Luxury Russia & Helsinki

Small Groups, personalized service and individual attention equals a great experience

In order to provide an individualized traveling experience and a high level of service to all group members, the maximum number of participants on these Small Group Luxury Tours is limited to 20. The tours are hosted by the most experienced and personable English speaking (other languages can be requested) local guides. As participants on these tours come from all over the world, there is no tour leader on your flights/trains. You will be met by your guide/host on your arrival in St. Petersburg and/or Moscow.

Luxury, flexibility, something special and attention to detail

You will experience Russia at Imperial level and find that you are well taken care of during your stay – only the best available cars/buses, restaurants and 5 star hotels in town are used on these tours;  Hilton Hotel Strand or similar in Helsinki, Moika 22 Kempinski Hotel or similar in St. Petersburg and Hotel National or similar in Moscow. There are many special arrangements made to differentiate your tour from the regular crowd – special entries to Hermitage, Catherine’s palace etc. in order to avoid long lines. You will have a special opportunity to visit the backstage of Mariinsky Theatre and have lunch with a Russian family (please let us know your profession or field of interest and we will match you  with your counterpart). If you have any special requests, we are more than happy to comply. The tour choices in the program listed below can also be changed to suit your own interests.

Helsinki, the vibrant capital of Finland, with stunning architecture, tree-lined streets, colorful market square and harbor was founded in 1550 and has been the capital of Finland since 1812. Helsinki is  a cosmopolitan city and blend of past and present, nature and metropolis, East and West. It is a stylish, clean and sophisticated city, whose history, traditions and people invite your discovery.

St. Petersburg, the ‘Venice of the North’, with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a vast urban project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.

Moscow has the atmosphere of grandeur, power and mystery you could only expect from a capital of one of the most powerful countries in the world. Aside from its political importance, Moscow is also a cradle of culture and intriguing history with an abundance of important places to discover. Your visit will always remain as one of the most memorable things in your life..

art, culture, ballet, opera, architectural masterpieces, history

Itinerary

Day 1  Arrival to Helsinki (Tours A & B)

Transfer on your own from airport to hotel. 2 nights at Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel including buffet breakfast daily.

Day 2  Helsinki – Modern capital of the north

Enjoy a day on your own exploring this friendly Northern capital, discovering the museums, elegant Esplanade, the beautiful historic Senate Square, the lively Market Place and one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites, Suomenlinna. Meals: B

Day 3  Helsinki – St. Petersburg (Tour C starts here)

Helsinki – St. Petersburg by train (or by air if included in your international ticket)
Arrival to St. Petersburg (Tour C starts)
Upon arrival your driver & guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. Short guided orientation tour en route. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel Kempinski. Meals: D

Day 4  St. Petersburg – Imperial City

After breakfast at the hotel your guide will pick you up from the hotel and you will start a sightseeing tour of this magnificent city, including Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s cathedral, Nevsky Prospect and the Yusupov Palace, with its state rooms, private boudoirs and the Rasputin basement. Around noon you are invited to lunch with a Russian family, where you have a chance to make friends and learn about everyday life in St. Petersburg and Russia. Rest of the afternoon free. In the evening enjoy a Russian Folklore show & with dinner. Meals B/L/D

Day 5 St. Petersburg – Art and ballet After breakfast start the day with a visit to the famous Hermitage Art Museum, founded in 1764. It occupies several buildings including the Winter Palace, Small, Old and New Hermitages. The Hermitage has total of over 3 million works of art, including one of the most impressive collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. Lunch on your own.
In the evening you have a rare chance to take a Backstage tour of the Mariinsky Theatre, followed by a ballet/opera performance and dinner at the Backstage Restaurant. B/D

Day 6  St. Petersburg – Country elegance and romance

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will begin with an excursion to Tsarskoye Selo, visiting the elegant Catherine’s Palace, including the famous Amber Room. Russian lunch in Pushkin with entertainment and a Troika ride (in the winter time weather permitting) – in the summer you will enjoy a cruise on the Neva River. The rest of the day at leisure.

In the summer you can choose to visit Peterhof instead of Tsarskoye Selo. Please advise if you prefer that option.

Meals: B/L

Tours B & C continue by train to Moscow

Those guests who continue to Moscow will have dinner before transfer to the train station for the Moscow night train. (there is no guide/tour leader of train)

Day 7 St. Petersburg – Moscow  St. Petersburg departure – End of Tour A

After breakfast assisted departure transfer to airport. Meals: B

Arrive Moscow (Tours B & C)   Powerful past and present

Meet your guide at the train station and start your visit with a sightseeing tour of Moscow, including St. Basil’s Cathedral and Novodevichy Convent. Around noon check into your hotel. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue with a guided walking tour of Moscow metro and shopping with guide at Moscow at Arbat Street. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel National. Meals: B/L

Day 8  Moscow – The treasures

After breakfast start the tour of the impressive Kremlin with a visit to Diamond Fund and Armory. After lunch on your own, continue your guided tour to the Pushkin Museum. In the evening enjoy a Ballet or opera performance and dinner at a local restaurant. Meals B/D

Day 9  Moscow – Sergiev Posad – Russian countryside

After early breakfast start your trip through Russian countryside to a fascinating monastery town of Sergiev Posad. Spend the afternoon exploring this important historic religious center. Return to Moscow in the evening. Meals: B/L/D

Day 10  Moscow departureAfter breakfast an assisted departure transfer to the airport.
End of Tours B & C

(please note that we reserve the right to change this program for operational reasons)

Includes:

• hotel overnights with breakfast according to tour option
• meals as indicated
• train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg 2nd Class (if you have a flight included in your international ticket you will receive a rebate for the train fare)
• train from St. Petersburg to Moscow in 1st Class sleeper (Tours B & C)
• transfers and sightseeing tours with English speaking guide (other languages possible on request)
• entrance fees to museums and other sites
• taxes and service charges
• ballet/opera or theatre tickets as indicated

Not included:

• Visa fee not included
• Does not include the air fare. Please ask our agent.

Visa: A visa is required to Russia and every traveler is responsible for obtaining one. Visa support letter will be provided by Explore the World Tours.