Author : Anastasia

Uncover the rich history and architectural marvels of the city. Day 1 St. Petersburg Arrival to St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel Day 2 St. Petersburg Explore the Hermitage. The vast collection of art and artifacts housed within its walls is truly impressive, spanning centuries and cultures. From the stunning architecture of the Winter Palace to the intricate detail of the Faberge eggs, every corner of the Hermitage exudes a sense of history and elegance Take a journey to Peterhof Garden and Grand Palace via hydrofoil, enjoying scenic views along the way. Built by Peter the Great in the early 18th century, Peterhof boasts stunning gardens, intricate fountains, and opulent interiors that showcase the wealth and power of the Russian tsars. One of the highlights of Peterhof is the Grand Cascade, a cascading fountain with golden statues and ornate decorations that is truly a sight to behold. Visitors to Peterhof can also explore the various palaces and pavilions on the grounds, each with its own unique design and history. Day 3 St. Petersburg Visit Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral, symbolic landmark of St. Petersburg. Enjoy panoramic views from the fortress walls.  Built by Peter the Great in 1703, the fortress served as a formidable defense against enemy attacks and as a political prison for prominent figures. The centrepiece of the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of many Russian emperors including Peter the Great himself. The fortress also houses the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, which showcases artifacts and exhibits related to the city’s development over the centuries. Explore the opulent Catherine Palace including the famed Amber Room. Located just outside of St. Petersburg, Tsarskoe Selo is known for its stunning Catherine Palace, which served as the summer residence of the Russian tsars. The palace’s opulent Baroque architecture and lush gardens are a testament to the wealth and power of the Russian monarchy. Additionally, the nearby Puskin Estate is home to the former residence of Alexander Pushkin, one of Russia’s most renowned poets. Day 4 St. Petersburg Transfer to the airport for your return flight Please note that the tour operator may adjust the sequence of excursions and visits.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Irkutsk with GEMTOUR. Day 1 Arrival to Irkutsk  Lunch in a local restaurant. Irkutsk city tour. Irkutsk, located near Lake Baikal, is renowned for its well-preserved wooden architecture and rich Siberian heritage. From the iconic wooden architecture of the Irkutsk Regional Museum to the natural beauty of Lake Baikal, exploring Irkutsk offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of this dynamic city. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Day 2  Start your day with visit to Taltsy wooden museum. Located in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Taltsy is a historical open-air museum that offers visitors a fascinating insight into the traditional architecture and way of life of the indigenous people of Baikal. The museum boasts an impressive collection of over 40 wooden buildings from the 17th to the 20th century, which have been meticulously preserved and reconstructed on-site. Visitors can wander through the streets of this outdoor museum, exploring log cabins, churches, and workshops that provide a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage. Moving on to Listvyanka, a small village on the shores of Lake Baikal, tourists can visit the Baikal Museum to discover the unique flora and fauna of the lake. Additionally, the St. Nicholas Church in Listvyanka provides a glimpse into the religious heritage of the area. These museums and attractions help enhance the overall experience of exploring Baikal and offer valuable insights into the region’s past.  Additionally, the Listvyanka Fish Market offers a glimpse into the local culture and economy, with fresh catches of omul and other Baikal fish available for purchase. Another must-visit attraction is the Chersky Stone, a natural monument that offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Baikal and the surrounding mountains. Overall, Listvyanka provides a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and natural attractions that make it a must-see destination in Siberia. Dinner in Irkutsk and overnight in hotel Day 3  Breakfast Transfer to airport Departure to Moscow

Day 01: MOSCOW. Arrival in Moscow, proceed immediately to a short orientation tour. Moscow is the capital of Russian Federation. The city was founded by Yury Dolgoruky in 1147. Nowadays Moscow is the most important political and business center of Russia and has a true “Russian” feel. Some people even call it a “big village”. Dinner and overnight at Marco Polo Day 02: MOSCOW. This lovely morning, sightseeing tour will take you to marvel at Red Square and see the colorful onion-domed St. Basils Cathedral. Then later to the walls of the Kremlin Fortress with cathedrals the highlight of the tour. This place plays a very significant part in Russian history. Listen and be amazed in the rich history of this country. After that we will explore the Metro Stations, which Stalin called “Palace for the People”. Day 03: MOSCOW After breakfast, proceed to a city tour with Lenin Hills a hill on the right bank of the Moscow river and one of the highest points in Moscow with an altitude up to 220m( 60-70 m above the river level).It gives a good panoramic view of the city. See the MGU – Moscow State University (formerly the tallest building in Europe). Poklonnaya Hill with War memorial – this memorial complex includes a museum (its displays are dedicated to the events of 1941-45), Conquerors’ Square adorned with the allegorical figure of the goddess of Victory ”Years of War” alley and the Orthodox Church of St. George decorated with huge bronze bas reliefs.  Proceed to See the magnificent building of Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow which may be the largest Orthodox church in the world. it was rebuilt in 2000 after the original was demolished by Stalin. Day 04: MOSCOW- SERGIEV POSAD-MOSCOW Full-day guided excursion to Sergiev Possad. This town was named in honour of St. Sergius of Radonezh. It is the spiritual centre of Russian orthodoxy. Craft and production shops operate in the town where one can buy famous MATRYOSHKA. After Sergiv Possad Tour, we will head back to Moscow to visit visit Izhmailovo Market. Day 05: MOSCOW- ST.PETERSBURG After breakfast, transfer to train Station for 4hrs ride to St. Petersburg. Meet with guide, dinner and check in to St. Petersburg Hotel for overnight at Sokos Olympia. Day 06: ST. PETERSBURG Visit Hermitage, the state winter palace. It is the largest and most ornate building in the city. It houses Russia’s collections of famous sculptures and paintings like Madonna of Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrand’s – Return of the prodigal son. Visit Palace square and be amazed of the Alexander Column, the tallest Triumphal column in the world. Lunch then Proceed to Peter and Paul Fortress– the oldest monument of history and Architecture in St, Petersburg. It was built as a fortification during theRussian-Swedish war but it was never used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political prison cells. Day 07:  ST. PETERSBURG After breakfast, on to Peterhof Palace or Petrodvorets. It’s an 18th century palace built under the order of Peter the Great to rival Versailles. The palace sits atop of a hill and overlooking the Gulf of Finland.  Peterhof Palace is originally known as the Popov farmstead and from 1944 as Petrodvorets (Peter’s Palace). It is truely a reminiscent of a sparkling diamond of unique beauty. After Lunch, proceed to Pushkin Palace and Park, the main summer residence of the Imperial family from the 18th century to the fall of monarchy in 1917. Enjoy Catherine’s Palace, an ornate Baroque building palace with a blue façade and gold onion domes. Admire the White Vestibule, the Amber Room, the Portrait Hall, the Crimson Pilaster Room and its park at Pushkin. Day 08: ST. PETERSBURG After breakfast, continuation of city tour which includes a visit to St. Isaac Cathedral, the city’s largest church. Be impressed of this five-domed cathedral towering the height of 101.5 meter, one of the world’s largest domed structures. Next worth visiting is the Church of the Spilled Blood and be amazed of the architecture of this church. Rest of the day is free for leisure or avail the optional river cruise. Day 09: ST. PETERSBURG  After breakfast, proceed to Kazan Cathedral and last minute shopping. Lunch then transfer to airport for flight back home.