Kiev and Classic Russia

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

° 2 night accommodation in Kiev

° 3 night accommodation in Moscow

° 4 nights accommodation  in St. Petersburg

° Breakfast daily

° Entrance fees as per program

° Transportation by private vehicles as per itinerary

° Day train ticket Moscow - St. Petersburg, economy class

° Private English speaking guide

Day 1   Wednesday / Kiev

Arrive Kiev, private transfer to the hotel.

Day 2    Thursday / Kiev  City Tour

Kyiv (also known as Kiev), a scenic city of close to 3 million people situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine. The art and architecture of Kiev are world treasures. The Cathedral of St. Sophia has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. The majestic 13-domed church was named after the famous St Sophia Cathedral located in Constantinople. The Cathedral was built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise to commemorate the victory over the Pechenegs (Asian nomadic tribes) and glorify Christianity. Overlooking the old section of Kiev stands the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew. Close to the center of town is the Golden Gate, a structure which dates back to 1037. This recently reconstructed remains of the former fortified wall of the city defined the limits of the city in centuries past.

Afternoon visit Kiev-Pechersk Monastery."Lavra" is the most famous monastery in the region.Founded in 1051 the primary goal of the monastery was to spread the newly adopted Christian religion. Monks worshipped and lived and were buried in the caves which still can be visited. Other buildings and churches which are significant in Ukrainian and Russian history, include: The Church of the Savior of Berestovo (12th c.), the burial site for Yuri Dolgoruky the founder of Moscow, The Holy Trinity. (B)

Day 3    Friday / Kiev - Moscow

In the morning visit the  National Architecture museum in the town Pirogivo. Three hundred ancient rural huts, collected from all over Ukraine can be seen in Pirogovo. The majority of them were moved to the museum and then reconstructed. Huts, wooden churches, water and wind mills, also clothes, kitchen utensils dating back to the period of 17th beginning of the 20th century give to every visitor a realistic impression of the travel in time. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Moscow. Upon arrival airport transfer to the hotel. (B)

Day 4    Saturday / Moscow

Morning tour of Kremlin – the symbol of Moscow and Russia. You might be surprised how many ancient and magnificent structures one can see within its walls: 15th century cathedrals (the coronation, wedding and bury place of Russian rulers), bell-tower, Patriach’s Palace, Grand Kremlin Palace and the Armoury. The Armoury has a fantastic collection of insignia of Imperial power, precious clothes, ceremonial harness and unique collection of imperial carriages. The 17th century throne of Alexei Romanov covered  with a mosaic of turquoises and 900 diamonds, a pheloneon of Metropolitan Platon  decorated with 150,000 pearls (it took the embroiderer 2 years to work on the pattern!), the famous Faberge eggs  – one help admiring the priceless and luxurious items. Visit the 15th century cathedrals with fantastic interiors. In the afternoon visit Izmaylovo, one of the oldest parts of Moscow. The complex includes trade town with streets of private booth-shops where you can buy traditional Russian crafts objects – famous matryoshkas, wood-carvings, Russian Army uniforms, badges, etc. and visit traditional workshops where you see the process of creation of handicraft items.(B) 

Day 5   Sunday / Moscow

Morning tour starting at the heart of Moscow – Red Square. Originally a commercial centre, Red Square has been at the very centre of Russian history since the 15th century, from Ivan the Terrible’s confession of his misdeeds to the people in 1550, to great demonstrations, executions and the great parades of the Soviet Union’s military might. The magnificent square encompasses an area of over 70,000 square metres and is bounded by the Kremlin walls, St.Basil’s cathedral, the Historical museum and GUM department store, the shopping arcade, that was completed in 1893. At the southern end of Red Square is the almost fairy-tale like building of St Basil’s cathedral, commissioned in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible.Legend is that the architect was later blinded so that he could never repeat such a building. It is comprised of many colourful domes situated over nine chapels; the interior is full of 16th and 17th century icons, frescoes and ceiling paintings. Enjoy the sights of Moscow passing the main streets and boulevards of the ancient city, that is 855 years old. Visit Sparrow hills, from where you can overlook most of the city. Pass the New Maiden Convent one of the most beautiful buildings, with 16 gilded domes. Many noble women, including Peter the Great’s first wife and his sister took vows and spent the rest of their lives here. Take a ride on Moscow's subway. It is not only the fastest means of transportation in the city but also a unique architectural ensemble. Stations look like palaces richly decorated with marble, mosaic and semi-precious stones.  In the afternoon visit the famous Tretyakov gallery where one can get acquainted with the best samples of Russian art. In August, 1892 Tretyakov presented the collection and the Gallery to the city of Moscow. The Tretyakov gallery reopened in 1995 after a nine-year renovation. In The gallery you will see the world’s best collection of Russian icons, as well as a fantastic collection of other pre-Revolutionary Russian art. (B)

Day 6    Monday / Moscow

Morning is free. Afternoon transfer to the railway station for the train to St Petersburg (1pm arriving 6pm). (B)

Day 7    Tuesday / Moscow – Saint Petersburg

In the morning the guests will have a chance to get acquainted with one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg remains one of the most romantic cities in Russia. Among the many poetical names applied to St. Petersburg the most common are “Northern Venice” and “Northern Palmyra”. The fascinating palaces and cathedrals, beautiful bridges over Venice-like canals, spacious squares and wide streets decorated with edifices of flourished baroque and impressive classical styles, monumental sculpture and lacy iron grilles and, of course, the special spirituality of this city infects everyone who visits it.  In 1991 the city was placed on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage. With numerous palaces and the world famous Hermitage on the banks of the Neva river, the city is Russia’s most popular destination, drawing visitors from all over the world throughout the year.   

Visit to Peter and Paul’s fortress. Standing on a small island at the centre of the Neva delta, the fortress was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and is the oldest building in St Petersburg. Up to 1917, the fortress was mainly used for holding political prisoners, such as Dostoyevsky, Lenin’s brother Alexander and Peter the Great’s own son Alexei.  At the heart of the fortress is the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, with its landmark gold spire, where all of Russia’s pre-Revolutionary leaders were buried, apart from Peter, Ivan IV and Nicholas II.  The Hermitage - is the largest museum in the world, possessing over 3 million exhibits within its four buildings. The main building of the Hermitage Museum is the Winter Palace built in 1762, which was once the main residence of the Russian Tsars. (B)      

Day 8   Wednesday / Saint Petersburg

Today visit the sumptuous Tsar Village (Pushkin) – summer residence of Russian Emperors, located 27 km from the city. The Tsar Village is a unique ensemble comprising several pavilions, beautiful lakes and gardens and a wonderful Catherine Palace. The summer palace was a gift from Peter the Great to his wife Catherine. The palace is a huge, elegant building with white and gold Baroque mouldings set against a blue background, set in a beautiful park with elaborate gardens, canals and pavilions. Some of the most beautiful rooms include the Great Hall, the State Dining Room, the Amber Room, the Blue Drawing Room, the bedroom of Alexander I’s wife Elisabeth and the Palace Church. (B)

Day 9    Thursday / Saint Petersburg

Day at leisure. (B)  

Day 10   Friday / Saint Petersburg

Transfer to airport. (B)