Upon arrival, after clearing passport control and customs proceed to the arrival area to meet U Visit Russia representative. You will be assisted to your vehicle and transferred to the hotel. Hotel check-in. Free time to relax, explore the magnificent city centre on your own, dine in one of the local restaurants.

Overnight in St. Petersburg.

Buffet Breakfast.

Morning sightseeing with your knowledgeable tour guide includes views of St. Isaac's Cathedral and Decembrists' Square. Travel along Nevsky Prospekt for views of the great Cathedral of Kazan and the iconic, onion-domed Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.

Visit the State Hermitage Art Museum occupying six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the Neva River. The leading role in this unique architectural ensemble is played by the Winter Palace, a former royal residence built in 1754 - 1762 according to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Put together throughout two and a half centuries, the Hermitage collection consists of over 3,000,000 works of art and presents the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore, shop or relax.

In the evening make your way to one of the best ballet and opera theatres of St. Petersburg to admire the world-famous Peter Tchaikovsky "The Nutcracker" classical ballet in two acts, starting at 19 pm. The driver will come at 18 pm to your hotel to pick you up and bring to the theatre. After the performance,0 the driver will get you back to the hotel.

Buffet Breakfast.

In the little town of Pushkin, visit Catherine’s Palace with your guide. A ‘Golden Enfilade’ of suites lead to the restored Amber Room, a truly unique and spectacular chamber solely decorated with amber panels, gold leaves and mirrors.

Later, cross the Neva River to Peter and Paul Fortress, where St. Petersburg’s foundation stone was laid in 1703. With a Local Expert, visit the fortress to see the imperial tombs of the Romanov rulers and learn the secrets of Russian history.

This day is free to walk around the city and prepare for the evening celebration - the solemn New Year's Ball in the Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir, based on centuries-old traditions, that harmoniously fits into the face of the Northern capital.

At 20.00 enjoy a transfer to the Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir.

20.00 - 21.30. Guests come. They are greeted by mimans in historical costumes on the front staircase, and together with the emcee, they are invited to take a tour of the grand duke's chambers. The tour is conducted in Russian, guides translate. Groups of 20-30 people pass into the living rooms, and this allows to avoid pandemonium and gives guests the opportunity to get acquainted with the magnificent interiors of the palace. During the meeting, guests hear the sounds of a string quartet. The harp plays in the crimson living room of the palace. The hosts invite guests to a cocktail in the White Gallery of the Palace and the Winter Garden. The string quartet plays all the time.

21.30. The emcee (Catherine II) appears in the White Gallery, she greets the guests and delivers a brief welcome speech, and Her Assistants - the ball administrators, translate it into foreign languages (English, French). The guests will spend this evening in the company of the royal person - the Autocrats of the All-Russia - Catherine the Great. These walls remember the splendour of the golden age of the Russian nobility, and the balls that were given here, in the immediate vicinity of the residence of Russian tsars, the Hermitage, rattled throughout Europe.

Catherine II invites everyone to a festive performance in the Belokolonniy Hall of the Palace!

21.30 - 22.15. The ballet program with soloists of the leading theatres of St. Petersburg

22.15 - 22.30. The hosts invite guests to the Gala dinner.

22.30 - 23.55. Gala dinner takes place n the living rooms, and during it the arias of the world famous operas will be performed by the soloists of the St. Petersburg theatres, festive music will play, a string quartet will play. Guests will see the choreographic compositions performed by the soloist of the ballet. All guests will be pleasantly surprised by the presenter - Catherine II, who will perform arias from the world-famous operas as a gift.

23.55 - 24.00. The glasses are raised, and the host congratulates everybody with a Happy New Year. The festive music sounds, the holiday continues!

00.20. Before serving a hot dish, the emcee announces the arrival of the Cossacks and invite guests to Beloklonniy Hall to watch the songs and dances performed by the Cossack ensemble "Bagatitsa".

After the concert of the ensemble Bagatitsa, the emcee reports on the removal of hot dishes and the gala dinner continue. Classical music sounds in the living rooms.

01.20. The emcee announces guests about the opportunity to dance. In the Belokolonny Hall, everything is ready for a dance program. Modern and retro hits are heard throughout the party. Those who want to dance move to the hall and the New Year's program continues in the living rooms this time.

3.00 - The emcees thank all the guests for their participation in the New Year's Ball and announce the end of the Festive Evening.

Theatrical performance in the Hall with white columns before gala-dinner: 

Gala music, presenters‘ appearance, guest greeting

1.  Ch. Gunot – Waltz from the opera “Faust” 
2.  Tchaikovsky – “Russkaya” from the ballet “Swan Lake” 
3.  Chopin – 7th waltz from the ballet “Chopiniana” 
4.  Mozart – “Mozart” 
5.  Tchaikovsky – Variation from the ballet “Nutcracker” – 
6.  “Maloguena” 
7.  Minkus – Pas-de-deux from the ballet “Pakhita” 
8.  Tchaikovsky –“Pastoral” 
9.  Minkus – “Gypsy’s dance” from the ballet “Don Quixote” 
10.  Minkus – Pa-de-de from the ballet “Don Quixote” 

Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg.

In the afternoon board your high-speed Sapsan train and relax in modern luxury and comfort as you swoop to Moscow in just a few hours. On arrival in this fascinating city, you are transferred to your hotel for a leisurely three-night stay.

Overnight in Moscow.

Buffet Breakfast

In the morning, you are at leisure to relax or explore the Russian capital as you wish. The Christmas Markets offer plenty of unique art pieces and classic Russian ornaments.

In the afternoon, explore the inside the Kremlin - the main landmarks are three Assumption, Annunciation and Archangel Cathedrals dating back to the 15-16th centuries, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Tsar Bell, Tsar Cannon, etc. Your tour will include a visit to the Armory Chamber, that houses a unique collection of crown jewels, stunning coronation finery, hand forged armour and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and world-famous Fabergé eggs.

Buffet Breakfast / Gala Dinner

Start in the Red Square, lined by Moscow's landmark buildings. At one end rises the onion-shaped domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, in front of the Kremlin stands Lenin's Mausoleum, while on the opposite side, the grand GUM department store offers a variety of glamorous goods. During your stay, you will visit the Metro stations, which Stalin called ‘Palaces for the People.' Explore Moscow Metro - one of the most beautiful and efficient subway systems in the world carrying. It was designed by prominent Russian architects and artists whose goal was not to create just a transportation system but a showcase to glorify socialism and its achievements. You will visit the most amazing stations decorated with granite, marble, bronze, statues and other pieces of art - making it look more like a museum than a subway.

In your free time, you may like to wrap up warm and venture out to explore the dazzling festivities of the Christmas season. Snow-covered stalls are crowned with twinkling fairy lights, while vendors serve warm drinks and food. When Moscow’s Journey into Christmas begins, each district becomes part of the festival, offering everything from exciting street shows and concerts, to master cooking classes of traditional Russian foods. There really is something for everyone.

Later, enjoy delicious food, great wine or vodka and wonderful company as you toast to your travels during your Gala Dinner at the restaurant near Bolshoi Theater.

Buffet Breakfast

Airport drop off

Today you have to say Goodbye to Moscow. We hope you've enjoyed your tour & that you return home with lifelong memories and unforgettable impressions. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips.