Itinerary – 8 Day Deluxe Private Journey to Moscow and St Petersburg

“… Just to say we had a marvellous trip and absolutely no trouble. Everyone was very welcoming.  The arrangements worked very well and the guides-both women- were excellent. Moscow was far more impressive than we expected and we had beautiful weather as well. St. Petersburg was even more impressive than we were led to believe and the weather was not too bad. The hotels and service were very good.  The guide for the Diamond Room at the Hermitage confirmed tourists should opt for this room rather than the Gold Room (more for archaeological buffs)- so we got that right too. Many thanks for arranging so professionally a truly memorable trip…”    (SL from UK)

Day 1 (Friday)

Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met at the airport by our own representative who will travel with you, on your private transfer to your centrally located 5 star hotel.
Check in for 3 nights (Check in from 14.00 hrs)

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Day 2 (Saturday)

10.00 hrs:   Your personal professional tour guide will meet you at reception for an orientation tour of the city, starting with a tour, on foot, of some of the spectacular underground metro stations of Moscow, known when they were first built as the ‘Palaces of the People’. You will be amazed at the beautiful sculptures, bronzes, mosaics and crystal chandeliers.
Later, by car, you will see some of the famous landmarks and places to which you may return at your leisure. The tour sights include Red Square, the Kremlin, Sparrow Hills, Bolshoi Theatre, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Victory Park, Novodevichy Convent, the White House and the famous Moscow streets. Your guide will make suggestions for a lunch stop (meal not included).

Today we also offer you the choice of one of two tours with your guide; you may visit the Tretyakov Gallery or the Museum of Contemporary History.

Your private tour concludes by 17.00hrs at the hotel.

Evening at leisure.  
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Metro, plus either Tretyakov Gallery or the Museum of Contemporary History.

Day 3 (Sunday)

09.30 hrs:  Today, your private guide will collect you to visit the most famous landmark of the city, Red Square and the magnificent Kremlin. As your hotel is a short walk from Red Square and the Kremlin, no need for transportation today, the tour is on foot. Within the Kremlin territory is the fascinating Armoury Museum, which you will visit with your personal guide, to see the spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits. Return to the hotel at around 13.00 hrs or stay on in the centre, your guide will be happy to make recommendations for lunch (not included) and make your own way back to the hotel.

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Kremlin with 1 Cathedral, Armoury museum.

Day 4 (Monday)

12.00 hrs:  After breakfast, check-out at your leisure. Your guide will meet you in reception for your departure transfer from the hotel to Leningradsky railway station for your journey from Moscow to St Petersburg, on the high speed Sapsan train in business class. The train departs Moscow at 13.30 hrs*. Included on the train is a 3 course lunch.
Arriving at approximately 17.45 hrs, our local representative will meet you at your carriage on the platform and will travel with you to your 5 star centrally located hotel.
Check in for 4 nights, then time to freshen up before dinner (not included).

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Day 5 (Tuesday)

09.30 hrs:  Your personal local guide will meet you in reception, to begin your panoramic orientation tour of the city by private car. You will see all the major sights of this beautiful city of St Petersburg. You will pass by the Winter Palace, home of the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, and pass along Nevsky Prospect. St Isaac’s cathedral is also on our route, as well as the Church on the Spilled Blood.

Included today is a visit to St Petersburg’s finest privately owned museum, the Faberge Collection, housed in the beautiful Shuvalov Palace. Here you may see the world’s finest private Faberge collection, including Imperial eggs, each with their own fascinating story to tell. Here, you will receive an audio guide.

We also include a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, a fort which guards the city of St Petersburg, located on the island facing the Hermitage museum and dominating River Neva. Built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, it was never used as a fortress, its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There a son of Peter the Great, Prince Alexei, a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, writer Radischev, Decembrists and revolutionaries were held as prisoners. Inside the fortress, Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, is the final resting place of Russia’s noble rulers from 1725 to the last Tsar.

Today we offer you a further choice of one of two further tours with your guide: you may visit St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood.

Return to the hotel at around 16.30 hrs or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel.

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Faberge Museum* with audio guide, Peter and Paul Fortress, plus either St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood.
n.b. *Faberge museum no longer has scheduled tours in English language. We can arrange a private tour for a supplement of approximately €100 per person (for 2 persons).

Day 6 (Wednesday)

09.00 hrs:*   After breakfast your guide will collect you for a leisurely walk through the streets and by the canals to visit the Hermitage museum – the magnificent collection in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the World, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items including an infinite range of artefacts and objets d’art – a true feast for art lovers. We also include today the adjacent General Staff Building, one of the most famous architectural monuments in St Petersburg, designed by architect K. I. Rossi in the early 19th century.  Reconstruction was started in 2008 and ended in 2014. Five large atriums were covered with glass roofs, to create a truly impressive space. After the restoration, the collections of Russian and European decorative art, paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries (including Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings by Matisse and Picasso), as well as contemporary art were moved from the Hermitage to to their new home.

Return to the hotel at around 14.00 hrs* or you may stay on at the Hermitage museum and return to the hotel independently, at your leisure.
*Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide.

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Hermitage Museum and General Staff Building.

Day 7 (Thursday)

09.30 hrs*:   Your guide will meet you for an out of town excursion to one of St Petersburg’s most prized Palaces. In the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo), 29km south of St. Petersburg, is Catherine’s Summer Palace. The construction of the palace for Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around the palace and in the middle of 18th century Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory. Not far from Catherine’s Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. Return to your hotel early/mid afternoon.

*Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide locally

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Catherine’s Palace.

Day 8 (Friday)

After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 12.00 hrs and your guide will accompany you on your departure transfer to the airport / rail station as required.

Your Deluxe tour is created on a Private basis. The itinerary will vary according to the days of the week you are in St Petersburg.  The above itinerary is an example of the programme when arriving on Monday.  If you have any preferences for other included visits, please let us know, we can make adjustments to suit your needs.
Please ask for our quotation if you would like to upgrade your room type or select an alternative 5 star hotel.
We can reserve seats at the Mariinsky theatre and other venues. Please ask us for information about booking ballet, opera and concert tickets.

Further services / programme extensions can be provided upon request. Please email info@select-a-tour.com for details.

Deluxe Private Journey – 2022

5 star Deluxe Hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg:

Please ask us for a quotation for your preferred dates and 5 star hotels, as prices are variable according to season and days of the week.
Arrive in Moscow on a Friday for the best hotel deal.

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We would like to suggest the following two city hotel combinations:

Four Seasons Hotel, Moscow
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace, St Petersburg

Price on application (rates vary daily)

Undeniably the best addresses in town and centrally located. Offering the highest levels of service associated with Four Seasons, we cannot fault these hotels.
The hotels are of contrasting styles, consistent with their respective locations.

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The Ritz-Carlton Moscow
Belmond Grand Hotel Europe St Petersburg

Price on application (rates vary daily)

A perfect combination of luxury, glamour and good service. Both enjoy excellent locations. The Ritz has great views from the roof-top bar and the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospekt has a unique Caviar Bar.

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Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 St Petersburg

Price on application (rates vary daily)

Traditional 5 star comfort in fabulous central locations. In Moscow enjoy the finest view in the city at breakfast – overlooking the Moskva River, the Kremlin, St Basils Cathedral and Red Square.
In St Petersburg, you’ll find yourself only 500 metres from the world famous Hermitage museum, in this sought after Deluxe Hotel.

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Hotel Savoy, Moscow 
Trezzini Palace, St Petersburg 

Price on application (rates vary daily)

Enjoy sumptuous boutique opulence for a unique experience. The Savoy Hotel is in an historic building and started life in 1860 as the Alpen Rose restaurant, in the house of Princess Olga Turkestanova. It was a favourite dining place with Moscow’s elite. Now a boutique hotel retaining the character of those times, combined with modern amenities.
Trezzini Palace can only exceed your expectations!  A hotel with champagne in the lift! You many dine in your suite, with attentive service whilst enjoying amazing views over the River Neva. All suites are individually styled, with a wealth of antiques to enhance the decor.

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Metropol Moscow Hotel
Taleon Imperial Hotel St Petersburg

Price on application (rates vary daily)

A true taste of Russian history, in two iconic hotels in great locations;
The Metropol, just steps away from Red Square, was once the finest hotel in Moscow, built in 1850 and now more famous as the setting for ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’
The Taleon started life as a palace, built in 1814, it became the home of the wealthy Eliseev family. Legend has it that after they fled Russia in 1918 they left their treasures in the walls of the house, but these have never been found.

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
SO/ Sofitel Saint Petersburg Hotel

Price on application (rates vary daily)

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow is located in the very heart of the capital of Russia and is one of the best situated 5 star hotels in Moscow. Just a few minutes’ walk from the iconic landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral, our luxury hotel is within the immediate vicinity of the famous Bolshoi Theatre. Parliament House, the central business district and the luxury shopping malls TSUM and GUM for those seeking to enjoy the wonderful shopping in Moscow, are also nearby.
Don’t miss the first SO/St. Petersburg hotel in Russia, located in the heart of the rich cultural centre of the city. In this hotel, designed by architect Antonio Citterio, the mysteries of the House of Faberge are revealed in a modern setting. Breathtaking views of St. Isaac’s Cathedral await you, along with Just Say So, a new service concept, and SO evening parties on the scenic summer terrace.

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We are pleased to offer the finest 5 star Deluxe hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg, as the base for your Deluxe private experience. Our professional, qualified guides will enhance your visit to these amazing cities, leaving you with special and lasting memories. Our carefully designed programme, takes in the highlights of these two contrasting cities, our guides will amaze you with their depth of knowledge and passion for their cities.

Please ask us for a quotation for your preferred dates and 5 star hotel combination. We suggest arriving n Moscow on a Friday to take advantage of the better weekend rates.
n.b. basic room types may be interior facing, please ask for upgraded room types or suites if you would like superior rooms in your preferred hotel combination.

Our prices are in EUROS, based on two persons sharing a twin/double room arriving in Moscow on a Friday.

Our Deluxe Private Journey Includes:

• 3 nights in Deluxe 5 star Hotel Moscow
• 4 nights in Deluxe 5 star Hotel St Petersburg
• Breakfast daily
• Private arrival and departure in Moscow and St Petersburg with personal meet and greet assistance and deluxe transportation.
• Private sightseeing programme as per itinerary, with professional English speaking guide and private driver (some walking tours) with deluxe transportation
• Museum Entrances as per itinerary:
  In Moscow:

Metro tickets, Kremlin Territory, 1 Cathedral (if time allows you may be able to see more than 1), Armoury Museum, plus either Tretyakov Gallery (main building) or the Museum of Contemporary History.

In St Petersburg:

either St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood, Faberge Museum (audio-guide), Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum, General Staff Building (Impressionist Collection), Catherine Palace at Pushkin.

• Business class day train from Moscow to St Petersburg – airline style meal included on train
• Visa support for duration of tour
• 24 hour local emergency assistance

Not Included:

• International flights
• Visa costs
• Travel Insurance
• Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• Tips/gratuities for your personal guide and driver
• Personal costs incurred at the hotel
• Extended visa support
• Hotel registration fee payable locally in St Petersburg

Gratuities
As a guideline we would suggest the following (per couple), however, tipping is at your discretion:

Half day tours – 500/750 RUB per couple for guide, 250/500 RUB per couple for driver

Full day tours – 1000/1500 RUB for guide 500/7500 RUB for driver.

You may also offer EUR/USD (notes) equivalent.

SAPSAN TRAIN – Moscow to St Petersburg (Business Class)

The name “Sapsan” in Russian means Peregrine Falcon. The train got its name for the same high-speed characteristics as this raptor bird which is considered to be the fastest animal on the planet.
Made by Siemens in Germany, it is the first high-speed day train of Russian Railways (RZD) which has been used on the Moscow – St. Petersburg route since December 2009.
The high quality, high-speed Sapsan train travels at a speed of about 240-250 km/h (149-155 mph) but can reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

It was specially designed to run in Russian weather conditions as low as -50°C (-58°F).
​The standard train length of a 10-coach Sapsan is 250 m (820 ft)

​Other trains running between Moscow and St. Petersburg are regular overnight trains that take approximately 9 hours.

Sapsan trains are very modern, comfortable, and soundproof. The design is well thought out with wide aisles and enough space reserved for each passenger.
​​On the train there is seated accommodation only. All carriages are equipped with toilet facilities (13 per train) and there are large panoramic windows, with sun blinds.

Each carriage has air-conditioning and heating, plus luggage storage and coat hangers. There are also two power sockets available per coach.

There are amenities for passengers with disabilities, including an accessible toilet and a designated area onboard for wheelchairs.

Travel information is displayed on screens in each carriage. Announcements about upcoming stops are both in Russian and in English. Smoking is completely prohibited onboard.
WiFi is also available onboard Sapsan trains, for some classes it’s free, for others it’s for extra charge
For safety reasons there is video-monitoring of each coach and a security guard present on every train. ​

Depending on the travel class, there are either 4 TV sets per coach, or individual TVs in each seat and different films are shown on the journey. You may also listen to the radio. Free newspapers are also offered (not English language).
​There is one Business Class coach on Sapsan bullet trains (car #2) designed to carry 52 passengers.
The comfortable seats in Business Class coaches are arranged two by two, and there is a total of 16 seats arranged by four around a table.
Each of the wider leather seats are adjustable and have reclining backs, a folding table, footrest and armrest as well as an individual reading light, audio and video module, and power outlet for charging mobile phones, laptops etc.
For the convenience of passengers, WiFi is available free of charge throughout the trip.

Business Class Sapsan tickets include one hot meal in the price as well as access to the Business Lounges at the train stations.

Notes

• Prices based on two persons arriving in Moscow on a Friday
• Single supplement is based on minimum 2 persons travelling
• Travel to be completed within dates specified per season
• Check in after 14.00 hours (Moscow) 15.00 hrs (St Petersburg). Check out by 12.00 hours
• Accommodation subject to availability and alternatives may be offered at a supplement
• Train time and seat category subject to availability at time of rail booking
• Prices based on ‘standard’ room types, please ask for supplement to upgrade to preferred room type or suite
• Tours and timings may vary according to local conditions and substitutions may be made if necessary
• Visa support – is supplied for duration of tour only. If you require an extended visa support we can supply this from €25 per person (certain nationalities incur a higher extended visa support letter fee) – check with us for details.
• Russian Visa – you will need to obtain a tourist visa BEFORE you arrive in Russia
• Important – remember to apply for your visa at least 1 month prior to travel
• Please ask for our proposal if you wish to extend your stay in Russia