Day 1: Istanbul – Moscow, May 23
Meeting with our valued guests in front of the THY counter at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at 03:15 before the flight. After ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures, we depart for Moscow at 07:15 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK413.
Arrival at Moscow Airport at 11:05 local time. After our arrival, we board our bus and begin our city tour. We will carry out our panoramic city tour where we will see Red Square and the Kremlin Palace. Guests who wish may join the Moscow Icons tour and/or the Izmailovo Kremlin & Tsarina’s Palace tour, which will be arranged as an extra. After our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.
Extra Tour: Moscow Icons Tour Per Person 25 €
Among the places we will see on the Moscow city tour are the historic center Red Square, which has witnessed political and social turmoil; St. Basil’s Cathedral, built in the sixteenth century by the Tsar known as Ivan the Terrible, each dome corresponding to a Russian victory; the monument in front of the cathedral, one of the city’s symbols, depicting the two famous Russian princes Minin and Pozharsky; the GUM Shopping Center right at the end; its neighbor, the Kremlin Palace; the magnificent Lenin Mausoleum, which houses Lenin’s mummy, the symbol of communist ideology worldwide; the Karl Marx statue and directly opposite it the famous Bolshoi Theater building, in operation since the eighteenth century; a little further on, the famous Duma Parliament Building, where Russia’s first elected parliament began work in 1906; Voskresenski, built in the sixteenth century and once considered one of the entrance gates to Red Square, which was bombed in 1931 to allow tanks to enter Red Square; and the Russian History Museum.
Extra Tour: Izmailovo Kremlin & Tsarina’s Palace Tour Per Person 60 €
We begin with the Izmailovo Kremlin, one of Moscow’s most colorful and fairy-tale-like places. With its wooden architecture, colorful towers, and traditional market areas, it feels like stepping into a Russian fairy tale.
Then we move on to Tsarina’s Palace, built for Empress Catherine II and one of Russia’s most elegant palace complexes. Here, taking photos while wearing traditional Russian clothes is included in the tour price, and you will experience unforgettable moments where you will feel like a tsar and tsarina.
With its spacious parks, impressive architecture, and enchanting atmosphere, this tour offers a unique experience for our guests who want to discover Moscow’s most special places.
Day 2: Moscow, May 24
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the Moscow Metro and Arbat Street tour, which will be arranged as an extra. After our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel
Extra Tour: Moscow Metro and Arbat Street Tour Per Person 30 €
Our Moscow Metro and Arbat Street tour begins with a visit to the Moscow Metro, considered by almost the entire world to be the most beautifully decorated metro in the world. This artistic marvel, which carries millions of people every day, began construction in 1931 and continues to this day. Afterwards, we move on to Arbat Street, Moscow’s busiest street. Today, we will walk along Arbat Street, Moscow and Russia’s most famous street, whose history dates back to 1493, and whose name, according to one interpretation, comes from the word “Gorbat,” meaning “hill” in Slavic languages, and according to another, from the Arabic Rabad, meaning “suburb” or “outskirts,” and experience its history and watch the art works of anonymous painters at every step along the street. After our tour, return to our hotel and overnight at our hotel.
Day 3: Moscow, May 25
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join our extra Kremlin Palace and Novodevichy Nazım Hikmet’s Grave tour. After our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.
Extra Tour: Kremlin Palace and Novodevichy Nazım Hikmet’s Grave Tour Per Person 50€
We depart from our hotel for the tour. Our first stop on the tour is Novodevichy Cemetery. First, Novodevichy Convent, which we will see panoramically, was founded in 1524. Over time, it became the place where the stars of many would-be tsarinas faded. Although it was to be destroyed by Napoleon’s order in 1812, the nuns managed to prevent this decision. Completely emptied in 1922 and left to its fate, the convent reopened after restoration in 1994. In addition to Novodevichy Convent within the complex, the cemetery of Nazım Hikmet and his wife Veronica, as well as the cemeteries of Anton Chekhov and Gogol, are also located here. After our history-filled tour, we head to the Kremlin. Meaning “fortress,” the Kremlin is a complex that has become a symbol not only of Moscow but of Russia. Although the oldest walls of the complex, which forms the eastern boundary of Red Square with its eastern walls, were built at the end of the fifteenth century, the original wooden walls date back to the twelfth century. Today, in the gardens of the area that includes the Kremlin museums, the Grand Kremlin Palace Complex, the Concert Hall, the Presidential Building and administrative buildings, as well as two cathedrals, there is also a “Space Tree.” The tree, planted by Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, two days after he completed his mission and returned to Earth, can also be seen from the Moscow River. The story of the bell tower and the cannon cast by Tsar Ivan is told with the tour guide’s enjoyable narration, both entertaining and informative. The famous Tsarina Catherine’s crown, made of 5,000 diamonds, awaits those who want to see it in the museum. After our tour, we head to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Day 4: Moscow – St Petersburg (by High-Speed Train) May 26
After breakfast, we check out of the rooms and depart for the train station. After a pleasant journey by high-speed train, we begin our panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg with our private vehicle. After the tour, with free time for guests who wish, we will carry out the St. Petersburg Icons Tour and the evening St. Petersburg Golden Canals Boat Tour, which will be arranged as extras. After our tour, check-in at our hotel and overnight at our hotel.
Extra Tour: St Petersburg Icons Tour Per Person 25 €
St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia after Moscow, is also a very important center of art and science. St. Petersburg, which also has a very important place in industry, has written its name on the history page in almost every field of life. Founded in 1703 by Russian Tsar Peter I, the city’s panoramic tour will show us the Admiralty Building on Nevsky Boulevard, named after Alexander Nevsky, the most famous hero of Russian history and considered almost the city’s main artery; Kazan Cathedral, a small replica of the famous San Pietro Cathedral in Rome; Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace; Stroganov Palace; Gostiny Dvor, which was established as a market 250 years ago and is now used as a shopping center, though not as large and historic as Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar; the Russian National Library, one of the world’s largest libraries; the Singer Building, whose founding story caused considerable reaction in its time; the Eliseyev Building with its magnificent stained glass and bronze interior; Aurora Cinema, also known as Piccadilly Cinema and frequently mentioned in the memoirs of the writer Nabokov; and the famous Anichkov Bridge, which bears the traces of the Siege of Leningrad and has a special place in Russian literature, along with many other structures.
Extra Tour: St. Petersburg Golden Canals Boat Tour Per Person 40€
We head to the port for the Rivers & Canals Boat Tour, which has earned St. Petersburg the nickname “Venice of the North.” As we move between the elegant curves of the Fontanka, Neva, and Moika rivers, you will have the opportunity to see the Hermitage Museum, Anichkov Bridge, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Mikhailovsky Palace, and many other historic structures from the water panoramically. As the city lights reflect on the river surface, you will discover the romantic atmosphere of St. Petersburg from a different perspective. After our tour, return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Day 5: St Petersburg, May 27
After breakfast, free time. We depart from our hotel for our extra Hermitage Museum tour with guests who wish to join. After our tour, we return to our hotel and overnight at our hotel.
Extra Tour: Hermitage Museum Tour Per Person 30€
The Hermitage Museum, founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine II, has a unique collection and is today considered one of the world’s largest and most prestigious art museums. Originally created as Catherine’s private art collection, the museum grew over time through purchases and donations made during the tsarist period, and opened to the public in 1852. The museum consists of a total of six historic buildings, headed by the Winter Palace, which dazzles with its baroque architecture. These buildings are home not only to works of art, but also to the glorious past of the Russian Empire. In particular, the capture of the Winter Palace during the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution was one of the most symbolic moments in Russian history. The Hermitage collection includes works by masters of world art such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rubens, Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. In addition, archaeological artifacts from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome are also of great interest. With more than 3 million works, the Hermitage is not only a museum, but also a cultural temple where art and history are intertwined. It offers every visitor the splendor of the past and humanity’s artistic heritage.
Day 6: St Petersburg, May 28
After breakfast, check out of the rooms and free time.
We set out for our extra tour of Peterhof Palace and Park and Pushkin Tsar Town. At the time determined by our guide, our airport transfer takes place.
Extra Tour: Peterhof Palace and Park and Pushkin Tsar Town Tour Per Person 140 €
After placing our luggage in the luggage room at reception, we depart from our hotel for our Peterhof Palace and Park and Pushkin Tsar Town tour. Our first stop is Peterhof. On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the summer palace located in the Gulf of Finland, which Italian architect Rastrelli built after he drew up the plans for the metro himself. It is a magnificent palace complex with gardens adorned by a rival building to Versailles in Paris, 150 monumental fountains, and 4 waterfalls. Although it suffered great damage during World War II, it was restored in full glory, preserving its original architecture. After our Peterhof tour, we begin our Pushkin Tsar Town tour. The town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and where the school of Pushkin, the great poet and writer of Russian literature, is also located, is praised for its palaces, parks, and various building complexes. Built in the eighteenth century for the tsar’s family, this area invites its guests into a Russian fairy tale. After our tour, free time until our airport transfer time, and at the end our airport transfer takes place.
Day 7: St Petersburg -Istanbul, May 29
Then we complete our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures. Then we depart for Istanbul Airport at 01:40 with Turkish Airlines flight TK 404. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival in Istanbul at 05:30 and the end of our tour...
Wishing to see you again on your next journey…
FULL EXTRA TOUR PACKAGE
Tours Included in the Package:
Moscow Icons Tour – 25 €
Izmailovo Kremlin & Tsarina’s Palace Tour – 60€
Moscow Metro & Arbat Street – 30 €
Kremlin Palace & Novodevichy & Nazım Hikmet’s Grave – 50 €
St. Petersburg Icons – 25 €
St. Petersburg Golden Canals Boat Tour – 40 €
Hermitage Museum – 30 €
Peterhof Palace & Pushkin Tsar Town – 140 €;
Total Value: 400 €
Package Price: Per Person 315 €
(When purchased, approximately 15% discount advantage is offered.)
Hotels to be stayed at
Moscow 4* Edge by Seligerskaya or similar
St Petersburg 4* Park Inn Pulkovskaya or similar
Included Services:
• Flight tickets for the Turkish Airlines scheduled flight on the IST-Moscow / St. Petersburg-IST route
• 3 Nights accommodation in 4* hotels in Moscow and 2 Nights in St. Petersburg with Bed and Breakfast
• Panoramic Tour of Moscow and Panoramic Tour of St. Petersburg
• Economy class ticket for the High-Speed Train between Moscow and St. Petersburg
• Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers
• Turkish-speaking Guiding Service
Services Not Included:
• International Exit Tax Stamp
• Visa Fee (Electronic)
• Travel Insurance (Up to 65 Years Old)
• Travel Insurance (Ages 66-75)
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• Extra Tours
• Hotel taxes (City tax, checkpoint fees, local service charges, handling fee, bus entry fees, and operational service costs totaling 100 Euros per person, which is a mandatory payment to be collected in cash by the guide before the tour begins)