Highlights: St. Petersburg: Sightseeing includes views of the Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Nevsky Prospekt, plus a visit to the Hermitage Museum * Moscow: Sightseeing including Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin Walls.

Day 1 - Arrive St Petersburg (3 nights)
Welcome to St Petersburg! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the ‘Dr Zhivago’ atmosphere of the Russian winter as you start to explore this beautiful city which was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 to be the new capital of Tsarist Russia. The city was almost destroyed during the 900 day siege in the Second World War but since then the city’s magnificent buildings have been carefully restored. This evening we will enjoy a wonderful welcome to Russia at a convivial dinner with champagne and vodka – an excellent way to get to know your fellow travelling companions and Tour Director. (Welcome Dinner). Hotel: Park Inn Pribaltiskaya (3 nights)

Day 2 - St Petersburg sightseeing & at leisure
A guided morning sightseeing tour includes views of the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter and Paul fortress, the Russian museum and the statue of Peter the Great. During our stay, we enjoy an included visit to the Hermitage Museum where we can see one of the world's largest and most valuable art collections. The museum was founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great purchased a collection of 255 paintings from the German city of Berlin. Today, the Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays a diverse range of art and artifacts from all over the world. Later time at leisure and dinner in the hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 3 - St Petersburg at leisure
St Petersburg is a city of incomparable architectural, historic and artistic interest and today there is time to explore and enjoy it at your own pace. Or perhaps take an excursion to the former home of Pre-Revolutionary Russia’s foremost noble family, the Yusupov’s, scene of the murder of the infamous Rasputin. This evening you may wish to visit a St Petersburg theatre for a spectacular Russian folklore show. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 - St Petersburg – Overnight train to Moscow
Free time this morning to enjoy more of the sights – maybe take an excursion to Tsarskoe Selo, the opulent summer home of the Romanovs – they spared no expense on their many retreats, now regarded as gems of Russian art, combining outstanding architecture and magnificent parks. After time at leisure or time to shop for last minute souvenirs, we enjoy an early dinner in a local restaurant before boarding our sleeper train which will take us on to the Russian capital, Moscow, through the night! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5 - Moscow (3 nights) – Sightseeing
On arrival in Moscow this morning we are transferred from the train to the hotel for breakfast. Then with a local guide we begin our exploration of the Russian capital. We see Red Square, lined by Moscow’s famous landmark buildings, including St Basil’s Cathedral with its colourful onion-shaped domes and Lenin’s Mausoleum in front of the Kremlin. This evening we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: President (3 nights)

Days 6 & 7 - Moscow at leisure
Enjoy two full days at leisure to explore this magnificent and fascinating city on your own. Maybe visit the Treasure Chamber of the Tsars or take a trip to nearby Zagorsk - a centre of Russian art and architecture, as well as once being the religious capital of Russia. You will also have time to perhaps visit St Sergius monastery and the handicraft market – and don’t forget to try out the elegant and glamorous Moscow metro, which is more like an elegant opera house than a transport system! Perhaps on one of your evenings you may wish to have a thrilling night out at the Moscow State Circus or maybe even be lucky enough to go to a performance of the ballet or opera? (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8 - Depart Moscow
Today bid farewell as we transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (Buffet Breakfast)

Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights
Tour departure 20 Dec will be accommodated in Moscow on Christmas Eve. Tour departure 27 Dec will be accommodated in Moscow for the New Year celebrations. Tour departure 3 Jan will spend Russian Christmas in Moscow.