Reverse Two Capitals 2011

Your driver will pick you up at the airport. At the exit he will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and from there he will take you to the hotel for check in. You may relax and overcome your jetlag in your room, visit a hotel bar, or start exploring St. Petersburg on your own.

On your first full day in St. Petersburg you will explore one of the most interesting palaces in the world, the Catherine's Palace.

Catherine's palace was a gift from Peter the Great to his wife Catherine, whom he loved very much, ironically he build the palace on the other side of the city. Catherine's Palace is located in the town of Pushkin and is most famous for its Amber Room which was looted during World War II by the Germans during their 300 day siege of St. Petersburg. The remnants of the room were recovered by American troops, but it took more than 50 years to reconstruct the legendary room. (B,L)

• Optional:  Russian Ballet or Opera at the Hermitage Theater

Prior to your visit to Peterhof you will check out of the hotel this morning. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Your luggage will be kept on the bus during the tour.

Today you will venture to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to visit Peterhof Palace, the summer residence of Russia’s royalty. While walking through its lavish parks and elegant rooms, be careful not to forget that you haven’t been transported to Versailles.

• Tour of Peterhof Parks (outside)
• Optional: Opera or Ballet evening performance
• Optional: St. Petersburg canals and bridges by night

Your driver will pick you up from the hotel in the afternoon to transfer you to the ship. Today you will embark on your cruise ship and will have overnight on board of MS Tolstoi. (B,D)

Peter the Great built this city as a culmination of all the greatest European capitals. Canals from Venice, elegant palaces and parks from Versailles, monuments from London, and churches from Rome. You will begin by exploring the city via bus, giving you a solid orientation to the places you will be visiting. Such places include St. Basil's Island and the Building of Exchange, as well as the Rostum Columns, the Church of Spilled Blood, and the Hermitage. It is said that if you were to spend 3 minutes by each exhibit, it would take 3 years to see everything. With your experienced guide, however, you will see the best rooms and halls in merely a couple of hours. You will also get to explore the Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great as a coastal defense for the city. It now serves as a tomb for the last Russian imperial family. (B,L,D)

• This day we will visit Hermitage, one of the world's biggest art galleries
• Bus city tour to St. Basil Island, The Building of Exchange, Peters and Paul Fortress (outside), Rostrum Columns, Nevskiy prospect, Isaac Cathedral (outside), Cathedral of Savior (outside)

Mandrogi is a small village that has no architectural wonders, gigantic castles or impressive churches. These lands and people seem to be immune to the flow of time. We will stop in the village for a traditional Russian picnic with the meal called "shashlik." (B,L,D)

Kizhi Island on Lake Onega is home to the massive Transfiguration Church. With 22 domes that extend over this small yet picturesque island, there are two interesting facts that surround it. Despite all of its architectural wonders, not a single nail was used to build it. Also, its original location was on the mainland, closer to the people. The Bolsheviks, for all their hatred of religion, wanted to destroy the church, but did not dare to do so. They decided to transport the church to a deserted island where no one would be able to see it. Today it can only be reached by river cruise. (B,L,D)

The town of Goritsy is home to the historic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397. During the Time of Trouble, Polish invaders stormed the monastery in an attempt to purge Russia of its remaining nobles. Unsuccessful, they were forced out by the renewed Russian forces. (B,L,D)

Located on the banks of the Volga River, Uglich presented itself as a perfect fortress of defense for the ancient Moscovy Kingdom. In 1591 the 10-year old prince Dmitry of the ancient Ruyrik dynasty was murdered here by Boris Godunov before Godunov claimed the throne of Russia and was murdered himself. These events plunged Russia into three decades of political turmoil known as the Time of Trouble, leaving the lands devastated and open for a new dynasty: the Romanovs. We will visit the small but historically significant church of St. Dmitry-on-Blood, which stands on the location of the young prince’s murder. (B,L,D - dinner during the evening cruise on Moscow River)

Russia’s largest city, political capital, and economic center, Moscow is a bustling hub of world affairs as well as cultural treasures. Its role was briefly challenged when Tsar Peter the Great moved Russia's capital to his new city, St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, but Moscow has held its ground as one of the most important cities in the country. Today will be dedicated to exploring such important cultural and historical centers as the Red Square, Leningradskaya and Tverskaya streets, the exterior of the KGB building, and the elaborate Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We will also take a shopping trip to the famous GUM department store. An optional trip for today is to the Tretyakov Gallery, a national treasury of fine Russian art. (B,L,D)

• Moscow city tour
• Excursion of Kremlin and one cathedral
  

At the afternoon you will disembark from your cruise ship. You will leave your luggage in the bus. After the tour your driver will take you to hotel for check in.

Today you will visit the Novodevichiy Convent, one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow.  We have also prepared several optional tours for you this day.

The optional excursions for a day are Moscow at night and Moscow metro.

Moscow Subway was constructed by the Soviets not just to streamline the city's transportation, but also to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet system. The entire subway is a work of art - socialist realism for the most part. On top of immense cultural value, Moscow's subway is a super efficient transportation system that carries 3 million passengers daily (!) and spans the entire city in a star-like fashion. Interestingly, the Subway of Moscow was also designed to play the role of a nuclear shelter in case of a nuclear war. (B, L)

Moscow is Russia's largest city, its political and economic capital. The town of Moscow was the center of Moscovy - a small principality that unified the Russian lands against the Mongols in the late 14th century and has ruled Russia ever since. As the Mongols burnt major cities across Russia, refugees fled to smaller principalities like Moscow, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod. Through bribes, diplomacy and coercion, Moscow overcame its two rivals to become "Russia's first city." Moscow's role was briefly challenged when Tsar Peter the Great moved Russia's capital to his new city, St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Today you will visit the Tretiakov Gallery, one of the most recognized art galleries in the world. Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's best collection of art and one of the best collections of Russian paintings in the world. The gallery started as a private collection of wealthy 19th century merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who donated his collection to the city.

Optional excursion for a day: Ballet or Opera in Bolshoi Theater. (B)

Your voyage has come to an end. It is time to say farewell to this glorious section of the world and your new friends as you leave, taking with you unforgettable memories. Ask your travel specialist about available trip extensions. (B)