Elegant Russia Tour with Turkish Airlines, 5 Nights 6 Days, LED-VKO
Day 1 ISTANBUL – ST PETERSBURG
We meet at Istanbul Airport, in the international departures terminal, three hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to St. Petersburg begins with Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, which is considered the Venice of the North and the Imperial Capital of Russia, we carry out our city tour. We see panoramically Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s Champs Elysees; Palace Square, where the Winter Palace is located and where the first Russian revolution began in 1905; the Hermitage Museum, which has the world’s largest art collection; the Aurora Cruiser, symbol of the revolution; the Old Port lighthouses; Peter and Paul Fortress Cathedral; Kazan and St. Isaac cathedrals; the arts square; and the Bronze Horseman monument of Peter the Great. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in St. Petersburg and free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 2 ST PETERSBURG
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for our Pushkin Town & Peterhof Palace Park & Catherine Palace tour. Located on the Gulf of Finland, the summer palace that Peter had built by Italian architect Rastrelli after drawing the plans himself is a magnificent complex with a building that rivals Versailles in Paris, gardens adorned with 150 monumental fountains and 4 waterfalls. Although it suffered major damage during World War II, it has been restored in full splendor, remaining faithful to its original architecture. After our Peterhof tour, free time for lunch and then we head out for the Pushkin Town & Catherine Palace tour. The park, palace, and building complex commissioned by Catherine the Great in the 18th century, known as Tsar’s Town. Covering an area of 600 hectares, the town’s main building is Catherine Palace. Although the Amber Room here is extremely interesting, due to the crowds especially in the summer months, it cannot be visited by many tourists. In this famous town where the aristocracy of the Tsarist era met the Tsar family, there is also the school where the famous poet Pushkin studied. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in St. Petersburg and free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 3 ST PETERSBURG
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for the Hermitage Palace and Cathedrals Tour. First, we go to the Hermitage Museum, one of the most splendid museums in St. Petersburg. As we tour this magnificent palace complex in the heart of the city, we have the opportunity to see both the splendor of the Tsarist era and the world’s most valuable works of art up close. The Hermitage Museum, located next to the Neva River and housing approximately 4 million works from the Tsarist period, is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia, and has entered the Guinness Book of Records because it contains the largest collection of paintings. As we wander among works by many great masters from Leonardo da Vinci to Rembrandt, we embark on an enjoyable journey into the depths of history. After our museum visit, we take a short walk to St. Isaac’s Cathedral. We admire the panoramic view of the city from this structure that fascinates us with its massive columns and golden dome. Then we head to Kazan Cathedral; this impressive structure on Nevsky Boulevard captivates us with both its architecture and its spiritual atmosphere. We take a short break in the peaceful atmosphere inside the cathedral and respectfully observe the worship of the local people. As the final stop of the day, we visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which has become a symbol of St. Petersburg with its colorful domes. We feel a mesmerizing atmosphere in its mosaic-adorned interior. Here we have the opportunity to take plenty of photos. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in St. Petersburg and free time for gala dinner preparations. At the time announced by our guide, departure for our Evening Dinner Russian Night tour. After dinner at Troyka, one of Russia’s most famous restaurants in “cabaret” style, accompanied by the mesmerizing dance performances of the Russian dance team, transfer to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 4 ST PETERSBURG – MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out from the rooms and transfer to the train station for our train journey to Moscow. After our arrival in Moscow, we depart for our Moscow city tour with our private bus waiting for us. The historical center that has witnessed political and social upheavals, Red Square; the colorful onion-shaped domes of the interesting St. Basil’s Cathedral located here; the Kremlin Palace; the Bolshoi Theatre; Tverskaya Street; Gorky Park; Novodevichy Monastery; Swan Lake; Luzhniki Stadium; Sparrow Hills; and finally Moscow University are among the places to be seen panoramically. Then we continue the day with the Kremlin Cathedrals Tour. We will begin our tour by learning the construction history of the fortress on Borovitsky Hill, and we will walk together through the narrow streets and wide squares of the ancient city. We will admire the magnificent architectural structures and have the opportunity to see up close the splendid Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon, unique masterpieces of casting art. Then, we will discover all the splendor of the enchanting Cathedral Square, surrounded by temples, palaces, and bell towers shaped by the elegant touches of Italian architects and the centuries-long efforts of Russian masters. Our tour will end with an unforgettable finale as we visit one of the historical cathedrals in the Moscow Kremlin, where we will deeply feel the spirit of the past. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Moscow and free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 5 MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, at the time to be announced by our guide, departure for the Husky Park Tour. After an approximately 1-hour journey from Moscow, we arrive at Husky Park, where we will begin spending time with these adorable friends who hold a very important place in Russian culture. With their wolf-like appearance, huskies are among the friendliest dog breeds. They never harm a person, do not bite or show aggression, which makes them unsuitable as guard dogs. However, sledding with huskies, who are unmatched when it comes to pulling sleds, is a unique experience that is great fun for both people and dogs. Huskies love running, and this physical activity is also very beneficial for their health. A sled team usually consists of 5-6 dogs and is led by an experienced lead dog. We will also be part of this wonderful experience; we will play with the huskies, feed them, and take a sled tour led by the huskies. After our tour, we return to Moscow and carry out our Arbat Street & Nazım Hikmet Cemetery tour. Arbat Street, passing through the center of Moscow, is a traffic-free road that everyone who visits this city stops by at least once and enjoys walking from one end to the other. Here, you can browse the colorful shop windows and taste the finest examples of Russian and world cuisines. Then we will visit the grave of the great poet Nazım Hikmet. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Moscow and free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 6 MOSCOW – ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. After free time, transfer to the airport at the time to be indicated by our guide. Flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Upon our arrival at Istanbul Airport, the end of our tour and services.
NOTE
Museum and Archaeological Site Entrance Fees: Hermitage Museum + Catherine Palace + Husky Park + Local Guides
Per Person: 150 Euro
It is mandatory to be paid to our guide during the tour
FLIGHT DETAILS
17 MARCH TK401 IST-LED 09:10-13:00
22 MARCH TK416 VKO-IST 20:10-00:20*
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1- General Conditions are an integral part of the tour program and cannot be considered independently of it.
2- If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip; DGNTRAVEL may cancel the tour up to 21 days before the departure date. In such a case, the cancellation information is communicated to the guest. The full tour price will be refunded to the guest. For the refund of additional services purchased outside the tour; the domestic connecting flight purchased from DGNTRAVEL will also be refunded to the guest, but if a visa application has been made on behalf of the guest using visa service or travel health insurance, these services will have been used and therefore cannot be refunded to the guest; if no visa application has been made, the visa and travel health insurance will also be canceled and refunded. If the guest purchased the domestic connecting flight from a different product provider independent of DGNTRAVEL, in the event that the trip is canceled by DGNTRAVEL, the guest cannot request any refund from DGNTRAVEL. The guest accepts in advance, at the time of purchasing the tour, any financial or moral losses that may arise due to the cancellation of the tour, and DGNTRAVEL cannot be held responsible.
3- If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, DGNTRAVEL has the right to not cancel the tour in good faith. In this case, since the tour will be provided individually for the guest, the guiding service included in the package will only cover airport transfer for departure and return abroad.
Cancellation and Changes
4- Our guests have the right to cancel without penalty, provided that they notify DGNTRAVEL in writing up to 30 days before the tour departure date, except for airline tickets that have been paid for and/or committed to by DGNTRAVEL. If there are fewer than 31 days left until the trip start date, they may cancel by paying a penalty of 50% of the tour fee remaining after the airfare cost; if there are 15 days or less left until the trip start date, they may cancel by paying the full tour fee as a penalty. In the event of a cancellation request, since the cancellation/refund conditions for additional services such as domestic connections, visa services, and travel health insurance may vary depending on the cancellation request period, information should be requested in advance regarding refunds. DGNTRAVEL cannot make any commitment regarding the cancellation/refund of additional services.
Guiding Services and Extra Tours
5- The days and times of the tours specified in the program may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of museums and historical sites at the destinations and weather conditions. Different guides may accompany our guests during the tours.
6- The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of the cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, conducted panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include museum or historical site entrance fees. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, are not DGNTRAVEL’s responsibility if they cannot take place on the day and time corresponding to the tour because local authorities do not permit visits or entry, or because they are closed due to any event, or when the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions. Some tours may, where possible, be conducted by public transportation or on foot in areas with closed roads or where vehicle access is not allowed.
7- Our guide may make changes to the days of the city tour and/or additional tours, depending on the content of our tours, the number of participants, and the closure status of museums and historical sites. This also applies in the event of changes in flight times.
8- Important points to consider for our tours carried out by Speed Boats; do not eat a heavy meal and do not drink excessive amounts of water immediately before boarding the boat. Guests with stomach, back, or neck complaints, as well as pregnant guests, must inform their guide of their condition.
9- If participation is not made in the tour or meal services included in the price, there will be no refund.
About Flights
10- DGNTRAVEL is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger, and in possible disputes, in addition to the relevant provisions of Turkish legislation, the Hague Protocol and the Warsaw Convention shall apply.
11- Delays or flight time changes may occur on scheduled and charter flights. DGNTRAVEL is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. The passenger has purchased the trip accepting the risk of flight time changes/cancellations.
12- Children aged 0-2 only pay the airport tax.
13- According to airline rules; if the outbound flight of airline tickets purchased as round-trip tickets is not used, the return flight is canceled by the airline.
14- Check-in and boarding procedures required for participants in flights are personal procedures and must be completed by the guest before the flight at airports, at the relevant airline counters, or online on the airlines’ websites.
15- Last-minute delays and gate changes that may occur on flights are announced audibly at airports and displayed on information boards in the area. This information must be followed personally by the guests.
16- DGNTRAVEL is not responsible if guests who do not arrive at the specified airport at the times announced in accordance with airline rules for participation in the tour, who do not complete check-in and boarding on time, or who complete check-in and boarding on time but do not board the plane, are unable to take the flight. All expenses related to obtaining new round-trip tickets necessary for guests who miss the plane to join the tour, as well as transfers in the destination area, etc., are their own responsibility.
17- The standard luggage weight for flights departing from Turkey is 20 kg. This weight may vary depending on the airline and the destination country. If there are domestic flights in the destination country, the luggage weight on these domestic flights may drop to 15 kg. Excess baggage weight/fee rules are determined by the airlines and are not DGNTRAVEL’s responsibility.
18- For our guests who wish to upgrade their flight tickets using miles (to business or first class); after the tickets are issued, the upgrade may be carried out depending on the airline’s availability (check the airline where you have membership). There is no mileage guarantee for each flight. Please check whether the program’s tickets are in an upgradable class.
19- On some airlines, food and beverage services and online check-in may be subject to additional charges.
Other Matters
20- DGNTRAVEL will not accept responsibility for any changes or cancellations made by the guest by directly contacting the hotel. In this case, DGNTRAVEL’s cancellation conditions will apply.
21- In cases where only category information is provided in the tour program without specifying hotel(s) names and/or options are offered for the same destination, the guest will be informed by DGNTRAVEL 48 hours before departure.
22- During special periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified locations or kilometers. In such a case, information will be provided by DGNTRAVEL 15 days before the tour departure date.
23- During registration for the purchased tour; the guest must correctly enter/declare the name as shown in the passport, date of birth, and passport number in the system. Airline tickets are issued according to this information. Penalties for airline ticket cancellations or changes arising from incorrect information will be charged to the guests.
24- In order to use your mobile phones abroad, before leaving Turkey, check whether your phone is enabled for international use by contacting the company to which your line belongs.
25- Hotel check-in time for accommodation is 15:00, and check-out time is 12:00.
26- Requests regarding the room (high floor, close to common areas, smoking/non-smoking, bed type) are conveyed to the hotel by DGNTRAVEL. Every effort is made to ensure that the reserved rooms meet the guest’s preferences according to hotel availability. Fulfilling these requests depends on availability at check-in and cannot be guaranteed by DGNTRAVEL.
27- The breakfast offered in hotels differs from the rich breakfast commonly known in Turkish cuisine. It is generally served as a continental breakfast with limited options consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and for groups it may be served in a separate hall allocated to the group.
28- In some cases, there may be a double bed instead of twin beds. Most European hotels offer twin-bedded rooms that can be joined if necessary.
29- The child and extra bed policy may vary according to each hotel and room type.
30- Any extra bed and crib are provided upon request and subject to hotel availability, and must be approved by the hotel.
31- The capacity for an extra bed or crib in the room is 1 (maximum).
32- In triple rooms, an extra bed is used; in such rooms, the bed assigned to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Extra beds are folding beds and coach beds. Our guests are deemed to have declared that they accept the possible crowding in the rooms and the bed type due to the extra beds added to the standard room in triple room and/or child reservations.
33- If the number and ages of children staying with adults stated in hotel reservations are incorrectly declared by our guests, the relevant hotels may charge an additional fee. In such a case, responsibility lies with the guest who made the incorrect declaration. The hotel may request identification to verify the age of children.
34- In reservations with 2 adults + 1 child, there may be no separate bed for the child. Child prices are only valid if the child stays with two adults. Child discounts are valid only for “one child” in the age group that stays with 2 adults.
35- Daily exchange rate differences are reflected in TL prices. Rates at the time of payment apply. Your additional requests, and some extra services you may receive at the hotel (minibar, ironing, etc.) are subject to extra charges by the hotel. These expenses are not included in the price at the time of purchase and are paid directly to the hotel during your stay.
36- Some countries have different practices regarding city, tourism, or local taxes. Any such city, tourism, or other taxes are collected by the hotel from the guest upon entry or exit.
37- The road distances given in the programs are map-based. Travel times may be longer due to traffic, weather conditions, the geographical location of the destination country, roadworks, and road conditions.
38- DGNTRAVEL may, in mandatory situations or when deemed necessary, change the order of the cities in the program and the main airline to be used for flights without altering the content of the program.
39- The personal belongings, bags, suitcases, passports/IDs of the people participating in the tour are under their own responsibility, and DGNTRAVEL is not responsible for forgotten/lost/stolen items. In cases where forgotten items are found, the expenses incurred in delivering them to the country and/or person shall be borne by the owner of the item.
40- Participants in the tour are required to have their travel health insurance policies and, if they have any health issues, the relevant medications and reports with them.
41- For possible extra expenses, upon hotel check-in, a photo ID/passport issued by official authorities and a credit card or cash deposit may be requested by the hotel. The refund of the deposit requested at check-out is a transaction between the hotel and the guest, and DGNTRAVEL has no intervention in it.
Visa and Passport
42- There is no visa requirement for Turkish Republic citizens.
43- Our guests’ passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the end date of travel.
44- At customs crossings/border gates, your passport must have at least 2 blank pages so that entry-exit stamps can be placed in it.
45- Being visa-exempt for entry into the countries in this tour does not mean that you can enter/exit the country; the passport police have the authority to refuse your entry/exit, and DGNTRAVEL is not responsible for this situation; responsibility belongs to the passenger.
46- Our guests who are not Turkish citizens or who have dual citizenship and will join the tour using the passport of another country must personally consult the relevant consulates regarding the visa procedure applied by the destination country to the passport they will use; otherwise, DGNTRAVEL will not be responsible for any consequences that may arise.
47- In order to avoid problems with customs police at the border gate of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet and/or similarly damaged passports; passports must be renewed. Otherwise, responsibility belongs to the passenger.
48- Since our guests under 18 traveling alone or with only one parent may be asked by the police officer at the country’s entry-exit points to show a document proving the parents’ mutual consent, we recommend that our guests under 18 and their parents pay special attention to this matter.
What's Included
Economy class airline ticket on Turkish Airlines scheduled flights from Istanbul (IST)-St. Petersburg (LED) outbound, Moscow (VKO)-Istanbul (IST) return
Airport taxes
5 nights accommodation with breakfast in 4* hotels
Airport-hotel-airport transfers
Economy class train ticket between St. Petersburg and Moscow
All city transfers with our private buses
Moscow City Tour
St. Petersburg City Tour
Hermitage Museum and Cathedrals Tour
Pushkin, Peterhof and Ekaterina Palace Tour
Russian Night Tour with Dinner
Kremlin Cathedrals Tour
Husky Park Tour
Nazım Hikmet Cemetery and Arbat Street Tour
Professional Turkish-speaking guiding and assistance services
TURSAB professional liability insurance
Not Included
Visa application fee and service charge
Travel health insurance
Lunches and dinners not specified in the program
All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras
Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
Overseas departure tax fee
Driver and guide tips 10 Euro/person (optional)
Our partners
