A guided tour of the Tretiakov Gallery, the biggest collection of Russian fine art in the world. The core of the museum's collection was assembled in the middle of the nineteenth century by Pavel Tretiakov, a wealthy Moscow merchant whose passion for collecting included violins, birds, and milk cows as well as Russian art. The museum represents the whole history of Russian art from the ancient period until now. There are more than 130 000 unique examples of painting, sculpture and graphics, created throughout the centuries by talented Russian artists.
Start your discovery of Moscow with a guided city tour by car. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the Sparrow Hills observation platform, visit Poklonnaya Hills a monument in honour of a Russian victory in the Great War (World War II), see the famous Red Square and the Bolshoi (Big) theatre or explore modern Moscow’s busy streets and discover the rich history of this magnificent city. Visit one of the oldest convents in Russia, the Novodevichy Convent.
We invite you to visit the former top secret command centre of the Russian Armed Forces recently converted into museum of the Cold War period. It is the newest museum opened in Moscow. After entering a regular building in a quite central street of the city and a ride on a rapid elevator 65 meters under the ground you will see a real top secret military facility of the USSR. During a short guided tour you will pass through the secret tunnels, see samples of communication equipment and fire arms.
Star City is situated to the North-West of Moscow in a beautiful pine and birch forest. See the hall where real space vehicles are used to train astronauts, the hydro laboratory, in which future astronauts learn to live and work in conditions of weightlessness, and the largest centrifuge in the world. You will see unique equipment where cosmonauts train for flight, including the MIR simulator. All the crews on the Vostok and Voskhod missions and the various models of manned “Soyuz” spacecraft, as well as those who worked on the MIR orbiting station, were trained here.
Guided tour to Kolomenskoye - a former royal estate and one of the most picturesque and enjoyable of Moscow’s out of town attractions. Though its legendary wooden palace no longer exists, the 15-17th century tsarist estate has preserved its original layout and unique architectural monuments, including the Church of the Ascension (1532). The park is open for the public and is currently a huge park with options for sightseeing and entertainment. Kolomenskoye hosts festivals celebrating traditions for all major holidays.
After your guided city tour around St. Petersburg you will visit Peter & Paul’s Fortress. Built on the small Hare Island to secure Russia’s position on the River Neva delta and in order to protect the Neva lands, regained during the Northern War, from possible attacks by Swedish troops, the Peter and Paul Fortress did not actually see the actual combat until 25 October 1917. Recently this doughty fortress-cum-prison has had many of its buildings converted into museums and features a splendid cathedral containing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
Half day tour to the suburbs of St Petersburg to visit one of the magnificent summer palaces - Petrodvorets. The Peterhof (Petrodvorets) is a world-famous palace, fountain and park complex, and an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture of the 18-19th centuries. Founded in the very beginning of the eighteenth century by Emperor Peter the Great not far from his new northern capital St. Petersburg, Peterhof was intended to become the most splendid official royal summer residence.
Russian museum features the largest collection of Russian art no other museum in the world can boast of. Over 400,000 exhibits reflect history of Russian fine art from the ancient icons to the 20th century avant-garde, presenting all the stages, schools and genres. The permanent exhibition of the State Russian Museum presents the works of Russian and Soviet artists and covers the period from the 11th century till nowadays. Along with paintings, the museum boasts unique collections of works of folk art, decorative and applied art, and numismatics.
Once belonging to prince Yusupov noble family it is one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg. Its expositions reflect refined luxury, splendour of high life, human relationships and the history of rich aristocratic family. During the tour you will see luxurious decorations of the interiors: murals, carvings, marble, mirrors, gilded chandelier, expensive silk clothes and refined furniture. The palace is also known for the murder of Grigory Rasputin who is believed as having influenced the later days of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
A new perspective on St. Petersburg can be gained from water-level and the boat trips visit some areas of the city that might not be reached on ground. The looming silhouettes of the bridges, the grandeur of the waterways, the granite embankments with their various piers and slipways, the 18th and 19th century palaces and parks on the banks of the Neva and the canals, architectural landmarks in the form of the domes and spires of churches and cathedrals, visible from a long way off - all this contributes to the unique appearance of the "Venice of the North".
The folk show "Feel Yourself Russian" is comprised of the bright performances of St. Petersburg professional folk companies. During two hours of this dynamic colourful and picturesque show you will hear tuneful folk songs - romantic, and full of life, watch sparkling dances of different provinces of Russia, and learn that some items - such as saws, wooden spoons, and other traditional household appliances - can also be used as musical instruments! The national colour of the performance is enriched with the bright dresses made in accordance with Russian traditions.
8 days, @ GBP 995
4 days in Moscow and St. Petersburg. All inclusive package. Among other highlights: Kremlin, Armoury, Sergiev Posad, Peterhof, Catherine Palace and much more...
10 days, @ GBP 1,095
This 10-day cruise along several Russian rivers, linked by the Baltic Waterway, is the perfect opportunity for a leisurely exploration of beautiful Russian landscapes and ancient towns...
6 days, @ GBP 495
Known as the cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg never ceases to amaze you and will make you want to come back again and again...
8 days, @ GBP 595
Best value for travellers with an independent mindset. Included: accommodation, transfers, train, flights and Russian visa. Build your own tour programme.
8 days, @ GBP 1,049
Celebrate New Year in Russia with our very special city-break! It is a fabulous eight days holiday, combining the New Year spirit of Moscow, Europe's third-largest city and one of the fastest-growing, and magical St. Petersburg, revealing the romance and Zhivago-esque charm of winter in Russia...
A guided tour of the Tretiakov Gallery, the biggest collection of Russian fine art in the world. The core of the museum's collection was assembled in the middle of the nineteenth century by Pavel Tretiakov, a wealthy Moscow merchant whose passion for collecting included violins, birds, and milk cows as well as Russian art. The museum represents the whole history of Russian art from the ancient period until now. There are more than 130 000 unique examples of painting, sculpture and graphics, created throughout the centuries by talented Russian artists.
Start your discovery of Moscow with a guided city tour by car. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the Sparrow Hills observation platform, visit Poklonnaya Hills a monument in honour of a Russian victory in the Great War (World War II), see the famous Red Square and the Bolshoi (Big) theatre or explore modern Moscow’s busy streets and discover the rich history of this magnificent city. Visit one of the oldest convents in Russia, the Novodevichy Convent.
We invite you to visit the former top secret command centre of the Russian Armed Forces recently converted into museum of the Cold War period. It is the newest museum opened in Moscow. After entering a regular building in a quite central street of the city and a ride on a rapid elevator 65 meters under the ground you will see a real top secret military facility of the USSR. During a short guided tour you will pass through the secret tunnels, see samples of communication equipment and fire arms.
Star City is situated to the North-West of Moscow in a beautiful pine and birch forest. See the hall where real space vehicles are used to train astronauts, the hydro laboratory, in which future astronauts learn to live and work in conditions of weightlessness, and the largest centrifuge in the world. You will see unique equipment where cosmonauts train for flight, including the MIR simulator. All the crews on the Vostok and Voskhod missions and the various models of manned “Soyuz” spacecraft, as well as those who worked on the MIR orbiting station, were trained here.
Guided tour to Kolomenskoye - a former royal estate and one of the most picturesque and enjoyable of Moscow’s out of town attractions. Though its legendary wooden palace no longer exists, the 15-17th century tsarist estate has preserved its original layout and unique architectural monuments, including the Church of the Ascension (1532). The park is open for the public and is currently a huge park with options for sightseeing and entertainment. Kolomenskoye hosts festivals celebrating traditions for all major holidays.
After your guided city tour around St. Petersburg you will visit Peter & Paul’s Fortress. Built on the small Hare Island to secure Russia’s position on the River Neva delta and in order to protect the Neva lands, regained during the Northern War, from possible attacks by Swedish troops, the Peter and Paul Fortress did not actually see the actual combat until 25 October 1917. Recently this doughty fortress-cum-prison has had many of its buildings converted into museums and features a splendid cathedral containing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
Half day tour to the suburbs of St Petersburg to visit one of the magnificent summer palaces - Petrodvorets. The Peterhof (Petrodvorets) is a world-famous palace, fountain and park complex, and an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture of the 18-19th centuries. Founded in the very beginning of the eighteenth century by Emperor Peter the Great not far from his new northern capital St. Petersburg, Peterhof was intended to become the most splendid official royal summer residence.
Russian museum features the largest collection of Russian art no other museum in the world can boast of. Over 400,000 exhibits reflect history of Russian fine art from the ancient icons to the 20th century avant-garde, presenting all the stages, schools and genres. The permanent exhibition of the State Russian Museum presents the works of Russian and Soviet artists and covers the period from the 11th century till nowadays. Along with paintings, the museum boasts unique collections of works of folk art, decorative and applied art, and numismatics.
Once belonging to prince Yusupov noble family it is one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg. Its expositions reflect refined luxury, splendour of high life, human relationships and the history of rich aristocratic family. During the tour you will see luxurious decorations of the interiors: murals, carvings, marble, mirrors, gilded chandelier, expensive silk clothes and refined furniture. The palace is also known for the murder of Grigory Rasputin who is believed as having influenced the later days of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
A new perspective on St. Petersburg can be gained from water-level and the boat trips visit some areas of the city that might not be reached on ground. The looming silhouettes of the bridges, the grandeur of the waterways, the granite embankments with their various piers and slipways, the 18th and 19th century palaces and parks on the banks of the Neva and the canals, architectural landmarks in the form of the domes and spires of churches and cathedrals, visible from a long way off - all this contributes to the unique appearance of the "Venice of the North".
The folk show "Feel Yourself Russian" is comprised of the bright performances of St. Petersburg professional folk companies. During two hours of this dynamic colourful and picturesque show you will hear tuneful folk songs - romantic, and full of life, watch sparkling dances of different provinces of Russia, and learn that some items - such as saws, wooden spoons, and other traditional household appliances - can also be used as musical instruments! The national colour of the performance is enriched with the bright dresses made in accordance with Russian traditions.
