Family Tour of Russia

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
St. Petersburg, Moscow

Designed just for families, this private tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg includes a host of family-friendly activities that make Russian history and culture come alive such as a private cruise on the canals of St. Petersburg, a ballet at the Mariinsky Theater, visiting Russia's best museums, exploring lively markets, playing in local parks, watching a circus performance and dining in unique local restaurants. This tour can be fully customized to suit your family's specific interests and needs.

In St. Petersburg, experience the artwork, palaces, waterways and lifestyle of Peter the Great's "window on the world." During private touring with your own guide and driver, visit the renowned State Hermitage Museum, one of the greatest art museums in the world, and gain special access to the Treasury Rooms. Tour highlights of the historical city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—such as the Peter & Paul Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Yusupov Palace, Faberge Museum and State Russian Museum. Take a private excursion to Pushkin to tour the Catherine Palace, a Baroque confection of blue, white and gold, including the Amber Workshop. Also visit Pavlovsk, a UNESCO-listed palace and park, and if desired, ride in a troika (horse-drawn carriage). Enjoy a traditional Cossack show in an Old Russia-style timber restaurant. During another excursion, visit Peterhof, Peter the Great's stunning summer residence. Tour the beautiful grounds, and see water gardens with playful trick fountains sure to enchant young travelers. Also enjoy a private boat ride on the Neva River and through the city's canals, and browse the beautiful Yeliseyevsky food hall, interesting markets and boutiques selling beautiful, locally made items such as lacquerware and porcelain. One evening, attend a performance at the world-renowned Mariinsky Theater.

Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional family-friendly activities such as learning to paint traditional matryoshka nesting dolls; a visit to the Grand Choral Synagogue, one of the largest in Europe; a backstage tour of the Mariinsky Theater; a private ballet lesson with a prima ballerina; and an early-morning private boat ride to view the raising of the drawbridges.

Next, take the first-class express train to Moscow. During private touring customized to your family's interests, experience the spectacular treasures of this exciting city. Learn about Russian history while touring the Kremlin's gold-domed cathedrals and their frescoed interiors. Gaze at the czar's precious collections in the Armory. Also, gain access to the Diamond Fund, a dazzling array of the rarest jewels. Walk through iconic Red Square, and see St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, GUM Department Store and Zaryadye Park. Tour the Tretyakov Gallery and Pushkin Museum to see masterpieces of Russian and European art. Browse for unique Russian products or specialty food items at local markets and along the city's most fashionable shopping streets. Spend time in Gorky Park, a favorite destination for local families to play and stroll, and visit its most magical spots for kids. Also visit Novodevichy (New Maiden) Convent, tour the Gorky House Museum and see the ostentatious architecture of the Moscow Metro subway stations. One night, enjoy a performance of amazing acrobatics at Moscow's most interesting circus.

We can also arrange many additional special activities and VIP experiences, such as a leisurely cruise on the Moscow River; a private cooking class; a backstage tour of the Bolshoi Theater; touring of Stalin's Bunker and the All-Russia Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art; private excursions to the Kuskovo Estate and Palace Museum, Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve or Kolomenskoye; and a visit to the Moscow Choral Synagogue, one of most important synagogues in Russia. 

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also make dining reservations at Russia's top restaurants.

This tour can easily be combined with other destinations in Europe.