TOUR 1B – 2 DAYS SAINT PETERSBURG – 1 DAY MOSCOW
"TAX BOAT 2009" EXCLUSIVE

Day 01

August 31 – Saint Petersburg

Welcome to Saint Petersburg! 
                                                               

Upon the ship's arrival and Immigration control, our local experienced English-speaking guides will be meeting you at the pier to start your first full day tour – your acquaintance with one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Your first day will include tour to Peterhof (former Petrodvoretz) - an immensely luxurious royal estate lying on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, known as the "Russian Versailles". It boasts over 150 unique fountains functioning in the park in the summer season. You will visit the Grand Palace of Peter the Great (usually closed on Monday but will open expressly for "The Tax Boat 2009" group tour) After the brief walking tour through the park you will drive back to St.-Petersburg to enjoy lunch (included) in Adamant (a lovely restaurant) in the very heart of historical city center.

After lunch you will enter St.-Isaac Cathedral, with the third highest cupola construction in Europe. It it is a magnificent edifice with fine colonnades and a gilded dome embellished with 382 sculptures, paintings and mosaics. Forty-three types of stone and marble were used in its exquisite design. Follow St. Isaac Cathedral you will enjoy a panoramic city tour arranged to acquaint you with the history of St. Petersburg and the most magnificent sights of the city. During the tour, you will have opportunity to pay a brief visit to the Grand Choral Synagogue. Then it's back to Regatta for the evening activities onboard ship.

Included: experienced English-speaking guides, air-conditioned deluxe coaches/drivers, entrance fees per itinerary, lunch, VAT

Day 02 

(B)– FULL DAY IN MOSCOW  (18 hour tour)

September 1 - A Day in Moscow
            
After an early wake-up call (5am) and special breakfast arrangements on-board, you will disembark REGATTA, board our private coach to the Airport and travel by air approximately 500 miles from St. Petersburg (1 hour flight in each direction) to Moscow to the capital of Russia, one of the biggest cities of Europe with 850 years of history.

Although one day is not enough to visit all the main sights, (time and traffic permitting) you will see the most interesting places of this intriguing city including the Red Square and Kremlin. This unique complex of architectural monuments, surrounded by an ancient red brick wall crowned with 19 towers, is the heart and symbol of Moscow.
 
Visit the Cathedral of Assumption where royal wedding and coronation ceremonies used to take place. It is located on the Cathedral Square near the Cathedrals of Annunciation and of Archangel Mikhail.

Next, tour the Kremlin Armory Chamber which contains the priceless collection of not only richly decorated arms and weapons but also the Russian Tsars' Crown Jewels, carriages and thrones, furniture, Royal gowns, jewelry (including the famous Faberge Easter eggs), diplomatic gifts of the 12-19th centuries) – A "TAX BOAT 2009" EXCLUSIVE. The Diamond Fund is a gem collection housed in the building of the Kremlin Armory. On display are the most precious items of the treasury: unique diamonds and gold nuggets from Siberia, world-famous emeralds and sapphires, the crown of Catherine the Great (adorned with more than 5000 diamonds) along with other invaluable pieces.
Lunch in a local restaurant venue in Moscow city center (included) 

In the afternoon, you will visit of the famous Pushkin Fine Arts Museum – the department of one of the world's largest collections of West European art. Of particular interest are the French Impressionism halls with paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Matisse,Van Gogh and Degas). Finally, it will be of interest for you to see a couple of stations of the famous Moscow metro. After a transfer to the airport and return flight, you will be back onboard REGATTA around 11pm.

Included: experienced English-speaking guides, air-conditioned deluxe coaches/drivers, entrance fees, lunch, air-tickets economy class., VAT. Please note: There will be a quick sandwich dinner stop at your own expense 

 The Day In Moscow itinerary is subject to change based on flight and traffic delays. There is a minimum of 20 guests for this tour to operate. 

Day 03

September 02 – Saint Petersburg. (The Grand Finale)

This morning after breakfast aboard REGATTA,  you will visit the world famous Russian museum - the Hermitage . This museum which ranks right up there with the Louvre in Paris, Metropolitan in New York and British museums. holds one of the largest art collections in the world. Your guides – specialists in classical art - will show you the highlights of the museum, rooms of such great masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, etc. Housed in five buildings, one of them - the Winter Palace - was formerly the imperial residence.

Following your morning visit to the Hermitage, you will have the wonderful opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside to visit the most famous summer residences of Russian tzars Pushkin and Pavlovsk. At first you will visit one of the most attractive sights outside the metropolitan area – Pushkin –You will be invited to stop for lunch at the Old Tower Restaurant located inside the walls of a 19th century Monastery known as Feodorovsky Gorodok (An authentic Russian Tasting Lunch is included) During lunch you will be entertained by a Russian Folklore Troupe performing Russian Folk songs and dances.

Your final day in Russia will conclude with an impressive visit to Catherine Palace with its world famous Amber Room, ("TAX BOAT 2009" Guests use the VIP entrance – to avoid waiting in line).  The Palace is a favorite residence of Catherine the Great. Exquisite decorative objects, furniture, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms, decorative bronze, sculptures etc. are on display in the sumptuous Catherine Palace - a sample of Russian baroque art.  Then it is back to REGATTA and a fond farewell to an extraordinary visit of St. Petersburg and Russia.
 
Included: experienced English-speaking guide, air-conditioned deluxe coaches/drivers, entrance fees per itinerary, VIP entrance to Catherine Palace, lunch, VAT.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE RATE

2 days Saint Petersburg - 1 Day Moscow (as described above) and your Russian Visa –

***$1,599.00 per person (cash or check) $1,886.82 per person (credit card)