DAY 1

Welcome to St. Petersburg.
Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. Welcome to St. Petersburg, where decadence and modernity collide. Once you have arrived at Pulkovo airport, a transfer will take you to your luxurious accommodation, the Grand Hotel Europe. This cultural and culinary landmark is situated in the heart of Russia’s iconic port city. Positioned adjacent to Arts Square and in the heart of the city’s architectural treasures, the hotel is an ode to the country’s unique appreciation of the arts. At 19:00, join your Travelling Concierge at Restaurant Legran, located in the true heart of St. Petersburg, minutes from the Winter Palace. Get to know your fellow travellers and experience what is promised to be a glamorous gastronomic journey. Later you’ll set off on a private sunset cruise as you take in Russia’s White Nights. A unique natural phenomenon caused by St. Petersburg’s geographical location, the sky remains bright after midnight.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg.
Meal: Dinner with Wine

DAY 2

Highlights of St. Petersburg.
Delve into St. Petersburg’s religious history, with a trip to Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. Once a prison, but currently used as a museum, this wonderfully ornate building was designed by Domenico Trezzini in the 18th century. Continue your exploration of the city with your Travelling Concierge before enjoying some free time for lunch and shopping. Udelnaya Fair offers eager shoppers a range of one-off antique memorabilia, while those looking for more modern, glamorous pieces, should explore Au Pont Rouge. Why not head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening? It offers a therapeutic sauna, plunge pool and beauty salon for its guests.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 3

Ornate Russia.
In the morning visit the Church of our Saviour on the Spilled Blood, where Tsar Alexander II was fatally wounded in 1881. Next, move on to the Fabergé Museum, where you’ll find the imperial Easter eggs created for the last two Russian tsars, along with the museum’s striking collection of other decorative pieces. In the evening you’ll head to the esteemed Hermitage Museum where you’ll explore the venue with your Local Expert after hours with a glass of champagne in hand.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 4

Russian Versailles.
Prepare for your visit to Peterhof Palace in style, with a hydrofoil boat ride to the Russian Versailles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll explore its palaces and gardens in the utmost style. In the evening head for a world class dinner.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 5

Move on to Moscow.
In the morning, find out more about the history of Matryoshka dolls at a workshop on how the Russian nesting dolls are created. You’ll then move on to Moscow. Relax in modern luxury and business-class comfort as you swoop to the founding city of Russia in just a few hours onboard the high-speed Sapsan train. A cultural and political hub, you’ll be impressed by its sheer size, as it holds the title of the largest city in Europe. Head to a lecture by a local historian on the KGB, the main spy agency of the former Soviet Union. In the evening you’ll enjoy a delicious menu of local specialities at your hotel.
Hotel: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 6

A Day of Theatre.
Explore Moscow in all its glory, starting with a VIP experience at the Kremlin Royal Apartments, Kremlin Armory and historic Red Square. See St. Basil’s Cathedral, a vibrant fusion of colour and patterns. Make sure you have your camera ready for a picture of this aesthetic, symbolic Russian construction. You’ll have free time for lunch – your Travelling Concierge can help suggest some local dining options. Famous for its opera and ballet performances, you’ll also head to the Bolshoi Theatre where you’ll experience a backstage tour of the venue.
Hotel: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 7

Highlights of Moscow.
Learn more about the city you’re in on a Moscow Metro experience with your Local Expert. The afternoon is yours at leisure, why not delve into more of Russia’s unique history with a trip to the State Historical Museum? Or check out Tretyakov Gallery, which houses one of the largest collections of Russian art in the world? For outdoorsy types, there is the beautiful Gorky Park, which holds a number of fitness activities in the summer, along with screenings at its open-air movie theatre. In the evening you’ll head on a romantic, dinner cruise, where you’ll see this beautiful city in a glittering new light.
Hotel: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 8

Farewell Moscow.
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers and take a transfer to the airport. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.
Meal: Breakfast

Exceptional Dining

• St. Petersburg: Indulge at the centrally located and glamorous Belmond. Embrace its striking décor of resplendent marble, gilded stucco ceilings and breathtaking stained glass. A mix of vintage style-glamour with a selection of the finest modern cuisine, the hotel promises a glamorous gastronomic journey.
• Dining Summary: 7 Breakfasts (B) and 4 Dinners with Wine (DW).

Journey Highlights

• St. Petersburg: Set off on a private sunset cruise as you take in Russia’s White Nights. A unique natural phenomenon caused by St. Petersburg’s geographical location, the sky remains bright after midnight.
• St. Petersburg: Explore St. Petersburg in the daylight and head to Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. Once a prison, but currently used as a museum, this wonderfully ornate building was designed by Domenico Trezzini in the 18th century.
• St. Petersburg: Check out the striking Church of the Savoir on Blood, where Tsar Alexander II was fatally wounded in 1881. Learn about its history with your Travelling Concierge.
• St. Petersburg: Head to the Fabergé Museum where you’ll find the ornate imperial Easter eggs created for the last two Russian tsars, along with the museum’s striking collection of other decorative pieces.
• St. Petersburg: Journey to Peterhof Palace in style, onboard a hydrofoil boat ride. Explore the beautiful palace and gardens, known as Russia’s Versailles, with a Local Expert.
• St. Petersburg: Find out more about the history of Matryoshka dolls at a workshop on how the Russian nesting dolls are created.
• Sapsan Train: Sapsan in Russian, translates to falcon. Relax in business-class luxury and take in the beautiful scenery while you swoop by rail from St. Petersburg to Moscow in just four hours.
• Moscow: During a city tour of Moscow, you will see some of the city’s landmark locations including the historic Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral.
• Moscow With your Local Expert explore the secrets of Moscow’s Metro, known as one of the most beautiful in the world.

Luxury Hotels

• St. Petersburg: Catering to well-to-do travellers from around the world for over 140 years, the Grand Hotel Europe is a luxurious, five-star hotel ideally located adjacent to Arts Square. Indulge in its ornate interiors, elegant furnishings and decadent restaurants.
• Moscow: With breathtaking views of the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral, the glamorous and historic Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow is in a prime location overlooking the Moskva River and Red Square. Relax in timeliness ambience, savour modern dining options or simply sip on a cocktail at the impressive Lobby Lounge Bar.

VIP Experiences

• St. Petersburg: The palace of the tsars opens exclusively to you for a private, after-hours visit. Sip on champagne and enjoy the regal ambience as you explore the treasures of the Hermitage Museum with an art historian.
• Moscow: Delve into the fascinating history of Moscow by heading to a lecture by a local historian on the KGB, the main spy agency of the former Soviet Union.
• Moscow: Explore the beautiful Grand Kremlin Palace and enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to the Royal Apartments, where you’ll learn about the fascinating history of the tsars.
• Moscow: Famous for its opera and ballet performances, you’ll head to the Bolshoi Theatre where you’ll receive a tour of the venue.

Inclusive Luxury Gold Services

• You will be escorted by one of our fine Travelling Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
• Luxury Gold is proud to offer various modes of transportation, from luxury coach to included train journeys and more, so that you always travel in comfort and experience your journey and destination in the best possible and most appropriate way.
• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary, available on departures with 15 or more guests.
• At every hotel, you’ll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
• Hotel and restaurant tips are included – you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• From time to time, your Travelling Concierge will enchant you with a Luxury Gold Flourish, which is a local speciality representing the destination.
• Complimentary, private airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Complimentary, private train station transfers are included when train travel is included within the itinerary. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city of the itinerary, may be requested but are not guaranteed.