Journey Through Russia

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Moscow, Golden Ring, St. Petersburg

This private tour is the ultimate tour of Moscow, the Golden Ring and St. Petersburg.

Begin in Moscow, an exciting capital city filled with spectacular treasures. During private touring, visit the Kremlin's gold-domed cathedrals, and 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. Also visit Novodevichy (New Maiden) Convent, tour the Gorky House Museum and see the ostentatious architecture of the Moscow Metro subway stations. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets for a performance at the legendary Bolshoi Theater.

We can also arrange many additional special activities and VIP experiences, such as a leisurely cruise on the Moscow River; a private tour and vodka tasting at one of the oldest vodka distilleries in Russia; 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, TsaritsynoMuseum-Reserve or Kolomenskoye; and a visit to the Moscow Choral Synagogue, one of most important synagogues in Russia.

Next, drive past the green fields, birch forests and wooden cottages of the Russian countryside to Sergiev Posad, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the Golden Ring. Tour the fairy-tale setting of onion-domed churches and towers at this important pilgrimage site, and browse shops selling matryoshka (wooden nesting dolls), a local specialty. Also tour Suzdal and Vladimir, two ancient medieval capitals recognized together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their historical importance and well-preserved architecture. In the charming riverside town of Suzdal, visit the kremlin, and see traditional wooden architecture and whitewashed stone churches. In nearby Vladimir, see highlights such as the Assumption Cathedral, Golden Gate and Dmitriev Cathedral.

Return to Moscow to continue city touring and enjoy a Russian folklore show.

Next, take the first-class express train to St. Petersburg to 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. During another excursion, visit Peterhof, Peter the Great's stunning summer residence, where pavilions and terraced water gardens overlook the Gulf of Finland. Also enjoy a private boat ride on the Neva River and through the city's canals, and browse 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 activities such as a private excursion to Pavlovsk, a UNESCO-listed palace and park; 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.

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

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world