St. Petersburg & Moscow Tour Route V2

Meeting at the Turkish Airlines (THY) international departures counter at Istanbul Airport at 04:10. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, we will depart for St. Petersburg on Turkish Airlines flight TK401 at 08:10. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg at 11:55 local time, we will complete passport formalities and meet our guide. We will then proceed with a panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg by private vehicle. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to see streets showcasing works by some of the world's most renowned architects and artists, as well as the city's historical and tourist landmarks. Notable sights include Nevsky Prospect, frequently featured in the works of famous writers; the Old Port Lighthouses; the Mint; the Clock Tower; the Bronze Horseman statue; the Winter Palace; Palace Square; the Admiralty Building; and the Aurora cruiser. Following the city tour, we will transfer to our hotel and enjoy free time. In the evening, guests who wish may join an optional "Russian Night Tour" organized by our guide. You should not miss the chance to enjoy magnificent dance shows while having dinner in St. Petersburg. (Please note that the Russian Night Tour may be scheduled on different days depending on restaurant availability.) After the tour, we will return to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may optionally join the Hermitage, Peterhof, and Canal Tours. The Hermitage Museum, located on the banks of the Neva River, is one of the largest museums in both Russia and the world, housing approximately four million artifacts from the Imperial era. It holds a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest collection of paintings. At the conclusion of this tour, guests may choose to participate in the Peterhof Palace Tour. This summer palace, situated along the Gulf of Finland, is a magnificent palace complex personally designed by Peter the Great and built under the direction of the Italian architect Rastrelli. Often compared to the Palace of Versailles in Paris, it features 150 monumental fountains and four cascading waterfalls. We then continue our program with a canal tour. Accompanied by our guide, we enjoy a pleasant cruise through St. Petersburg's canals, extending as far as the Neva River. After the tour, transfer back to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join an optional tour to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) and the Peter and Paul Fortress. This area, built in the 18th century by Empress Catherine and known as Tsarskoye Selo, covers approximately 600 hectares. The main structure of the complex is the Catherine Palace. The Amber Room within the palace is sometimes closed to visitors due to heavy crowds during the summer months. Also located in this area is the school where the famous Russian poet Pushkin received his education. Afterwards, guests who wish may participate in a tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress. Built by Peter the Great in the early 1700s, it was the first structure erected in St. Petersburg and is situated on the banks of the Neva River. Inside the fortress cathedral lie the tombs of the Romanov dynasty. The angel figure atop the cathedral, the tallest building in the city, is one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. After the tour, transfer back to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we will check out and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey between St. Petersburg and Moscow, upon arrival in Moscow and being met by our representative, we will begin a panoramic city tour of Moscow via private vehicle. Highlights of the tour include Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin Palace, Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, Luzhniki Stadium, Sparrow Hills (Lenin Hills), and Moscow State University. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel for free time. Guests who wish may optionally join an extra Russian Folk Dance Show Tour. Performed by one of Russia's most prominent ensembles, this show offers an intimate glimpse into Russian culture through both classical and modern dance performances. Following the show, we will return to our hotel for overnight stay.

Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join an optional tour to the Kremlin Palace, Moscow Metro, Arbat Street, and Nazım Hikmet's Grave. During this tour, you will visit the Kremlin Palace, which houses the office of the President of the Russian Federation, the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos, and the world's largest bell. Next, you will travel via the architecturally renowned Moscow Metro. Afterward, free time will be provided on Arbat Street, one of Moscow's most famous avenues, where you can shop or relax in cafes. The tour will continue with a visit to the Novodevichy Convent and the grave of Nazım Hikmet located there. Following the tour, transfer back to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Free time after breakfast. Transfer to the airport at a time determined by our guide. After passport control and check-in procedures, departure for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK416 at 19:25. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:25 local time. End of our tour. We look forward to meeting you on our next tour.