St. Petersburg to St. Petersburg (and Moscow)

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Thursday April 15: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Friday April 16: Moscow

Arrive in Moscow, Russia's cosmopolitan capital, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore. (D)

Day 3, Saturday April 17: Moscow

A full day of sightseeing allows you to contrast old and modern Moscow. First visit the wonders of the Red Square, starting with the Kremlin and the Armoury, one of the oldest museums of Moscow. Then Lenin's Mausoleum shows you the embalmed body of the Soviet Union founder (if open), before you turn towards the unmistakable onion domes of St. Basil's Church, erected by Ivan the Terrible in the mid-16th century. Next pop into the famous GUM department store. After, take a unique Moscow Metro to see see the oldest and the most beautiful of these exquisitely designed, lavish underground "marble palaces." Finally, walk down Old Arbat, a pedestrian-friendly area that's one of the city's oldest streets and historically where many craftsmen had set up shop. Dinner tonight is at a Georgian restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday April 18: Moscow

This morning visit the Old Tretyakov Gallery for a tour. The afternoon is at your leisure. This evening enjoy a Folklore Show or Circus Performance. (TBD based on schedules and availability) (B)

Day 5, Monday April 19: St Petersburg

In the morning, uncover Moscow's culinary culture with a guided food tour and tasting at Dorogomilovsky Market. Sample your way through local eateries and shops purveying borscht, blini, solyanka and other traditional dishes. Then head to the train station for the high speed train to St. Petersburg. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday April 20: St Petersburg

Today explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Sightseeing includes St. Isaac's Cathedral and the equestrian statue of Peter the Great, St. Basil's Island and the Piskarovskoe Cemetery. This afternoon you visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great to secure Russia's outlet to the sea. (B)

Day 7, Wednesday April 21: St Petersburg

This morning visit Palace Square where you'll tour one of the finest museums in the world, the Hermitage, which includes the Winter Palace, formerly the center of government under the tsars. In the halls you'll find a collection of art rivaled only by the Louvre or the Uffizi. After lunch visit the General Staff Building. The rest of the day is at your leisure. This evening enjoy a ballet performance. (Schedule - TBD) (B)

Day 8, Thursday April 22: St Petersburg

This morning visit Pushkin (Catherine Palace). After your visit enjoy time to stroll through the park. Return to city, with afternoon trip to Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Tikhvin Cemetery. (B)

Day 9, Friday April 23: St Petersburg

Morning activities arranged by your Group Leader. After at your leisure. Evening farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 10, Saturday April 24: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)