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Package Overview

Overview
Delve into Russian culture, history and art on this comprehensive 17-day tour. Spend three nights in Suzdal, with visits to the Golden Ring towns of Sergiev Posad and Vladimir. Immerse yourself in Moscow鈥檚 Red Square, visit the Kremlin鈥檚 cathedrals and Armoury Collection and the Tretyakov Gallery. Spend six nights in St Petersburg exploring the city鈥檚 famous landmarks, art museums, churches and palaces, with a day trip to Catherine the Great鈥檚 palaces.

Experience
A rich and tumultuous history stretching back hundreds of years
Vast repositories of art and culture in Russia鈥檚 incredible array of museums and galleries
Sumptuous palaces built for the tsars and designed by architects to rival the best in Western Europe
The resilience of a people who have survived catastrophic wars and revolution
Ancient wooden towns of the Golden Ring around Moscow
HIGHLIGHTS

Six nights in St Petersburg visiting the Hermitage, the Faberg茅 Museum, Yusupov Palace and cathedrals
Full-day excursion to the magnificent palaces of Catherine the Great
Red Square and the treasures of the State Armoury in Moscow
A visit to the Kremlin, seat of the Tsars, headquarters of the USSR and residence of Vladimir Putin
Masterpieces of Russian art at the Tretyakov Gallery
Sergiev Posad, home of the Russian Orthodox Church
Three nights in Suzdal exploring the wooden architecture and churches of the Golden RingReturn international/domestic air travel unless those flights take place during the tour
Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart
Costs involved in obtaining visas for countries visited, where required
Travel insurance. We require all participants to have comprehensive travel insurance. A typical policy for one of our tours will cost from $160 upwards, depending on your age, pre-existing medical conditions, the countries you are visiting and the overall length of your trip
Lunches and dinners not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
Costs associated with any activity mentioned as 鈥渙ptional鈥� in the itinerary, or any suggested free time activity

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Moscow - Domodedovo Airport

  The tour begins at the Airhotel Domodedovo Airport. There is a light dinner available in the hotel this evening.

  • Meals & Drinks Dinner
• Day 2 : Sergiev Posad

  We depart Moscow by coach for Sergiev Posad, Russia鈥檚 holiest of holies, the beautiful Trinity Monastery of St Sergius. Founded by St Sergius, Russia鈥檚 patron saint, it is a glorious ensemble of blue and golden cupolas. It was closed by the Bolsheviks after the 1917 Revolution but re-opened after World War II as a museum, working monastery and the residence of the patriarch. From Sergiev Posad we travel to Suzdal, our base for the next three nights.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day 3 : Suzdal

  Suzdal is one of the best-preserved towns of the Golden Ring, a group of ancient towns that preceded Moscow as the political and cultural heart of Russia. With its clusters of 17th- and 18th-century whitewashed churches and its streets of low wooden houses with traditional carved eaves and windows, Suzdal is a living museum protected against any industrial development. We explore it at leisure today and enjoy lunch prepared by a local in their home.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day 4 : Vladimir

  Today we visit Vladimir, founded by Vladimir Monomakh in 1108; it became the capital of all Kievan Rus after Kiev was sacked in 1169. Although Vladimir eventually gave way to Moscow as the capital of Russia, the Tsars continued to be crowned here until the 15th century. We visit the Golden Gate of Vladimir, the Crystal Museum and enjoy a master class in matryoshka doll painting. On our way back to Suzdal we visit the Church of Intercession of Nerl, a symbol of medieval Russia situated on a lake in an isolated meadow. This evening we gather for dinner and a folk performance.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 5 : To Moscow

  We depart Suzdal this morning by coach to Moscow, a journey of approximately five hours arriving in the afternoon. After settling into our accommodation, Matthew will lead a brief orientation walk around the vicinity of the hotel. Dinner will be in a local restaurant specialising in Georgian cuisine this evening.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 6 : Touring Moscow

  Our tour commences with a visit to the iconic Red Square, a vast cobbled area flanked by some of Moscow鈥檚 most famous sites, including St Basil鈥檚 Cathedral with its brightly coloured onion domes. Also in Red Square is Lenin鈥檚 Mausoleum, where the former leader鈥檚 body remains on display to the public, and GUM department store with its elaborate fa莽ade 鈥� designer stores having replaced the queues of the Soviet era. This afternoon we visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on the Moskva River for wonderful views to the Kremlin.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 7 : The Tretyakov Gallery

  No visit to Moscow is complete without a ride on the metro, and this morning we see some of the elegant stations decorated in frescoes and lined with marble. Stalin declared that 鈥榯he whole country will build the metro鈥� and employed some of the Soviet Union鈥檚 finest artists to decorate the stations. We visit the Tretyakov Gallery, home of the world鈥檚 greatest collection of Russian art. Among the exhibits are The Trinity by Andrei Rublev and Russia鈥檚 most revered icon, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This afternoon there is an optional visit to the Tolstoy Estate Museum dedicated to the writer鈥檚 home life.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 8 : The Kremlin

  Today we visit the Kremlin, seat of the Tsars, headquarters of the Soviet Union and now the residence of President Vladimir Putin. Since its foundation in 1156, the Kremlin has been a symbol of power of the State. We visit the churches in Cathedral Square, among them the most important church in Moscow, the Cathedral of the Assumption. Also in the Kremlin complex is the State Armoury, which showcases the wealth accumulated by Russian tsars over many centuries and the Diamond Fund, which boasts among its jewels the famous Orlov diamond presented to Catherine the Great by her lover Count Grigory Orlov.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Lunch
• Day 9 : Pushkin Fine Arts Museum

  This morning we enjoy a tour of the iconic Bolshoi Theatre and discover the theatre鈥檚 history, view the 19th century interiors and learn about the advance technologies employed in the productions today. In the afternoon we visit the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a large collection of works by 19th and 20th century masters and impressionists. Dinner this evening is in the restaurant at the stylish Sanduny Bath House.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 10 : Central Armed Forces Museum

  This morning we visit the Central Armed Forces Museum featuring important military paraphernalia from the Soviet period. On our return we stop at the Wall of Sorry, a memorial to the victims of Stalin鈥檚 repression recently opened by Vladimir Putin. The afternoon is at leisure or you may join Matthew in a walking tour of the Sretensky Monastery. This evening we attend an evening of one-act ballets set to music by Bizet, Britten and Czerny.
  
  Performance Details
  Venue: Bolshoi Theatre, small stage
  Carmen Suite: music by Bizet/Shchedrin
  Forgotten Land: music by Benjamin Britten
  Etudes: music by Carl Czerny

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 11 : To St Petersburg

  After check out we make our way to Leningradsky railway station to board the fast train for the journey to St Petersburg. After settling into our accommodation and dinner in a local restaurant, Matthew will lead us on a walk to view some of the sights in the local area.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Lunch on the train, Dinner
• Day 12 : Touring St Petersburg

  This morning we depart by coach on a city tour of St Petersburg commencing at the Peter and Paul Fortress. Several buildings are contained within the fortress, the Peter and Paul Cathedral being the most notable as it contains the tombs of almost all the Russian rulers since Peter the Great. We visit the Cabin of Peter the Great the first residential building in St Petersburg still containing the Tsar鈥檚 original belongings. This afternoon we visit St Isaac鈥檚 Cathedral, whose gilded dome dominates the St Petersburg skyline while its facades are decorated in sculpture and red granite columns.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 13 : The Hermitage Museum

  For most people St Petersburg is inexorably connected with its great art museum, the Hermitage, housed in the former residence of the Tsars, the Winter Palace. In July 1917, the Provisional Government took over the palace as its headquarters, and this led in turn to its storming by the Bolsheviks who nationalised the collection. Our day is spent uncovering the many galleries and exploring the amazing collection housed in the museum. This evening we attend a concert by the legendary St Petersburg Philharmonia.
  
  Performance details
  Venue: Grand Hall, St Petersburg Philharmonia
  Program: Sibelius Violin Concerto, Shostakovich Symphony no.13
  Performers: St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Petr Migunov Violin, Yuri Temirkanov, conductor.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 14 : A tale of two murders

  Today we visit Yusupov Palace one of the most beautiful palaces in St Petersburg, which contains a series of sumptuously decorated rooms. It was here that Rasputin was murdered in 1916 in disputed circumstances by Prince Felix Yusupov. Shortly after Rasputin鈥檚 murder, the Soviets came to power and confiscated the palace from the nobles. This afternoon we explore the canals of St Petersburg鈥檚 by boat before visiting the distinctive Church of the Spilled Blood. The elaborately decorated church was erected on the site where Alexander II was mortally wounded in 1881. The interior is covered with an outstanding array of mosaics depicting scenes from Holy Scripture and the patron saints of the Romanovs.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast
• Day 15 : Catherine鈥檚 Palace

  We depart for the Leningrad Blockade Memorial which poignantly evokes the 900-day siege of Leningrad (1941-1944) and acts as an important reminder of great hardships endured by its people during World War II. We continue to Tsarskoe Selo, formerly Pushkin, where we visit the magnificent Catherine Palace. Built for Tsarina Elizabeth by Rastrelli in 1752, it was named Catherine in honour of her mother, Catherine l, wife of Peter the Great. The palace was badly damaged during the German occupation of World War ll, leaving only a hollow shell behind, but it has since been restored. Inside the palace, our tour takes us through the gentlemen-in-waiting鈥檚 dining room, the Great Hall, State Dining Room, Crimson and Green Pilaster rooms and the portrait room. We also visit the legendary Amber Room which was restored largely with German funds and re-opened in 2004. After a picnic lunch, we explore Palace gardens designed by Charles Cameron as a classic English landscaped garden, and one of the most beautiful park ensembles in Europe. This afternoon we take tea in the elegant Rotonda Lounge at the historic Astoria Hotel. (AT)

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Lunch
• Day 16 : Faberg茅

  Our day commences at the Carl Faberg茅 museum. Located in the Shuvalov Palace, the museum houses the world鈥檚 largest collection of works by Faberg茅 including nine of his famous imperial Easter eggs. This afternoon is at leisure with no shortage of attractions in St Petersburg to explore at your own pace. This evening we gather for our farewell dinner including a vodka tasting.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 17 : Departure

  A late check out is available for passengers departing on flights leaving later tonight. Matthew will be happy to advise on optional activities during the day including an excursion to Peterhof with a local guide.

  • Meals & Drinks Breakfast

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• Any flights mentioned in the itinerary that take place during a tour
• Land travel by private air-conditioned coach. Where appropriate public transport is also used for short distance travel on some tours
• All accommodation in hotels or apartments as stated in the itinerary
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners specifically stated as included in the itinerary
• Drinks at welcome and farewell meals. Other meals may not have drinks included
• Background talks on tour, site notes and online resources
• Services of tour leader throughout tour
• All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Local guides at some sites
• Tips for drivers, local guides and restaurants for included meals
• Airport Transfers
• Tours begin either at the arrival airport or the first hotel, depending on the itinerary. If you have booked your international flights with Academy Travel and arrive before the tour commences, we will provide airport to hotel transfers to the closest main city on your arrival, and to the closest airport at the end of the tour. These may be either individual or group transfers.

Exclusions

• Return international/domestic air travel unless those flights take place during the tour
• Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart
• Costs involved in obtaining visas for countries visited, where required
• Travel insurance. We require all participants to have comprehensive travel insurance. A typical policy for one of our tours will cost from $160 upwards, depending on your age, pre-existing medical conditions, the countries you are visiting and the overall length of your trip
• Lunches and dinners not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
• Costs associated with any activity mentioned as 鈥渙ptional鈥� in the itinerary, or any suggested free time activity

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Level 1, 341 George St Bank of New South Wales Building, NSW, Sydney, Australia
• XXXXXX0023 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@academytravel.com.au View Mail ID

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