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Reader Holidays - Moscow and St Petersburg from South Wales Guardian

A tremendous value Russian adventure

Discover two of the world's most fascinating, intriguing and exciting cities. Moscow, the beating heart of Mother Russia, radiates Slavic might and majesty, while St Petersburg's great squares and opulent palaces, its parks and canals, well deserves its place amongst the roll call of greatest European cities. Don't miss this great-value opportunity to see them both in one unforgettable week.

What The Price Includes

• Return flights from the UK to Moscow (returning from St Petersburg)
• Return airport-to-hotel transfers
• Two nights' bed and continental buffet breakfast accommodation at the Holiday Inn Suschevsky, Moscow
• One night in a First Class compartment on the overnight sleeper train from Moscow to St Petersburg
• Two nights' bed and continental buffet breakfast accommodation at the Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya, St Petersburg
• Guided tours of Moscow and St Petersburg
• The services of a Newmarket Tour Manager
• Government taxes and service charges

Single rooms are available for a supplement

Itinerary

Day One

Fly to Moscow and transfer to your hotel, your base for the next two nights.

Day Two

This morning our included, three-hour city tour will introduce you Moscow's historic and geographic heart, where the Kremlin stands beside Red Square, onion-domed St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's eerie Mausoleum and the GUM, the former State Department Store, now a thriving, glittering Muscovite shopping mall. On an optional afternoon guided walking tour of the Kremlin you might discover the burial places of Soviet luminaries, off-limits government buildings like the Senate House and the Presidium, the State Kremlin Palace concert hall, the trio of cathedrals of the Assumption, the Annunciation and the Archangel - the last containing the Tombs of the Tsars - and the magnificent Ivan the Great Belltower.

Day Three

Enjoy a free day, or take an optional, full-day Highlights of Moscow tour, visiting Victory Park and its Museum of the Great Patriotic War commemorating Soviet sacrifices in WWII, one of Moscow's landmark Metro stations, and the Kremlin's Armoury Palace, where the treasures of Russia's medieval rulers are displayed.In the evening you'll be transferred to Leningrad Station, where your First Class, twin-bedded compartment on the overnight sleeper to St Petersburg awaits.

Day Four

Morning arrival in St Petersburg, the 'Venice of the North'. After breakfast, enjoy an introductory tour of the city, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, which despite the subsequent ravages of war and revolution, siege and Soviet rule, remains as glorious as ever. See the towering Alexander Column and fabled Winter Palace on Palace Square, the Admiralty with its soaring spire, and great St Isaac's Cathedral. Other highlights might include the Marlinsky Palace and adjacent theatre, home to the legendary Kirov, and the cruiser 'Aurora', which fired the first (blank) shot in the Bolshevik Revolution. This afternoon, following check in at the hotel, join our optional excursion to the fabled Hermitage museum, where the phenomenal collection includes works by artist from da Vinci to Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh and Gaugin.

Day Five

Enjoy a free day, or take the optional excursion to the palace at Pushkin and stunning gardens at Peterhof, each location remarkably and lovingly reconstructed since WWII, and reflecting the extraordinary grandeur of Imperial Court life. This evening, take in the optional folklore show of traditional Cossack dancing and folk songs.

Day Six

After checking out this morning, enjoy a last few hours in the city, or join the final optional excursion to the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Yusupov Palace, perhaps the city's finest Imperial residence, and site murder of legendary 'monk' Rasputin. This afternoon, the coach will take you to the airport to check in for your flight home.

Further Information

Passports and visas

Visas are required for entry to Russia and must be applied for prior to departure. This process is handled by VFS Global on behalf of the Russian authorities. We will send you full details about six weeks prior to departure. Passports must be valid for six months from the date of Visa application.

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)

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