Select Russia

Sightseeing Highlights
• Orientation tour of Moscow
• See St Basils Cathedral, Lenin's tomb and the Kremlin walls in Red Square
• Orientation tour of St Petersburg
• See the fortress of St Peter and Paul, St Isaac's Cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt Boulevard, and Palace Square with its Winter Palace and Alexander Column
  
  Select Options
  Select optional experience packages are full and half day excursions available for purchase on tour. See the sections in italics for examples of these packages.

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Day 1 IRELAND - MOSCOW 
On arrival in Moscow, Insight's Airport Shuttle Service departs from Sheremetyevo airport at 18:30 and 21:00 and from Domodedevo airport at 14:30, 17:00 and 21:00. Meet your Tour Director in the evening for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Renaissance

Days 2 & 3 - MOSCOW
Moscow's main sights are scattered across her sprawling metropolis, which is why we provide a comprehensive orientation tour to help you find your feet and plan your day. Inevitably, your tour culminates in Red Square, lined by Moscow's landmark buildings and the perfect spot to begin your personal exploration. At one end rises the crimson and ivy coloured onion-shaped domes of St Basil's Cathedral, in front of the Kremlin stands Lenin's Mausoleum, while on the opposite side of the square stands GUM, the grand Soviet department store which now offers the most glamorous and fashionable goods from the West. 
The sheer scale of Russia's capital means individual sightseers are up for a good deal of walking and long subway rides. If that sounds a bit daunting, then our 'Moscow Experience' makes things a little easier. A specialist guide, takes you inside the walls of the Kremlin Fortress to visit one of the cathedrals. Moscow's grand Metro stations are without doubt some of the most ornate in the world, decked out with stunning examples of socialist realist art, and we visit one of these next. Now out to the Victory Park Complex - an emotional tribute to those who fell on the battlefronts of war. Continue with a visit to the Borodino Panorama Exhibition which brings to life the Battle of Borodino, one of the most important events in Russia's history and immortalized in Tolstoy's epic, 'War and Peace'. Finally at the Novodevichy cemetery, see memorials to such greats as Krushchev, Chekhov, Mayakovsky, Prokoviev and Eisenstein. 
During the day you'll also get to try some delicious Russian comfort food for lunch. Later, there is the opportunity to tour this bustling city by night and admire the evening magic of the famous Red Square and the Kremlin? (BB)

Day 4 Moscow - St Petersburg 
Some time to shop for souvenirs this morning before transferring to Leningrad Station to board your comfortable train to St Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, the city rose from the desolate Neva marshes, under the personal supervision of the Tsar himself, to become the capital of the Russian Empire. After arrival, transfer to your hotel. Hotel:Sokos Vasilievsky. (BB)

Days 5, 6 & 7 - ST PETERSBURG
Although the city was virtually destroyed during World War II's 900 day seige, it has been lovingly restored, and your included orientation tour will show you all the important monuments and buildings. Alight in the Palace Square and take a deep breath. The north side is dominated by the magnificence of the Baroque Winter Palace (now housing the Hermitage museum). In the centre stands the impressive, 155 foot-tall Alexander Column, while piercing the classical yellow-and-white façade to the south is the Triumphal Arch, which leads you to Nevsky Prospekt, the city's main drag. It's mid-morning and you have three full days at your disposal to explore all the palaces and museums, avenues and canals. Where to first? (BB)
Should you join our optional 'St Petersburg Experience', a local expert will guide you across the square to the Hermitage, one of the world's greatest museums, for an in-depth tour of the paintings and objets d'art, ranging from Egyptian carvings to Impressionist masterpieces. This is not only a great introduction to the city but it will also help put the remainder of your experience into context. After lunch, continue to the colossal St Isaac's Cathedral, crowned with a huge gold dome and the island fortress of St Peter and Paul, housing the tombs of Russia's royal families. 
St Petersburg is a city of incomparable architectural, historic and artistic interest, but one of its most famous and popular visitor attractions lies 29 kms to the west and it is revealed in all its splendour on our 'Petrodvorets Experience'. We'll arrange for your to cruise along the Baltic shore to Peter the Great's summer residence, which, for over 200 years, was used for official ceremonies, lavish feasts and formal receptions. As you approach the dense forest parts to reveal a picture perfect scene. Alight to explore the fabulous gardens, cascading fountains and gilded palace. 
In the evening the city is just as magical. In fact, for two weeks in late June, St Petersburg celebrates its 'White Nights' - the mid summer solstice when the sun refuses to set. Join in the fun or perhaps take a cruise through the centre of Peter the Great's capital while enjoying champagne, caviar and vodka? (BB)

Day 8 - ST PETERSBURG - IRELAND
Insight's Airport Shuttle Service arrives at St Petersburg Airport at 04:30 and 12:00. (BB)

Single supplement €370

Contact our Escorted Tours Specialist for more details or if you would like something similar but don't see it listed!