave. —They are the main social scene in the city center.

  • Read more about typical dishes and Russian restaurants.

Unless your booked with a tour operator, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance for most attractions you plan to visit to avoid the usually very long line at the various ticketing offices.

• Hermitage Museum

  • Located at Palace Square. Admiralteyskaya (Purple Line) is the closest metro station.

  • Buy tickets online.

• Catherine Palace and Park - located about 34 km outside St. Petersburg proper, the Palace certainly merits a visit by anyone with passion of elaborate and fanciful architecture. The massive building consist of ornate blue and white facades decorated with real gold.

  —Visitors frequently comment on the palace's extravagance and the opulence of the furnishings.

• Peterhof Palace and Park - is a series of palaces and gardens located in Petergof, Saint Petersburg.

  • Peterhof is most famous for its remarkable array of decorative fountains.

• The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - is a former Russian Orthodox Church which currently functions as a secular museum.

  • The church draws visitors because of its stunning ornately decorated onion domes and the beautiful mosaics housed within.

• Saint Petersburg Rivers and Canals Boat Tour. See all the main attractions of the city from a different perspective.

  • Built across the marshlands of the Neva River delta, St. Petersburg interlaces with around a hundred tributaries and canals with a total length of 300 km.

• Overnight: Saint Petersburg.

• <Where to stay>

  • The Central District, also known as the Tsentralny District, is an excellent choice. It's the heart of the city, conveniently located near the major attractions. You can easily walk to landmarks like the Kazan Cathedral, the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, and the Hermitage, which houses an extensive art collection. The Central District is vibrant and bustling, with numerous restaurants, bars, and hotels that cater to various budgets.

DAY 8

• Depart Saint Petersburg to return home or another European destination.

<This itinerary can be reversed, arriving in St. Petersburg and departing from Moscow, based on your plans>

Climate Guide:

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