Overview:
Take in the beautiful city of St Petersburg, graced by festive decorations and nature's own wintry adornments, before exploring deep into the Russian Lapland and Norwegian Lapland, both located north of the Arctic Circle in pursuit of the awe-inspiring Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) at Kirkenes Snowhotel and return to the magnificent capital of Moscow.
Departure Dates: no departures
Silver Class:
Silver Class cabins measure 60 sq ft (5.5 sq metres) and feature a small double lower bed and a single upper bed as well as a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and large picture window. The Silver Class cabins have a private en-suite wet room with a washbasin, toilet and shower.
Gold Class:
At 77 sq ft (7 sq metres) Gold Class cabins are extremely well-proportioned and have everything from a private bathroom with separate power shower cubicle and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window as well as a double lower bed and a single upper bed. Guests in Gold Class benefit from complimentary drinks from the Standard Bar List in the Bar Lounge Car.
Tour Itinerary:
Dec 28: Arrival in St. Petersburg
Flight arrivals into St Petersburg and transfer to the luxurious Grand Hotel Europe (or similar), for a two-night stay. This evening we enjoy a welcome reception dinner and meet our fellow travellers.
Dec 29: St Petersburg
St Petersburg is a stunning city, crowded with splendid palaces, impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards, beautiful bridges and is renowned as the Ballet Capital of the World. St Petersburg is beautifully decorated for Rozdestvo (Russian Christmas), which is celebrated on the 7th January. You can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city streets with concerts and entertainment. You’ll have free time to enjoy the busy Christmas markets or go ice skating on one of the outdoor rinks in the
central squares. Make your evening in St Petersburg extra special by purchasing a ticket for a ballet or opera performance at the world-renowned Marinsky Theatre, subject to schedule and availability and pre-booked six weeks prior.
Dec 30: St. Petersburg
Today there is a tour of St Petersburg featuring a visit of the key sights including St Isaac’s Cathedral, Nevsky Prospect and the Hermitage Museum, the former Palace of the Tsars which houses the royal art collection of over three million works. It is one of the world’s largest and most impressive art museums.
We then transfer to the Imperial Waiting Room at St Petersburg’s Vitebski Station to board Russia’s Premier train, the Golden Eagle and settle into our modern, stylish cabins to embark upon our rail adventure to the Arctic Circle.
Dec 31: Onboard (New Year’s Eve)
Today we have the opportunity to unwind and reflect on the many sights and sounds we have experienced or are about to experience on our rail journey so far. Maybe listen to a talk on
Russian history or simply relax and enjoy the ever-changing landscape outside your window as we head towards Murmansk.
Our guest astronomer will host a drinks reception and afternoon of discussions about the Northern Lights in our stylish bar car. We celebrate New Year’s Eve on board at our signature Gala Caviar Dinner in the beautifully designed restaurant car and enjoy after dinner drinks and musical entertainment for a New Year’s Eve in the arctic you won’t forget.
Guest speaker announcement: Ian Ridpath of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ian Ridpath will be our on-board guest speaker on both Winter 2013 tours. Ian previously worked at the University of London Observatory and has been a fulltime writer, broadcaster, and lecturer on astronomy and space since 1972. He’s a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004–07) and editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy.
Jan 01: Murmansk & Northern Lights
Today we cross into the Arctic and we mark the occasion with a glass of champagne. We will continue to Murmansk, a city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole, and 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle. As the main city of the Kola Peninsula, it started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post. In 1916, under pressure from the British to establish a support port, Murmansk was founded. Thanks to a current of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free year-round. Homeport of Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers we’ll visit to the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship. We’ll also stop at the Museum of Regional Studies which houses exhibits on areas such as the tundra zone, the Barents Sea, Lapps, the development of icebreakers, and Murmansk’s role during World War II. Time permitting we’ll also visit Murmansk Oceanarium. This is the only aqua complex in Europe where Arctic seals are trained and studied.
“Polar Night” lasts all of December and most of January, and during this period the sun doesn’t rise, but there are several hours of twilight. Tonight and tomorrow night we go in search of nature’s most spectacular light show – the Northern Lights. This magical experience could be one of the highlights of our journey.
Jan 02: Arkhangel & Northern Lights
We spend the day touring Arkhangel, a town located on the banks of the White Sea that was the chief seaport of medieval Russia. The importance of Arkhangelsk as a center for trade, especially with Western Europe, reached its heyday in the late 1700s.
As the gate to the Arctic, Arkhangelsk also became the starting point for many polar expeditions and during World War II, Arkhangelsk along with Murmansk became the key supply port, bringing much needed foreign equipment & food supplies to the Russian army. British and American Arctic Convoy War Graves can still be seen in Arkhangel. The Museum of Wooden Architecture ‘Malye Korely’, located amidst the hills in one of the most picturesque places on the outskirts of Arkhangelsk has over a hundred unique samples of ancient wooden architecture and is the largest open-air museum of its kind in Europe. The set up portrays a typical Russian village of the past with churches, bell towers, barns, wind and water mills collected from different parts of the Russian North. Houses built only with axes during the 18th and 19th centuries still stand today. You are welcomed according to the Old Russian tradition with bread and salt, and welcome songs.
Tonight we have another chance to go in search of the Northern Lights. For the best viewing conditions the sky needs to be clear and you need to be away from artificial light. Our guest astronomer will be on hand to advise us during star-gazing and will bring the night sky to life with his extensive knowledge.
Jan 03: Velikiy Ustyug
We travel to Velikiy Ustyug, the once important and beautiful Golden Ring town on the bank of the Sukhona River. Here we will visit the official residence of Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and experience the excitement of Russian children visiting this traditional Santa Claus character in the lead up to Russian Christmas (Rozdestvo) on 7 January.
Jan 04: Vladimir and Suzdal
The historic city of Vladimir was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s oldest communities. With an architectural wealth, it has been decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned. From Vladimir we travel to Suzdal, one of Russia’s most perfectly preserved walled cities dating back to 1024 located 35 kilometres from Vladimir. Here we visit the atmospheric St Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral performance by the resident monks. No Russian winter experience would be complete either without a horse-drawn sleigh ride through this stunning location.
Jan 05: Moscow
This morning we arrive to Moscow Kazanskiy station transfer to the centrally located five-star
Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel (or similar), for a one-night stay. Our touring programme of Moscow principally takes us to the grandeur of the Kremlin - the spiritual, historical and political heart of
Moscow and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber. We also visit the Red
Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM Department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb. With our Freedom of Choice touring option you may instead wish to visit the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art).
Jan 06: Departure from Moscow
Breakfast in the hotel brings the tour to a close and airport transfers are provided for your departure flights.
Why not extend your stay in Moscow to explore more of the city at your leisure, go ice skating on the open air ice rink at Red Square or enjoy the Russian Christmas (Rozdestvo) celebrations on 7th January?
21 Dec: Welcome to Moscow
After your arrival in Moscow, transfer to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel (or similar) located right in the centre of Moscow, just a stone’s throw from Red Square. In the evening you will be able to meet your fellow travellers for the first time at a drinks reception before an exclusive Welcome Dinner. All the meals during the tour are paired with specially selected wines.
If you wish, you can extend you adventure with a few extra nights in Moscow before the tour.
22 Dec: Moscow
On our tour today, we will visit Red Square and marvel at its fascinating mix of architecture with the colourful onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the elegant façade of the high-end GUM Department store, the sombre marble building of Lenin’s Mausoleum and the imposing red brick walls and towers of the Kremlin itself.
We will also go on a tour of the unique, opulent stations of the Moscow metro – these showpieces of Socialist art are furnished with statues, frescoes and mosaics and the Moscow metro is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world.
23 Dec: Vladimir & Suzdal
The city of Vladimir was founded in the year 990 and is one of the oldest cities in Russia. The whole city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour of the city will take us to Uspensky Cathedral, constructed in the 12th Century. The cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful historic cathedrals in Russia and it was used for the coronations of many of Russia’s most prominent Tsars.
From Vladimir, our journey continues to Suzdal, one of the best-preserved walled cities in Russia, dating back to the 11th Century. Here, we will enjoy a mesmerizing traditional choral performance at St. Euthymius Monastery. Afterwards, you can enjoy a quintessential Russian experience with a ride on a traditional horse-drawn sleigh in this stunning ancient town.
24 Dec: Crossing the Arctic Circle
Today, you can have a relaxed start to the day with an opulent breakfast on board the luxury train. You can look forward to all the stunning sights we will see on our journey, attend a talk or just relax and watch the pristine winter landscapes race by as we cross over the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights.
25 Dec: Murmansk & Northern Lights
Today, our journey continues to Murmansk, the largest city northern of the Arctic Circle. The city started off as a tiny trading pot in the Russian Empire but was elevated to the size of a city in 1916 due to the requirements for a support port during the First World War to connect Russia to her allies in the West.
Due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the city’s port is free from ice during the whole year. The city has been the homeport of many nuclear-powered icebreaker ships and during our tour we will visit the ‘Lenin’, a nuclear icebreaker constructed in 1957 which has now been transformed into a museum.
26 Dec: Kirkenes & Northern Lights
In the morning, we will depart with an overnight bag to the Russian border station of Nikel, where we will transfer by bus (duration: 90 mins) across the Norwegian border to the town of Kirkenes, where we will spend the next two nights at the Thon Hotel Kirkenes (or similar). Here we will visit the world-famous Kirkenes Snow Hotel where we will have a drink at the snow bar and a tour of the hotel with its beautiful ice sculptures, designed by international and local artists. After a traditional meal at the Snow Hotel’s Hoyloftet Restaurant, we will set off on a night-time bus tour, searching for the Northern Lights. Our guest astronomer will be there to guide us during this trip and will enlighten us with knowledge about the night’s sky.
Optional Activities: there are a number of optional activities that you can book in advance of your trip including an evening snowmobile tour (3 hours) or dog sledding tour (2 hours) searching for the Northern Lights. The availability of these activities is limited and weather-dependent, so please request this at the time of booking the tour. Please contact us for prices.
For an unforgettable experience, it is also possible to spend a night in an Ice Room at the Snow Hotel. Places at the Snow Hotel are limited, so it is best to reserve a place as soon as possible. The Snow Hotel maintains a constant temperature of -5 degrees and thermal sleeping bags are provided to keep you comfortably warm during the night. Toilets, showers and a sauna are located in a building just next to the Snow Hotel.
27 Dec: Kirkenes Snowhotel & Northern Lights
This morning, you will take part in a unique experience as we embark on a King Crab Safari. We will set off on a snowmobile-drawn sleigh driving through the frozen fjords. Winter clothing and helmets will be provided to make this a comfortable journey.
Our guide will drill a hole through the ice and show us how to catch the tremendous Arctic King Crab (which can grow to around 2 metres in length and weigh up to 15 kg). We will then continue to a fishing lodge nearby, where the crabs will be prepared for you. You can then sit back and enjoy your freshly caught King Crab as you relax by the log fire.
In the afternoon we will drive back to the Snow Hotel to visit the reindeer and husky dogs or you can return to Kirkenes for a walking tour of the town.
28 Dec: Arctic Circle & Northern Lights
Today we will drive back into Russia to meet up with our train which will be waiting for us in the town of Nikel.
The rest of the afternoon will be spent on board the train travelling through the wintry landscape of Arctic Russia. Sit back and enjoy the stunning landscape as we make our way south to Russia’s Karelia region. Afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian treats will be available in our Bar Lounge Car.
29 Dec: Petrozavodsk (Russian Christmas Eve)
The city of Petrozavodsk is located on the shores of Lak Onega – the second largest lake in Europe. It is a major cultural centre and capital of the Republic of Karelia, a federal subject of Russia.
30 Dec: St. Petersburg (Russian Christmas Day)
In the morning, we will arrive at our final destination, the stunning city of St. Petersburg. The city, sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its elegant buildings and many canals, is resplendent with ornate palaces, impressive monuments, beautiful bridges and wide boulevards and is known as the Ballet Capital of the World.
We will spend two nights in the luxurious, historic Grand Hotel Europe (or similar).
If you wish, you can enjoy an extra special evening in St. Petersburg by purchasing a ticket to one of the city’s magnificent ballets or operas (subject to schedule and availability – must be pre-booked at least six weeks prior to departure).
31 Dec: St. Petersburg Sightseeing of Catherine Palace & Hermitage
Today in St. Petersburg, we will enjoy a visit to Catherine’s Palace in the town of Pushkin, located just outside the city. We will also have a tour of the Hermitage Museum – the building was once used as the Winter Palace of the Tsars but today it is home to one of the largest collections of fine art and historical artefacts in the world. Additionally, we will visit the other key sights of St. Petersburg including St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect.
In the evening, we will welcome the year in style with a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner – this is the perfect way to end our unforgettable train journey.
01 Jan: Departure from St. Petersburg
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, our journey finally comes to an end. You will be transferred to the airport for our return flight or you may extend your visit to St. Petersburg by a few extra nights if you wish.
Package Includes:
- Direct flights from London
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 23 kg)
- 2 nights' accommodation in St Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe or similar
- 6 nights' accommodation onboard the Luxury Train
- 2 nights' accommodation in Kirkenes (North Norway) at the Thon Hotel Kirkenes or similar
- 1 night's accommodation in Moscow at the Four Seasons or similar
- Guided off-train excursions
- Full-board throughout the itinerary
- Drinks with meals (including specially selected international wines)
- All gratuities
- Experienced English speaking tour manager
- Onboard Doctor
- Onboard Guest Astronomer
- Robes, slippers and toiletries in-cabin
- Porterage throughout
- Siberian felt boots, hat and scarf to keep
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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