St Petersburg to Budapest Itinerary

Arrive in St Petersburg and uncover a magnificent city, bursting with lavish palaces, churches and canals. Realise the depth of the city’s beauty on a boat tour. In free time, choose to climb up the colonnade of St Isaac's Cathedral for exceptional views or head to Aleksandr Nevsky Lavra and the Necropolis of Masters of Arts, the final resting place for some of Russia's great musicians and writers like Tchaikovsky and Dostoyevsky.

Discover how Novgorod, a city that is over 1,000 years old, is often referred to as the cradle of modern Russian civilisation. On arrival, join a local family for a traditional tea party. Later, venture down the town's riverside Kremlin to gain an appreciation of the nation's turbulent past before a refreshing steam at the public banya (bath house). Settle in for the night on a train bound for Moscow.

Experience the mighty heart of Russia. Visit the Kremlin to wander through grand halls, peek at imperial treasures and enter Lenin's Mausoleum. While here, why not snap up souvenirs at Izmaylovo Market, admire the work of esteemed artists in Tretyakov Gallery or enjoy a moment of solitude inside St Basil’s Cathedral.

Arrive in the Ukraine after an overnight train journey. Roam the cobbled streets of Kyiv, the 'Mother of Slavic Cities'. Gain valuable insights into the country’s tragic history with a visit to the Chernobyl Museum. There’s also the option to see mummified monks at the Caves Monastery, amble through the Museum of One Street or take in a classical music performance.

Travel deep into the stunning Carpathian Mountains and join in a cooking class, learning to make traditional Ukrainian delicacies. Appreciate the Carpathian’s eclectic mix of Eastern European culture, discover lovingly decorated Hutsul houses, complete with private chapels and ornate wells, and soak up the immense natural beauty of this region while hiking.

Continue the adventure in historical Lviv. Work up an appetite for delicious Ukrainian borscht on a walking tour through the Old Town, and then perhaps head up to High Castle or stop for coffee and cake in a Viennese-style cafe.

See how the grand architecture and beautiful boulevards of Budapest offer visitors something of an outdoor museum to explore. Take to the streets by bicycle and, in free time, discover monuments from the Iron Curtain era at Statue Park. Or perhaps learn from a local guide about the Soviet era in further detail on the Urban Adventures’ Hammer and Sickle tour. Perhaps cap off the adventure with a soak in a thermal bath.