Moscow & St. Petersburg - New Year Special - THY - 2027
Tour details
DAY 01. ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MOSCOW
Meeting with our valued guests at 05:35 in the international departures terminal of Istanbul New Airport and, after baggage and check-in procedures, departure for Moscow at 07:15 with THY flight TK 413. Arrival in Moscow at 11:05 and, after being met at the airport, departure with our private vehicle for the “Moscow Panoramic City Tour.” Among the places we will see on the panoramic Moscow city tour are Red Square, the historic center that has witnessed political and social upheavals; the interesting St. Basil Cathedral with its onion-shaped multicolored dome; the Kremlin Palace; the Bolshoi Theatre; Tverskaya Street; Gorky Park; Novodevichy Monastery; Swan Lake; Luzhniki Stadium; Lenin Hills; and finally Moscow University, all of which will be viewed panoramically. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time.
Meeting with our valued guests at 05:35 in the international departures terminal of Istanbul New Airport and, after baggage and check-in procedures, departure for Moscow at 07:15 with THY flight TK 413. Arrival in Moscow at 11:05 and, after being met at the airport, departure with our private vehicle for the “Moscow Panoramic City Tour.” Among the places we will see on the panoramic Moscow city tour are Red Square, the historic center that has witnessed political and social upheavals; the interesting St. Basil Cathedral with its onion-shaped multicolored dome; the Kremlin Palace; the Bolshoi Theatre; Tverskaya Street; Gorky Park; Novodevichy Monastery; Swan Lake; Luzhniki Stadium; Lenin Hills; and finally Moscow University, all of which will be viewed panoramically. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time.
DAY 02. MOSCOW
After breakfast at our hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the extra Kremlin Palace & Moscow Metro & Arbat & Nazım Hikmet’s Grave Tour. The Kremlin, where Russian President Vladimir Putin also has his working office, houses the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, considered the most important church in Moscow since the 14th century, as well as the world’s largest bell. We will continue our tour with the Moscow Metro. Started by Stalin in 1931, the Moscow Metro may today be compared in size with the New York, Paris, or London metros, yet it is widely accepted as the most beautiful metro in the world in terms of interior architecture and decoration. Arbat Street, which runs through the middle of Moscow, is a car-free road that everyone who comes to this city visits at least once and enjoys walking from one end to the other. Here you can browse the colorful shop windows, taste the finest examples of Russian and international cuisine, sit in stylish cafés that would not be out of place in Paris, and most pleasantly of all, sit on a bench and watch Russians who are absorbed in the flow of life. If you want to get a Moscow souvenir, this street is the right place. Afterwards, we will continue our tour with Nazım Hikmet’s grave. We will leave our hotel for a visit to Novodevichy Monastery (Nazım Hikmet’s grave is also located here). Novodevichy, one of Russia’s most important monasteries, was founded in 1524 and over time became the place where many would-be empresses lost their star. Although it was intended to be demolished on Napoleon’s orders in 1812, the nuns managed to prevent this decision. As part of the visit, we will see the grave of Nazım Hikmet located inside the monastery. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
After breakfast at our hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the extra Kremlin Palace & Moscow Metro & Arbat & Nazım Hikmet’s Grave Tour. The Kremlin, where Russian President Vladimir Putin also has his working office, houses the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, considered the most important church in Moscow since the 14th century, as well as the world’s largest bell. We will continue our tour with the Moscow Metro. Started by Stalin in 1931, the Moscow Metro may today be compared in size with the New York, Paris, or London metros, yet it is widely accepted as the most beautiful metro in the world in terms of interior architecture and decoration. Arbat Street, which runs through the middle of Moscow, is a car-free road that everyone who comes to this city visits at least once and enjoys walking from one end to the other. Here you can browse the colorful shop windows, taste the finest examples of Russian and international cuisine, sit in stylish cafés that would not be out of place in Paris, and most pleasantly of all, sit on a bench and watch Russians who are absorbed in the flow of life. If you want to get a Moscow souvenir, this street is the right place. Afterwards, we will continue our tour with Nazım Hikmet’s grave. We will leave our hotel for a visit to Novodevichy Monastery (Nazım Hikmet’s grave is also located here). Novodevichy, one of Russia’s most important monasteries, was founded in 1524 and over time became the place where many would-be empresses lost their star. Although it was intended to be demolished on Napoleon’s orders in 1812, the nuns managed to prevent this decision. As part of the visit, we will see the grave of Nazım Hikmet located inside the monastery. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
DAY 03. MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out of the rooms and transfer to the train station. After our train journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg, upon arrival and being met, we depart by private vehicle for the “St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour.” On the panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see the avenues where the finest examples of the world’s most famous architects and artists are displayed, as well as the historical and touristic places of the city. Famous Nevsky Prospect, featured in the books of well-known authors; Old Port Lighthouses; Mint; Clock Tower; the Statue of Peter the Great; Winter Palace; Palace Square; Admiralty Building; and the Aurora Battleship are among the places to be seen. After our city tour, transfer to our hotel. Free time and overnight accommodation at our hotel in St. Petersburg. At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the “Russian Night Tour” to be organized extra by our guide. You should not miss the chance to have dinner in St. Petersburg and watch magnificent dance shows. (The Russian Night Tour may be organized on different days depending on the restaurant’s availability.) After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out of the rooms and transfer to the train station. After our train journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg, upon arrival and being met, we depart by private vehicle for the “St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour.” On the panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see the avenues where the finest examples of the world’s most famous architects and artists are displayed, as well as the historical and touristic places of the city. Famous Nevsky Prospect, featured in the books of well-known authors; Old Port Lighthouses; Mint; Clock Tower; the Statue of Peter the Great; Winter Palace; Palace Square; Admiralty Building; and the Aurora Battleship are among the places to be seen. After our city tour, transfer to our hotel. Free time and overnight accommodation at our hotel in St. Petersburg. At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the “Russian Night Tour” to be organized extra by our guide. You should not miss the chance to have dinner in St. Petersburg and watch magnificent dance shows. (The Russian Night Tour may be organized on different days depending on the restaurant’s availability.) After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
DAY 04. ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the extra “Hermitage, Peter and Paul, and Canal Tours.” The Hermitage, located next to the Neva River and containing approximately 4 million works from the Tsarist era, is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia. Because it houses the largest collection of paintings, it has also been included in the Guinness Book of Records. Then, guided by our tour leader, we will begin our canal tour, seeing St. Petersburg from the canals and extending to the Neva River. After the tour, we will continue with the Peter and Paul Fortress. Built by Peter the Great in the 1700s in St. Petersburg, the fortress is the city’s first structure and is located on the Neva River. The cathedral inside the fortress contains the tombs of the Romanov Dynasty. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the extra “Hermitage, Peter and Paul, and Canal Tours.” The Hermitage, located next to the Neva River and containing approximately 4 million works from the Tsarist era, is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia. Because it houses the largest collection of paintings, it has also been included in the Guinness Book of Records. Then, guided by our tour leader, we will begin our canal tour, seeing St. Petersburg from the canals and extending to the Neva River. After the tour, we will continue with the Peter and Paul Fortress. Built by Peter the Great in the 1700s in St. Petersburg, the fortress is the city’s first structure and is located on the Neva River. The cathedral inside the fortress contains the tombs of the Romanov Dynasty. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
DAY 05. ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the optional “Peterhof and Pushkin Tsar Town Tours.” On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the summer palace located in the Gulf of Finland, which Peter had Italian architect Rastrelli build after drawing the plans himself. A rival to Versailles in Paris, it is a magnificent palace complex with 150 monumental fountains and gardens adorned with 4 waterfalls. Although it suffered great damage during World War II, it was restored in full splendor while remaining faithful to its original architecture. Afterwards, the park, palace, and building complex built by Catherine in the 18th century and known as Tsar Town covers an area of 600 hectares, and its main building is Catherine Palace. Although the Amber Room here is extremely interesting, due to the heavy crowds especially in the summer months, many tourists may not be able to visit it. In this famous town where the Tsar-era aristocracy met the royal family, there is also the school where the famous poet Pushkin studied. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel.
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the optional “Peterhof and Pushkin Tsar Town Tours.” On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the summer palace located in the Gulf of Finland, which Peter had Italian architect Rastrelli build after drawing the plans himself. A rival to Versailles in Paris, it is a magnificent palace complex with 150 monumental fountains and gardens adorned with 4 waterfalls. Although it suffered great damage during World War II, it was restored in full splendor while remaining faithful to its original architecture. Afterwards, the park, palace, and building complex built by Catherine in the 18th century and known as Tsar Town covers an area of 600 hectares, and its main building is Catherine Palace. Although the Amber Room here is extremely interesting, due to the heavy crowds especially in the summer months, many tourists may not be able to visit it. In this famous town where the Tsar-era aristocracy met the royal family, there is also the school where the famous poet Pushkin studied. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel.
DAY 06. ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Free time after breakfast. In the evening, transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. Upon arrival, passport and check-in procedures.
Free time after breakfast. In the evening, transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. Upon arrival, passport and check-in procedures.
DAY 07. ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Departure for Istanbul at 00:15 with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 400. Arrival in Istanbul at 04:15 local time. We hope to meet again on our next tour.
Departure for Istanbul at 00:15 with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 400. Arrival in Istanbul at 04:15 local time. We hope to meet again on our next tour.
What's included
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Economy class flights with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul Airport – Moscow and St. Petersburg – Istanbul Airport.
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2 nights in Moscow, room + breakfast accommodation in 4* hotels.
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3 nights in St. Petersburg, room + breakfast accommodation in 4* hotels.
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All transfers within the program.
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Train ticket between Moscow – St. Petersburg.
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Panoramic city tours of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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Airport taxes.
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Hotel taxes.
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Experienced Turkish-speaking tour leader service
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Mandatory travel insurance (professional liability insurance).
Not included
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All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras.
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Foreign departure tax (can be paid to the relevant banks or the treasury desk at the airport).
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All extra tours specified as optional in the program.
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Museum and archaeological site entrance fees.
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Lunch and dinner.
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City taxes.
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Domestic connecting flights.
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Russia visa fee:
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For guests with a burgundy passport, the visa must be obtained electronically from https://evisa.kdmid.ru/. The application must be made no later than 20 business days before the tour start date. Due to exchange rate fluctuations, the visa fee varies, but the average per person is between 50–60 USD.
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Visa is not required for green passport holders. They must obtain a QR code through the application.
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Travel protection package (includes cancellation coverage).
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Note: A 100% surcharge applies for guests over 70 years old (25 EUR).