Highlights
Hermitage, St Petersburg 
Peterhof 
Summer Garden, St Petersburg 
Swan Lake at the Mariinsky 
Veliky Novgorod 
Moscow’s Kremlin 
St Basil, Moscow 
Red October, Moscow 
Metro Station, Moscow 
Park Zaryade’ye, Moscow 
City Lights, Moscow 
Church of the Intercession on the Nerl 
Kremlin, Suzdal 
Golden Ring Back Roads 
Yaroslavl
Brimming with domed churches, sumptuous palaces, world class museums, high-end shopping districts, verdant parks and fun dining experiences, Russia today is a vibrant, exciting place to travel.
Itinerary
This 2 week introductory trip included the cosmopolitan, European style cities of St Petersburg and Moscow, an overnight train between the two with a stop in Veliky Novgorod, and a 4 day road trip along the Golden Ring route outside of Moscow.
St Petersburg – 4 nights
October in St Petersburg
Early October offers beautiful fall foliage and some relief from the crowds but you certainly won’t be alone in the museums.
Peterhof
A summer visit to the expansive palace gardens of Peter the Great.
Sleeping and Dining St Petersburg
With a broad mix of international favorites, local cuisine and new discoveries there is something for everyone.
Veliky Novgorod – day trip with overnight on the train
Exploring Veliky Novgorod
Once one of Europe’s most important cities, Veliky Novgorod remains a noteworthy historical site.
Train from St Petersburg to Veliky Novgorod and Moscow
Post includes a night in a deluxe sleeping compartment on the overnight train to Moscow.
Golden Ring Road Trip – 3 nights
Introduction and Moscow to Vladimir
Post includes an overview of the Golden Ring region and the drive from Moscow to Vladimir. Slept in Suzdal.
Suzdal to Yaroslavl
Post includes a half-day exploration of Suzdal and a quaint country drive to Yaroslavl. Slept in Yaroslavl.
Yaroslavl
This mid-sized Russian regional capital has a charming compact old town with numerous onion-domed cathedrals dotting the sky-line. Post also includes an afternoon drive up the Volga River. Slept in Yaroslavl.
Sleeping and Dining in Yaroslavl
Catering more to Russian tourists than foreigners, this is a great place to experience Russian culture and practice those Russian phrases you’ve been learning.
Rostov-Veliky
An small yet impressive Kremlin on the way back to Moscow. Slept in Moscow.
Moscow 3 nights (1 night before the Golden Ring and 2 after)
Kremlin and Red Square
With stunning church interiors and an armory with an extensive collection of Russian luxury extravaganza the Kremlin is one of Moscow’s top sights, for good reason.
What to See in Moscow
The bustling metropolis has myriad neighborhoods and parks to explore, all connected by a well-run historic subway system.
Travels to Reims at the Bolshoi Theater
Opera at the iconic Bolshoi Theater.
Sleeping and Dining in Moscow
Post includes our favorite restaurant in Russia, Lakvalakva.