the moscow experience - russia tours · with a visit to the tretyakov gallery, established at the...

* price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will very less then 6 people.Call us on 1300 742 374 (toll free from Australia) or +61-2-8221-88-59 from the rest of the world, or visit our website www.56thparallel.com

Breathe in the history of Russia’s capital and glimpse into its rapidly evolving future. Be awed by the majesty of its Imperial past and swept away in modern day glitz and glamour.

Travellers to Moscow often find the city tantalisingly overwhelming. After all, this 860 year old metropolis is the largest in Europe, and its sheer size, its sprawling history and its dynamic cultural and political life are a lot for the visitor to take in. The Moscow Experience is a captivating journey through art, architecture, history and contemporary culture – all the things that combine to make Moscow one of the world’s greatest cities.

A trip to Moscow has to start by getting acquainted with Moscow’ s landmark attractions and atmospheric old streets. Set your sights on glorious palaces, the iconic onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral and the marble floors and mosaics of the metro stations. Discover the city’s artistic treasure troves and open your eyes to the ever-changing face of contemporary Moscow, a place where unbelievable extravagance and solemn tradition live side by side.

Along the way, you’ll eat and shop in some of Moscow’s finest establishments, see the city from the top of its tallest tower, watch a world class ballet or opera performance, and learn to cook a traditional meal in a Russian family home.

TOUR DURATION7 days / 6 nights

GROUP SIZE6-12 people

REGIONS VISITEDMoscow

START CITY — END CITYMoscow — Moscow

SEASONSummer, May - September

TOUR CATEGORYCulture

PRICEFrom US $2950*

THE MOSCOW EXPERIENCE


Welcome to Moscow, the northernmost megacity on earth. On arrival in Moscow Airport, you’ll be met by your 56th Parallel tour leader and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is yours to relax and get acquainted with the local area.

MEALS INCLUDED:_, _, _

Get a picture perfect introduction to Moscow with a walking tour of the city centre. We visit the Red Square, where many great events in Russian history haven taken place, the sublimely beautiful Saint Basils Cathedral and the peaceful Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. We’ll also visit the stately palaces of the Kremlin if time permits. Our next stop is Arbat Street, a pedestrian street in the heart of Moscow overflowing with history and atmosphere. Explore the Arbat district at your leisure. Have lunch at one of the famous Caucasian restaurants, shop for souvenirs, catch street performers as they charm passers-by and watch Moscow’s local artists at work. The evening is free to enjoy at your leisure. One popular suggestion is dinner at Sixty restaurant on the 62ndfloor of the Moscow City Skyscraper, where you’re treated to a bird’s eye view of the incredible vastness of the city.

MEALS INCLUDED:B, _, _.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO MOSCOW

DAY 2: THE HEART OF MOSCOW


Today’s theme: ‘Back In the USSR’. We explore Moscow from a Soviet perspective, starting with a tour of the Moscow Metro. Opened in 1935, this striking feat of engineering is one of the largest and oldest underground railway systems in the world. Its grand stations are remarkably beautiful, and have become tourist attractions in their own right. On the way, we’ll check out a few of the Soviet era’s iconic landmarks, including some of the Seven Sisters, Stalin’s famous identical skyscrapers. Lunch is served at either Pokrovskie Vorota (a restaurant styled as a classic Soviet communal apartment), or Glavpivtorg, a more formal affair that recollects the Soviet ministerial style. After lunch, we head up to the observation deck of the 385m Ostankino TV Tower to see Moscow from the clouds, then dig deep beneath the city on a tour of Stalin’s bunker, now home to an interactive WWII museum.

MEALS INCLUDED:B, L, _.

Today is free day to explore Moscow. This great city is famous for the extravagant lifestyles of its billionaire entrepreneurs, often referred to as ‘oligarchs’. Today, as an option, you’re given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to peer into the luxurious universe of an oligarch for the day.

Option One: Visit the Vehicle Museum, an incredible private collection of rich boy’s toys belonging to antiques dealer Vadim Zadorozhny. Take a ride on a rare retro or military car, try your hand at disassembling or reassembling an AK-47 and capture your memories with a special photo session, followed by lunch in the museum restaurant. Option Two: Moscow has earned areputation as a wonderland for luxury shopaholics. Be chauffeured around the city in a fancy car on a personalised shopping tour of Moscow's most exclusive neighbourhoods and fashion districts. Your VIP chaperone will guide you through your dream itinerary, visiting places like GUM, Gallery Mikhailov or Barvikha Luxury village. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in one of Moscow's finest restaurants. Our oligarch experience is topped off with an unforgettable visit to a Russian banya. Banya is a combination of a sauna and a steam bath, aiming to cleanse the body and leave you feeling refreshed. As in every authentic banya experience, food and drinks will be provided. MEALS INCLUDED:B, _, _.

DAY 3: BACK TO USSR

DAY 4: MOSCOW LIKE AN OLIGARCH


Today we’ll gain an insight into centuries of Russian culture, and explore trends in contemporary art and modern design. We start with a visit to the Tretyakov Gallery, established at the end of the 19th century as the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world. The gallery hosts a collection of over 130,000 masterpieces from early religious paintings to works by Russia’s most influential modern artists. Next, we visit one of Moscow’s newest creative hotspots, the Red October district on Balchug Island. This is where Moscow’s emerging artists and hip young things come to work, play, see and be seen. The island’s old chocolate factory has been transformed into a vibrant creative space, home to modern art galleries, photo studios, seasonal exhibitions and chic bars and restaurants with stunning views of Christ the Saviour Cathedral and Tserteli’s Peter the Great statue. As an option for this evening, get prepared for something extra special. After dinner at our hotel we head out for an unforgettable night at the opera or the Russian ballet. MEALS INCLUDED:B, _, _.

Now that you’ve discovered what makes tourism tick in Moscow, it’s time to experience a little of what everyday life is like for the city’s natives. We join the locals for a morning stroll in Gorky Park, a modern, eco-friendly recreational area overlooking the Moscow River. Rent a bike, join a dance class or simply take in the sights and sounds of one of the city’s favourite meeting places. Next, we sample a true taste of local life with a home cooking workshop and lunch at the family table, together with your Russian hosts. This fun, lively session will teach you how to cook a delicious spread of sweet and savoury dishes. Depending on seasonal ingredients and your personal preferences, you can learn to make pelmeni (meat dumplings), blini (Russian pancakes), varenniki (cheese, vegetable or fruit dumplings) and pirozhki (baked or fried puffy buns with a variety of fillings). You’ll also have a chance to try typical Russian drinks like kvas and kefir as you savour your meal and enjoy a unique cultural exchange of ideas and experiences. As an option for our final evening, we offer to spend time on a sumptuous Moscow by Night cruise with dinner on board.

MEALS INCLUDED:B, L, _.

DAY 5: RUSSIAN ART AND CULTURE

DAY 6: JOIN THE LOCALS AT GORKY PARK


Our last morning in Moscow. After breakfast, we check out from the hotel, transfer to the airport and wave goodbye to this unforgettable city of contrasts.

MEALS INCLUDED:B, _, _.

DAY 7: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

PLEASE NOTE: This tour can be combined with a number of tours we have on offer to create the full impression of Russia, here are some examples:

- St Petersburg - Lake Baikal - Kamchatka


ACCOMMODATION

5 * HOTEL — RITZ CARLTON

Escape to one of the premier Moscow, Russia hotels and take a captivating journey to a place where legends and history surround you at every turn. The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow lies at the edge of the famed Red Square – the site of countless coronations and celebrations. Today, this symbolic space serves as a cultural epicenter of one of the world’s great cities and invites visitors to share in its many wonders, just moments from our hotel.

PLEASE NOTE: The accommodation included in the price is the Ibis Moscow Paveletskaya hotel, for other hotels, the price will be different.

4 * HOTEL — MERCURE ARBAT MOSCOW

Brand new boutique style 109-room hotel ideally located in the historical center of Moscow at the most beautiful pedestrian street of Arbat, famous by its artists, souvenir shops, numerous restaurants, cafés and bars. With 2 metro stations at its doorsteps the hotel is close to the International Trade Center,Expocenter, Moscow City and offers Wi-Fi, high-speed internet access, coffee/tea facilities, Nespresso machines in Privilege rooms, gym, infrared saunas, restaurant, bar, library and meeting room.

3* HOTEL — IBIS MOSCOW PAVELETSKAYA

The newly built Ibis Moscow Paveletskaya Hotel is located in the heart of Moscow business district, within walking distance to Domodedovo Airport Express train and 5 min by metro to the historic city center (Kremlin, Red Square, Bolshoy Theatre). 147 spacious, air-conditioned rooms are ideal for booking a business or leisure stay. The hotel has a restaurant La Table serving full buffet breakfast, cozy bar Rendez-vous open 24/24 for snacks. Hotel guests can stay connected with free WiFi internet.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group arrival transfer • Transport on tour • 3* hotel accommodation • Meals as specified• Experiences detailed in the itinerary:

◦ walking tour around the city center◦ undeground tour, including metro tickets◦ tour to Stlin's skyscrapers◦ tour to Ostankino Tower and Stalin's bbunker + entrance tickets◦ tour to Tretyakov gallery◦ tour around red October district◦ tour to Gorky Park◦ house-cooking workshop

• Entry fees to some attractions • English speaking guide • Russian visa support letter

NOT INCLUDED

• International flights • Travel insurance • Visa fees• Individual transfers • Optional experiences:

◦ visit to a vehicle museum◦ escorted shopping tour◦ Russian banya experience◦ visit to opera and ballet theatre◦ night cruise with dinner

TRANSPORT

• Private car

ACCOMMODATION

• 6 nights at the «Mercure-Arbat» 3* hotel in Moscow

MEALS

• 6 breakfasts • 1 lunch • 0 dinners

VISAS AND PERMITS

All foreigners require a valid Russian visa to visit Russia for tourist purposes. For most travelers, a tourist visa (single or double entry and valid for a maximum of 30 days from date of entry) is sufficient.

Getting a Russian visa involves 3 steps: Invitation, Application and Registration.

The simplest, most comprehensive online guide to GETTING A RUSSIAN VISA IS HERE: http://www.56thparallel.com/russian-visa-application/


INCLUSIONS

SUMMARY ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORT, MEALS

WHAT TO KNOW

http://www.56thparallel.com/russian-visa-application/

http://www.56thparallel.com/russian-visa-application/

This page will talk you through the process step-by-step, and you’ll be able to purchase your Invitation letter and download the Russian visa application form from here. You’ll need to deliver your invitation letter, visa application form, passport (with six months or more validity) and two passport-sized photos sized (3.5*4.5) mm to your nearest Russian consulate, either by post or in person.

INSURANCE

You must have medical travel insurance to travel with 56th Parallel. You’ll need to supply details of your travel insurance policy to your tour group leader before embarking on your Russian adventure. It’s extremely important that your chosen policy covers all aspects of the trip you’re undertaking. We recommend contacting your insurance provider for advice if you’re not sure which policy to take out.

LOCAL TOUR LEADERS

56th Parallel employ local Russian tour leaders, guides and drivers. This way, we’re able to provide much-needed jobs within Russia’s fledgling tourism industry, while our guests benefit from our guides’ intimate knowledge of the regions we visit. All our key staff are English speaking, and we absolutely encourage you to engage them with your questions and cultural comparisons. A great rapport with your tour leader goes a long way to making your holiday experience truly memorable.

TIPPING

Tipping of guides, drivers and hotel/restaurant staff is up to your discretion. While it’s not considered compulsory in Russia, a tip of 5-10% is reasonable if you’re happy with the service provided. Tipping is common in restaurants and makes up a significant part of the take-home pay for wait staff.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

At 56th Parallel we are firm believers in sustainable tourism and responsible travel.Our tours and tour leaders are committed to an environmentally and culturally sensitive approach to visiting wilderness areas and local communities. Please visit our Sustainable Tourism page (http://www.56thparallel.com/how-we-travel-russia/sustainable-tourism/ ) for more information.

ABOUT THIS INFORMATION

All information here is provided in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, our itineraries and accommodation sometimes have to be adjusted according to booking availabilities, weather conditions and other factors. We do our best to keep all the information on our website and information kits up-to-date, but please be aware that things can change at the last minute. We encourage you to contact our customer service team if there’s anything you need to be sure of – we’re always happy to help!


http://www.56thparallel.com/how-we-travel-russia/sustainable-tourism/

http://www.56thparallel.com/how-we-travel-russia/sustainable-tourism/

the moscow experience - russia tours · with a visit to the tretyakov gallery, established at the...

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