Introduction to The Russian Capitals

Peter the Great abandoned Moscow to create, in 1703, his new capital – a port on the Baltic coast and a ‘Window on the World’. Inviting the best European engineers, shipbuilders, architects, craftsmen and merchants to Russia, he initiated the impractical and expensive task of transforming a marshland into a great European city of canals, cathedrals and palaces – like Venice frozen in time and built on islands criss-crossed by canals and bridges.

Moscow was the first capital of Russia from the early 15th century until Peter the Great moved it to St. Petersburg. In the 18th century, the influence of Italian and French architects, which so inspired St. Petersburg, spread to Moscow and the surrounding countryside and it was thus that the great families of the period erected splendid houses and palaces. Red Square in Moscow is one of the largest of its kind and flanked by St. Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM department store and at its very heart, the Kremlin. Originally a fortress, this 60-acre architectural icon houses some of Russia’s finest churches, palaces and monasteries. Most notable is Cathedral Square, around which are grouped the cathedrals of the Assumption, Archangel Michael and the Annunciation. The great collections housed here in the Armoury include some of the Fabergé eggs created for the Imperial family. Other splendid museums include the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, which houses many master works and the Tretyakov Gallery with the greatest display of Russian art, from icons to art nouveau.

Itinerary

In brief:

St. Petersburg 3 Nights – Moscow 3 Nights

Day 1 Arrival in St. Petersburg, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Sonya**** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.

Day 2 St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and its wonderful parks. In the evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian “champagne” and snacks.

Day 3 The morning is reserved for an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine’s Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St. Petersburg’s tri-centennial celebrations. In the afternoon, an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum is offered. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.

Day 4 The early morning is reserved for an optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospect. Around noon we go to the Moscow Railway Station and board the Sapsan high-speed train bound for Moscow. The train ride takes us through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the evening we arrive to Moscow and check in at Hotel Holiday Inn Lesnaya**** or similar.

Day 5 Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theatre Square with Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon is offered an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals. The evening offers an optional excursion with a cruise on the Moscow River.

Day 6 The day offers an optional excursion to Novodevichy Convent, a 16th century cluster of sparkling domes, one of the city’s most beautiful groups of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow‘s most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin. The balance of the day is reserved for exploring more of Moscow individually. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus.

Day 7 Transfer to the airport for your flight home to Dublin.

Price inclusions

• Flight Dublin to St. Petersburg
• Airport transfer to your hotel
• 6 nights accommodation (see Itinerary)
• Meals : Breakfast daily
• All tours outlined in the itinerary
• Return transfer from your hotel to airport
• Flight Moscow to Dublin
• Services of guide and local representatives
• Taxes and charges of €246

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Single room supplement €410
• Non refundable or transferable booking deposit 10% per person
• Full payment due on confirmation
• 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Optional Insurance €48 (conditions apply)
• Flight times and routing are subject to confirmation
• The sequence of tours in the itinerary is subject to change, depending on local arrangements
• Taxes, charges or compulsory charges introduced after publication are not included in the above price
• Holders of Irish passports are required to have a visa to enter Russia
• All Irish passport holders require a Russian visa for travel. On booking an invitation to Russia is sent along with your confirmation and detials of how to apply for the visa. All applications must be done first online and then forwarded to the Russian Embassy in Dublin.

Accommodation details

St. Petersburg – Radisson Sonya 4****

Moscow – Holiday Inn Lesnaya 4****

On occasion hotels of a similar standard may be used.

Dates and Prices

Date	Price
01 May 2012	€1,589
22 May 2012	€1,589
05 Jun 2012	€1,589
12 Jun 2012	€1,589
19 Jun 2012	€1,589
26 Jun 2012	€1,589
03 Jul 2012	€1,589
10 Jul 2012	€1,589
17 Jul 2012	€1,589
24 Jul 2012	€1,589
31 Jul 2012	€1,589
07 Aug 2012	€1,589
14 Aug 2012	€1,589
21 Aug 2012	€1,589
28 Aug 2012	€1,589
04 Sep 2012	€1,589
11 Sep 2012	€1,589
18 Sep 2012	€1,589
25 Sep 2012	€1,589