Day 1, Arrive in Moscow, Friday

Upon arrival in Moscow, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or perhaps begin your independent discovery of the fabled capital of Russia. Tonight, your tour director is hosting a welcome reception and will introduce you to your fellow travelers and to the fascinating tour that awaits you. (WR)

Day 2, in Moscow, Saturday

Our sightseeing tour begins at the Red Square, dominated by the colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral and by the massive red walls of the Kremlin. We visit the Armory Museum, with its impressive collection of Tsarist, Russian, and foreign jewelry, armor, and other artifacts. Then we walk by Moscow University and continue by motor coach along the wide boulevards to Russia’s largest department store GUM. After the store’s visit, we motor along the Moskva River, passing the baroque Novodevichy Convent and ending the tour at the popular Arbat shopping district. The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening, we enjoy a cruise on the Moskva River for the most picturesque sights of Moscow. (B) 

Day 3, in Moscow, excursion to Sergiev Posad, Sunday

Today we travel 75 km North of Moscow, to the small town of Sergiev Posad, founded in the 14th century. It is renowned as a center of ancient Russian art and architecture. For centuries, it served as a place of pilgrimage and as the religious capital of Russia. Within the old walled city, the fairytale golden- and blue domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra beckon. This monastery is quite possibly the most beautiful of all. After lunch at a popular restaurant, we return to Moscow. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, L)

Optional tour: Moscow by night & Subway 

Day 4, Moscow to St. Petersburg, Monday

There is time at leisure in Moscow, before boarding the Sapsan train for our four hours high-speed ride to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival at the St. Petersburg train station, we will be transferred to our hotel. (B) 

Optional Tour: Russian Folklore evening 

Day 5, in St. Petersburg, Tuesday

There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe’s best architects, craftsmen, and artists to build and decorate it. Today we visit the Palace Square with the Winter Palace, the Senate Square with the monument of Emperor Peter the Great, St. Isaac’s Square with St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Smolny Cathedral, the Cruiser Aurora, the Field of Mars, and Nevsky Prospect. We are also visiting the Peter and Paul Fortress, built to protect the city from enemy attacks in 1703. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, which towers in the center of the fortress served as the burial place for Russian Emperors since Peter I. After the tour, we visit the Russian Vodka Museum, where we will learn about the drink’s origin, about Russian dining traditions and we taste a few vodka varietals. (B)

Optional Tour: River cruise

Day 6, in St. Petersburg, Wednesday

This morning we’ll visit the world-famous State Hermitage Museum, housing more than four million works of art. It ranks among one of the largest and oldest museums of the world and was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764. Masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and French Impressionists are all on display. Tonight, join your fellow travelers and your travel director for dinner. (B, D) 

Optional tour: Visit of Petrodvorets (Peterhof)

Day 7, to Helsinki, Thursday

The journey today takes us to Helsinki on board the Allegro high-speed train (Finnish railways) in 3 hours and 30 minutes. (Note: Helsinki and St. Petersburg are in different time zones). We transfer to our hotel in Helsinki and then have time at leisure. (B)

Day 8, in Helsinki, Friday

Our sightseeing tour includes the historical center of Helsinki, the Senate Square, the Cathedral, City Hall, the Presidential Palace, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. We stop at the Sibelius Monument and at the Temppeliaukio Church. The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening gather with your fellow travelers and with your tour director for our farewell dinner. (B, D)

Optional tour: Excursion to Suomenlinna Island

Day 9, depart Helsinki, Saturday

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Helsinki airport. Alternatively, you can continue your journey and join Kompas’ “Helsinki and the Baltic Dominions” Tour. (B)