[Update: 25Jun 2008]  
Tour Name 9Days 7Nights Best of Russia
Tour Code 7N BOR
Departure Date July: 04, 05, 18 & 19 //
Aug
: 01, 02, 15, 16 , 29 & 30 //
Sep
: 05, 06, 26 & 27
DAY 1 SINGAPORE Q MOSCOW [D]
Welcome to Russia! Upon arrival, meet & greet at the airport by our guide. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Today’s itinerary may be corrected as per flight schedule.
Today’s city tour includes Sparrow Hills, embankments of the Moscow River, the University, the newly reconstructed Christ the Saviour Cathedral and other main sights of the city. Visit to the Victory Hill (Poklonnaya Gora). At 171.5m, it is one of the highest spots in Moscow. You will see a fantastic view of the city from there. In the 1960s, they decided to make it the open-air museum dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleon. The Moscow Triumphal Arch, erected in wood in 1814 and in marble in 1827 to a design by Osip Bove, was relocated and reconstructed here in 1968. In 2005, President Putin inaugurated 15 extravagant bronze columns, symbolizing main fronts and navies of the Red Army during the World War II.

 
DAY 2 MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (Overnight Train) [B / L / D]
Excursion to the Red Square, the huge open space flanked by the Kremlin and a visit to Lenin’s Mausoleum. During this tour, visit to St Basil’s Cathedral, the wonderfully ornamented quincunx of onion domes, which is the best-known building in Russia. At the end of the excursion, take a walk through Alexander Garden along the majestic walls of the Kremlin. Next, to the Kremlin and its 5 Cathedrals. The Moscow Kremlin is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). It includes four palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with 20 Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of Russia. Visit to the G.U.M. – the largest Russian department store facing Red Square. The trapezoidal building was created built between 1890 and 1893 and features an interesting combination of elements of Russian medieval architecture and a steel framework and glass roof. Evening, performance in the famous Russian Circus. Their performances cover all the familiar circus skills such as clowning, juggling, trapeze artistry, extreme balancing and strongman acts etc. All performers are Russians, trained in the Russian circus tradition. Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Saint Petersburg.
 
DAY 3 ST. PETERSBURG
[B / L]
Breakfast Boxes in the train. Arrive in Saint Petersburg. Meet & greet by our guide at the railway station.
Today’s city tour includes Nevsky Prospect – the main street of the city, the Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great, the first Stock Exchange, Decembrist's Square, Vasilievsky Island, Smolny Cathedral, Palace Square and the Admiralty Building and many beautiful bridges of the city. Visit to The Peter & Paul Fortress – it is the original citadel of St. Petersburg, designed by Domenico Trezzini and founded in 1703. The fort contains a number of buildings including the Peter & Paul Cathedral, where all Russian tsars from Peter I to Alexander III are interred; the remains of the Imperial martyrs, Nicholas II and his family and entourage, were also interred there more recently.

 
DAY 4 ST. PETERSBURG (Free At Leisure)
[B]
After breakfast in hotel, free at leisure to discover the city. Our suggested optional tours: St. Petersburg’s rivers and canals boat trip (15 USD). Petrodvorets (Peterhof) with a visit to the Grand Palace and Park. Ballet performance at world’s famous theatres of St. Petersburg. Shopping malls outside the city.
 
DAY 5 ST. PETERSBURG [B / L]
Morning after breakfast, Visit to the Yusupov Palace, a unique historical landmark of federal importance showcasing architectural trends from the 18th through 20th centuries, has been rightfully acclaimed as the “encyopedia” of St. Petersburg aristocratic interior design. The palace is situated on the banks of the Moika River and was the family home one of Russia’s richest noble families.

After Lunch, proceed to visit Chocolate museum – the world of chocolate figures. It is the only chocolate boutique in Saint Petersburg. Unique collection of chocolate figures, chocolate truffles with alcohol filling, marzipan of different tastes, vegetarian chocolate made of palm oil and soybean milk are represented in small rooms. The items are made of three types of chocolate – black, milk and white. Absolutely all the exhibits are hand-made.

     
DAY 6 ST. PETERSBURG – MOSCOW [B / D]
Sightseeing to The State Hermitage Museum – the former Winter Palace of the Tsars. Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Rococo-style, green-and-white palace has 1,786 doors and 1,945 windows. The Palace is now part of a complex of buildings known as the State Hermitage Museum, which holds one of the world's greatest collections of art. Many of the Winter Palace's 1,057 halls and rooms are open to the public. Follow by a visit to the legendary “Aurora” Cruiser. The Aurora is a Russian protected cruiser, currently preserved as a museum ship in St. Petersburg. She became a symbol of the Communist Revolution in Russia. Visit to the Souvenir Market in the city centre.

Next, walking tour "Three beauties" – during this tour, you will walk through Nevskiy Prospect – the main street of St. Petersburg and three fantastic creations built in different times and styles – St. Isaac's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral and the Church on the Spilled Blood with a visit to one of them. Transfer to the railway station for departure to Moscow.
     
DAY 7 MOSCOW [B/L]
Breakfast Boxes in the train. Arrive in Moscow. Meet by our guide.
Walking tour of Arbat Street – the first pedestrian street in the centre of Moscow with old history and interesting lifestyles of today. Next, tour of Moscow Metro, which is well known for the ornate design of many of its stations that contain beautiful examples of socialist realist art. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Free at leisure.
     
DAY 8  MOSCOW Q SINGAPORE [B]
After breakfast in hotel, free at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to Singapore.
 
DAY 9 ARRIVE SINGAPORE  
 
Package Inclusive
~ Accommodation 4* hotels @ Moscow. St.Petersburg – Newly opened 3* boutique hotel in city centre.
~ Meals as per itinerary;
~ Souvenir, 1 mineral water per person per day as a compliment from the Russian Classics
~ English speaking guide according to the itinerary;
~ Entrance tickets as per itinerary;
~ First class air-conditioned coach/mini bus;
~ Second class overnight train Moscow-St. Petersburg-Moscow (4 people per cabin)
~ Luggage porterage in hotels
Optional (not included):
St. Petersburg boat trip through rivers and canals.
Folklore show (St. Petersburg).
Petrodvorets (St. Petersburg).
Ballet performance at world’s famous theatres of St. Petersburg.
Shopping malls outside the city.
Extra charge for First class cabin (2 paxs per cabin) – S$120 per person per way. (1 pax per cabin)- $$240 Per person per way.
 
Tipping: USD5 per person per day for guide and driver
Remarks
*Under certain circumstances, the actual sequences of sightseeing programs
might be altered based on local agents arrangements