01. DAY ISTANBUL AIRPORT – ST. PETERSBURG
Meet at 05:30 in front of the THY counter at Istanbul Airport International Departures. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, depart for St. Petersburg at 09:10 on Turkish Airlines flight TK401. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg at 13:00 local time, complete passport control and meet our guide. Then we depart by private vehicle for the St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour. During our panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see the streets where the works of the world’s most famous architects and artists are displayed, as well as the city’s historical and tourist landmarks. Among the places to be seen are Nevsky Prospect, the Old Port Lighthouses, the Mint, the Clock Tower, the statue of Peter the Great, the Winter Palace, Palace Square, the Admiralty Building, and the Aurora Cruiser. After the city tour, transfer to our hotel. Free time and accommodation at our hotel in St. Petersburg.
At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the Russian Night Tour, organized as an extra by our guide. We recommend not missing the opportunity to watch spectacular dance shows while having dinner at Troika Restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in St. Petersburg. After the tour, return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
02. DAY ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the Hermitage, Peterhof, and Canal Tours, organized as extras. The Hermitage Museum, located on the banks of the Neva River, is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia, housing approximately 4 million works from the Tsarist period. It has entered the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest collection of paintings. At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join the Peterhof Palace Tour. Located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, this summer palace is a magnificent palace complex whose plans were personally drawn by Peter and built by Italian architect Rastrelli. Considered a rival to the Palace of Versailles in Paris, the structure is adorned with 150 monumental fountains and 4 cascades. Then we continue our program with the Canal Tour. Accompanied by our guide, we explore St. Petersburg this time from the canals, enjoying a pleasant journey extending to the Neva River. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
03. DAY ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) and Peter & Paul Tours, organized as extras. This area, known as Tsarskoye Selo, was built by Empress Catherine in the 18th century and covers an area of approximately 600 hectares. The main structure of the complex is Catherine Palace. The Amber Room in the palace may sometimes be closed to visitors due to heavy traffic, especially in the summer months. In this area, there is also the school where the famous Russian poet Pushkin studied. Afterward, guests who wish may join the Peter & Paul Fortress Tour. Built by Peter in St. Petersburg in the 1700s, this fortress is the first structure constructed in the city and is located on the Neva River. The cathedral inside the fortress contains the tombs of the Romanov Dynasty. The angel figure atop the cathedral, the city’s tallest structure, is one of St. Petersburg’s symbols. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
04. DAY MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
After breakfast at the hotel, we check out of our rooms and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow, we arrive in Moscow and are met upon arrival. Then we begin the Moscow Panoramic City Tour by private vehicle. During the tour, the following places will be seen panoramically: Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin Palace, the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, Luzhniki Stadium, Lenin Hills, and Moscow University. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Guests who wish may join the Russian Folk Dance Show Tour, organized as an extra. In this performance by one of Russia’s most important ensembles, we will have the opportunity to get to know Russian culture closely through classical and modern dances. After the tour, return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
05. DAY MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the Kremlin Palace, Moscow Metro, Arbat Street, and Nazım Hikmet’s Grave Tour, organized as an extra. During our tour, the Kremlin Palace, where the Russian President’s office is also located, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the world’s largest bell will be seen. Then transportation will be provided via the world-famous Moscow Metro, renowned 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 cafés. Our tour will continue with a visit to Novodevichy Convent and the grave of Nazım Hikmet located there. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
06. DAY MOSCOW – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. At the time determined by our guide, transfer to the airport. After passport and check-in procedures, depart for Istanbul at 20:10 on Turkish Airlines flight TK416. Arrival in Istanbul at 00:20 local time. End of the tour.