Northern Lights in Russia – Railway Adventure to the Arctic Circle

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Northern Lights in Russia – Railway Adventure to the Arctic Circle

Day 1: Moscow

Welcome to the legendary capital of Russia - Moscow! Your driver meets you at the airport for a transfer to your centrally located hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free so you can relax in your cozy room, dine in one of the nearby restaurants or start exploring the charming city centre on your own.

Day 2: Moscow

After breakfast, you meet your guide and go on a tour of Moscow’s main attractions. Later you go inside one of the most outstanding Moscow icons and the symbol of Russian power - the Kremlin.

See the famous Tsar Cannon, the 16th-century Tsar Bell, and Cathedral Square, home to three of Moscow’s most elaborate cathedrals. When the daylights are deemed, take memorable pictures on the Red Square of Russian winter and Moscow New Year decorations, which rated as the most beautiful in the world.

Enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant and drive back to the hotel.

Day 3: Moscow

After breakfast, we head out of Moscow to Kolomenskoe Estate with its marvellous wooden palace that once serves as a summer residence of grand dukes of Moscow and the Russian Tsars.

Get to know the rich architectural heritage created by the best Russian artisans. This beautiful palace comprises a large number of buildings connected throughout by passageways. Discover Russian winter with outdoor activities and a traditional ceremony of tea drinking with Russian pancakes.

In the afternoon, spend some time walking along Arbat Street to feel the vibe of the city and festive atmosphere. You might want to drop in at some souvenir shops to look for some smaller presents to mark your wonderful time in the Russian winter.

In the evening after dinner in a restaurant, you are welcome onboard Imperial Russia train.

Day 4: St Petersburg

St. Petersburg, often referred to as the Northern capital of Russia, is crowded with numerous historical monuments, marvelous palaces and beautiful bridges.

After breakfast, visit the native place of the city, Peter and Paul Fortress and pay tribute to the Romanov royal family in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. St. Isaac’s Cathedral, one of the biggest dome buildings in the world, is not just an architectural masterpiece; it comprises innovative and unique engineering ideas of the 19th century.

After lunch, you drive towards Tsarskoe Selo where you visit Catherine’s Palace with the world-famous Amber Room. Later this day stroll along colourful boulevards; enjoy the city Christmas market or just sit down to rest in one of the numerous cafes.

After dinner drive through the illuminated St. Petersburg. Board the train to continue your journey to the Arctic Circle.

Day 5: Petrozavodsk

Today you arrive in Petrozavodsk, the capital city of the Republic of Karelia. The native Karels and Veps preserved their unique culture and traditions.

You will take a tour of the Village of Kinerma to learn the history of the ancient Karelian settlement of the 16th century. A local family will host you and invite you for a traditional tea with Karelian pies.

Drive back to the provincial town of Petrozavodsk, the most Soviet one on our journey, and enjoy the concert of the local folk group “Kantele”.

Day 6: Murmansk

Today your train crosses the Arctic Circle. As the train pulls through the Kola Peninsula enjoy your morning at leisure, follow the changing scenery with beautiful landscapes of the Khibiny Mountains.

Shortly before lunch, you arrive in Murmansk, the most Northern point of our journey. For the next two days you will be lodging in a city hotel. This town started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post.

Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free all year round. Depart for the city tour with such major attractions as nuclear icebreaker Lenin, World War II memorials.

Later this noon enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity. Join us for a festive dinner with a colorful show program in the beautifully decorated hotel restaurant to celebrate the New Year!

Day 7: Murmansk

On the first day of the New Year allow yourself to sleep in and enjoy the late breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Later this morning drive for the Village of Lovozero, the 16th-century of the cultural life of the Saami, the native people of the Kola Peninsula.

Meet the Saami Santa Claus who invites you for lunch and explains you about the lifestyle of Saami, life in tundra, reindeer herding and hunting. Walk around the village or on the frozen lake to capture the winter landscapes of Arctic winter or ride a reindeer sledding! Around dinner time arrive in Murmansk and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 8: Onboard

After breakfast at the hotel board the train and start travelling towards Vologda. Today enjoy your stay onboard to reflect on cities you have already visited. Enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop and picturesque winter scenery.

You might want to attend one of the interesting lectures or entertaining program.

Day 9: Vologda

In the morning arrive in Vologda, the city with significant historical and cultural heritage. This city is the same age as the Russian capital and is rich in historical sights.

The Kremlin Square is located right in the centre of the city, and Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible used to walk around this place. Emperor Peter the Great used to visit Vologda frequently.

Among artisans, this city is well known for its delicate and exquisite laces. Stroll along the Kremlin grounds and listen to the history of this city, spot some of the remaining wooden houses with carved window frames that are very much like the laces. Try your hands in a workshop to paint gingerbread and take it as a memory of Vologda.

In the evening you are back onboard the train to celebrate the farewell dinner.

Day 10: Moscow

The rail journey comes to the end. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey back home.

Included