Day 1: Moscow, Russia
Upon arrival in Moscow, you are met and privately transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 2: Moscow | Red Square
Enjoy a full day's sightseeing tour of Moscow. Walk through fabled Red Square to St. Basil's Cathedral, a colorful, multi-domed complex. Continue to the Novodevichy Convent and Memorial Cemetery, where Chekhov, Khrushchev, Yeltsin and Rostropovich are buried. Later, visit the opulent, art-adorned Moscow subway, with its chandeliers, statues and intricate marble and mosaic details. Then, see Tretyakov Gallery, which contains one of the world's more noteworthy collections of Russian art. Founded by Russian merchant and patron of the arts Pavel Tretyakov, it contains masterpieces that span a 1,000-year period. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
(B)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 3: Moscow | Tolstoy and Pushkin
Visit the well-preserved, two-story, wooden home of author Leo Tolstoy, one of Russia's literary greats; the author once lived here with his wife. Among the highlights is his study, where he wrote The Power of Darkness, Resurrection and The Death of Ivan Ilyich. After lunch, you may continue to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, known for its valuable Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Alternately, visit the interactive Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center, said to be the largest Jewish museum in the world. Return to your hotel, spending the evening at leisure.
(B)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 4: Moscow | The Kremlin
Visit two of the Kremlin's cathedrals as well as the State Armory, home to a collection of priceless artifacts dating back to the 14th century. It also houses the Diamond Fund, a separate collection of Russia's most valuable gems, including the diamond-encrusted coronation crown of Catherine the Great and the 190-carat Orlov Diamond. Transfer to the rail station and board the high-speed train to St. Petersburg, enjoying dinner on board. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, check in and unwind. Or, explore downtown St. Petersburg independently.
(B D)
Hotel: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Day 5: St. Petersburg | Peter & Paul Fortress
Embark on a full day of sightseeing, visiting Peter & Paul Fortress; gold-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral; and Yusupov Palace where — in 1916 — assassins poisoned and shot priest and counselor to the Romanov family, Grigory Rasputin. Built by French architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe in the 1770s, it was once the primary residence of the House of Yusupov, a wealthy family of Russian nobles, known for their philanthropy and art collections.
(B)
Hotel: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Day 6: St. Petersburg | Czarist Splendors
This morning, visit the Hermitage Museum, designed in the mid-18th century by Bartolomeo Rastrelli as the Winter Palace of Catherine the Great. Formerly the homes of czars, its five buildings house one of the finest art collections in the world. Continue to the private Fabergé Museum to see its glittering collection of ornate Fabergé eggs and objets d'art.
(B)
Hotel: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Day 7: Pushkin | Catherine Palace
Drive into the countryside village of Pushkin to discover sparkling Catherine Palace, built in the mid-18th century for Czarina Elizabeth, who named the palace in honor of her mother. The building was reconstructed by four different architects; then, Bartholomeo Rastrelli — chief architect of the Imperial Court — was instructed to redesign the structure on a scale to rival Versailles. After lunch at a local restaurant with traditional folk entertainment, explore Pavlovsk Great Palace, an 18th-century Russian imperial residence built by Paul I of Russia.
(B L)
Hotel: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Day 8: Petrodvorets | Legacy of Peter the Great
Travel to Petrodvorets, the opulent, sprawling summer palace of Peter the Great, taking note of its picturesque sculptures and fountains. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil (weather permitting). Then, visit the Erarta Museum, the largest private museum of contemporary art in Russia. Stroll through its galleries, which contain over 2,300 works by more than 250 artists.
(B)
Hotel: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Day 9: Depart St. Petersburg
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.