UNESCO Heritage Highlights of Russia

Name: UNESCO Highlights Tour of Russia - 12 Day Custom Itinerary
Brand: JayWay Travel
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

12 Days / 11 Nights

St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan

Average Guest Rating 5 / 5

A splendid bucket list holiday in Russia? No need to search further! We have assembled a UNESCO heritage-themed itinerary for those who are eager to see the exceptional sights in three Russian capital cities, each with a universal cultural or artistic value. The Venice of the North, St. Petersburg, arising out of the Neva estuary, was one of the most complex urban creations in the 18th century. The diversified Baroque and pure Neo-classic buildings form the core of the UNESCO protected central and suburban area with gems like the Hermitage or the Lomonosov Residence. In the present-day capital, Moscow, you can't miss the secular and sacred buildings from the World Heritage list, like the Kremlin or the Novodevichy Convent. Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, stretches along the Volga river, just a stone's throw from the cathedral and monastery of Sviyazhsk. Taking our recommendations will result in seeing more than half of the UNESCO sights in the Russian Federation
Traveling by high-speed train between St. Petersburg and Moscow, taking a flight to Kazan, guided city tours and day trips, classy, centrally located accommodations are all included in your vacation package.
In addition to the tours included we can arrange a number of excursions based on your own interests. All of our tours are custom, and this is just a sample meant to give an idea for what our trips are like, and the opportunities our destinations provide.
One of our team members in the region will be available to you leading up to and during your trip to answer any questions and arrange local services. You will receive access to your Guest Page, with its information on the best these destinations have to offer, including things to see and do, and other inside tips from restaurant recommendations to tipping advice. Upon your arrival, we will provide you with a local SIM that you can use to reach your local JayWay contact throughout your trip. In all of our destinations, we offer a variety of memorable 3-5 star accommodation options, including boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and spacious apartments. With our first-hand experience, we can ensure they are all clean, comfortable, and centrally located, with local ambience.

4 Nights in St. Petersburg

4 Nights in St. Petersburg

Russia’s second largest and westernmost city, St. Petersburg possesses an imperial splendor that is second-to-none. The city has changed names numerous times over the years, from Petrograd to Leningrad and now St. Petersburg, a fact that attests to its unique complexity and diversity. With a recently redeveloped waterfront and a completely revamped historical district as well as a variety of world-class restaurants and art galleries, this truly is a renaissance city. Long known for its hedonism, St. Petersburg today is a well-rounded and welcoming tourist destination, especially for those looking to do something a little different. Built by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg was designed to dazzle. Much of the architecture here is stunning, and you don’t have to go far to find something beautiful to look at, from the Hermitage Museum to the grand Peterhof Summer Palace. This is also a city of history and culture, with incredible museums and performance halls such as the Mariinsky Theatre and the Shostakovich Philharmonia, where you can enjoy some of the finest ballet and classical music in the world. American citizens need a visa to travel to St. Petersburg, and we can assist with all the paperwork, through there may be an additional fee on top of Russia’s visa fees.

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival in St. Petersburg

Welcome to St Petersburg! A driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall ready to take you to your hotel in the center of the city. Please note that US citizens need a visa to enter Russia. This is not included in the package, but we will help you with the invitation letter needed to obtain the visa.

You can find more information about the application process and cost on the Russian Embassy's webpage https://washington.mid.ru/en/consular-services/citizens-usa/visa-to-russia/

Please note that some drivers in St Petersburg don't speak great English but they will have clear instructions on where to take you. You will meet your guide on the first tour. If you'd like to arrange for the English-speaking guide to pick you up together with the driver, please let us know and we can arrange this for extra fee.

Please note that we included a daytime airport transfer to your package. If your flight arrives between 10:00pm - 7:00am, an extra fee will be applied for the nighttime transfer. This extra fee will be included in your package by your local contact.

Private Boat Trip Along Rivers and Canals

Sails the City's Channels and Canals

Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

For a romantic way to see the city, embark on a boat trip through St. Petersburg's graceful canals, and under its charming bridges. You'll get a new perspective on the "Venice of the North" as you sail past the city's islands and historical landmarks. For even a more mind-blowing experience take the night river cruise and see the beutiful drawbridges open up at night.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 2 hours

Day 2

Day 2 - Your First Full Day in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg Private Driving City Tour

Hello St. Petersburg Private Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

On this introductory tour of St. Petersburg you'll have the comfort and convenience of both walking and driving, and the experience and knowledge of an expert local guide. During the tour of the former capital of the Russian empire you will enjoy unforgettable sites including Arts Square, which is formed by three museums and four theatres, Palace Square and the baroque Winter Palace, as well as the elegant Spit of Vasilievsky Island. You'll also drive along the famous Nevsky Prospect. You will appreciate the tranquility of numerous rivers and canals with their beautiful bridges, the cupolas of Orthodox churches and cathedrals. At the end of the tour you'll be driven back to your accommodation. Additional visits to St. Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood can be added to this tour and booked for the additional cost. Please ask for more details about this in case of interest.

Activity Level : Easy

Duration : 3 hours

Hermitage Museum Private Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

The Hermitage is considered to be one of the most important museums of the world. Its numerous and valuable collection occupies 5 historic buildings including the Winter Palace. Magnificent interiors treasure the priceless works of art of all times and from all parts of the world. The collection that was started by Empress Catherine II in 1764 now numbers more than 3 million objects. Objects that date back to various periods from prehistoric times to nowadays are exhibited in 400 rooms. If you went to the museum every day for eight hours and spent one minute admiring every object, it would take you 15 years to see the whole collection, so let a guide show you the highlights!

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 4 hours

Day 3

Day 3 - Your Second Full Day in St. Petersburg

Pushkin, Lomonosov & Peterhof Private Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

St. Petersburg's most famous surrounding attractions are the fabulous parks and palaces built as summer residences by generations of Romanov czars. Explore two centuries of history and architectural grandeur at St. Petersburg's magnificent imperial estates of Pushkin, the Chinese Palace at Lomonosov, and Peterhof's Lower Park. The opulent past will come alive for you as your guide tells you all about the history and significance of the palaces and monuments you see.

Activity Level : Moderate

Duration : 9 hours

Day 4

Day 4 - Your Third Full Day in St. Petersburg

Veliky Novgorod Private Day Tour

One of Russia's oldest and most famous cities, Veliky Novgorod (no to be confused with Nizhny Novgorod, another famous old city) has spent centuries as a political, economic, and cultural center. It can be hard to tell where the city ends, and museums begin. Visit the city's Kremlin, and the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, which is nearing its thousandth birthday. After lunch, you'll visit the Cloister of the Yaroslav Courtyard, the Monastery of Saint George and the Vitoslavlitsy wooden architecture museum.

Activity Level : Moderate

Duration : 12 hours

Classical St Petersburg

Suggestion to explore on your own

Saint Petersburg's most spectacular venue for ballet and opera, the Mariinsky Theatre is an attraction in its own right. Tickets can be bought online or in person; book in advance during the summer months. The magnificent interior is the epitome of imperial grandeur, and any evening here will be an impressive experience. While smaller than the Mariinsky, the Mikhailovsky is one of the city's top theaters. How about immersion into the atmosphere of old Russian aristocracy? Russian Music Seasons is an event which will give you a chance to hear an incredible collection of Russian musical masterpieces performed by the orchestra and see the most luxurious old palaces.

Day 5

Day 5 - Traveling to Moscow by Train

Today you'll leave St Petersburg and head off to the Russian capital. It's just four hours by high speed train and we'll book standard class tickets on that service, as well as arrange for a driver to take you to the train station with plenty of time to catch your departing train. It is possible to upgrade to a higher class tickets for an extra charge.

Please note that we included a daytime train station transfer to your package. If your train arrives between 10:00pm - 7:00am, an extra fee will be applied for the nighttime transfer. This extra fee will be included in your package by your local contact.

4 Nights in Moscow

4 Nights in Moscow

Moscow has been the capital of Russia for nearly 1,000 years. It's an iconic, global city that has played a central role in the development of Russia and the world. For many, the sight of the Kremlin complex in the center of Moscow is still loaded with symbolism and history. The most interesting tourist attractions are located on the northern bank of the Moskva River, which bends its way through the city. The Soviet past collides with the capitalist present everywhere in Russia, but nowhere is this contrast more visible than in Moscow, the upbeat, vibrant and sometimes wearisome heart of the country. Vladimir Ilich Lenin’s Mausoleum remains intact, as do many dreary five-story apartment buildings from the era of Nikita Khrushchev’s rule, which lasted from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. But glitzy automobiles and Western-style supermarkets, casinos, and nightclubs are equally visible. Many Orthodox churches, as well as some synagogues and mosques, have been restored, while Moscow’s best theaters have reclaimed leadership in the dramatic arts, and traditional markets have been revived and expanded. These markets, which under the Soviets were known as kolkhoz (collective-farm) markets and sold mainly crafts and produce, are now more sophisticated retail establishments.

Day 5

Day 5 - Arrival in Moscow

Welcome to Moscow! We will arrange for a driver to meet you upon your arrival at the train station and transfer you to your hotel in the center of the city.

Please note that some drivers in Moscow don't speak great English but they will have clear instructions on where to take you. You will meet your guide on the first tour. If you'd like to arrange for the guide to pick you up together with the driver, please let us know and we can arrange this for extra fee.

Metro and Arbat Street Private Walking Tour

Do Things the Local Way

Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

Is it just a ride from point A to point B or a museum? It’s sometimes hard to tell in the Moscow subway. The metro of Moscow is arguably the most beautiful metro in the world. All the stations are different; each has a unique style. Some people say that stations are as beautiful as halls in a palace, helping make a trip on the Metro an unforgettable experience. If you don't like all the hustle and bustle of the metro, head to Patriarch's Ponds, popular with locals looking for some downtime. This green space in central Moscow is great for people-watching and an ideal spot for some rest and relaxation. The park’s pond also serves as an ice rink in the winter and is home to swans in the summer.

Activity Level : Moderate

Duration : 3 hours

Day 6

Day 6 - Your First Full Day in Moscow

Red Square and Kremlin Private Walking Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

When you think about Russia, Red Square and the Kremlin will naturally pop up. Explore Russia's largest fortress with a private guide, and see just what makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire views of the Kremlin and and St. Basil's Cathedral, see the Tsar Cannon, Tsar Bell, and the Kremlin's other three cathedrals. This tour is chock full of history, atmosphere, and beautiful architecture.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 4 hours

Indulge Your Senses at the Bolshoi Theatre

Suggestion to explore on your own

The Bolshoi Theatre is the oldest theatre in Moscow and one of the most famous theatres in the world. It is beautiful inside and out, so we highly recommend visiting it while you're in the city. For genuine lovers of opera and ballet, it's worth doing some research before choosing the performance you wish to attend, as quality can be variable. For the rest of us, the breathtaking beauty of the setting, the idiosyncrasies of Russian theatre-going and the historic atmosphere should be more than enough to guarantee a truly memorable evening out. It's possible to book tickets online, but it's considerably more expensive than going to the box office.

Indulge Your Senses at the Bolshoi Theatre

Day 7

Day 7 - Your Second Full Day in Moscow

Novodevichy and Kolomenskoye Private Day Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

Trade Moscow's center for the Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery, the second most important architectural complex in Moscow after the Kremlin. Tall walls surround the churches, especially Our Lady of Smolensk, with its stunning altarpiece, and the Church of the Transfiguration. You can also see a beautiful cemetery where Russian greats from Chekhov to Khrushchev lie buried. Next up is Kolomenskoye, a former royal estate, once home to the wooden Tsar's Palace where Peter the Great was born and raised. Now it's a branch of the State Museum of History serving as an open-air museum of wooden architecture, and hosting applied art from colorful tiles to wood carvings and forged items.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 7 hours

A Romantic Evening

Suggestion to explore on your own

For a romantic stroll, visit the Hermitage Garden. During warm times, the garden hosts jazz evenings, among other festivals, and is popular with picnickers. In the winter, you can skate on its ice rink, and keep warm with plentiful mulled wine. As it gets dark, visit the Trees of Love on Luzhkov Bridge. Better known as the Padlock Tree Bridge, the "trees" here are covered in love padlocks, to which you can add your own, to "lock-in" your own love. Stroll onwards to one of Moscow's most iconic and luxurious restaurants, such as Turandot or the Moscow Cafe Pushkin.

Day 8

Day 8 - Your Third Full Day in Moscow

The Historic Golden Ring

Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

Explore the Golden Ring, a concentration of some of Medieval Russia's most important towns. These "open-air museums" are full of photogenic monasteries, churches, and fortresses, and include some of the country's most holy and storied places. If you'd like to focus on the most holy spot of all, we offer a private tour of Sergiev Posad, and its famed monastery, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Alternatively, you can visit the most beautiful part of the Ring, the towns of Vladimir and Suzdal.

Sergiev Posad Private Tour

Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

The sprawling Trinity Lavra in Sergiev Posad is a part of the legendary Golden Ring, and a unique UNESCO-listed architectural masterpiece. The center of Russian Orthodoxy, this is the Russian Vatican, and a central part of Russian history and culture. Your guide will take you from your accommodations to the train station by subway, and naturally return you to your hotel at the end of the trip.

Activity Level : Moderate

Duration : 6-7 hours

Private Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

When you get outside Russia's largest cities, there are many smaller destinations with a wealth of historic and cultural interest. Vladimir and Suzdal are at the top of this list. You'll see both on this special full-day tour. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation and drive you to these unique towns, where you'll enjoy informative walking tours of the most interesting buildings and monuments. At the end of the trip you'll be driven back to your accommodation in Moscow.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 14 hours

Day 9

Day 9 - Traveling to Kazan by Airplane

Today you're leaving Moscow as you're off to Kazan. We'll arrange for a driver to take you to the airport in plenty of time for your departing flight. We've included economy one-way tickets to Kazan on a direct flight in your package price.

Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

3 Nights in Kazan

3 Nights in Kazan

Russia's official "Third Capital," Kazan is a cosmopolitan mix of cultures. This is symbolized by the Temple of All Religions, an idiosyncratic temple that combines various types of sacred architecture and 16 world religions. One of the Golden Horde's great cities, Kazan only became Russian in the 16th century, when it was conquered by Ivan the Terrible. The capital of the semi-autonomous Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan's population is evenly split between ethnic Russians, and Tatars, the descendants of Genghis Khan's army, who now speak a language related to Turkish and practice Islam. This heritage is clear in the city's grand churches and mosques, many located in and around the Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Ivan the Great to defend his conquest, the charming Kremlin is still surrounded by snow-white walls and towers, and encompasses colorful buildings that include Tatarstan's presidential palace, a cathedral and monastery, and a towering mosque. Russia's third most prosperous city, Kazan is the country's official sports capital, hosting major international athletic championships nearly every year. Here you can find a new take on Russia's past, and a hopeful vision of its future.

Day 9

Day 9 - Arrival in Kazan

Welcome to Kazan! A driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall ready to take you to your hotel in the center of the city. Please note that US citizens need a visa to enter Russia. This is not included in the package but we will help you with the invitation letter needed to obtain the visa. You can find more information about the application process and cost on the Russian Embassy's webpage https://washington.mid.ru/en/consular-services/citizens-usa/visa-to-russia/

Please note that some drivers in Kazan don't speak great English but they will have clear instructions on where to take you. You will meet your guide on the first tour. If you'd like to arrange for the English speaking guide to pick you up together with the driver, please let us know and we can arrange this for extra fee.

Walk and Dine

Suggestion to explore on your own

No matter where your accommodations are, Kazan's riversides are just a few minutes' walk from your place. Once the sky is lit by stars, be sure to walk alongside the Kazanka and Volga Rivers. Here you can enjoy fantastic views of the illuminated historical buildings, enjoy a river breeze, and gift yourself with some Tatar treats in a local restaurant. We recommend eating at Dom Tatarskoi Kulinarii or Rubai, which are located within a block of each other near the Kazan Federal University's main building

Day 10

Day 10 - Your First Full Day in Kazan

Colorful Heritage

Included in your vacation package price.

This excursion begins with your tour guide escorting you from your hotel to Kazan's historical center, where you'll get to know the city's main landmarks. Your guide will lead you to Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, to marvel at its distinctive Naryshkin Baroque design. You’ll walk around the Liberty Square - Kazan's main square - and see the Opera and Ballet Theater. Finally, you'll get to admire awe-inspiring views of Kazan Kremlin and visit the sights inside.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 3 hours

Private Tour of Sviyazhsk Island

Included in your vacation package price.

Explore Tatarstan's historic and cultural gem -Sviyazhsk Island. You will get to know the history of the scenic island town, see the UNESCO-listed Assumption Cathedral and Monastery, enjoy stunning views of the Volga River and en route to this charming island, you will have the chance to stop by Lake Lebyazhie. Your tour will be led by a professional local guide and will include all entrance fees and transportation.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 5 hours

Day 11

Day 11 - Your Second Full Day in Kazan

Private Day Trip to Ancient Bolgar via Ferry

Ride a high-speed ferry to the ruins of Bolgar, the UNECO-listed ancient capital of the tatars. You'll visit the Museum of Bolgar Civilization, St. Nikolay Church, Black Chamber, and White Mosque (made from white Italian marble), and explore the ruins of the Cathedral Mosque, with its Great Minaret, and Khan's Tomb.

Activity Level : Light

Duration : 12 hours

Day 12

Day 12 - Departure Day

Today, a driver will pick you up at your accommodations and bring you to Kazan's airport for your departing flight.

What's Included

Here are all the services provided as part of your complete vacation package. See what every JayWay trip includes.
Please let us know if you'd like to upgrade any transfers or add any additional tours or excursions to your itinerary.

St. Petersburg

4 Nights Accommodation

Breakfast (hotels only)

St. Petersburg Airport Transfer

St. Petersburg Private Driving City Tour

Hermitage Museum Private Tour

Pushkin, Lomonosov & Peterhof Private Tour

St Petersburg - Moscow Train

St Petersburg Train Station Transfer

Moscow

4 Nights Accommodation

Breakfast (hotels only)

Moscow Train Station Transfer

Red Square and Kremlin Private Walking Tour

Novodevichy and Kolomenskoye Private Day Tour

Moscow Airport Transfer

Moscow - Kazan Flight (Non-Refundable)

Kazan

3 Nights Accommodation

Breakfast (hotels only)

Kazan Airport Transfer

Kazan & Kremlin Private Walking Tour

Private Tour of Sviyazhsk Island

Kazan Airport Transfer

package excludes:

Flights to and from Europe.
Tips for Tour Guides, Drivers and Local Reps.
Meals (other than breakfast if included in room rate and meals listed as included in food tours and excursions, unless explicitly stated otherwise).
Parking fees for your Rental Car (if you are booking one with us) unless otherwise indicated. Some hotels provide free parking facilities.
Travel Insurance. See the insurance link on our website

Benefits of Traveling with JayWay

A JayWay vacation is more than the sum of its parts. Our team work tirelessly to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Your trip is personalized to maximize your enjoyment. You're taken care of every step of the way.

A Travel Advisor who speaks your language

We will make sure that all your requirements and interests are taken into account in preparing your itinerary.

A totally tailored itinerary for your vacation

Your trip is customized for you by an experienced trip planner and an expert on the region.

A choice of hand-picked hotels and excursions

We've personally inspected and tested all the hotels and local tour providers we work with to ensure quality.

Detailed pre-trip preparation to make the most of every day

Your Europe-based Tour Manager will be in touch by email and phone a month before you arrive to finalize timings.

On-trip Concierge Service to smooth out any bumps in the road

Your tour manager is at your service throughout your journey. We'll provide a local SIM so you can stay connected.

Personalized Guest Page to make sure you're not missing out

Packed with detailed information and recommendations curated by locals on the best things to do, see and eat.

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

5 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of vacation packages including these destinations

Shelby & Sharon

New Jersey

JayWay Travel is the most reliable travel service that I have used. You clearly research the hotels that you offer, and your local guides are among the best that I have utilized throughout Europe. The local support received is reliable, and extremely responsive to any issue that arises.

Year : 2018
Visited : Russia, Finland
Itinerary : Moscow, St. Petersburg, Helsinki
Rating :

5 / 5

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Frequently Asked Questions about this itinerary

Do I need a Russia visa to take this trip?

Visitors to Russia generally need a visa. Once a deposit has been paid on a trip and rooms are booked, we'll receive visa support materials from the hotel(s) where rooms are booked. We'll forward these to travelers, as well as contact information for a service that helps with visa paperwork, checks them for errors, and expedites the process, for a surprisingly small fee.