Russia Experience Itinerary

Work off the jet lag by viewing the fine collections of art and cultural artefacts at St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. If time permits, head to St Isaacs Cathedral to gawk at the ornate painting- and sculpture-adorned ceiling.

Travel to Tsarskoe Selo, also known as Pushkin, and be besieged by the extravagance of Catherine Palace. Tour the landscaped gardens and the decadent interior of the imperial palace, including the glowing, jewel-lined Amber Room.

Stroll medieval streets filled with quaint cottages and see crumbling cathedrals in dazzling Suzdal, a former Russian capital within the legendary Golden Ring. Get creative during a matreshka (nesting Russian doll) painting lesson and learn how to cook delicious local specialities in a family home.

Marvel at how the 16th-century kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod dominates the banks of the Volga. Learn about Soviet Russia on a visit to the Sakharov Museum, which honours a nuclear physicist who opposed the oppressive regime. During free time, whiz along the river by boat to Gorodets painter's colony.

Listen to the sounds of the Tatar language floating through the historic streets of Kazan, capital of the Tatarstan Republic. Enjoy a guided tour of eye-catching Kul Sharif Mosque, which features blue-tiled domes and white-tiled facades.

Hear the tragic tale of the Romanovs, the last Russian royal family, in the city where they were exiled and finally executed - Yekaterinburg.

Discover beguiling weather-frayed houses and meandering lanes in Tobolsk's Old Town.

It's time to climb aboard the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, the perfect place to relax and watch Russia's scenery fly by or share cups of tea and a chat with the locals.

Delve into the complex layers of Moscow's turbulent past. Visit history-laden Red Square, colourful St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, the imposing Kremlin and the fascinating Armoury Museum.