Duration: 12 Days
Starting From: $1999
Russia is the world’s largest nation, which means there’s no shortage of things to see or do here. With us, you won’t just stick to the main sights in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Head beyond these two cities to see Russia’s quieter side in the villages of Petrozavodska and Kizhi Island, or the cluster of ancient towns known as the Golden Ring. Discover standout landscapes like Ruskeala National Park’s marble canyon, or the fairy-tale architecture of Gethsamane Skete. Want a little bit of everything? You’ll find it in Russia.
Day 1. Arrive in Saint-Petersburg at any time.
Day 2. Get to know St Petersburg with a morning walking tour visiting some of the city’s highlights. Optional Activities: Midnight Canal Boat Tour, Peterhof Visit
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3. Enjoy a free morning in the city. Opt for a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum and Armoury or explore on your own. This afternoon, drive to Sortavala (Karelia). Optional Activity: Hermitage Museum Visit
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4. Take a boat to Valaam Island and visit the sacred sites of the monastery, Transfiguration Cathedral, Church of the Resurrection, and fairy-tale Gethsemane Skete. Enjoy lunch on the island of a typical meal from the monastery.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 5. In the morning, transfer to Ruskeala to visit stunning marble quarries, the source of stone for St. Petersburg palaces. Transfer to the traditional Karelian village of Kinerma and enjoy a walking tour of the village. Learn to cook a local traditional Karelian pie, “Kalitki”. End the day in Petrozavodsk.
Exclusive Inclusions: Hands-On Karelian Cooking Class
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 6. Take an early morning drive to the boat for a trip to Kizhi Island. Visit the wooden village and enjoy the scenery of the beautiful lake. This evening, board an overnight train to Sergiev Posad.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7. Arrive into Moscow and transfer by private bus to Sergiev Posad. Explore the sacred Sergiev Posad Lavra and Monastery. Later, participate in a Master Matryoshka painting class.
Exclusive Inclusions: Hands-On Matryoshka Painting Class
Day 8. Transfer to Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and enjoy a guided city tour. Opt to visit one of the many historical museums in the city. Drive to the shore of the lake for a BBQ lunch and spend some time at the lake beach swimming and relaxing. Spend the night at a local guesthouse. Optional Activity: Museum of Flat Iron
Exclusive Inclusions: Local Living BBQ with Local Family
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 9. After breakfast drive to Alexandrov. Enjoy a guided tour of Alexandrov Kremlin, the former residence of Ivan the Terrible. In the afternoon, drive to Moscow.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10. Enjoy an orientation and walking tour of Moscow, visiting Metro & Old Moscow alleys & red square. In the afternoon, enjoy free time exploring the city. Optional Activities: Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Alexander Garden Visit, Lenin’s Mausoleum.
Day 11. In the morning, take a leap into the past with a guided tour of the historical Moscow Kremlin & Armoury. In the afternoon, enjoy free time in the city. Optional Activities: Alexander Garden Visit, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.
Day 12. Depart at any time.
- Hands-On: Karelian Cooking Class, Kinerma
- Hands-On: Matryoshka Painting Class, Sergiyev Posad
- Local Living: BBQ with Local Family, Pereslavl’-Zalesskiy
- Petersburg walking tour
- Valaam Island Boat Tour
- Ruskeala Quarry Walk
- Kinerma Walking Tour
- Karelian Cooking Class
- Kizhi Island Tour
- The Sergiev Posad Lavra and Monastery Tour
- Matryoshka Painting Class
- Pereslavl-Zelesskiy Guided Tour
- BBQ with Local Family
- Tour of Alexandrov Kremlin
- Red Square Visit
- Kremlin and Armoury Guided Tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
- Hotels (9 nights), guest house (1 night), sleeper train (1 night).
Meals
- 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches
- Allow USD425-555 for meals not included.
Transportation
- Private vehicle, overnight train, boat.