MOSCOW & ST PETERSBURG STOPOVER


Flexible stopover. Great value homestay or change to hotels
Start any day. Start either city
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St Basil's Moscow.jpg (56790 bytes)
Put yourself in the picture

The great cities of Moscow and St Petersburg provide a wealth of art, history and local character. Wild tribes first settled Moscow and later the powerful Czars of old Russia took up residence. St Petersburg was built as a bridge to the west by the autocratic and dynamic Czar, Peter the Great. It is a city built to mirror the grand architecture of Europe in the 18th century. These cities were, and still are, the centres of power and art of the Russian state.

This programme is designed to give;

  • optimum time in both cities.

  • complete flexibility - start in either Moscow or St Petersburg and

  • flexibility to stay longer you can add on extra nights, or shorten your stay.

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Fortress of St Peter &
St Paul St Petersburg

In both cities we use homestays which;

  • are centrally located - no longer absolute CBD, next to the Kremlin etc, as no one with that level of real estate does homestay! All are central suburbs.

  • All are near public transport. remember the Soviet system meant a lack of cars so public transport flourished.

  • represent the best value accommodation in Russia.

  • mean you receive your own room (some can cater for up to four people although most are suitable for two). These are MUCH cleaner than any other comparative budget accommodation and you are not in a dorm with people you don’t know.

In addition, you receive breakfast. You can organise other meals with host and pay for these directly. This can give you a huge saving when compared with having to buy your meals in restaurants - in particular Moscow and St Petersburg. If you take your meals at the homestay you can negotiate the time you want to have the meal.

Probably the most important aspect is the fact that you experience everyday contemporary Russian life. Isn’t that one of the main reasons why we all travel?

We pioneered homestay back in 1990 and have built up a reliable supply of hosts. This experience means we know what we are doing and you can have confidence with your homestay arrangements. The hosts are accountable to us.  You can change/upgrade to hotels if you wish at an appropriate surcharge.

Itinerary

DAY 1:
Arrive Moscow (train station or airport #), where you will be met and transferred to your homestay.

Click to view details about homestay OR hotel accommodation. Click to view details about hotel upgrade.
Moscow weather facts.

DAY 2: Today you will be met by our guide and taken on a 3 hour introductory walking tour of the central sights of Moscow. This is a great way to learn about the public transport system, which is very comprehensive and efficient. The guided walk also orientates you to the main attractions and the central city layout - a good confidence booster for your independent sightseeing. Balance of day free. Note: if you arrive early on Day 1 this introduction will follow your check in to your accommodation.
Click here to view maps of the Metro..

DAY 3: Day for personal sightseeing or choose from one of our options as listed.

DAY 4: Day for personal sightseeing. Late evening departure by sleeper train to St Petersburg.

DAY 5: Arrive St Petersburg in the early morning where you will be met and transferred
to your homestay accommodation. After depositing your baggage, you will be taken on a 3 hour introductory walking tour of central St Petersburg. Again, a great way to learn about the public transport system and to orientate yourself.

DAY 6: Day for personal sightseeing or take one of our options.

DAY 7: Day for personal sightseeing.

DAY 8: Services end after breakfast. St Petersburg weather facts.

You can reverse the itinerary - no change to costs.

Depart Russia via Lapland?

  Costs with Homestay.

COST -
8 day/7 night package: EUR510 p/p - based on twin share.
Single traveller EUR700 does not include single berth on train.
  • Extra Nights EUR38 per person twin share. EUR48 for single.
  • Overnight train upgrade from 4 to 2 berth cabin EUR106 p/p
  • # Note: Surcharge if arrival transfer is from the airport.
    EUR30 total for up to 2 persons.

The above cost is based on homestay (click to view) accommodation.
For programmes with hotels please view the Hotel Page


Not included: Current Russian government visa registration fees.

INCLUDED:

  • Inbound transfer in Moscow & St Petersburg.
  • 3 hours walking tour of both cities.
  • 6 nights homestay accommodation with breakfast.
  • Overnight sleeper train 4 berth. NOT open 6 berth carriages.
  • Visa invitation.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information.
  • All taxes relating to the services detailed.

Note: These costs are EUR as this is the currency Russia prefers to deal in.

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Buskers: St Petersburg city of the arts



Additional City SIGHTSEEING

* Excursions to surrounding areas - Day and Overnight
*
Extension to Novgorod
*
Extension to the Golden Ring
Click Links on right to read about the above

Moscow

St Petersburg