Contrasting Cities
Marvel at Russian art in rugged Moscow and European art in classical St Petersburg.
A visit to both Moscow and St Petersburg gives an ideal insight into the history and contrasts of Russia. While St Petersburg is classically beautiful, Moscow still has a few rough edges, which only acts to enhance a visit here.
Marvel at Russian art in rugged Moscow and European art in classical St Petersburg.
Travel Russia’s oldest railway line said ‘to connect the head to the heart of Russia’.
Wander through the peaceful cathedrals within.
Stand and listen to choral music at Peter and Paul Fortress before travelling by hydrofoil to the summer Palace of Peterhof.
Steppes Travel’s roots lie in Russia which is where it all began for us. As such, we have a wealth of knowledge and passion for this vast country and by combining it’s two major, yet very much contrasting cities, we believe your visit will leave you with an excellent understanding of Russia and its compelling history. Guided excursions are essential as Russia and indeed Russian can be a daunting prospect. Additionally, when faced with so much information, your guide will know how to pick and choose what is important and of interest to you, giving you the time and energy to absorb all that this itinerary has on offer.
Days 1-2
Moscow
Day 3
Moscow - St Petersburg
Days 4-6
St Petersburg
Days 1-2
Moscow
Marvel at Russian art in Moscow and European art in St Petersburg
Day 3
Moscow - St Petersburg
Days 4-6
St Petersburg
Travel to St Petersburg by fast day train to see first-hand the contrast of these two cities.
The ancient city of Moscow is the focal point of modern Russia and everything that it has come to represent. It is a city where history unfolds around every corner, whether in the shape of the magnificent golden-domed cathedrals and churches, or the historic and instantly-recognisable Kremlin. With a rich history and an insatiable hunger to embrace global modernity, Moscow is a compelling city. Enjoy a guided visit to the Red Square, the famous GUM department store, now full of designer shops rather than Russian goods but with stunning architecture, and St Basil’s Cathedral. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on the banks of the Moskva River is also a must-see with its gold domes and painted ceilings.
Catch the high-speed train to St Petersburg. Once the capital of Russia, before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, and extolled by many great Russian poets and artists, today the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Cosmopolitan and cultured, St Petersburg boasts an architectural identity and bohemian ambience unique to the city. It is a dazzling place, and it is easy to see why it is known to some as ‘Northern Venice’.
Your guide will accompany you around The Hermitage and the fine cathedrals of Smolny and St Isaac, with its celebrated golden dome. The Hermitage was originally commissioned by Catherine the Great in the 1760s as a small building to house her growing art collection. Today it occupies four buildings adjacent to the Winter Palace and the extraordinary collection of European art numbers over two million exhibits.
Spend a full day at the Peterhof and Yussupov Palaces with extensive formal gardens and even an exquisite miniature theatre. Peterhof, or Peter’s Court, dates back to 1715, and is a former summer residence of the Russian Tsars. It consists of an extensive formal 18th century garden and number of palaces. Situated on the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof is accessible by both road and hydrofoil.
Brave the cold but witness the magic of a snow-covered St Petersburg during the winter months when the arts and culture scene really comes to life. In the winter, take a snowy troika ride around Catherine Palace with a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate. Or sample Russian vodka accompanied by a selection of pickles and Russian snacks!
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Russia experiences particularly cold winters, with minus temperatures not uncommon for many regions. The continuing cold winters will see many cities including St Petersburg and Moscow transformed into a winter wonderland as the snow settles on these cities.
Due to the predictability of Russia’s extreme winters, public transport systems are well prepared for snowy conditions meaning travelling through winter is not uncommon, particularly as temperatures slowly start to warm up in February.
Spring begins in Russia in March however not as you would typically expect, with snow still on the ground. We recommendation travelling during the winter months or from May, as you will be greeted with melting, dirtier snow in March and the beginning of April.
Throughout April, Russia will experience relatively cold temperatures and cloudy days, however, temperatures can range from -25°C in some regions and reach 25.C in others due to the sheer size of the country.
A perfect time to avoid the crowns prior to Russia’s peak season whilst still experiencing a pleasant climate.
Depending on your exact location, June can be the perfect time to travel to Russia, with temperatures starting to rise throughout the country ad summer begins.
As summer begins in Russia, many locals travel to the countryside and so cities will be much quieter with long, sunny days and very little humidity.
During the peak of summer, cities such as Moscow can experience high temperatures of up to 37°C with other regions generally still warm but with more comfortable conditions.
As summer draws to a close, temperatures will drop and due to this milder climate, sightseeing can become more comfortable yet not be as cold as visiting during winter.
Autumn and spring are typically short in Russia as the country experiences the two extremes – summer and winter. October can be an unpredictable month to travel to the country in terms of climate.
Prior to the beginning of winter, days can be unpredictable with temperatures averaging as low as 2°C, with November experiencing more rainfall depending on your exact destination.
Throughout Russia, December brings harsh winter conditions but can also be the ideal time to see Russia’s spectacular, iconic winter wonderlands.
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?