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St Petersburg is where modern Russia was born under the guidance of the Czar known as Peter the Great, and remained capital of the Russian empire up to the Soviet era. The city was established upon a swamp and is now rightly considered one of the gems of Europe. This is where you can see such grandiose palaces such as the Peterhof (summer palace), The Hermitage (winter palace) and the country estate and parkland of Catherine the Great – Catherine Palace. For history buffs there are many sites associated with the 1917 Revolution.
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On Day 4, depart St Petersburg Moskowsky Station between 2300 and 2355 for overnight train to Moscow.
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Time to experience the famed centre of Soviet-era Russia. This is where central control was wielded. Moscow is now a changed city, but its many surviving examples of architecture complement its thriving theatre and arts and for those so disposed, Moscow has museums to satisfy any interest.
Don’t miss our suggestions for optional sightseeing in Moscow!
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Break out that copy of Dr Zhivago or War and Peace, or set up a travel chess set! Expect to share a vodka or two with your Russian fellow travellers, too.
The Trans Siberian route opens up great visual swathes of Siberia. You will see and thus feel, the immensity of this geographic region, passing sparsely populated village enclaves, interspersed with an occasional large city.
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In both Irkutsk and at the lake we often use homestay accommodation. This allows you the chance to experience contemporary Russian life, and by using homestays we gain access to a true village environment.
From Irkutsk it is a short drive to Lake Baikal, where you are based for the next two nights.
Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world, will astound you with both its wilderness and immensity. You can enjoy the natural wonder of this gigantic lake and partake in some walking or simple relaxation. You can enjoy the natural wonder of this gigantic lake and partake in some walking or simple relaxation. Back to Irkutsk for a final night before boarding the train.
Irkutsk offers a range of sightseeing options. Perhaps a suburb with its characterically Siberian wooden houses, or the Decembrist Museum to see how exiled nobility fared in the 19th century! For those with a technical bent there is the museum featuring the old Lake Baikal Ice Breaker.
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Vladivostok is one of the great harbour cities of the world and during Soviet times was closed to all foreigners. When you finally reach Vladivostok you will struggle to compare the experiences you now have with the what you saw in St Petersburg!
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End of arrangements next day.
These itineraries utilise the standard trains, and are suitable for more independent travellers.
The Trans Siberian route opens up great visual swathes of Siberia. You will see and thus feel, the immensity of this geographic region, passing sparsely populated village enclaves, interspersed with an occasional large city.
You will pass through the Ural Mountains and notice the changes as you leave behind Europe, crossing into Asia. Lake Baikal, the largest fresh water lake in the world, will astound you with both its wilderness and immensity.
Vladivostok is one of the great harbour cities of the world and during Soviet times was closed to all foreigners.
When you finally reach the Russian Far East you will struggle to compare the experiences you now have with what you saw in Moscow or St Petersburg!
We have been operating a wide variety of independent programmes and tours into Russia since 1989, starting with university language study groups. As Russia opened up we introduced Trans Siberian train journeys at a real price. We were the first to introduce homestay accommodation. Others were paying high costs while our clients were paying low cost! Same bed, same cabin!
All this experience results in
You will also notice our name is referenced in most of the guidebooks relating to these areas. In fact we have helped many of the Lonely Planet guidebook authors travel around Russia.