9 Day The Big Russki
24 Dec - Welcome to Russia and the start of a cool yule! Wanting more time in St Petersburg? This is the trip! Meet and greet arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport. Transfer to hotel for registration and check-in. Tonight, around 2000hrs, our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place. Rest of evening free. Overnight - St Petersburg
25 Dec - Christmas Day: St Petersburg – breakfast
Merry Christmas! Free day. If you purchase the pukka pass today it will include additional guided sightseeing inclusive of transport, lunch and entrance fees. Highlights include a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo or Peter the Great’s palatial Peterhof and more! Tonight, it’s our Big Night Out - our Russian Christmas Day dinner and party. Cheers! Overnight - St Petersburg
26 Dec: St Petersburg – breakfast
Enjoy a coach orientation of St Pete’s. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St Petersburg on the River Neva is a city interwoven by canals and is spread across a series of islands. Afterwards, we enjoy a guided visit at the Hermitage, which houses one of the biggest and best art collections on earth. The remains of the day are free. Overnight - St Petersburg
27 Dec: St Petersburg – Pskov – breakfast
Free time in the city of tsars. Later tonight, we travel to Pskov by train. Arriving tonight, we enjoy a late dinner. Dinner and overnight - Pskov
28 Dec: Pskov - breakfast
Today, we enjoy a tour of ancient Pskov, which is built around a riverside kremlin with a beautiful cathedral. Then, steamy windows at a local Russian banya (sauna), followed by lunch. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Pskov
29 Dec: Pskov - Moscow - breakfast
Today, a short drive takes us to tranquil Pechory Monastery, founded in 1473. A sea of colours and architectural styles prevail in the grounds of this still-working cloister, where if monastic law permits, we can explore the fascinating burial caves where some 10,000 souls rest. After lunch, we have some alpine fun - ice-skating on a frozen lake or cross-country skiing. There are no mountains in the region, so a special type of ski is used for cross-country. Please note that if the weather is inclement, then the itinerary may alter slightly. Lunch and later overnight train to Moscow
30 Dec: Moscow - breakfast
Welcome to the capital city that launched a swag of bestsellers with espionage-soaked plots. With our guide, we travel aboard the capital’s efficient Metro system to Red Square, where we enjoy a guided walk of central Moscow. In Red Square, if Mr Lenin’s mausoleum is open, we’ll pay our respects to the grandfather of Soviet Communism for free. Overnight – Moscow
31 Dec: Moscow - breakfast
Today, we enjoy a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin - Russia’s bastion of power. Rest of day free to enjoy the last day of the year your way. There’s loads of eateries and bars in the immediate area - a good choice for your own private Moscow New Year’s celebration! Overnight - Moscow
01 Jan - New Years Day: Moscow – breakfast
Happy New Year! After breakfast, tour ends.
What you see!
St Petersburg - UNESCO-listed city area – Nevsky Prospekt, Church on Spilled Blood, St Petersburg Hermitage at the Winter Palace
Other sites of St. Petersburg included on the optional pukka pass
Ancient Pskov & surrounds
Pechory monastery
Moscow - UNESCO-listed Red Square & Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Gorky & Sculpture Park
What you get!
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners PLUS Big Night Out! Christmas Day Dinner & Party
7 nights 3 superior tourist class hotels
1 night train Pskov - Moscow (4-berth or open sleeper cabin) including bed linen
Airport arrival transfer*
Guided sightseeing - St Petersburg city coach tour, Hermitage at Winter Palace, Pskov, Pechory, Moscow walk, Moscow Kremlin
Russian banya (sauna) experience
Winter pursuits - ice skating, cross-country skiing in Pskov
Moscow Metro travelcard (inclusive of 6 journeys/rides)
English speaking tour leader
Relevant transfers on tour
Russian visa info
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