Russia White Nights Tour - Turkish Airlines

1st Day; Istanbul – St. Petersburg • Meet our guide at Istanbul Airport at 05:00 AM and complete check-in procedures. • Our flight with Turkish Airlines, flight number TK401, departs at 08:10. • We arrive in St. Petersburg at 11:55 and proceed to the city center with our private vehicle and local guide. • We will see and hear the stories behind Kazan Cathedral, Belozersk Palace, Stroganov Palace, Gostiny Dvor (once a marketplace, now a shopping center), National Library of Russia, Singer Building with its interesting history, Bloody Church (Kresty Prison), the famous Palace Square, Peter the Great monument, and the Anichkov Bridge with its famous marks of the blockade and many other structures. • Optional: For interested guests, a boat tour of the city channels will be available, allowing you to explore the city from the waterways, accompanied by drinks. (60 Euro) • After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in St. Petersburg and check-in. 2nd Day; St. Petersburg • After breakfast at the hotel, free time. • Optional: Visit the Hermitage Museum and Peter & Paul Fortress with our additional tour (100 Euro). • We will visit the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, which offers an immersive experience into Russian history and culture through its architecture, history, and art collections. The museum houses over 3 million artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, ancient relics, ethnographic items, jewelry, and other artworks. The Western Art collection features works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and others. Due to its extensive archaeological collections, it is the third-largest museum in the world. • Our program continues with the visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, one of the oldest structures in the city, which contains the graves of many members of the Romanov dynasty. Built during the time of Peter the Great, the fortress was never used for defense but became a central point in Peter’s grand project to establish a modern empire. We will hear interesting stories during this visit, which also hosted famous figures like Dostoevsky and Trotsky. • Optional: In the evening, enjoy a special dinner and dance show at Troika Restaurant to experience Russian culture in a lively atmosphere. (85 Euro) • Indulge in traditional folk music, colorful costumes, energetic dance performances, and local flavors, ending the day on an unforgettable note. 3rd Day; St. Petersburg • After breakfast, optional: We will depart for the visit to the luxurious summer palaces and gardens of the Romanovs, including Catherine Palace, Peterhof Gardens, and Pushkin Town. (115 Euro) • We begin with Catherine Palace, built for Empress Elizabeth, Katerina II. Its biggest treasure is the Amber Room, covered entirely with amber stones, which was lost during WWII and meticulously restored afterward. The palace features gold-embellished decorations, grand mirrors, and elegant halls reflecting Russia’s opulent past. • Afterwards, we head to Peterhof Palace, known as "Russia’s Versailles," built by Peter the Great on the Baltic Sea coast. It features golden statues, magnificent fountains, and vast gardens, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Stunning photos await you here. • At the end of the tour, we return to St. Petersburg and transfer to our hotel. 4th Day; St. Petersburg – Moscow • Early in the morning, transfer from the hotel to the high-speed train for a pleasant journey to Moscow. During the approximately four-hour trip, you will see Russia’s vast steppes, lush forests, and typical village scenery through the window and experience the country’s different faces. • Upon arrival in Moscow, start our panoramic city tour. The grandeur of Red Square, the historic Kremlin walls, the elegant façade of the Bolshoi Theater, and monolithic Soviet-era buildings greet us. • In the afternoon, optional: Explore Moscow’s metro stations and take a nighttime tour of Arbat Street and the city, revealing a different perspective of the city. (45 Euro) • First, visit the mesmerizing metro stations known as “Underground Palaces,” renowned for their mosaics and elegant chandeliers, experiencing the artistic atmosphere of the Moscow metro. • Then, take a leisurely walk along the lively Arbat Street, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. • At the end of the day, enjoy the breathtaking night view of the Kremlin, Red Square, and surrounding historical buildings. An unforgettable experience to understand the city’s history and spirit from a different angle. • After the tour, transfer to our Moscow hotel for overnight stay. 5th Day; Moscow • After breakfast, optional: Join an additional tour to Sparrow Hill, Novodevichy Cemetery, and the Kremlin Palace. (65 Euro) • Today, we will connect with Moscow’s history, culture, and spirit on a special day. • The first stop is Sparrow Hill, offering a panoramic view of Moscow’s golden-domed skyline, perfect for photo opportunities. Afterwards, we capture the exterior of the Moscow State University, one of the most magnificent examples of Soviet architecture. • Then, we visit Novodevichy Cemetery, a silent and atmospheric resting place of prominent figures like poet Nazim Hikmet, Anton Chekhov, composer Sergei Prokofiev, pianist Sviatoslav Richter, and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. This special spot honors those who have shaped Russian culture and arts, with respect to Hikmet’s memory. • At the end of the day, we visit the Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its golden-domed cathedrals, red brick walls, and historic courtyards showcase the power and tradition of the Russian Tsarist era. We will take a fascinating journey into Moscow’s rich past through this monumental complex. • Optional: In the evening, join the Russia National Circus show for a spectacular performance by world-famous acrobats, jugglers, and dancers, accompanied by colorful lights and music. A lively atmosphere and unforgettable experience await. (55 Euro) • We enjoy a lively and colorful night filled with entertainment and culture. 6th Day; Moscow – Istanbul • After breakfast, optional: Explore the most vibrant and unique spots of Moscow, including Cosmonautics Museum, Izmailovo Market, and the Space Explorers Park. (50 Euro) • Our first stop is the Cosmonautics Museum and Space Explorers Park, dedicated to Russia’s passion for science and space. The impressive complex features a giant rocket sculpture at the entrance, representing the Soviet space legacy. • We will explore human spaceflight, from Yuri Gagarin to today’s astronauts, with original space capsules, suits, photographs, and interactive exhibits. • Next, experience the fairy-tale-like Izmailovo Kremlin, built with colorful towers and wooden decorations, reminiscent of a movie scene. Inside its small artisan workshops, you can buy handmade crafts, matryoshkas, antiques, and souvenirs. • After the tour, transfer to Vnukovo Airport for our return journey and complete check-in. • Depart with Turkish Airlines flight TK416 at 19:25 from Moscow to Istanbul. • Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:25 marks the end of our tour.