DAY 01: ISTANBUL AIRPORT – ST. PETERSBURG
Meeting in front of the Turkish Airlines THY counter at Istanbul Airport International Departures at 05:30. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, we depart for St. Petersburg on Turkish Airlines flight TK401 at 09:10. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg at 13:00 local time, we complete passport formalities and meet our guide. Then, we proceed with our private vehicle for a Panoramic City Tour of St. Petersburg. During our panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see streets showcasing works by the world's most famous architects and artists, as well as the city's historical and tourist sites. Notable sights include Nevsky Prospect (frequently mentioned in famous writers' works), Old Harbor Lighthouses, the Mint, the Clock Tower, the Bronze Horseman statue, the Winter Palace, Palace Square, the Admiralty Building, and the Aurora Cruiser. After the city tour, we transfer to our hotel. Free time and overnight stay at our hotel in St. Petersburg.
At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the Russian Night Tour organized additionally by our guide. We recommend not missing the chance to watch magnificent dance shows while enjoying dinner at Troika Restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in St. Petersburg. Return to our hotel after the tour.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02: ST. PETERSBURG
Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may participate in additional tours to the Hermitage, Peterhof, and Canal Tours. The Hermitage Museum is located on the banks of the Neva River and houses approximately 4 million artifacts from the Tsarist era; it is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia. It has been included in the Guinness Book of World Records due to having the largest painting collection. At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the Peterhof Palace Tour. This summer palace, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, is a magnificent palace complex designed personally by Peter and built by Italian architect Rastrelli. The structure, often compared to the Palace of Versailles in Paris, is adorned with 150 monumental fountains and 4 waterfalls. Then, we continue our program with a Canal Tour. Accompanied by our guide, we enjoy a pleasant journey through St. Petersburg via its canals, extending up to the Neva River. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 03: ST. PETERSBURG
Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may participate in additional tours to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) and the Peter & Paul Fortress. Built in the 18th century by Empress Catherine and known as Tsarskoye Selo, this area covers approximately 600 hectares. The main building of the complex is the Catherine Palace. The Amber Room within the palace may occasionally be closed to visitors due to heavy crowds during the summer months. In this area, there is also the school where the famous Russian poet Pushkin received his education. Then, guests who wish may join the Peter & Paul Fortress Tour. Built by Peter in the 1700s, this fortress holds the distinction of being the first structure constructed in St. Petersburg and is located on the Neva River. Inside the fortress cathedral are the tombs of the Romanov Dynasty. The angel figure atop the cathedral, which is the tallest building in the city, is one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 04: MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow, we arrive in Moscow and are greeted. Then, we begin our Panoramic City Tour of Moscow with our private vehicle. During the tour, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin Palace, Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, Luzhniki Stadium, Lenin Hills, and Moscow State University will be seen panoramically. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Guests who wish may join the Russian Folk Dance Show Tour organized additionally. In this show performed by one of Russia's most important troupes, we will have the opportunity to get to know Russian culture closely alongside classical and modern dances. Return to our hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 05: MOSCOW
Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join additional tours to the Kremlin Palace, Moscow Metro, Arbat Street, and the Grave of Nazim Hikmet. During our tour, we will visit the Kremlin Palace, where the office of the President of the Russian Federation is located, the Assumption Cathedral, and the world's largest bell. Then, transportation will be provided via the Moscow Metro, renowned worldwide for its architecture. Afterwards, free time will be given on Arbat Street, one of Moscow's most famous streets. Here, you can shop or spend time in cafes. Our tour continues with a visit to the Novodevichy Convent and the grave of Nazim Hikmet located there. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 06: MOSCOW – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Free time after breakfast. Transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. After passport and check-in procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK416 at 20:10. Arrival in Istanbul at 00:20 local time. End of our tour.