Moscow & St Petersburg

Fly from London Heathrow to Moscow, checking into your hotel on arrival. Enjoy a traditional Russian welcome, being presented with bread, associated with hospitality, and salt, representative of a long friendship.

• Day 1 - Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast

Embark on a sightseeing tour, seeing some of Moscow's most impressive landmarks. Sparrow Hills, situated on the bank of the Moskva River from which the city takes its name, offers a magnificent panoramic view of Moscow. Here, you'll also find the Temple of the Holy Trinity, a white-washed Russian Orthodox temple topped by aquamarine domes. See the impressive Moscow State University, which boasts a beautiful collection of diverse architectural styles, before continuing to Red Square. Surrounded by the multi-coloured domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral, the square is home to Lenin's Mausoleum, where it's possible to view the body of the former communist leader. Next, visit the vast Kremlin building, a walled city surrounded by 18th-century towers and the seat of Russian government. Later in the afternoon and evening, you're free to continue your explorations of this exciting city.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Experience one of the most ornate Metro systems in the world, a true highlight of the city. Moscow's underground stations date back to the 1930s, and many are sumptuously decorated with marble, bronze, chandeliers, and stained glass. Featuring art and sculptures that span from Soviet philosophy to the Modernist avant-garde movement, these magnificent termini are a delight to explore. Afterwards, make a visit to lively Arbat Street, a pedestrianised shopping thoroughfare that claims to be one of Russia's oldest streets.

• Breakfast

Head to the station and board your train to the 'City of the Tsars', St Petersburg. This impressive and elegant city is a former Imperial capital, once home to the royals of Russia. Stunning St Petersburg embodies so much of Russia's history and culture that its centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Explore St Petersburg's enticing attractions. Enjoy early entrance to Peterhof Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed by Peter the Great. The palace is renowned for its beautiful grounds, which are filled with fountains and waterways. The glittering palaces display some of the most lavish artworks and ornaments the world has to offer, and you have ample time to explore. Continue to the Hermitage, founded by Catherine the Great in 1764 and set in the Royal Winter Palace. This mesmerising museum is one of the most famous in the world, offering artifacts from numerous countries and eras. Be sure to look out for the clock stopped by Tsar Nicholas the moment the palace was stormed in 1917.

• Breakfast

Today is free for you to explore. Perhaps take a boat trip through the city's numerous canals. Due to its location on a former swamp, St Petersburg boasts a myriad of pretty waterways, the perfect way to get around.  Another option is to visit the Peter and Paul Fortress. Occupying a commanding position on an island in the Neva River, this mighty structure was originally a defensive fort, but it has also been used as a prison, holding activists such as Dostoevsky and Gorky. Or, you could enjoy a taste of Russia with lunch in a local cafe. Try Pirozhki, a baked bun traditionally filled with minced beef or vegetables, or Borscht, a beetroot soup,

• Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, via Helsinki.

• Breakfast