Accommodation –  Russian Explorer – Moscow & St Petersburg Tour

4 star Novotel Moscow Centre (Moscow)

The Novotel Moscow Centre is ideal for both business and leisure. The hotel is conveniently located, 15 minutes from the Kremlin. There are two metro stations next to the hotel. Guests can also enjoy the restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, as well as the stylish lobby bar. The hotel offers a Fitness centre with the latest equipment, free WIFI, and spacious, contemporary design rooms. In keeping with the brand, you are assured of the attentive service of a modern International brand hotel.

4 star Novotel Saint Petersburg Centre Hotel (St Petersburg) 

Located in the heart of the city, Hotel Novotel St. Petersburg Centre is ideally situated for leisure travellers.  At your service, you will find – a fine French restaurant, a lobby bar with a selection of drinks, snacks, cocktails and patisserie “La Brioche Deli-Counter” with a wide range of pastries and desserts, a gym with Turkish bath, free parking, concierge service and a gift shop. Enjoy spacious bedrooms with contemporary design, ergonomic furniture and first-class equipment: air conditioning, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and cable internet, phone, safe, mini-bar, coffee / tea maker, hair dryer, ensuite bath/wc.  The Novotel offers a warm welcome and first class service to its guests.

We reserve the right to use alternative similar hotels.

SAPSAN TRAIN – Moscow to St Petersburg

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.

Moscow & St Petersburg Tour

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).
Each of the high-speed Sapsan train’s Economy Class cars are designed to carry 64 passengers.
​In general, there are six Economy Class coaches per train. The number of coaches multiplies by two if the trainset is doubled.
The comfortable seats are adjustable, have armrests and footrests. For entertainment passengers can listen to the radio or watch films on one of the four TV sets.
Meals are not included in the ticket price for an Economy Class seat ticket, but snacks and drinks can be purchased separately onboard.
Snacks and drinks can be bought onboard from special carts. The dining car has a bistro where you can order a cold or hot meal too.
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase as well. You are permitted to bring your own snacks and drinks onboard if you wish to do so.

Itinerary – Moscow & St Petersburg Tour 2020/2021

Day 1 (Friday)

Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your 4 star hotel to check in for 3 nights.
Check in from 14.00 hrs.
Evening at leisure.

Day 2 (Saturday)

10.00 hrs: After breakfast, our English-speaking tour guide will meet you at reception for an orientation tour of the city using private transportation. 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.
Free time is included for a short lunch break (lunch not included). In the city centre, you may see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and queue to see Lenin’s Mausoleum*
You will also visit the Muzeon Park of Arts (formerly Fallen Monuments Park), filled with iconic monument relics from the Soviet era. Our tour concludes at around 15.00 hrs at the hotel or you may stay in the city and make your own way back to the hotel.

Highlights today. Muzeon Park of Arts, Changing of the Guard, Lenin’s Mausoleum*

Evening at leisure.

n.b.* Lenin’s Mausoleum may be closed without notice.

Day 3 (Sunday)

Day at leisure

OR YOU MAY CHOOSE TO JOIN OUR OPTIONAL TOUR:
Optional tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Armoury Chamber and Metro Station tour. (Not included in price)
After breakfast, if you have pre-booked our optional tour, your guide will meet you in reception to take you to the most famous landmark of the city, the magnificent Kremlin. Within the territory is the fascinating Armoury Chamber – your guide will include a visit to this spectacular collection of costumes, silver and arms amongst a vast treasure trove of exhibits. Our tour continues to the Danilovsky food market, the oldest trading place in Moscow, where a vast range of food products are available. It is also a great spot for lunch, with a diverse range of regional dishes available (not included).  The tour concludes with a visit to some of the spectacular underground metro stations of Moscow, known as the ‘Palaces of the People’ when they were first built. You will be amazed at the beautiful sculptures, bronzes, mosaics and crystal chandeliers. We return to the hotel (by metro) at around 16.00, or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel.

Highlights included in optional tour: Kremlin, Armoury museum, Moscow Metro, Danilovsky Market

Evening at leisure.

Day 4 (Monday)

Check-out at your leisure by 12.00 hrs. There is free time until early afternoon departure transfer from the hotel to the railway station.
Be ready in reception for transfer to Leningradsky rail station for your journey from Moscow to St Petersburg on the high speed Sapsan train.

OR YOU MAY CHOOSE TO JOIN OUR OPTIONAL TOUR:
Optional tour of the Bolshoi Theatre with breakfast at the Metropol Hotel (not included in price)
08.30 hrs: If you have pre-booked our optional tour, check-out, leave your luggage in the left-luggage room, and depart the hotel for the famous historic Metropol Hotel where you will enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast, including champagne and caviar in the beautiful and famous Metropol Restaurant. If you haven’t read it yet, you must read ‘A gentleman in Moscow’ before you go!

After breakfast, a short walk to the Bolshoi Theatre for a one-hour guided tour, including the recently restored 19th century interiors and a view of the main stage from the royal box. If you are lucky there may be scenery installation or even a rehearsal in progress.  After some free time in the city centre, return to the hotel with your guide to collect the other members of your group before transferring to the railway station. (If all group members take the optional tour then you will leave the hotel with your luggage in the morning.)

Highlights included in optional tour: Champagne breakfast, Bolshoi theatre tour

Train departs Moscow at 16:30hrs *.  Arriving at approximately 20.45 hrs, transfer with our local guide and check in to your St Petersburg hotel for 4 nights
4 star Novotel St Petersburg City Centre Hotel* (or similar).

Evening at leisure.
*Train times may vary.

Day 5 (Tuesday)

10.00 hrs: After breakfast, your panoramic orientation tour of the city will commence. You will see all the major sights of the beautiful city of St Petersburg. You will see the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, located in the Winter Palace, Peter and Paul Fortress and pass along the famous 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 Peter and Paul Fortress, which guards the city of St Petersburg, located on the island facing the Hermitage and dominating the Neva River. Built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, it was never used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There, Prince Alexei, a son of Peter the Great and a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, writer Radischev, Decembrists and revolutionaries were all held as prisoners. Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, contains the remains of Russian rulers since 1725.
You will also visit the Church on the Spilled Blood. With five domes, it is St Petersburg’s most elaborate church with a classic Russian Orthodox exterior and with an interior containing 7000 sq m of mosaics. Its colloquial name refers to the assassination of Tsar Alexander II at the same location in 1881.
During the tour there will be a break for coffee and doughnuts in the oldest doughnut shop in St Petersburg, still a favourite with locals.  We conclude our tour with a visit to the Vodka Museum, where we have arranged a tasting of a selection of traditional Russian vodkas with snacks.
Return to the hotel at around 16.00 or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel.

Highlights today: Peter and Paul Fortress, Church on the Spilled Blood, Vodka Museum & tasting, Doughnut shop

Evening at leisure.

Day 6 (Wednesday)

Day at leisure

OR YOU MAY CHOOSE TO JOIN OUR OPTIONAL TOUR:
Optional tour of the Hermitage Museum & General Staff Building (Impressionists collection)
10.00 hrs*: If you have pre-booked our optional tour, after breakfast, your guide will take you to the world-famous Hermitage Museum – the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. Enjoy a guided tour in the largest museum in the World, founded in 1764; with a collection of more than 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt and Rubens. We also include a visit to the new General Staff building, home to the French impressionist collection – a feast for art lovers.
Free time will be allowed for a short lunch break at the Hermitage cafe (lunch not included).
Return to the hotel at around 15.00 hrs* or you may stay on at the Hermitage and return to the hotel on your own at your leisure.
*Timings may vary and will be confirmed locally by your guide.

Highlights today: Hermitage museum, General Staff Building French impressionist collection

Evening at leisure

Day 7 (Thursday)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by your guide to visit 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 the 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 the Catherine’s Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. Return to your hotel early/mid-afternoon.

Highlights today: Catherine’s Palace.

Evening at leisure.

Day 8 (Friday)

After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 12.00 hrs and your departure transfer will be provided to the airport / station as required.
Further services / programme extensions can be provided upon request.

Moscow & St Petersburg Tour – Price in EUROS 2020

All prices are per person based on two persons sharing a twin room.

Low Season: €865 per person. Single room supplement: €270
Mid Season: €900 per person. Single room supplement: €295
High Season: €1,005 per person. Single room supplement: €415
Peak Season: €1,125 per person. Single room supplement: €545

Three persons sharing a room: Same as twin price. (Standard room Moscow, Junior Suite in St Petersburg)
To accommodate three people in separate beds, sofa bed and rollaway beds will be used.

Supplements for Optional Excursions (minimum 2 persons):
Day 3: €150 p.p. Moscow Kremlin, Armoury Chamber and Metro Station tour
Day 4: €170 p.p. Bolshoi Theatre Tour with Champagne & Caviar breakfast at the Metropol Hotel
Day 6: €95 p.p. Hermitage Museum & General Staff Building (Impressionists collection)

Moscow & St Petersburg Tour Dates 2020

LOW SEASON 2020
13 November 2020
11 December 2020

MID SEASON 2020
23 October 2020

Moscow & St Petersburg Tour Dates 2021

LOW SEASON 2021
22 January 2021
12 February 2021
12 March 2021
12 November 2021
10 and 19 December 2021 (Sunday)

MID SEASON 2021
26 March 2021
09 April 2021
22 October 2021

HIGH SEASON 2021
23 April 2021
30 July 2021
13 August 2021
17 and 24 September 2021
08 October 2021

PEAK SEASON 2021
14 May 2021
04 , 18 and 25 June 2021
02 and 16 July 2021

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation based on two persons sharing a twin room:
  3 nights in Moscow at 4 star Novotel Moscow Centre Hotel (or similar), standard room.
  4 nights in St Petersburg at 4 star Novotel Centre Hotel (or similar), standard room.
• Breakfast daily
• Transfers: one arrival in Moscow and one departure in St Petersburg: Applies to international city airports and main rail stations
  Supplement applies for riverports and for transfers between 22.00 – 07.00 and on public holidays.
  Departure and arrival transfers at rail station on Day 4
• Sightseeing programme with English speaking guide
• Panoramic City tours with photo stops in:
  Moscow
  St Petersburg
• Entrances:
  Moscow – Muzeon Park of Arts, Changing of the Guard, Lenin’s Mausoleum*
  St Petersburg – Peter and Paul Fortress, Church on the Spilled Blood, Vodka Museum & tasting, Doughnut shop, Catherine’s Palace
• Standard class day train from Moscow to St Petersburg
• Visa support letter for duration of tour
• 24-hour emergency contact

Not Included in Price:

• International Flights
• Optional excursions
• Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• Extra personal costs incurred at the hotel
• Extended visa support
• Hotel registration fee payable locally in St Petersburg

Notes

• Price based on two persons sharing a twin/double room
• Check in after 15.00 hrs (St Petersburg). Check out by 12.00 hours
• Accommodation subject to availability and may be substituted with similar grade hotels
• Please ask for supplement to upgrade your room type
• Tour days, itinerary and timings may vary according to local conditions and substitutions may be made if necessary
• Optional tours are subject to availability / local conditions and may be substituted 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 may incur a higher extended visa support letter fee) – check with us for details.
• Russian Visa – most tourists require a visa for Russia.
• Please check with your nearest Consulate for details of how to apply
• Important – remember to apply for your visa at least 1 month prior to travel
• Please ask us if you wish to extend your stay in Russia

* For VISA FREE TRAVEL please see our Visa Free Tours by ferry from Helsinki to St Petersburg