DAY 1 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MOSCOW
Meeting with you, our esteemed guests, at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at 04:15. After baggage drop and check-in procedures, departure for Moscow with Turkish Airlines flight TK413 at 07:15. Following our arrival in Moscow at 11:05 and welcome at the airport, departure with our private vehicle for the Moscow Panoramic City Tour. Among the places we will see on our panoramic city tour are the Red Square, a historical center that has witnessed political and social upheavals; St. Basil's Cathedral with its onion-shaped, multi-colored, and fascinating dome located here; the Kremlin Palace, Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, Swan Lake, Luzhniki Stadium, Sparrow Hills, and Moscow University. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and free time.
DAY 2 MOSCOW
Free time after breakfast at our hotel in the morning. Guests who wish may join the optionally organized Kremlin Palace, Moscow Metro, Arbat, and Nazim Hikmet's Tomb Tour. The Kremlin, which also houses the working office of Russian President Vladimir Putin, contains the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, considered the most important church in Moscow since the 14th century, as well as 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 compared to the New York, Paris, or London subways in terms of size today, yet it is considered the most beautiful metro in the world in terms of interior architecture and decoration. 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 pleasantly from one end to the other. 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 watch the Russians sitting on a bench who have surrendered themselves 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 Nazim Hikmet's tomb. One of Russia's most important monasteries, Novodevichy was founded in 1524 and became the place where the stars of many tsarina candidates faded over time. Although there was an attempt to demolish it by Napoleon's orders in 1812, the nuns managed to prevent this decision. Within the scope of the trip, we will visit Nazim Hikmet's tomb. Transfer to our hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 3 MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we check out of our rooms and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg, we are welcomed and depart with our private vehicle for the St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour. On our panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see streets displaying the works of world-famous architects and artists, as well as the historical and touristic sites of the city. Nevsky Prospect, the Old Port Lighthouses, the Mint, the Clock Tower, the Statue of Peter the Great, the Winter Palace, Palace Square, the Admiralty Building, and the Aurora Cruiser are among the sights 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.) Transfer to our hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 4 ST. PETERSBURG
Free time after breakfast. 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 from the Tsarist era, the Hermitage Museum is one of the largest museums in the world and Russia. Having one of the largest painting collections, it has also entered the Guinness Book of Records. Afterwards, accompanied by our guide, we will begin our canal tour where we will see St. Petersburg from the canals and extend as far as 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 positioned on the Neva River. Inside the fortress cathedral are the tombs belonging to the Romanov Dynasty. Transfer to our hotel at the end of the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 5 ST. PETERSBURG
Free time after breakfast. 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 by 150 monumental fountains and four waterfalls. Although it suffered heavy damage during World War II, it has been restored faithfully to its original architecture in all its splendor. Afterwards, we will see the complex consisting of parks, palaces, and buildings built by Catherine in the 18th century, known as the Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar's Village). Covering an area of 600 hectares, the main building of this village is the Catherine Palace. Although the Amber Room here is extremely interesting, it cannot be visited by many tourists due to the density especially in the summer months. In this famous village where the Tsarist era aristocracy met with the tsar family, the school where the famous poet Pushkin studied is also located. Transfer to our hotel at the end of our tour.
DAY 6 ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Free time after breakfast. Transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. Passport and check-in procedures upon arrival.
DAY 7 ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Departure for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 404 at 01:40. Arrival in Istanbul at 05:30 in the morning local time and end of our tour. Hoping to meet on our next tour.
