7 days / 6 nights) This programme introduces the two main cities of Russia - Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Day 1 Arrival in Moscow Meeting at the airport with an English-speaking guide Private transfer to the hotel in luxurious vehiclesEn route to the hotel the guide will give you a short introductory tour of the city Welcome cocktail at the hotel Check-in Welcome dinner at the hotel strong>Day 2 Breakfast at the hotel Moscow sightseeing tour visiting the most beautiful places in the city: the White House (the seat of the Russian Government), Tverskaya Street - a famous shopping street, Prechistenka Street, the Moskva River embankments, Manege Square - a big arcade of shopping and restaurants, the Vorobyovy Hills with a city observation platform, and the Moscow State University area Lunch at one of the best restaurants in Moscow Tour of the Novodevichy Convent, one of Moscow's most elaborate architecture masterpieces. It was built in the 16th century and used to be a privileged convent for women from noble families Free time Dinner at one of the best restaurants in Moscow Transfer to the hotel Day 3 Breakfast at the hotel Guided tour of the Kremlin - Moscows central architectural ensemble, the heart of Russia and a symbol of its power. This is the oldest part of Moscow, which was founded in 1147, with the glorious Kremlin cathedrals, Ivan the Greats Bell Tower, the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell; the tour includes the Armory Chamber, the tsars  collection of presents and state regalia started in the 14th century, and the Diamond Fund, the collection of crown jewels housed in the building of the Armory Guided walk of the Red Square with a tour of the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed Lunch at one of the best restaurants in Moscow Transfer to Stary Arbat (the Old Arbat), one of Moscow's oldest streets, now a

pedestrian area Free time in Arbat Street Farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in Moscow Transfer to the railway station Departure to St. Petersburg by overnight train

Day 4

Arrival in St. Petersburg Meeting with an English-speaking guide Breakfast at a local restaurant Sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg, with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the cities founding site.

Transfer to the hotel

Welcome cocktail at the hotel

Accommodation

Lunch at the hotel

Excursion to the State Hermitage: the museum's collection comprises more than three million items, representing

the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 21st century Free time at the Hermitage

Private boat tour along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg, with a folk show and dinner on board/

Transfer to the hotel

Day 5

Breakfast at the hotel

Excursion to the suburban palaces of St. Petersburg starts with Peterhof, including visits to the Upper and Lower Parks and the Grand PaLace and free time to enjoy the park. Peterhof is one of the gems of Russian art, a town of parks, palaces and fountains, situated on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland.

Founded by Peter the Great in the early 18th century, Peterhof is the first official imperial summer residence, which is known as "the capital of fountains". There are 173 unique fountains adorning the Upper and Lower Parks of the residence. Transfer to Shuvalovka, a Russian arts-and-crafts village Matryoshka dolls painting master class. Matryoshkas can be taken home as souvenirs

Transfer to the town of Pushkin, formerly Tsarskoye Selo ('The Tsars' Village') Lunch at the Podvorye Restaurant, a traditional Russian restaurant where all official receptions are held . Tour of the Catherine Palace with the Amber Room and the Catherine Park.

Tsarskoye Selo lies 24 km to the south of St. Petersburg and is one of the finest examples of a royal out-of-town residence. The main attractions of the architectural ensemble are the Catherine Palace built by the architect Rastrelli in the Baroque style in the mid-18th century, and the beautiful 1,500-acre park. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the park Free time to explore the park Transfer to St. Petersburg span Dinner at the Russian Restaurant with the tasting of home-made vodka. A vodka expert will explain about various types of vodka, followed by a chance to try different vodka flavors Transfer to the hotel Day 6 Breakfast at the hotel Guided tour of the Russian Museum, the world's largest museum of Russian art opened in 1898. The museum is housed in the Mikhailovsky Palace built by the Italian architect Rossi. The collection of the Russian Museum comprises about 400,000 works and covers the entire history of Russian fine art from the 10th century to the present, including icons, paintings, sculptures and applied art Tour of the Church of Resurrection (the Church on Spilled Blood) Lunch at a Caucasus cuisine restaurant Tour of St. Isaacs Cathedral, the 4th largest one-dome cathedral in the world Climbing to the colonnade - the observation point offering a panoramic view of the city Free time Private tour of the Yusupov Palace. Built in the 18th century, the palace was owned for almost a century by the Yusupovs, a wealthy aristocratic family, and is one of the most beautiful palaces of the Russian nobility Private ballet performance at the Yusupov Palace Theatre Farewell dinner at the Yusupov Palace Transfer to the hotel Day 7 Breakfast at the hotel Free time Transfer to the airport Departure