DAY 1 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MOSCOW
Meeting with you, our esteemed guests, at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at 04:15. Following baggage drop and check-in procedures, departure for Moscow with Turkish Airlines flight TK413 at 07:15. Upon our arrival in Moscow at 11:05 and being welcomed at the airport, departure with our private vehicle for the Moscow Panoramic City Tour. Places we will see during our panoramic city tour include Red Square, the historical center that has witnessed political and social upheavals; St. Basil's Cathedral with its onion-shaped, multi-colored, and fascinating dome located there; the Kremlin Palace, Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, Swan Lake, Luzhniki Stadium, Sparrow Hills, and Moscow State University. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time.
DAY 2 MOSCOW
Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. Guests who wish may join the optionally organized Kremlin Palace, Moscow Metro, Arbat Street, and Nazım Hikmet's Tomb Tour. The Kremlin, where Russian President Vladimir Putin's office is also located, houses the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, considered Moscow's most important church since the 14th century, and the world's largest bell. We will continue our tour with the Moscow Metro. Construction of the Moscow Metro, initiated by Stalin in 1931, is today considered the most beautiful metro in the world in terms of its interior architecture and decoration, although it is compared with the New York, Paris, or London metros in terms of size. Arbat Street, passing through the middle of Moscow, is a pedestrianized street where everyone whose path crosses this city visits at least once and walks from one end to the other with pleasure. Here, you can browse the colorful shop windows, taste the finest examples of Russian and world cuisines, sit in stylish cafes reminiscent of Paris, and sit on a bench watching the Russians who have surrendered to the flow of life. If you want to acquire a Moscow souvenir, this street is the right place. Afterwards, we will continue our tour with the Novodevichy Convent and Nazım Hikmet's tomb. One of Russia's most important monasteries, Novodevichy was founded in 1524 and became a place where the stars of many tsaritsa candidates faded over time. Although Napoleon ordered its destruction in 1812, the nuns successfully prevented this decision. As part of the tour, we will visit Nazım Hikmet's tomb. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 3 MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we vacate our rooms and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg, we are welcomed and depart by our private vehicle for the St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour. During our panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see the streets where works of world-famous architects and artists are exhibited, as well as the historical and touristic spots of the city. Nevsky Prospect, Old Port Lighthouses, the Mint, Clock Tower, Peter the Great Statue, Winter Palace, Palace Square, Admiralty Building, and Aurora Cruiser are among the places to be seen. Following our city tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. In the evening, guests who wish may join the “Russian Night Tour” optionally organized by our guide. You shouldn't miss the opportunity to watch magnificent dance shows accompanied by dinner in St. Petersburg. (The Russian Night Tour may be organized on different days depending on restaurant availability.) After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 4 ST. PETERSBURG
Following breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the optionally organized Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress, and Canal Tours. Located on the banks of the Neva River and housing approximately 4 million works belonging to the Tsarist era, the Hermitage Museum is one of the largest museums in the world and Russia. It has also entered the Guinness Book of Records for having one of the largest painting collections. Afterwards, accompanied by our guide, we will start our canal tour where we will also see St. Petersburg from the canals and extend all the way to the Neva River. Our tour will continue with the Peter and Paul Fortress. Built by Peter in the 1700s in St. Petersburg, the fortress is located on the Neva River. Inside the fortress cathedral, there are tombs belonging to the Romanov Dynasty. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 5 ST. PETERSBURG
Following breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the optionally organized Peterhof and Pushkin Tsarskoye Selo Tours. On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the summer palace located in the Gulf of Finland, which Peter personally drew the plans for and had built by the Italian architect Rastrelli. Rivaling the Palace of Versailles in Paris, this structure is a magnificent palace complex with gardens decorated with 150 monumental fountains and four waterfalls. Although it suffered great damage during World War II, it was restored in all its splendor, staying true to its original architecture. Afterwards, we will see the complex consisting of parks, a palace, and buildings built by Catherine in the 18th century, known as the Tsars' Village. Covering an area of 600 hectares, the main building of this town is the Catherine Palace. Although the Amber Room here is extremely interesting, it cannot be visited by many tourists, especially due to the congestion during the summer months. In this famous town where the Tsarist-era aristocracy met with the tsar's family, there is also the school where the famous poet Pushkin studied. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel.
DAY 6 ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Following breakfast, free time. Transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. Upon our arrival and completion of passport and check-in procedures, departure for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK402 at 13:55. Arrival in Istanbul at 18:05 local time. Hoping to meet on our next tour.
