• It’s time to let go of the stereotypes you might have about Russians.
  • Taste farm-to-table food accompanied with local wine and spirits.  
  • Challenge yourself to learn the Russian alphabet.
  • Plunge yourself into the experience of living in Russia.
  • Explore the rich history of the country.
  • Learn to cook savory and tasty Russian dishes.
  • Discover contemporary Russia through its cuisine.
  • Visit the must-see sites in Moscow, Suzdal, and St. Petersburg.
Accommodation

Centrally located boutique hotels

Included

Museum entrance fees

Highly-educated expert guides

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, wine tasting, 2 dinners with wine and culinary class, welcome drink, daily bottled water

High-speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg

Comfortable train from Moscow to Vladimir and back

All on-tour transportation on modern air-conditioned motor coach including arrival and departure transfers 

Luggage handling in/out

Visa support, registration fees

Not included

Air tickets

Visa processing

Gratuities

Evening performance tickets and transfers

Additional information

OccupancyDouble (shared hotel room, per person), Single (individual hotel room, per person)
Number of guests in the party1 guest, 2 guests, 3 guests, 4 guests
1

Day 1 FRI: Welcome to Russia

You arrive in Moscow. You will be escorted to your hotel. Feel free to have a welcome drink during check-in.

You will stay in a centrally located boutique hotel.

2

Day 2 SAT: Moscow Highlights – Dinner a la Russe

Today you will step inside the Kremlin walls. You will visit the Armory Chamber – the astonishing treasury of Russian tsars, to see a collection of incredible splendor, with unique decorative jewelry, court regalia, armor, one of a kind coronation dresses, golden carriages, and fabulous and priceless Easter Eggs by Karl Faberge.

Step into Red Square to visit world-famous landmarks, including the magnificence of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the exquisite Savior Tower, the Kremlin walls, the bustling GUM department store, the State Historical Museum, and Lenin’s mausoleum.

In the evening, you will enjoy a luxurious dinner a la Russe, and soak up the unique atmosphere of downtown Moscow.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

3

Day 3 SUN: Art and Culinary

Take a Metro (subway) ride with your guide and stop to explore the grandeur of its most impressive stations. Next, visit the Old Tretyakov Gallery – housing a collection of Russian art from the 12th to the 20th century. Stroll through a local neighborhood, and experience the atmosphere of Moscow as you explore shops, cafes, and restaurants.

As you are served an elegant lunch, discover and taste local wines – Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot. Challenge yourself to learn the Russian alphabet, so you can read local traffic and street signs.

You’ll have time to refresh back at the hotel before the evening program. 

Optionally, entertain yourself with the Russian National Folklore Show (the schedule is subject to change, tickets and transfers to/from the venue are not included).  Or enjoy fine cuisine at the Sakhalin Restaurant located 88 meters above the ground in the historical center of Moscow. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with wine tasting

4

Day 4 MON: Golden Ring - a Trip to Ancient Towns

It’s time to discover the variety of traditional Russian cuisine. Enjoy the atmosphere of an ancient castle (Kremlin) in Suzdal and try tasty local specialties like kulebyaka, pirozhki, rasstegai, and vatrushka.  Play the game “guess the dish,” and try to pronounce its name. Indulge in a shot of nalivka (a local alcohol drink) to help you guess. Tour Suzdal’s Kremlin, built in the 10th century.

Later, travel to the charming ancient town of Vladimir, to see unique examples of Russian architecture and fresco paintings of the 12th century. In the evening board the train to Moscow. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5

Day 5 TUE: St. Petersburg - First Glance

After breakfast and checkout you will be driven to the Leningradsky railway station to board the rapid train Sapsan. Today you arrive in St. Petersburg. We will take you on a marvelous culinary journey, to dine on dishes typically served in the northern capital, such as koryushka and rassolnik.

Next, we will tour of city landmarks such as the incredible Peter and Paul Fortress, the beautiful Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood, and world-famous St. Isaac Cathedral. As an option take 562 steps to the colonnade of St. Isaac Cathedral, to see the city from the bird’s eye view.

Later, check in to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

6

Day 6 WED: The Hermitage and CoCoCo

After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Palace Square and the Hermitage Museum with its stunning masterpieces by hundreds of artists. 

Enjoy lunch at the CoCoCo restaurant. As NY Times put it, CoCoCo offers updated, farm-to-table takes on traditional Russian cuisine. The dishes are served with a theatric flair and will convert the staunchest nonbelievers.

You’ll have time to refresh back at the hotel before the performance. Enjoy the Gala Reception at the Romanov Dynasty Palace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

7

Day 7 THU: Peterhof and Culinary Class

Today it’s time to experience the royal lifestyle of the 18th century. Let us take you on an unforgettable tour of the wonders of the Peterhof Palace and Park, along with the famous, stunningly elegant Grand Cascade fountain. It is beautiful in the summertime! 

In the afternoon we will recommend several choices from the best restaurants on Rubinshtein street, renowned for its variety of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and wine bars, with diverse cuisines that cater to every taste. Ask Petersburgers about the best place to eat on Rubinshtein, and you will get about 30 different answers!

Arrange to have some time on your own in the center of the city.

An evening of cooking and tasting national Russian dishes, accompanied by wine and Russian spirits, will leave you with a memorable experience of the culinary charms of Russia. Bring home a treasure trove of memories, which will last a lifetime, and of course – the recipes you learn.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with culinary class

8

Day 8 FRI: Return Home

Departure transfer for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Moscow, Golden Ring & St. Petersburg – 8-Day Boutique Journey 

Double room $5,050 per person

Solo traveler $6,450

 

Friends & Family Discount – Travel as a group of 3 or more and save $50-$100 per person

 

Payment Conditions:
Deposit: 10% of the price 
Final Payment: 60 days prior to departure

Cancellation Fees: 
61 days prior to departure or more: 10% of the price 
60-31 days prior to departure: 20% of the price
30-15 days prior to departure: 50% of the price
14 days prior to departure or less: 100% of the price

Important notes:

  • Strelka Tours reserves the right to alter the sequence of activities or replace an activity that becomes unavailable for a comparable one.
  • Strelka Tours reserves the right to unilaterally change the prices in proportion to the change in the exchange rate.
  • The rates may vary during holidays and not valid during trade shows, forums, summits and etc. The final rate and terms will be set at the time of booking.
  • Payment with MasterCard or Visa will incur +3%, American Express +4% to the prices.

 

Centrally located boutique hotels 

Akvarel

Akvarel hotel is located in the very heart of Moscow in the trendy Stoleshnikov lane. It features 24 comfortable rooms, whose interiors showcase modern luxury, functionality, and a high-quality finish. In rooms: special soundproofing, high-speed Wi-Fi-connection, USB-ports and X channels of satellite TV. Everything is chosen to create an atmosphere where you can relax and recharge before your activities in Moscow.

 

DOM  

Located in a beautiful 19th-century mansion in the historic area between the embankment of the Fontanka river and the diplomatic district, this boutique hotel is perfectly placed for those who wish to savor the architectural beauty and the artistic treasures of St Petersburg. The masters of the British architectural Project Orange bureau married classic English style with contemporary eclecticism in the interior rooms. In each room, you’ll find velvety textiles of the highest quality, artfully aged mirrors, charmingly and strictly designed black bathrooms with gold plated fittings.

 

st. basil's
st. basil's
christ the savior