Back in the USSR - 7 days

Check out two of Russia's most striking cities. Explore the sights of Moscow - Russia's lively capital, before continuing on to rural Pskov and Pechory for a local banya experience and capping off the adventure in St Petersburg, the jewel in Russia's imperial crown.

Day 1: Moscow
Saturday. Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Meet and greet arrival transfer from airport to hotel and check in. Tonight, our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place, afterward head to the bar with your tour leader and fellow passengers. Remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight - Moscow
Day 2: Red Square
To legendary Red Square for a guided walk of the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area. In Red Square, feast your eyes on the intensely coloured, turban domed St Basil’s Cathedral, the subject of countless postcards. Along one side runs the elegant façade of the illustrious GUM department store, once the only choice for shopping in the Communist era. Also on Red Square is Lenin’s Mausoleum. If open, we can pay our respects to the father of Communism for free! Rest of the day is free. Cultured out? Moscow’s restaurants and clubs are open until very late! Overnight - Moscow (B)
Back in the USSR - 7 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Russian people waving Socialist and Communist flags
Day 3: The Kremlin
Today, we journey back to Red Square via the Metro underground to undertake a guided tour inside the grounds of the mighty Moscow Kremlin. Highlights include the Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower and Tsar Bell. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own or join us for a tour Inside a Soviet Bunker. Head 65 meters underground to explore a Stalinist-era bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. Cleverly hiddenbeneath an ordinary apartment building, on a busy streetin the heart of Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this mighty 75,000-square-foot facility was constructed in secret in the 1950’s, to protect a select few against a US nuclear attack. Join us on an interactive tour of this bunker turned museum.

Later this evening, we travel by comfortable overnight train (open sleeper cabin) to Pskov. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)
The outside of Lenin's mausoleum
Day 4: Pskov and Pechory
Pskov - St Petersburg. As our train bounds into Pskov, we are just 30km away from the Estonian border. Pskov is historically rich, having played host to a stream of Baltic invaders for 700 years. A short drive brings us to the beautiful 14th century Pechory Monastery, where we explore the peaceful grounds and if monastic law permits, an exploration of the burial caves of this fascinating and still-working cloister. Steaming up at a local Russian banya (sauna) will work our appetites up for a vodka and lunch. Later this afternoon we travel by road to St Petersburg arriving late evening. Overnight - St Petersburg (B, L)
Fountains in the Gardens of Peterhof Palace
Day 5: St Petersburg
This morning, we embark on a city tour driving along Nevsky Prospekt, through the museum and university district and Admiralty End, with stops to view the outside of the Church on Spilled Blood, The Bronze Horseman and take a tour of Peter and Paul Fortress. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the incredible Hermitage Collection at the Winter Palace followed by a visit to ‘The Vodka Museum’ with a tour explaining the history of vodka which would not be complete without some vodka tasting! Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
A lavish golden room in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
Day 6: Pukka Russia
Today offers free time for you to explore grandiose St Petersburg - designed around an intrinsic network of canals and rivers. Known as the cradle of Revolution, in the 20th century the city underwent three name changes, three revolutions and a 900-day siege.

With more than 90 museums, many of which are housed in imperial palaces, plus flamboyant galleries and churches, there is plenty to see and do.

Alternatively opt to bolt-on our Pukka Pass. Our Pukka Pass is inclusive of guiding, transport, entrance fees, lunch and visits to see the interior of the Church on Spilled Blood and the Summer Gardens at Peterhof in summer or Catherine's Palace in winter as well as lunch at the Tinkoff Beer Restaurant. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Day 7: St Petersburg
Friday. Our tour concludes after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon. (B)

Inside a Soviet Bunker
Take a tour of a Soviet Bunker. Head 65 meters underground to explore the Underground cold war museum - a Stalinist-era bunker that up until recently was a top secret symbol of Soviet Power. Cleverly hidden beneath an ordinary apartment building, on a busy street in the heart of Moscow, 18 floors below ground level, this mighty 75,000-square-foot facility was constructed in secret in the 1950's, to protect the select few against a US nuclear attack. Later we take a tour of some of the finest metro stations ever built. Dating back to the Stalinist era these extravagant specimens dazzle with marble pillars and chandeliers. Not your average metro stations.


Tour Details
  • Starts in: Moscow / Ends in: St Petersburg
  • Departs: Saturdays - March to October
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:6, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 0
  • Hotel Rating: 3 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes
The on the go Theatre
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