KING & QUEEN: ST. PETERSBURG & MOSCOW SUMMER 2027 (LED-VKO) PC

DAY 1                  ISTANBUL – ST. PETERSBURG

Meeting at the International Terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport 3 hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket and passport procedures, departure for St. Petersburg on a scheduled Pegasus Airlines flight. Arrival in St. Petersburg, known as the Venice of the North and the Imperial Capital. Greeting and panoramic St. Petersburg city tour by our private bus. The sights included in our tour are the Pushkin Monument, Gostiny Dvor, the Aurora Ship, Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, the Admiralty Building and Moskovskaya Avenue. After the city tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to relax. Guests who wish may join the Russian Evening with Dinner and Show Program (110€ per person), organized by our guide as an optional activity. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 2                 ST.  PETERSBURG

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join the St. Petersburg Combined Tour [Hermitage (entrance included) & St. Isaac's Cathedral & Kazan Cathedral & Palace Square & Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood] (105€ per person), organized by our guide as an extra. Our first stop is the Hermitage Museum, one of the world's largest museums, known as the most important site in St. Petersburg and fully deserving of this title. Its collections contain more than 3 million works of art, including historical artifacts from Antiquity, Western Europe, the Middle East and many other regions. The museum's history dates back to 1764, when Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, purchased a vast collection of Western European works of art. During the tour, you will visit the historic rooms displaying the museum's highlights. During our tour, we take a journey through history with visits to the historically significant Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and Kazan Cathedral. You can enjoy the city by taking a guided walk through Palace Square and along Nevsky Avenue. Return to our hotel after the tour. In the evening, you may ask our guide about alternatives such as concerts, events and restaurants and receive information. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 3                 ST.  PETERSBURG

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join the Pushkin Town Tour (75€ per person), organized by our guide as an extra. This famous town, where the aristocracy of the Tsarist era met with the Tsar's family, is also home to the school where the poet Pushkin studied. Our tour continues with a panoramic visit to Catherine Palace. A magnificent structure reflecting the grandeur of the Baroque period and built in 1717, the palace has undergone many transformations since its original design. Known in the late 18th century as the summer palace of Empress Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, it is now one of the important historical structures of Russian architecture that must be seen. After exploring the town, return to St. Petersburg and free time. Guests who wish may join the Peter and Paul Fortress Tour (55€ per person), organized by our guide as an extra. Founded on May 27, 1703, on Hare Island in the Neva River by Tsar Peter I, the founder of the city, the fortress is considered the birthplace of St. Petersburg. Initially built as an earthen and wooden fortification, the fortress was rebuilt in stone in the following years. Used for defensive purposes throughout history, the fortress complex was also home to the famous Trubetskoy Bastion, where political prisoners were held. The Peter and Paul Cathedral within the fortress was built between 1712 and 1733 and remained the city's tallest structure for many years. With its tower approximately 122.5 meters high and the golden angel figure at its peak, it is one of the city's landmark structures. The graves of many Russian rulers and members of the imperial family, from Peter the Great to Nicholas II, are located here. After our tour, transfer to the hotel. Guests who wish may join the Magnificent Bridges & Neva River Boat Tour (75€ per person), organized by our guide as an optional activity and offered only during the summer, one of the most special ways to experience the unique atmosphere of Saint Petersburg, when the bridges open at night. We join our boat tour in the evening to witness from the Neva the city's silhouette transformed into an entirely different appearance by the lights. Especially organized during the “White Nights” season, this tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the city's romantic and mysterious atmosphere during the enchanting hours when the sky remains bright for a long time. As the night progresses, Saint Petersburg's historic structures, magnificent palaces and elegant architecture, reflected in the river, resemble a fairytale scene. As our boat glides along the Neva, you will have the opportunity to discover the city's most characteristic landmarks from a different and impressive perspective. The highlight of the night is when the city's famous bridges, particularly the Palace Bridge, begin to rise one by one. The slow opening of the enormous bridges and their magnificent appearance dividing the night between the two banks create one of the most impressive views unique to Saint Petersburg. During the tour, you will learn interesting information about the city's history, architecture and the importance of the Neva River in Saint Petersburg's history through our guide's commentary, while photography enthusiasts can capture remarkable shots. This special night spent among the lights of Saint Petersburg, the calm waters of the Neva and the historic bridges rising toward the sky will be one of the most beautiful memories of your journey, remaining in your memory for a long time. Transfer to our hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 4                 ST. PETERSBURG – MOSCOW

Transfer to the train station by our private bus together with the breakfast box we will receive in the early morning. Boarding the train and departure for Moscow. Upon arrival at Moscow train station, we will be greeted and begin our panoramic Moscow city tour by our private bus. The sights included in our tour are Tverskaya Street, the Moskva River, Poklonnaya Hill, the famous Bolshoi Theatre, Red Square and the Kremlin Palace Square. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel, room distribution and free time to relax. Guests who wish may join the Moscow River Luxury Radisson Dinner Cruise (125€ per person), organized by our guide as an optional activity. You will enjoy dinner aboard the luxury boat and have the opportunity to view Moscow beneath the lights of the night. Return to our hotel by private bus at the end of the tour. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 5                 MOSCOW

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join the Moscow Combined Tour (120€ per person) [Moscow Metro & Arbat Street & Novodevichy (Nâzım Hikmet) Cemetery], organized by our guide as an extra. Our tour begins with a visit to Novodevichy Cemetery, where the grave of our famous poet Nâzım Hikmet is located. We will also see the graves of important figures who have left their mark on Russian history. This is followed by a Metro tour; in addition to being a practical way to get around the city, it is an experience in itself, offering a glimpse into the heart of Russian history and culture. Opened in 1935, the metro has since become one of the world's largest and busiest metro systems, with 268 stations covering all corners of the city. It is Europe's busiest metro system, serving millions of passengers every day. What truly makes the Moscow Metro unique is the architectural beauty of many of its central stations. Riding the metro not only offers a quick escape from Moscow's famous traffic, but also a way to admire the city's architectural heritage, with each station telling its own unique historical story. Our tour continues along Arbat Street, one of Moscow's most historically important and fascinating streets. As you walk along its cobbled paths, you are not only moving through a physical space but also stepping among the layers of Russian history and culture. With its history dating back to the 19th century, the street's lively atmosphere has long made it a hub for artists, writers and musicians. Charming street cafés, unique shops and street performers contribute to its bohemian atmosphere, creating a space where the past and present coexist seamlessly. You will also have the opportunity to shop on historic Arbat Street. Free time after the tour. Our first stop in the afternoon is Red Square. The name Red Square historically derives from the Russian word “krasnaya,” meaning both “red” and “beautiful.” Although “krasnaya” is mostly associated with the color red today, in ancient times it also meant something beautiful or magnificent. Thus, the square's name reflects both its striking appearance and its importance as a symbol of Russian heritage. After our walk through Red Square, we visit the Kremlin, which is not only Europe's largest active fortress but also one of the most powerful symbols of Russian history and authority. Initially built to protect the citizens of Moscow, the word “Kremlin” means “fortress within a city,” an apt description of its imposing walls and strategic location. Over the centuries, as Russia increased its power, the Moscow Kremlin became the center of the country's political, religious and cultural life. Today, the Kremlin is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of Russia's most iconic symbols. You will experience the Kremlin's rich history up close. Return to our hotel and free time at the end of the tour. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 6                 MOSCOW – ISTANBUL

After breakfast at the hotel, free time until the time determined by our guide. Guests who wish may join the Izmailovo Shopping and Market Tour (40€ per person), organized by our guide as an extra. During our tour, accompanied by our private bus and guide, you will have the opportunity to shop at the market, famous for its antiques and souvenirs. After the tour, we transfer to the airport. Following baggage, ticket and passport procedures, departure for Istanbul on a scheduled Pegasus Airlines flight. Arrival in Istanbul and the end of our services.