Russian Reflections 2012/2013

Luxury Russia Holiday - 8-day escorted tour

Magnificence and splendour. Creativity and artistic appreciation. Transported back to an era of opulence, extravagance and architectural grandeur, you’ll discover a land of indescribable riches and inexpressible beauty. Imperial Russia has the power to leave you speechless.

Tour highlights

• Seeing all the iconic sights in Moscow and feeling overwhelmed by the rich history
• Viewing the magnificent historic artefacts in the Armoury Museum, including the carriages and costumes of Catherine the Great
• Feeling the tranquillity and immense significance of Russia’s largest monastery, Sergiev Posad
• Travelling first class from Moscow to St Petersburg, watching the scenery unfurl before you
• Uncovering the incredible architecture and monuments in St Petersburg and getting a taste of local life on the country’s most famous street
• Seeing artistic masterpieces up close at the world-renowned Hermitage Museum
• Experiencing the lavish extravagance of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin, the Romanov Tsars palace complex in the St Petersburg suburbs

Extend Your Holiday
From the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg, you’ll see Russia from a very different perspective on this tour extension. Travelling out of the city, you’ll see rural life unfold before you. Then, at journey’s end, you’ll discover medieval Russia. Veliky Novgorod is one of the country’s oldest sites, dating to the 9th century, with historic treasures from key periods of its history, including Russia’s oldest bell tower and clock tower and an 11th century cathedral.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Your journey starts at Heathrow airport, where your Tour Manager will meet you. Once you’re checked in, you will meet the rest of your group and relax over complimentary drinks before your midmorning British Airways flight to Moscow. Once you’ve landed, you’ll be met at the airport by your Local Guide, who’s on hand to share their in-depth knowledge of the local history and culture with you. You’ll transfer to the luxurious Baltschug Kempinski Hotel, which is located in the heart of Moscow, opposite The Kremlin. After settling into your room, meet back up with your Tour Manager and travelling companions this evening for a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of your tour.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner.
Hotel: Baltschug Kempinski.

Day 2 Moscow
The life, culture and history of Moscow are revealed to you today, on a full day tour that’s both educational and astounding. The day starts with a city orientation, to familiarise yourself with the famous political, cultural and religious sites of the Russian capital. You’ll also head to Sparrow Hills,one of the highest points in Moscow, to gaze down at panoramic views of the area. During the day, you’ll visit the unmissable Red Square and Lenin’s Mausoleum, before moving on to a tour of the Kremlin, which sits in the centre of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Red Square and the Alexander Garden. Surrounded by the Kremlin Wall and Kremlin towers, this historic fortified complex includes four palaces and four cathedrals, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll also visit the Armoury Museum, within the palace complex, which is home to an impressive collection of Fabergé Eggs, royal dresses, stunning carriages and much more of cultural and historical interest, including Catherine the Great's coronation dress, Peter the Great's high boots and cane, Ivan the Terrible's beautifully carved ivory throne and the Crown of Monomakh, which was used to crown all the Tsars up until 1682.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Baltschug Kempinski.

Day 3 Moscow
After your epic tour yesterday, discovering the key sites in Moscow, we’ve planned a quieter day today. You’ll journey out of the city to Sergiev Posad, known as Zagorsk in the Soviet era. This town grew in the 15th century and is famous for the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, one of the biggest and most important monasteries and spiritual centres of the Russian Orthodox Church. It’s the Russian equivalent of the Vatican, and has a complex of medieval buildings that rival the Kremlin’s. At the centre of this imposing, whitestone monastery is the Cathedral of Assumption, noted for its four blue domes and large central gold dome. The cathedral houses the tomb of Boris Godunov, a 16th century Tsar. The relics of St Sergius himself, for whom the monastery is named, have been placed in a reliquary. Pilgrims visit throughout the day to venerate them, touched by the presence of the saint, in the hope of witnessing one of his many recorded healings and miracles. After you return to Moscow, you’ll have some free time to venture into the city to explore at your own pace and soak up the atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Baltschug Kempinski

Day 4 Moscow to St Petersburg
This morning you’ll visit the fascinating Tretyakov Gallery at Gorky Park, which is dedicated to Russian artists, and artists who have been closely connected to the history of Russian art. The collection contains more than 150,000 works, including towering statues in the gallery grounds, and features masterpieces by world-renowned artists including Kandinsky, Chagall and Malevich. After this cultural highlight, you’ll transfer to the station to board the first class carriage on the train to St Petersburg. Once you arrive, you’ll be whisked off to your hotel, the Rocco Forte’s Astoria, for the next four nights. This superb 1920’s building has been thoughtfully and luxuriously restored to offer an authentic Russian experience. In the centre of the city, opposite St Isaac’s Cathedral, it’s close to all the main sites, so it’s easy to wander out and familiarise yourself with St Petersburg before tomorrow’s sightseeing tour.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Astoria.

Day 5 St Petersburg
There’s just so much to see in this beautiful city and, today, a morning orientation tour will introduce you to the most iconic sights, including St Isaac’s Cathedral, whose gilded dome dominates the St Petersburg skyline, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter the Great, the Church of the Spilled Blood and the Admiralty Building with its spire soaring more than 60 metres into the sky. You’ll pass along Nevsky Prospect, which is possibly Russia’s most famous street, with its host of gardens, shops and cafés, and see the stunning views of the Baroque architecture over the city’s famous waterways. Later in the day, you’ll cross the River Neva onto Hare’s Island to tour the Fortress of Peter and Paul. Built in 1723, the Fortress was named after the city’s saints and houses the remains of Tsar Nicholas II.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Astoria.

Day 6 St Petersburg
This morning, we’ve lined up a visit to the world renowned Hermitage Museum, which is located in the impressive Winter Palace of Catherine the Great. The Hermitage was founded in 1764 and is one of the biggest museums in the world. It holds a collection of over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces by Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt, Rubens and various French Impressionists. This afternoon, you’re free to do as you please. You can either wander through St Petersburg, drinking in the sites at your own pace. You can simply relax in your hotel, or you can ask your Tour Manager to either suggest some activities, or book an optional excursion. There are a large number of palaces and museums to explore, including Yusupov Palace where Rasputin was famously murdered, as well as plenty of wonderful parks and gardens. If you’d like to see the city from a different perspective, you could choose a relaxing canal boat trip instead.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Astoria

Day 7 St Petersburg
Today you’ll venture further afield, on a trip out to Pushkin, 30 km south of St Petersburg, otherwise known as Tsarskoe Selo. One of the suburban estates of the Romanov Tsars, this exceptional 18th century palace demonstrates the grandeur and extravagance of the Imperial rulers, and includes extensive landscaped gardens adorned with decorative architecture. Built for Empress Elizabeth, Catherine’s Palace is the highlight of today’s tour. A lavish masterpiece of Russian baroque, the palace was the official royal residence in the 18th century. Although greatly damaged in World War II, it has been wonderfully restored. Your tour continues on to visit the impressive Pavlovsk Park, the country residence of the Russian imperial family, whose design reflects the main trends in eighteenth and nineteenth century European garden design. You’ll then be driven back to St Petersburg, where there’s time to freshen up before gathering together with your Tour Manager and travelling companions to share experiences and favourite memories over a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Astoria

Day 8 Arrive Heathrow
After breakfast, relax in your hotel, or pop into St Petersburg for some last minute sightseeing or shopping before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK. You’ll arrive early evening, enriched and inspired by your adventures.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616