Russia Private Journey

Explore Moscow, Russia’s Mother City, where Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Armory Museum offer a magnificent introduction to the grand sweep of Russian history, then head into the “Golden Ring” of medieval towns with onion-domed churches rising along the Volga River, including the Holy City of Suzdal, founded in 1024. For a grand finale, an overnight train ride brings you to stunning St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s creation, one of the most charming cities in Europe. You’ll explore St. Petersburg’s leafy parks, romantic palaces, including Catherine the Great’s magnificent 18th century home, and the peerless Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest art collections. Your Private Journey includes your own English-speaking guide and private car with driver as well as a choice of either First Class or Deluxe accommodations.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Moscow

Your explorations of Moscow include St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, with its artistic treasures including Faberge’s bejeweled eggs, and the Tretyakov, the world’s largest collection of Russian art. At night, a performance at the opera or ballet is a delightful option.

Days 4-5
Sergiev Posad / Suzdal

Journey out to the renowned “Golden Ring” cities in the scenic Volga River region. En route to ancient Suzdal, visit Sergiev Posad, a town that grew around the Trinity St. Sergiev Monastery, founded in the 1340, and the 12th century city of Pereslavl Zalessky. Suzdal is a gorgeous country town of wood-and-stone houses. Savor the heritage of this 10th century gem, with its posad (old trading quarter) and delicate wooden churches. The next day, visit the city of Vladimir to see the graceful 12th century Cathedral of St. Demetrius, with its masterfully carved exterior and take the overnight train to St. Petersburg.

Days 6-10
St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, for 200 years the capital of the czars, is unique in its beauty, with miles of canals linked by graceful bridges and exquisite 18th century architecture. Explore the Hermitage, Museum, visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, one of the first structures ever built in St. Petersburg, tour Catherine’s Palace and the gardens at Peterhof. Depart on Day 10, or join our Baltic States Extension.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 1+, Easy to Moderate. This is a relaxed cultural adventure, with walks on the cobbled streets of medieval towns that should be “easy-to-moderate” for the average active traveler. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels