Day 1 St. Petersburg

At the terminal keep your eyes open for the Travel Talk sign, as we pick you up from the airport and take you to our hotel. Gather round in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm as we meet both the other tour members and the guide. Listen up for a fast and informal meeting with the leader including registration and a short brief about the adventures ahead and some country info. Optional dinner in the evening to get to know your travel mates. Your tour leader will also recommend some local bars and restaurants for you to try out.

Day 2 St. Petersburg - City tour incl. the Hermitage

Amazing St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, is built around a series of bridge-connected canals and rivers. Our day starts with a city tour, stopping at the Church on Spilled Blood and drive along Nevsky Prospect, giving us a solid introduction of this beautiful city. Later, we then enjoy a guided visit at the treasure-filled Hermitage.

Day 3 St. Petersburg - Moscow (opt. Tsars' Route tour)

Free day to explore this magnificent city on your own! Optional Tsars' Route tour is available today, with visits to Peter and Paul Fortress, Peterhof Palace in summer or Catherine or Pavlovsk Palace in winter (transfers, lunch and guiding included). At one time a gruesome prison within the Peter and Paul Fortress compound, SS Peter and Paul Cathedral houses the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. The lavish Catherine Palace is adorned with a stunning peacock blue Baroque exterior and inside offers an insight into the privileged lives of Russia’s aristocracy. Later this evening we board our overnight sleeper train bound for Moscow. Overnight train - regular sleeping cabin accommodation.

Day 4 Moscow - Walking tour to Red Square

A fantastic day is awaiting us in Moscow, the city that kept Bond busy. At Red Square, we enjoy a guided walk of Moscow’s heart. The rest of the day is free for you to further explore.

Day 5 Moscow - Walking Tour to Kremlin

Today, we tour Russia’s powerhouse - the mighty Kremlin, with guided walk through the grounds where we’ll see numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the tsar bell - the largest bell that never rang! Later you can visit St Basil’s Cathedral, commissioned by Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the terrible) in 1555 to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. The multi-tented cathedral with brightly coloured onion shaped domes is destinctively iconic Russia. The rest of the day is free. Today you can visit the grandfather of Communism at Lenin’s mausoleum. The city offers amazing galleries, museums, plenty of cafes, shops and bars all within walking distance. Alternatively, hop from station to station using your Metro pass. Be sure to take the circle line to fully view and absorb the opulence of Stalin’s marble clad, chandelier lit underground stations.

Day 6 Moscow

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, bid you safe travels, and check-out of the hotel (11:00am)