Russia: Treasures of the Tsars

Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to your hotel. This evening, join fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Tour Moscow, starting at the Kremlin, and beat the crowds with an exclusive before-hours visit to the State Armory. View its impressive collection of carriages, royal gala attire and fabulous Fabergé eggs. Then, visit two Kremlin cathedrals: Assumption and Archangel. After lunch at a local restaurant, stroll Red Square to view Lenin’s Tomb and St. Basil’s Cathedral. See the city from a different perspective when you ride the Moscow Metro, renowned for its ornate stations.

This morning, enjoy a talk by a Russian scholar. Continue your explorations of Moscow with a visit to the New Maiden Cemetery, final resting place of Chekhov and other noted figures. After lunch at a local restaurant, stop at the Tretyakov Gallery, one of Moscow’s greatest treasures. Behind the gallery’s whimsical façade lies the foremost collection of Russian fine art in the world.

Leave the city for the Golden Ring, the circle of venerable cities northeast of Moscow. Travel by train to historic Vladimir for sightseeing before continuing to the old town of Suzdal. Check in to your hotel before dinner.

Explore Suzdal, often described as an open-air museum of Russian history for its extensive pre-revolution architecture. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride before eating lunch with a local family, and partake in a bread-baking master class of Russian kalach. After some time at leisure, enjoy a revitalizing visit to an authentic Russian bath — an A&K-exclusive experience.

Transfer by road back to Moscow, where you board a highspeed Sapsan train for the ride to St. Petersburg, the crowning glory of Peter the Great, arriving in the evening.

Start the day at the Hermitage, home to three million pieces of artwork, enjoying early access with fewer crowds. After lunch at a local restaurant, learn the history of the Romanovs when you meet with an expert on the subject. Cruise the city’s canals and visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral to marvel at its gilded dome, as well as the red granite columns that grace its façade.

Drive to Peterhof, summer estate of Peter the Great. Tour the Grand Palace, which is opened for you before official operating hours. Return to St. Petersburg via hydrofoil, and visit the fascinating Peter and Paul Fortress.

Travel to Tsarskoe Selo (“Tsar’s Village”), also called Pushkin. View Catherine Palace and the world-famous Amber Room, now restored to its original glory. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, and tonight, join your fellow guests for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.