Classic Russia Tour – July 9-16, 2023

Welcome to Russia! We’ll be picked up at the airport & transferred to our Moscow hotel. Once we get settled in today, we’ll learn about Russian drinking traditions in popular local bars, with appetizers and conversations about culture, life, people and much more. Try different local drinks: craft beer, infusions & vodka. Overnight in Moscow hotel

We’ll begin our introduction to Moscow with its most important tourist attraction and the center of Russian power and politics – the Kremlin. The Kremlin is a famous historic fortified complex located in the heart of Moscow. Once home to grand dukes and tsars, it is now the President’s official residence. Afterwards, we’ll take a walk around Red Square and see the most remarkable touristic spots of Moscow: colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral, famous Lenin’s Mausoleum and the beautiful State Historical Museum. Walk along Nikolskaya Street to see the magnificent Bolshoi Theater with its famous quadriga on top, also it has the world biggest ballet company. We’ll continue exploring Moscow through one of its most famous attractions - the underground system. It is not only one of the most efficient metro systems in the world but also is absolutely stunning: with its marble, statues, mosaics it looks more like a palace than transportation means. And we will go back to the surface from time to time outside to see more of beautiful buildings - Stalin’s Skyscrapers, so-called Seven Sisters. Learn about the plan of Moscow's reconstruction and the architecture of the communist period. Overnight in Moscow hotel (B, D)

Discover modern Moscow with its designers' shops, street art, locals creative spots and unusual souvenirs. We will visit Moscow's biggest art cluster ARTPLAY located at the old factory and spend some time exploring its multiple shops, cafes, art galleries and studios. We also will discover a secret spot for a great view of the whole city. Next, get ready to eat like a Russian on a delicious foodie tour of the Danilovsky neighborhood in Moscow. Check out the bustling local market and discover what Russian cuisine is all about, find out what locals like to eat on special occasions (spoiler alert— caviar is involved!) and take a trip down memory lane to discover the foods of countries that once belonged to the USSR. Inclusions - food sampling during the tour (caviar, honey, cottage cheese, pilaff, pastry, drinks) Overnight in Moscow hotel (B, L)

Today we’ll transfer to the train station for our Sapsan speed train to beautiful St.Petersburg. 4 hours on the train. Upon arrival, private transfer to our hotel. This evening, we’ll take a tour of the rivers and canals of St.Petersburg. We’ll see the magnificent "Venice in the North" from the water in the evening lights, learn about the city and its people, nobles and workers, throughout the prism of the multiple rivers. Overnight in St. Petersburg hotel (B, L)

Today we’ll start our day with a sightseeing tour. Explore the most beautiful and impressive city attractions but also get a more local taste of the city’s life. Pass by small, cozy cafes and indie bars, discover graffiti in the courtyards and by gorgeous side-streets. Walk along Nevsky Prospekt, the main street of St Petersburg, with countless shops, restaurants, and hotels. Visit the Kazan Cathedral – one of the most picturesque churches on Nevsky. Take a picture of the colorful and breathtaking Church of the Savior on the Spilt Blood, take in the cityscape from the top of the colonnade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Next, we’ll visit the Hermitage – one of the biggest and oldest museums of art and culture in the world. Its collections feature over 3 million masterpieces, representing the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. The museum’s main building is the Winter Palace, a former residence of the Russian emperor. Overnight in St. Petersburg hotel (B, L)

Today we’ll visit one of the oldest jewellery factories in Russia and explore the history behind the famous brand and techniques and learn what is the factory famous for in modern days. We will join a master-class to create our very own and special souvenir from Russia in the filigree technique! Next, we’ll immerse into the gritty greats and strange sights of the 'burg - and make some new friends along the way! Visiting the city’s oldest and most beautiful railway station, discover metro station art relics, and taste some Russian vodka in a Soviet-style bar and socialise with fellow travellers and locals. We’ll also explore the history of Russia left behind by the likes of Rasputin and Lenin Overnight in St. Petersburg hotel (B, L)

First thing in the morning we will leave to the Peterhof Palace, commonly known as the “Russian Versailles”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Peterhof is a series of majestic palaces and colorful gardens located near Saint Petersburg: for 200 years it served as a summer residence of the Russian monarchs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a setting for majestic receptions, grand festivities, balls, concerts, and masquerades. Visit the Grand Palace, the Mon Plaisir Palace, walk around 150 beautiful fountains and the Upper and Lower Parks, and see the shore of the Gulf of Finland. It’s a magical place with a magical atmosphere! Overnight in St. Petersburg hotel (B, D)

Today is a free day to explore more of St.Petersburg on our own or just relax. There will be a group transfer to the airport for those heading home, or to the train station for the optional post-tour in Karelia.(B) (End of Tour) Price:  

• 2,900 per person based on double occupancy (Single supplement $600)

PAYMENTS TIMELENE: $500 deposit due by February 1, 2023 Final payment due by May 1, 2023 CANCELLATION POLICY: Full refund if cancelled before May 1, 2023 85% refund if cancelled from May 1 to June 1, 2023 No refund if cancelled after June 1, 2023________________________________________________ ___________ INCLUSIONS:

• Moscow and St.Petersburg tours with local guides
• Entrance fees where applicable
• English speaking private guide services
• Invitation letter for a Russian visa
• Accommodation in 3* hotels in Moscow and St.Petersburg
• Transfers from/ to the airport/ train station to the hotel
• Sapsan train tickets
• Hotel breakfasts, lunch on days 3, 4, 5, 6, dinner on days 2, 7

  EXCLUSIONS:

• Airfare to and from Russia
• Additional activities
• Personal expenses, tips
• Tourist Visa (about $350)

JULY 16 - DAY 8, FROM ST.PETERSBURG TO PETROZAVODSK Today we take the train from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk (5 hours) and check into our hotel. We’ll get acquainted with Petrozavodsk on a city tour about the history of the capital of Karelia and visit its major places of interest. Afterwards, we’ll depart for Kizhi Island by hydrofoil (1 hour 30 minutes) for an excursion in the Kizhi Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture. Kizhi is one of the first open-air museums and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Russia. The pearl of the museum is its world-known wooden church ensemble which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. After lunch, we will go back to Petrozavodsk by hydrofoil. Overnight in hotel in Petrozavodsk (B, L, D) JULY 17- DAY 9, KARELIA - JEEP TOUR OF KIVACH NATURE RESERVE This morning we’ll meet with our jeep instructors and transfer to the Kivach Nature Reserve where we’ll explore the second-highest plain waterfall in Europe and typical and rare Karelian plants. The ecosystem of the Kivach Nature Reserve is unique. Apart from the picturesque landscapes, we will enjoy its crystal clear air. We’ll have a picnic on the way and then transfer to Girvas. After a short briefing, we will try an off-road ride. In the past, there was an ancient volcano in this area. We’ll still be able to see traces of lava on the rocks. Girvas is a popular area in Karelia for off-road jeep competition. Our next stop is in the very first Russian spa, founded by Peter the Great in the 18th century. Still today its waters are rich with iron and have healing properties. We will taste this water from each spring. On our way back to Petrozavodsk we will make a final stop near Sampo Mountain. This is a hill from which we get a splendid panorama of Karelian taiga. Overnight at hotel in Petrozavodsk. (B, L, D)) JULY 18 - DAY 10, RAFTING DOWN THE SHUYA RIVER After breakfast, we’ll transfer to our rafting starting point. Picturesque landscapes of local rivers along with rapids of various difficulties offer us a wide range of experiences from wild white waters to leisurely scenic floats. Vivid emotions are guaranteed today!. We’ll enjoy 8 km and three rapids of class I-II. Overnight in hotel in Petrozavodsk. (B, L, D). JULY 19 - DAY 11, HUSKY FARM After breakfast, we visit a husky farm! We will be introduced to the dogs so that we become familiar with them. Our musher will tell us a lot of interesting facts and information about the work which is involved in their maintenance and about their nature. Once we are equipped with a special belt, we will go on an exciting trekking route accompanied by these beautiful dogs. During the route we will learn the character of each of our dogs, and the dogs will get to know us better. At first, your dog might move faster than you want, so you will need to work an ideal speed for the both of you. Afterwards, we will have a cup of hot tea in the traditional hut. After hiking with the huskies, we’ll transfer to the centre of Karelian culture, called Elämä. We will have lunch and get acquainted with local traditions, crafts and symbols, in which people in Karelia used to wish love, well-being and to receive luck and good health. Also, we will cook traditional Karelian food and taste tea with herbs and Karelian pies. We’ll then return to Petrozavodsk for dinner and then transfer to the train station where we’ll take a train back to St.Petersburg.(B, L, D) JULY 20 - DAY 12, ST.PETERSBURG - FAREWELL DAY In the morning we will arrive back in St.Petersburg and transfer to the airport to return back home. (B) (End of Tour) PRICE: $1,250 per person based on double occupancy (Single supplement $300) PAYMENTS TIMELINE: Same as main tour - deposit for post-tour is $300 CANCELLATION POLICY: Same as main tour program INCLUSIONS:

• • All tours within Karelia with transfers by bus or hydrofoil
  • English speaking private guide services
  • Accommodation in a 3* hotel in Petrozavodsk
  • Return train tickets from St.Petersburg to Petrozavodsk
  • Transfers from/ to the airport/ train station to the hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch and supper daily

  EXCLUSIONS: Airfare to and from Russia • Additional activities • Personal expenses, tips