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 – 4 nights. Moscow – 3 nights.

Day 1 FREE CHAUFFUER TRANSFER within 50kms of the airport. Fly Dublin to St. Petersburg via Paris. Transfer to the 3 star superior Hotel Dostoevsky for four nights.

Day 2 A morning city tour includes the Peter & Paul Fortress and cathedral.

Day 3 A morning visit to the Hermitage. Remain at the Hermitage in the afternoon or alternatively, explore the city independently.

Day 4 Free day. Optional excursion to Peterhof Palace

Day 5 Afternoon journey on the Sapsan train to Moscow. Transfer to the 4 star Hotel Park Inn Sadu for three nights.

Day 6 A city tour of Moscow including the Novodevichy Convent where such notables as Chekhov, Prokofiev and Shostakovich are buried.

Day 7 A morning visit to the Kremlin including the collections of the Armoury.

Day 8 Return transfer to the airport for your return flight to Dublin via Amsterdam. FREE CHAUFFEUR TRANSFER within 50kms of the airport

Price inclusions

• FREE Chauffeur transfer within 50kms radius of the airport.
• Flight Dublin or Cork to St Petersburg via Paris
• Airport transfer to your hotel
• 7 nights accommodation (see Itinerary)
• Meals : Breakfast daily
• All tours outlined in the itinerary
• Return transfer from your hotel to airport
• Flight Moscow to Dublin or Cork via Amsterdam
• FREE chauffuer transfer within 50kms radius of the airport
• Services of guide and local representatives
• Taxes and charges of €203

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Single room supplement €500 (€645 Apr-Sep 2010) for the duration
• 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 €25 (conditions apply)
• Single supplement €570 (€430 Mar, Sep-Nov)
• 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

Note: Accommodation is in locally rated, 3 & 4 star hotels, which normally equate to one category lower by Irish standards. On occasion hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

St. Petersburg – 3 Star Superior Hotel Dostoevsky – 4 Nights

Moscow – 4 Star Park Inn Sadu Hotel – 3 Nights

Dates and Prices

Date	Price
07 July 2010	€2399
28 Jul 2010	€2269
18 Aug 2010	€2409
08 Sep 2010	€2409
29 Sep 2010	€2199
17 Nov 2010	€2129
22 Dec 2010	€2279
09 Mar 2011	€2199
13 Apr 2011	€2429
25 May 2011	€2719
27 Jul 2011	€2569
17 Aug 2011	€2499
28 Sep 2011	€2429
16 Nov 2011	€2199