1. DAY — ISTANBUL – MOSCOW
Meeting at Istanbul Airport International Terminal 3 hours before departure. After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures, flight to Moscow on Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Transfer to the train and departure for Moscow. Upon arrival at Moscow train station, you will be met and begin a panoramic Moscow city tour with our private bus. During the tour, you will see Tverskaya Street, the Moscow River, Poklonnaya Hill, the famous Bolshoi Theater, Red Square, and the Kremlin Palace Square. After the tour, transfer to our hotel, room assignment, and free time to rest. Guests who wish may join the optional activity organized by our guide: the Dinner-Cruise on the Moscow River with Luxury Radisson Boat Tour (150 EUR per person). On the luxury boat, you will have dinner and the opportunity to view Moscow illuminated at night. After the tour, return to our hotel by private bus. Overnight at our hotel.
2. DAY — MOSCOW
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the Moscow Combined Tour, organized as an extra by our guide (120 EUR per person) [Moscow Metro & Arbat Street & Novodevichy (Nazım Hikmet) Cemetery]. Our tour begins with a visit to Novodevichy Cemetery, where the grave of our famous poet Nazım Hikmet is located. We will also see the graves of important figures from Russian history. Then comes the Metro tour; beyond being a practical way to get around the city, it is an experience in itself that offers a glimpse into the heart of Russian history and culture. Opened in 1935, the metro has since become one of the largest and busiest metro systems in the world, with 268 stations spread across the city. Serving millions of passengers every day, it is the busiest metro system in Europe. What makes the Moscow Metro truly unique is the architectural beauty of many of its central stations. Riding the metro not only offers a quick escape from Moscow’s famous traffic but also a chance to admire the city’s architectural heritage, where each station tells its own story. The tour continues with Arbat Street, one of Moscow’s historically most important and fascinating streets. As you walk along its cobblestone paths, you are not only moving through a physical space but also stepping through layers of Russian history and culture. With its lively atmosphere and history dating back to the 19th century, it has long been a hub for artists, writers, and musicians. Charming street cafés, unique shops, and street performers add to its bohemian vibe, creating a place where past and present coexist seamlessly. You will also have shopping opportunities on historic Arbat Street. Free time after the tour. In the afternoon, our first stop is Red Square. The name “Red Square” comes from the Russian word “krasnaya,” which historically meant both “red” and “beautiful.” While today “krasnaya” is mostly associated with the color red, in old times it also meant beautiful or magnificent. Therefore, the name reflects both its striking appearance and its significance as a symbol of Russian heritage. After our walk in Red Square, we visit the Kremlin; not only the largest active fortress in Europe, but also one of the strongest symbols of Russian history and authority. Originally built to protect the citizens of Moscow, the word “Kremlin” means “fortress within the city,” which is an apt description of its imposing walls and strategic location. Over the centuries, as Russia grew in power, the Moscow Kremlin became the center of political, religious, and cultural life in the country. Today, the Kremlin is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of Russia’s most iconic landmarks. You will closely feel the rich history of the Kremlin. After the tour, return to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.
3. DAY — MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, free time until the time determined by our guide. Guests who wish may join the Izmailovo Shopping and Market Tour, organized as an extra by our guide (40 EUR per person). On our tour, with our private bus and guide, you will have the opportunity to shop at a market famous for its antiques and souvenirs. We will also visit and walk through Zaryadye Park, one of Moscow’s most beloved parks and listed among Time magazine’s greatest places. After the tour, return to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.
4. DAY — MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG
Early in the morning, transfer to the train station by private bus with our breakfast box. Arrival in St. Petersburg, known as the Venice of the North and the Imperial Capital. Meeting and panoramic St. Petersburg city tour by private bus. During the tour, you will see Pushkin Monument, Gostiny Dvor, the Aurora Cruiser, Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, the Admiralty Building, and Moskovsky Avenue. After the city tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest. In the evening, guests who wish may join the optional activity: the Romantic Canals and Drawbridges Tour by Boat with Dinner and Live Music (90 EUR per person). On this approximately 2.5-hour tour, you will be able to see the beauties of St. Petersburg under the lights. Overnight at our hotel.
5. DAY — ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the St. Petersburg Combined Tour, organized as an extra by our guide [Hermitage (entrance included) & Isaac Cathedral & Kazan Cathedral & Palace Square & Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood] (105 EUR per person). Our first stop is the Hermitage Museum, one of the world’s largest museums, considered the most important site in St. Petersburg and fully deserving of that title. Its collections include more than 3 million works of art covering Antiquity, Western Europe, the Middle East, and much more. The history of the museum goes back to 1764, when Russian Empress Catherine the Great purchased a vast collection of Western European artworks. During the tour, you will visit the historic rooms where the museum’s highlights are displayed. In our tour, we travel through history with visits to the historically significant Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and Kazan Cathedral. You can enjoy the city with a guided walk through Palace Square and Nevsky Avenue. After the tour, return to our hotel. In the evening, you may ask our guide for information about alternatives such as concerts, events, or restaurants. Overnight at our hotel.
6. DAY — ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the Pushkin Town Tour, organized as an extra by our guide (75 EUR per person). In this famous town, where the aristocracy of the Tsarist era met the Tsar’s family, the school where the poet Pushkin studied is also located. Our tour continues with a panoramic visit to Catherine Palace. Reflecting the splendor of the Baroque period, this magnificent structure was built in 1717 and has undergone many transformations since its original design. Known as the summer palace of Empress Elizabeth and Catherine the Great in the late 18th century, the palace is now one of the important historical buildings of Russian architecture that should be seen. After our walk in the town, return to St. Petersburg and free time. Guests who wish may join the New Holland Island Tour, organized as an extra by our guide (55 EUR per person). Created in the 18th century for the Russian Navy, New Holland is now St. Petersburg’s most popular island of culture and life, combining historical atmosphere with modern art, design, cafés, and restaurants. In summer, the island comes alive with open-air concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, and events; in winter, it transforms into a magical setting with a giant ice rink, skiing, and winter activities. During our tour, you will explore this creative island, enjoy a pleasant walk, and in your free time, those who wish can spend time in cafés and enjoy the activities. After the free time given by our guide, return to the hotel and free time. Transfer to the hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
7. DAY — ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport. After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures, depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Arrival in Istanbul and end of our services.