Footsteps of the Tsars

Itinerary

Days 1-3 St Petersburg

Crowded with palaces, museums and cathedrals, take in St Petersburg on foot or from a boat, floating down the many canals and rivers crisscrossing this captivating city. Experience the opulence and grandeur of imperial Russia at the Winter Palace or perhaps peruse exquisite artworks in the Hermitage Museum.

Day 4 Pushkin

Named after Russia's most celebrated poet, Pushkin is home to one of the most opulent imperial residences in the country - the magnificent Catherine Palace.

Day 5 Suzdal

Wander among medieval buildings in one of Russia's oldest cities. Try some hearty borscht and enjoy sweeping views of meadows and glittering domes on the horizon.

Days 6-7 Nizhny Novgorod

Wander down the pedestrian streets in this stunning city formally known as "Gorky".

Days 8-9 Kazan

Home to descendants of nomadic tribes, flanked by rivers and abundant with grand mosques, the capital of the Tatarstan republic is more reminiscent of Central Asia than Europe. Accompany a local guide and visit the striking Kul Sharif Mosque before feasting on traditional cuisine - an eclectic combination of Russian, Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

Days 10-12 Yekaterinburg

Best known as the place of exile and execution of the Romanovs, Yekaterinburg lies close to the Europe-Asia border. Discover the city's notorious past and visit the Church of the Blood.

Days 13-14 Tobolsk

Once the foremost city in Siberia, Tobolsk still boasts a charming town centre full of winding lanes and weatherworn cottages. See the the kremlin and the Office of Tsar Nicholas II with a local guide. Visit Pokrovskoye to discover the mysteries of Rasputin in a museum dedicated to one of recent history's most intriguing characters. Discover the boom and bustle of Tyumen before jumping onboard a railway icon.

Day 15 Trans-Siberian Railway

Travel through dense forests, quaint Siberian villages and industrious Soviet hubs aboard the world's most famous railway.

Days 16-18 Moscow

Much of the country's history emerged in this bustling capital and historical sites such as the Kremlin and Red Square are reason alone for a visit.