Explore Russia Visa Free by Ferry from Helsinki: St. Petersburg - Moscow - 5 days (VF-01)

Departing from Helsinki, you’ll board the Princess Anastasia ferry bound for St Petersburg.

After your guided city tour around St. Petersburg you will visit Peter & Paul’s Fortress which warrants a closer look. It was built on tiny Hare Island to secure Russia’s position on the River Neva delta during the Great Northern War against the Swedes. Surprisingly, its cannons didn’t actually fire a single shot for over 200 years, springing into life during the 1917 Revolution. Now this fortress-cum-prison has been converted into museums and features a splendid cathedral containing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.

Later we will drive to one of the major architectural treasures of Royal St. Petersburg, Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin) located 25km south of the city. Its Alexander Palace was where the Tsars once lived, but we’ll focus our attention on the sumptuous Catherine Palace. The star of the show at this divine Baroque palace is without doubt the Amber Room, now restored to its former glory.

In the evening we’ll transfer to the railway station to take the overnight train to Moscow. You can opt to travel in the regular second-class compartment or choose one of the Grand Express’ luxury carriages.

Arrival in Moscow early in the morning. Our driver will meet you at the station and transfer to a hotel for breakfast. You can leave your luggage there if required.

The Russian capital has so much to see that without the help of our guide you’d be wondering where to start. Our guided city tour takes us to Lubyanka Square, the world-famous KGB center of the Soviet epoch, and the Teatralnaya Square where the famous Bolshoi Theatre is located. On foot, we’ll explore the lanes of the city center before reaching Red Square. Its world-renowned sights, including the brightly-painted domes of the 16th century St Basil’s Cathedral, the enormous GUM department store and pretty Kazan Cathedral attract millions of tourists each year. We’ll pay a visit to Lenin’s Mausoleum (note: no visit to the Mausoleum is possible for tours with departures on Wednesdays) where the great leader’s body is embalmed and step inside the imposing walls of the Kremlin and admire the golden-domed churches in Cathedral Square, where Moscow’s roads once converged. Inside the Armoury, you’ll find the Kremlin’s weaponry as well as treasures including the exquisite Faberge eggs and delicate pieces made from gold, silver and precious gems. We’ll also have time to take a look at the Moscow Underground. One of the masterpieces of the Soviet era, this is no ordinary public transport system with its lavish interiors featuring marble, stained glass, mosaics and beautiful sculptures.

We have arranged a room for you in a hotel in Moscow to relax in the afternoon before boarding the train.

Later we’ll transfer to the railway station for our Grand Express train back to St Petersburg arriving in the morning.

No visit to St Petersburg would be considered complete without a visit to the Hermitage Museum. This world-class art museum is housed in the Winter Palace which was once a residence of the Tsars. Today over three million works of art are waiting for your attention, featuring all the big names: Picasso, Gauguin, Da Vinci, Raphael and more.

St Petersburg is known as the Venice of the North so what can be better than seeing the city from its waterways? We’ll travel by boat (during navigation period) along the River Neva and the city’s many canals past palaces, parks and cathedrals.

You’ll be sorry you have to leave, but it’s time to return to the port where the Princess Anastasia ferry awaits to return you to the Finnish capital.

Upon request we can arrange tours and accommodation in Helsinki, please enquire.