Just returned from the first departure of a new trip venturing to parts of Russia where foreign... Catherine Jones, 2017 See more reviews
This trip is the perfect opportunity to explore Russia beyond the usual Moscow to St Petersburg... Simon Clifford, 2017 See more reviews
Just back from this very enjoyable trip. So interesting to see parts of Russia not on the usual... Helen Porter, 2017 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Fly to Moscow; transfer to city centre Arrive in the early evening and transfer to our centrally located hotel in Moscow. The journey takes approximately 1 hour from Sheremetyevo Airport yet during peak season this can be longer due to traffic. The closest subway station to our hotel is Arbatskaya on the blue line (the only station where all four lines meet).After dinner we recommend an evening walk onto Red Square. Arbat House Hotel or similar Day 2 Full day sightseeing tour of Moscow. Evening train to Suzdal This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Moscow, surely one of the most iconic cities in the world. Our route takes us across Red Square, with time to visit Lenin's Mausoleum and the ornate GUM Shopping Centre. We then hop aboard the marvellous, efficient Metro system, for a short tour of some of the most beautiful stations. Many are lined with marble, stained glass and adorned with chandeliers.After lunch, we will explore the Kremlin - a city within a city. It is still the seat of political power in Russia and contains many of its greatest treasures. We visit the magnificent cathedrals of St. Michael the Archangel, the Annunciation and the Assumption, as well as the Tsar Bell and the golden domes of Ivan the Great Bell Tower.In the early evening, we transfer to Kurskaya train station for the train to Vladimir, with an onward transfer to Suzdal. It's an interesting run, firstly through the suburbs of soviet blocks and then pretty countryside that surrounds the Russian capital. Suzdal Inn or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Guided tour of Suzdal and wooden architecture museum Suzdal is sometimes called the 'diamond in the Golden Ring' - a ring refers to the ring of ancient towns and cities of historic and religious importance surrounding Moscow. This small town of wooden cottages and fine churches once served as the capital of Russia, when Moscow was not much more than a cluster of cowsheds. It transformed into a major monastic centre in the times of Ivan the Terrible and also became an important commercial hub. Our morning walking tour will take in all the main sights, including the Kremlin and the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral. After a lunch stop, we'll visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture, where buildings from all over the region were bought up to protect them from redevelopment. The museum really gives us an idea of how people in the past lived. The 'village' includes houses, workshops and even two whole churches. In the evening we visit a local family and enjoy a traditional evening meal at their home. Suzdal Inn or similar Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 Transfer to Vladimir; sightseeing and free time. Evening train to Nizhny Novgorod Today we return to Vladimir, somewhat more industrial than Suzdal, due to its location on the Trans-Siberian line, but no less significant. The town is another former capital of Russia and home to several UNESCO protected architectural masterpieces, including the Golden Gates, St Demetrius’ Cathedral and the Dormition Cathedral. In the late afternoon, we board the eastbound Trans-Siberian Express for Nizhny Novgorod arriving in time for a late dinner.Gorky Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 City tour of Nizhny Novgorod; optional afternoon excursion to Makaryev Monastery. Overnight train to Kazan Nizhny Novgorod, known as Gorky until 1991, was once a 'closed city' to foreigners to safeguard the security of Soviet military research and production facilities. It was also home to the exiled nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov an activist for disarmament, peace and human rights. With these dark days behind it, Russias fifth largest city is now home to a beautiful restored cliff-top Kremlin overlooking the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. After a morning tour of the main sights, there is free time or you may wish to take an optional excursion along the Volga River, to the 15th century Makaryev Monastery. After an early dinner back in the city, we once again board the Trans-Siberian Express, this time in 4 berth cabins for the overnight journey to Kazan the capital of the Tatarstan Republic. Sleeper train Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Full day in Kazan, Russia's Tartar Capital Kazan is sometimes referred to as 'Istanbul on the Volga', a city where East meets West, and the Orthodox domes and spires compete with the minarets to form the most unique skyline of any Russian city. This is the capital of the Tatarstan Republic, autonomous, oil-rich, but still firmly under Moscow's control. Since 2000 vast sums of money have been spent cleaning up the city, adding bilingual street signs and building a stunning new mosque. Kazan really is like no other city in Russia. Our morning tour includes the Kremlin, The Qul Sharif Mosque, Khan’s Mausoleum and the Temple of All Religions. The afternoon is free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Maksim Gorky Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 From Europe to Asia, cross the Ural Mountains After breakfast, we start out final journey by rail to Yekaterinburg. Boarding the Trans-Siberian Express we head east, leaving Europe behind and move into the Asian region of the colossal nation that is Russia. Our 14.5hr journey passes through the dense forest of pine, small industrial towns, wooden villages and the rolling foothills of the Urals, the journey really gives us a sense of what the rest of the country is like and an idea of just how vast and remote some parts are. Station stops are a real highlight of the day as there is time to leave the train, buy home cooked snacks from locals and meet some of our fellow passengers. This is a day to relax and watch the world go by, before reaching our final destination of Yekaterinburg late in the evening. Marins Park Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Morning tour of Yekaterinburg; free afternoon Yekaterinburg is our final destination on this epic journey, a city that has played a huge part in the recent history of Russia. Here, on the 17th June 1918, the Romanov Family met their fate, having been taken here from St Petersburg (then Petrograd) in April of the same year. In a dark cellar of a modest house, they were shot and stabbed by Bolshevik troops, changing the course of European history forever. The house no longer stands, having been pulled down in 1977 by the orders of Boris Yeltsin. Today the new Church on the Blood sits on the same site. As well as a city tour we visit the Museum of The Royal Family. We then have a free afternoon to enjoy the city and you may choose to visit the Museum of Military Glory, or maybe just relax with a coffee in one of the cities many cafes. Marins Park Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Fly to London via Moscow Morning transfer to Yekaterinburg, fly to London via Moscow. Meals included: Breakfast
St Petersburg Extension Extend your adventure with our perfectly designed 2 night pre-extension to Russia's cultural capital, St Petersburg. Prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917, St Petersburg (or Petrograd as it was known then), was the capital of Imperial Russia and seat of power of the Romanov Family. It was here that revolution began, the Winter Palace was stormed by the Bolsheviks and Tsar Nicolas II abdicated. Starting in St Petersburg allows us to follow the full journey of both the revolution itself Romanov family all the way to the sight of their execution, two thousand kilometres away in Yekaterinburg. The detailed itinerary can be found here. Please ask your sales consultant for more details.
Russia All nationalities require a visa for Russia. These requirements will vary depending on your nationality. For British nationals visa applications must now be made in person at a visa processing centre, located in London and Edinburgh. At the time of application, fingerprints will be taken. We will be providing a new type of service to assist with the application process; however we will no longer be able to submit the application on your behalf. It is your responsibility to arrange a visa prior to travel, but we will provide you with more information after booking to help and advice with this. The cost of the visa is currently GBP108.40. For more information please go to http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/travelink/Russia.pdf Please note: The visa application takes approximently 5 working days. You can arrange for your passport to be posted back to you or returned to the visa processing centre to collect it in person.
Russia There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever.
Hotels and sleeper train You will spend 7 nights in comfortable 3 star hotels and 1 night on a sleeper train. All accommodation is offered on a twin share basis with private facilities. Our properties in all three cities are in central locations, within walking distance of the main sights (no more than 20 minutes). Wi-Fi is available free of charge but may only be accessible in public areas and is often temperamental. Each hotel offers a buffet breakfast. The sleeper train is based on 4 berth cabins. Linen is provided. If you have trouble getting into an upper bunk, please let Exodus know at the time of booking. Single supplement excludes sleep train between Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan.
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Reviewed June 2017 Catherine Jones Trip: Russia: Last Journey of the Tsars Russia: Last Journey of the Tsars Just returned from the first departure of a new trip venturing to parts of Russia where foreign tourists are few and far between, travelling on sections of the Trans-Siberian route - but without the endurance test of days on end on a train. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I'm not sure I'd describe moments as inspirational as much as very enjoyable and sometimes unexpected. Visiting Red Square at night on our first evening together as a group. The peace of small-town Suzdal after the tourist hoardes of the Moscow Kremlin. Seeing where the Romanovs were murdered in Yekaterinburg, and hearing conflicting theories about their fate. The attractiveness of Kazan. Hopping off the train to buy food from women selling meals on the platform at stations in the middle of nowhere. Eating great plov, khachapuri and shashlik all over the place.... What did you think of your group leader? Yvgeny was calm and organised, and I had absolute confidence he would get us safely from one destination to the next. He was happy to talk about the ins and outs of everyday Russian life, and it was interesting to hear about his plans for his family dacha - a welcome escape from the pressures of Moscow living. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't change too much money into roubles all in one go. Prices are a lot more reasonable once you leave Moscow, and there are money exchanges in every town/city. Take insect repellent, particularly for Suzdal where we we all fell victim to mosquito bites. And don't overpack. The trip involves a lot of getting on and off trains and carrying your bag up and down numerous flights of stairs. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is a great trip if you want to see a slice of 'real' Russia and travel with real Russians, away from the main tourist route between Moscow and St Petersburg.
Reviewed June 2017 Simon Clifford Trip: Russia: Last Journey of the Tsars There's more to Russia than Moscow and St. Petersburg! This trip is the perfect opportunity to explore Russia beyond the usual Moscow to St Petersburg tourist trail. Traveling east on the route of the Trans-Siberian railway we got to experience lovely towns and cities that welcome very few foreign tourists. The trip really changed my perspective of what Russia is actually like. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Nizhny Novogord probably surprised me the most. I was expecting a pretty dank, industrial city. However it was actually a lovely place with a real European vibe, great cafes, a small Kremlin with a good modern art museum and a fascinating history, especially during the Soviet period, when it was a closed city.The pretty town of Suzal was also lovely and a total contrast to Moscow. What did you think of your group leader? Our guide was cool, calm and organsied. Considering this was a first depart all went very well. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Travel light, carrying cases on and off the train, over bridges and through tunnels isn't easy. Don't forget mosquito repellent, around Suzal was particularly bad. Is there anything else you would like to add? Go with an open mind about Russia and you'll be plesently surprised.
Reviewed June 2017 Helen Porter Trip: Russia: Last Journey of the Tsars Last Journey of the Tsars Just back from this very enjoyable trip. So interesting to see parts of Russia not on the usual tourist trail and experience the Trans-Siberian railway without spending multiple days and nights on the train. So few tourists, other than Russians, outside of Moscow, which was good. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? No single moment but the day on the train from Kazan was very interesting as we were the only tourists on the train and it was fascinating to see the country side rolling by (despite the huge number of trees) and get off the train to purchase food from vendors at stations. What did you think of your group leader? Very organised and helpful Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Wi-Fi is hit and miss so don't rely on it. More mosquitos around than I expected so take some repellent.
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