Departure from Athens to St. Petersburg via an intermediate stop and arrival after midnight. First acquaintance with the nighttime "Venice of the North." Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will depart for a unique excursion to the enchanting Pushkin, the former imperial residence known by three names: the Palace of Catherine the Great, Tsarskoye Selo, and Pushkin. The story behind the three names is as fascinating as the place itself: it is said that it all began with a Finnish manor house called Saari Mois, where Peter the Great was captivated by the hospitality of the Finnish Saara and her local dairy products. So he gave the estate to his wife, with whom the myth of the Catherine Palace was born.

Later, the area was renamed Tsarskoe Selo ("The Village of the Tsars"), taking on imperial grandeur. After the October Revolution, it was renamed Detskoye Selo ("Children's Village"), and since 1937 it has borne the name of the great poet Alexander Pushkin.

The first and iconic palace that dominates the area is the Catherine Palace, a masterpiece of the Baroque designed by architect Rastrelli. The Palace of Alexander, a gem of Russian classicism, was subsequently built, while the Catherine and Alexander parks that surround it are outstanding examples of 18th-century landscape art.

Among the treasures of the complex, the legendary Amber Room stands out, a global symbol of Russian cultural heritage. After being stolen by the Nazis during World War II, it remained lost for decades. It was fully restored in 2003 and now welcomes visitors once again, shining like it used to.

Our tour includes the newest museum in the area, the Ratnaya Palata, the only one in Russia dedicated to World War I.

Those who wish to can experience a fairy-tale experience after the tour: a ride in the Russian "Troika", the traditional carriage or sled with three horses - an authentic symbol of the Russian soul, unique in its kind and famous for its speed and harmony of movement.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and we start our tour of the imposing St. Petersburg.

Our first stop is the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of the Sailors, with its distinctive blue facade and golden domes, dedicated to sailors and the city's patrons.

Next, we will visit the impressive Church of Panagia of Kazan, inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. It was named after the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary found in Kazan in 1579. During the Soviet era, it was converted into the "Museum of Religion and Atheism" — a historical irony that testifies to the turbulent times in Russia.

On the way, we will see the elegant Mariinsky Theatre, a symbol of culture and glamour, which has hosted and continues to host the world-famous Mariinsky Ballet (formerly known as the Kirov Ballet).

We will cross the city's most famous avenue, the legendary Nevsky, the pulse of St. Petersburg. Historic palaces, churches, and noble mansions alternate with luxurious hotels, cinemas, libraries, high-end fashion boutiques, and renowned cafes. At the end of the avenue, in a small but revered cemetery, Tchaikovsky's tomb moves music lovers from all over the world.

During our tour, we will admire the exterior of the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, one of the city's most iconic churches, with its rich Russian Baroque decorations and over 7,000 square meters of mosaics. It was built in memory of Tsar Alexander II, at the site of his assassination in 1881. With its brightly colored domes and medieval architecture, it strongly resembles Saint Basil's in Moscow and stands out from the rest of the city's buildings.

Our tour continues with stops outside at significant sites, such as the Naval Headquarters, the University, and other attractions that make up the puzzle of St. Petersburg's cultural identity.

And because every outing needs a taste, we'll meet warm cafes and traditional shops along the way, where you can enjoy Russian vodka, beer, fragrant coffee, or local sweets like blini with caviar, pierogi, berry tarts, and fluffy brioche. Lunch at a traditional restaurant, where we will try authentic Russian flavors in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Our day ends with a visit (or an external stop) at the St. Isaac's Cathedral, the largest church in St. Petersburg, which can accommodate up to 14,000 believers! The work of French architect Montferrand took 40 years to complete, with special construction and even the creation of a railroad to transport granite from Finland. The interior decorations with the giant columns made of malachite and lapis lazuli are truly captivating.


Return to the hotel and spend the night.

After breakfast, we'll visit one of the world's top cultural treasures: the Hermitage Museum.


Housed in the former Winter Palace of the Tsarist family, the Hermitage is a combination of royal luxury and artistic grandeur. This architectural masterpiece, which was the official residence of Catherine the Great, has been transformed into one of the world's most important and richest art museums.


The collection numbers over three million exhibits, covering millennia of history from prehistoric times to the present day.


You will have the opportunity to admire authentic works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, El Greco, and many other top artists among the treasures.


Walking through the impressive halls of the museum, you will feel as if you are participating in a fairy tale of art and imperial history, where taste meets power.

Next, you will have free time for lunch, enjoy your last strolls in St. Petersburg, shop for souvenirs or sit for a coffee while gazing at the Neva.


Later, we will transfer to the train station and board the modern and comfortable Sapsan high-speed train, which will safely and quickly take us to the Russian capital.


Arrival in Moscow in the evening, transfer and check-in at the hotel.


The evening concludes with dinner at the hotel and an overnight stay, ready for the next experiences in the enchanting Moscow.

After breakfast, we start our day in a unique way: we will travel to the Kremlin on Moscow’s famous metro, also known as the “underground palace”!


The metro of the Russian capital is not just a means of transportation; it is a living museum beneath the earth. The stations built in the early years of the Soviet regime are distinguished by their architectural grandeur, with frescoes, mosaics, bronze statues, chandeliers, and stained glass that leave visitors speechless. With more than 177 stations and over 250 km of lines, the Moscow Metro is one of the most impressive and busiest in the world.


Among the gem stations, the following stand out:

• Ploshchad Revolyutsii, with its distinctive bronze figures,
• Mayakovskaya, adorned with beautiful mosaics,
• Teatralnaya, with porcelain decorations by Natalia Danko.

All these stations are not just transit points, but pieces of Russia's architectural and artistic heritage.


Next, we will visit the imposing Kremlin — the heart of Russian power and one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. In reality, it is a whole city within the city, with cathedrals, palaces, and government buildings. We will see the cathedrals of the Assumption, the Annunciation, and the Archangel Michael, the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell, two gigantic, symbolic works of Russian excess, as well as the Presidential Palace and the Palace of Congresses, which today house the offices of the Russian Presidency.


We stop at Stary Arbat, one of Moscow's oldest and most picturesque streets. The Arbat neighborhood exudes a bohemian and romantic atmosphere, with well-preserved 19th-century mansions, street artists, musicians, and small cafes reminiscent of... Montmartre!

Here you can enjoy your coffee, try Russian or Caucasian cuisine, or shop for quality souvenirs, amber jewelry, and handmade matryoshka dolls.


Lunch at a local traditional restaurant to discover even more Russian flavors.


Next, we will visit the New Year's Market, a colorful, festive oasis in the city, filled with Christmas treats, decorations, lights, and of course... warm wine to warm our bodies and hearts.


Return to the hotel and rest a bit, because something magical awaits us tonight...


New Year's Eve in Moscow – the way only Russians know how to celebrate!

For those who wish, we welcome the New Year at Red Square — the most iconic spot in Moscow! Fireworks light up the sky above St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin walls, creating a sight that will be forever etched in your memory.

If you prefer a more "alternative" experience, you can head to Gorky Park, where you'll find one of the city's largest ice rinks and a snowboarding slope! Music from well-known DJs, lighting, dancing, and frozen treats create a festive, almost fairy-tale atmosphere.


And if you don't love the cold...


The bars and hot restaurants around Patriarchy Bridge offer an ideal alternative, with traditional flavors, music, and a festive atmosphere, to celebrate the New Year warmly, elegantly, and pleasantly!

Breakfast at the hotel. The day is free for rest, individual exploration, or optional activities for those who wish to get to know the enchanting Moscow better. You can wander through the city's impressive shopping centers, enjoy an aromatic coffee with a view of the Moskva River, or visit one of the famous museums and galleries.


For those who wish, they can visit the Husky Park. Smart, beautiful, and strong, sled dogs are a joy to watch.They live in harmony with people, have an independent character, and take initiative. You will have the opportunity to play, cuddle, and take beautiful photos with these wonderful creatures, and also drive a sled with Siberian Huskies.


Dinner at the hotel in the evening and overnight stay

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the magnificent, imposing, and contrast-filled Moscow – a city that captivates with its rhythm, grandeur, and intense personality.


We begin our journey through the city's main avenues – Okhotny Ryad, Tverskaya, and Novy Arbat, where we will admire buildings that reflect the history of various eras. We will see the imposing "skyscrapers" of Stalin's era, the Duma, the Manege, the National Library, the Moscow City Hall, and the statue of the city's founder, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky.


Our tour will take us to Teatralnaya Square, also known as Theater Square, where the famous Bolshoi Theater, a symbol of world ballet and the Russian stage, dominates. We will also see the Mali Theater, with its own unique history.

We head to the city's imaginary peak, the Lenin Hills, where the Lomonosov University, one of the seven "Stalin's brothers" and a characteristic example of Stalinist architecture, dominates. From here, we can enjoy a panoramic view of Moscow, which stretches impressively before us.


Descending, we will cross the Patriarch Bridge, one of the city's most beautiful, with a spectacular view of the Kremlin and the Moskva River. Next, we will visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior — the largest Orthodox church in Russia, impressive in size and interior design.


Next, we will visit one of the most romantic and picturesque spots in the city: the lake with swans, located in the courtyard of the Novodevichy Monastery. The idyllic landscape offers a peaceful respite before the finale of our tour.

And of course, we end up at the heart of the Russian capital – Red Square, a silent witness to Russia's most defining events.


Here we will visit the iconic Church of St. Basil, with its colorful domes that seem to be from a fairy tale, and we will have free time at the famous GUM department store — an ideal spot for last-minute shopping or a coffee with a view.


Lunch at a traditional Russian restaurant, with flavors that take our palate on a journey. And for the climax of the trip...

New Year's Master Class at the Glass Ornament Factory

A unique experience awaits us, where art and tradition meet the magic of the holidays!


In the fairy-tale factory-museum, we will get to know the art of creating glass Christmas ornaments up close, through fascinating stories about New Year's traditions around the world, as well as an impressive collection of over 2,500 exhibits.


We will visit the "Wish Bridge", make our most important wish, and best of all, participate in a handmade decoration workshop where everyone will make their own unique, hand-painted Christmas ball! A memento made with love, that will forever carry with it the scent of this magical New Year's Eve in Russia.

Breakfast, check-out, and transfer to the airport for the return flight via a stopover. Returning home filled with beautiful memories and unforgettable experiences.