Church Of Savior of Spilled Blood At Night, St Petersburg, Russia

Moscow and St Petersburg Highlights

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

6 Days

Prices Start from

£2,015pp(ex. flights)

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.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Interior of Peter and Paul cathedral in Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia 1

Contrasting Cities

Marvel at Russian art in rugged Moscow and European art in classical St Petersburg.

Bar Car, Novosibirsk, Russia 2

Historic Train Travel

Travel Russia’s oldest railway line said ‘to connect the head to the heart of Russia’.

Annunciation Cathedral, Kremlin, Moscow, Russia 3

Stand outside the Kremlin

Wander through the peaceful cathedrals within.

Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg, Russia 4

The Palace of Peterhof

Stand and listen to choral music at Peter and Paul Fortress before travelling by hydrofoil to the summer Palace of Peterhof.

Why we like it

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.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Russia on your wishlist? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

  • Days 1-2

    Moscow

  • Day 3

    Moscow - St Petersburg

  • Days 4-6

    St Petersburg

Days 1-2

Moscow

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow, Russia

Marvel at Russian art in Moscow and European art in St Petersburg

Day 3

Moscow - St Petersburg

Days 4-6

St Petersburg

Golden Eagle Train, Bar Carriage in winter, Russia

Travel to St Petersburg by fast day train to see first-hand the contrast of these two cities.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Russia, Moscow, Novodevichy Convent
Moscow, Russia
Kremlin, Moscow, Russia
Kremlin, Moscow

Visit Moscow

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.

Catherine Palace in Pushkin is a rococo palace, St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg, Russia

Travel on to St Petersburg

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’.

St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral, Russia
St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral, Russia

Sightseeing in St Petersburg

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.

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Blagoveshchensky Bridge, St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg, Russia

Magic of Snow in Russia

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!

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Hotel Astoria £££££

  • Russia
  • City

Part of the Rocco Forte portfolio, the Hotel Astoria is a glorious five-star hotel. The hotel is an icon of stylish design and St Petersburg elegance. Located in the heart of the city overlooking St Isaac’s Cathedral, the main shopping street, Nevsky Prospekt is just a five-minute walk away. Facilities include a top-class spa and gym. Guests of the hotel can also use the facilities of the adjacent Angleterre hotel, which includes an indoor swimming pool. The signature restaurant, Davidoff is one of the finest places to dine in the city serving traditional Russian haute cuisine.

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Angleterre Hotel £££££

  • Russia

Located opposite St Isaac’s Cathedral and next door to the Astoria, its sister hotel, the Angleterre has one of the best views in the city. The Angleterre has had the interior fully refurbished and offers a smart and good value option for a stay in St Petersburg. The hotel has a small swimming pool and leisure facility including a spa and fitness area, Borsellino restaurant serving Italian cuisine and an in-house art cinema.

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Four Seasons Moscow £££££

  • Russia
  • City

The Four Seasons Hotel Moscow was newly built in the place of the legendary Hotel Moskva, which originally opened its doors in 1935. The front has retained its historic façade but the interior ticks all the boxes one would expect from the celebrated Four Season brand.

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Four Seasons St Petersburg £££££

  • Russia
  • City

With 157 rooms and 26 suites, a spa, three restaurants and a bar, this stylish hotel is the latest choice in the city. Set within a 19th-century Russian royal palace with its entrance guarded by two marble lions, the Four Seasons have restored a historical building in the Admiralty district, just two blocks from the Hermitage Museum.

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A note on price

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.

This Itinerary
Price
From £2,015 Per person

When to travel

Russia in January

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.

Russia in February

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.

Russia in March

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.

Russia in 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.

Russia in May

A perfect time to avoid the crowns prior to Russia’s peak season whilst still experiencing a pleasant climate.

Russia in June

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.

Russia in July

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.

Russia in August

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.

Russia in September

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.

Russia in October

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.

Russia in November

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.

Russia in December

Throughout Russia, December brings harsh winter conditions but can also be the ideal time to see Russia’s spectacular, iconic winter wonderlands.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Why Choose Steppes?

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