Explore the lively history, culture and architectural wonders of Russia with GEMTOUR.
DAY 01: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Arrive in St. Petersburg, the most beautiful of Russian cities that has been praised far and wide. It is sometimes called the Northern Palmira, The Northern Venice and the City of White nights. Upon arrival, meet and greet at the airport then proceed to a dinner at a restaurant followed by transfer to hotel for check-in. (D)
DAY 02: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
After breakfast inside hotel, start the tour by visiting the magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral which is largest cathedral in town to accommodate 10,000 people. Proceed to Peter and Paul Fortress. The construction of the fortress began on May 16, 1703; this date is officially recognized as the Birth Day of the city. Tzar Peter the Great chose an excellent site for the fortress – a small island at the widest part of the Neva River delta. After Lunch, Proceed to Pushkin 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 03: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Visit Palace Square which is located in the heart of St. Petersburg and is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. In the center of the square is the Alexander Column, built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon in the war of 1812. Within the Palace square is the Winter Palace, the former residence of the Czars but now housing the famous Hermitage Museum, one of the largest museums in the world. Almost 300 exposition rooms house over 3 million exhibits. The collection is one of the best in the world and includes masterpieces by Rafel, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, El Greco, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso and other great masters. After lunch, Proceed to Peterhof Palace and Park a luxurious palace often referred as the “Russian Versailles” (B,L,D)
DAY 04: ST. PETERSBURG – MOSCOW – SUZDAL, RUSSIA
Take the morning flight or fast train from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Visit Sergeiv Posad. After lunch, transfer north to Suzdal, part of the Golden Ring giving one a taste of rural Russia. Dinner and stay at Pushkarskaya Sloboda Hotel or similar in Suzdal. (B,L,D)
DAY 05: SUZDAL – VLADIMIR – MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Tour Suzdal, one of the oldest and best-preserved Russian towns with many splendid architectural monuments of different epochs. Visit Kremlin, Spaso-Efimievskiy Monastery, Convent of the Intercession and Rozhdestvenskiy Cathedral. Take lunch at the ancient great town of Vladimir, to the south of Suzdal. Return to Moscow for dinner and stay at Holiday Inn Sokolniki Hotel or similar in Moscow. (B,L,D)
DAY 06: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Enjoy a city tour and visit Visit Poklonnaya Hill and its war memorial. This complex includes a museum with its displays 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. There is also synagogue and a mosque. Proceed to the famous Red Square which is often considered the central square of Moscow and all of Russia. Visit St. Basils Cathedral and Gum Department store. Watch the world-famous Old Circus. Dinner and stay at hotel in Moscow. (B,L,D)
DAY 07: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Enjoy a guided tour of the Kremlin, a city within a city, with medieval towers, five cathedrals and palaces. Visit the Annunciation and Assumption Cathedrals in Kremlin’s Square, a testimony of the vibrant faith of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Annunciation Cathedral was decorated by the great icon painters and was intended to be the royal family’s private chapel. The Assumption Cathedral is the oldest structure in the Square where Russian tsars were crowned, metropolitans and patriarchs were elected and important edicts read out. Marvel at the magnificence of the city seeing the enormous Red Square with the colorful onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral. See Alexandrovskiy garden with the tomb of the Unknown soldiers, Catherine the Great Grotto, fountains and the Kremlin walls. Don’t miss a visit to the lavishly decorated metro stations that are unique to Russia. If time permits, visit Arbat street where the chance to shop for typical Russian crafts and gifts. Dinner and stay at hotel in Moscow. (B,L,D)
DAY 08: MOSCOW, RUSSIA – MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Free Day. Afternoon transfer for flight back home. (B,L)