Russia City Breaks
Experience some of the world's most exciting cities on our guided tours of Moscow and St Petersburg. Moscow is an endlessly fascinating metropolis and a must-visit for anyone who loves the bustle of city life. It’s chaotic, diverse, enigmatic and constantly changing, with something to suit virtually any traveller’s tastes. As the scene of so many world-changing events throughout the ages, one day in Moscow is never enough in this captivating, confounding capital of contradictions.
A full-throttle city, any trip to Moscow is guaranteed to be thrilling and unique, but the most popular destination in Russia is Saint Petersburg, known as the country’s cultural capital. Great artists have flocked here for centuries, shaping the city’s sophisticated, distinctly European air. The ornate splendour of St Petersburg’s architecture has given rise to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Moscow and St Petersburg Holiday Highlights
- Join a dedicated arts, history and culture tour of Moscow. Uncover the revolutionary tales behind many of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- First time in Moscow? In just three days on a privately guided Moscow city tour, you can visit the legendary Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, Arbat Street and much more.
- Tailor your free time in Moscow to suit your interests. Follow the Soviet trail to Stalin’s Bunker, or try luxury vodka tasting at Cristall Vodka Museum.
- Discover the cosmopolitan soul of St Petersburg on a guided walking tour to Nevsky Prospekt (the city’s high street), St Isaac’s Cathedral and Peter and Paul Fortress.
- Lose yourself in the grand halls of St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, home to around three million priceless works including paintings, sculptures and ancient artefacts.
- Enjoy an elegant night out at the Russian ballet or opera. There’s the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, while St Petersburg is home to the renowned Mariinsky Theatre and Mikhailovsky Theatre.
If you can’t decide which Russian city to visit, why not see both? The high-speed Sapsan train takes just four hours to cover the 630km city-to-city journey and is our transport of choice for our combined Moscow and St Petersburg tours.
Only have time for one and not sure which city in Russia to choose? Both have absolutely stunning architecture in spades, but Moscow’s history runs far deeper. The city was founded in 1147, 400 years before it became the capital of the Tsarist Empire. The world-famous Kremlin is located in Moscow in the Red Square, along with St Basil’s Cathedral. Meanwhile, the grand palaces, monuments and cathedrals of St Petersburg’s World Heritage-listed historic city centre can be explored by boat on the city’s network of canals. St Petersburg is home to around five million residents, while the population of the greater Moscow Metropolitan Area is estimated at at least 20 million! Losing yourself (both figuratively and literally - although thank goodness for tour guides!) in the world’s largest megacities is an experience never to be forgotten. Love the nightlife? Moscow is party central, while St Petersburg makes up for its more subdued clubbing scene with a proliferation of live music venues and small bars.
