– YOUR ONE-STOP RUSSIA SOLUTION! RNG RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP RUSSIA VISAS TOURS CRUISES RAIL INCENTIVE TICKETS have you ever been to IN ORDER TO VISIT RUSSIA, YOU MUST HAVE A VALID VISA. WE ARE FULLY LICENSED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE VISA SUPPORT. WITH US, YOU NEEDN'T CONCERN YOURSELF WITH THIRD-PARTY INVITATIONS. TOUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF VISAS TO RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND OTHER CIS COUNTRIES. VISA, TERMS, FEES, THE APPLICATION FORM, AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.RUSSIA-TRAVEL.COM. ALL TYPES: TOURIST SINGLE AND DOUBLE-ENTRY TOURIST VISAS, BUSINESS VISA AND ONE-YEAR MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY VISA ARE AVAILABLE AT RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP AS WELL AS VISAS TO UKRAINE, BELORUSSIA, CHINA, AND OTHER COUN- TRIES. PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS: 646.473.2233 VISA SERVICE TRAVELING IN RUSSIA RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP, INC. 224 West 30 th Street, Suite 701, New York, NY 10001 Telephone: 646.473.2233 Fax: 646.473.2205 E-mail: info@russia-travel.com Moscow Office: 5/10 Chistoprudni Blvd, Suite 214, Moscow, Russia Telephone: 495.980.8440 Fax: 495.980.8441 ELECTRICITY Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 Hz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your own converter as most places in Russia do not carry them. CURRENCY All prices in Russian territory are general- ly quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels, or kiosks. Traveler's checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some may turn down American Express. Visa and MasterCard are known, hence more wide- ly honored. ATM machines are widely available in major cities, but note; they do not have letters on the key pad, so if your PIN includes letters remember them as digits! TELEPHONES Despite the recent rapid improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure, telephoning in Russia can be difficult and expensive. Best bet is to use the phone at your hotel or use AT&T, Sprint, or MCI's USA direct services. Tokens or calling cards are required for street pay phones, which can be purchased at newsstands, in some stores and at many kiosks. TIME Time is GMT +3 for both Moscow & St. Petersburg. MEDICAL CARE Remember to bring any medications you may need. Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your cover- age in the event of emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized rid- ers that can cover emergency evacuation. We do recommend buying travel insur- ance. TAXIS In Russia, taxi fees are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of time. Do not use gypsy cabs or accept rides in cabs that already have a rider. We shall be glad to provide you with airport transfers by our company car. TIPPING Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on ser- vice. It is typical to round up the amount to the next round figure. Your Professional Travel Agent:
Transcript
– YOUR ONE-STOP RUSSIA SOLUTION!RNGRUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP
RUSSIAVISAS
TOURS
CRUISES
RAIL
INCENTIVE
TICKETS
have you ever been to
IN ORDER TO VISIT RUSSIA, YOU MUST HAVE A VALID VISA. WE ARE FULLY LICENSED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE VISASUPPORT. WITH US, YOU NEEDN'T CONCERN YOURSELFWITH THIRD-PARTY INVITATIONS. TOUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDETHE COST OF VISAS TO RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND OTHER CIS COUNTRIES. VISA, TERMS, FEES, THE APPLICATION FORM, ANDDETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ATWWW.RUSSIA-TRAVEL.COM.
ALL TYPES: TOURIST SINGLE AND DOUBLE-ENTRY TOURIST VISAS, BUSINESS VISA AND ONE-YEARMULTIPLE RE-ENTRY VISAARE AVAILABLE AT RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP AS WELL AS VISAS TO UKRAINE, BELORUSSIA, CHINA, AND OTHER COUN-TRIES.
PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS: 646.473.2233
VISA SERVICE
TRAVELING IN RUSSIA
RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP, INC.
224 West 30th Street, Suite 701,New York, NY 10001Telephone: 646.473.2233Fax: 646.473.2205E-mail: [email protected]
Moscow Office:5/10 Chistoprudni Blvd, Suite 214,Moscow, RussiaTelephone: 495.980.8440Fax: 495.980.8441
ELECTRICITY
Electricity throughout Russia is 220volt/50 Hz. The plug is the two-pin thinEuropean standard. Be sure to bring yourown converter as most places in Russia donot carry them.
CURRENCY
All prices in Russian territory are general-ly quoted in rubles. Currency can befreely converted at banks, hotels, orkiosks. Traveler's checks are hard to cash.Credit cards are accepted in most placesthat work with foreign tourists. Some mayturn down American Express. Visa andMasterCard are known, hence more wide-ly honored. ATM machines are widely
available in major cities, but note; they donot have letters on the key pad, so if yourPIN includes letters remember them asdigits!
TELEPHONES
Despite the recent rapid improvements inthe telecommunications infrastructure,telephoning in Russia can be difficult andexpensive. Best bet is to use the phone atyour hotel or use AT&T, Sprint, or MCI'sUSA direct services. Tokens or callingcards are required for street pay phones,which can be purchased at newsstands, insome stores and at many kiosks.
TIME
Time is GMT+3 for both Moscow &St. Petersburg.
MEDICAL CARE
Remember to bring any medications youmay need. Check with your health insurerbefore you depart to ascertain your cover-age in the event of emergency. Manyinsurance providers offer specialized rid-ers that can cover emergency evacuation.We do recommend buying travel insur-ance.
TAXIS
In Russia, taxi fees are usually negotiatedwith the driver ahead of time. Do not usegypsy cabs or accept rides in cabs thatalready have a rider. We shall be glad toprovide you with airport transfers by ourcompany car.
TIPPING
Tipping is increasingly expected atrestaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on ser-vice. It is typical to round up the amountto the next round figure.
Your Professional Travel Agent:
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT
Dear friend!
You are entering the fabulous world of Russia: miraculous and still mysterious to many foreigners, full of culturaland historic treasures, beautiful and unspoiled nature, and motherland to the industrious, bright, and hospitable people.Our main goal is to make your trip to Russia a flawless one. We are here to help individual travelers as well as TravelAgents in search of reliable, efficient and reasonably priced services throughout Russia. We are ready to address all prac-tical issues of converting your travel plans to an unforgettable pleasant experience of real-life acquaintance to MotherRussia. We will guide you step by step, from applying for Russian entry visas till the moment you wavegoodbye to your new Russian friends on the way back home, which is the moment we hope you'll start thinking aboutreturning some day!
Michael Kolesnichenko,PresidentRussian National Group
RNG is a fully licensed company with aright to provide visa support in both theRussian Consulates in the USA andRussian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. TheRussian National Group, Inc. is a businesscorporation that provides a full range oftravel and travel-related services throughprofessional and reliable ground operatorsin Russia. RNG enjoys the absolute bestrates from Russian hotels, carriers andbus companies.
Before you go, our expert staff in New YorkCity can help you and your travel agentselect the itinerary that is best suited foryou. Perhaps you'd enjoy one of ourescorted land packages while traveling
with a group, or maybe the independentside of you would want a customized pro-gram, either fully escorted or fully hosted.Or choose to travel through this land ofimperial history on one of our "WhiteNight" cruise ships along the Volga River.The choices are yours with RussianNational Group all you have to do is ask!
Compare our programs with any othermajor tour operator to Russia. We're soconfident that when you review our tours,feature by feature, you will discover thatwe offer the best value, with packages thatare the most inclusive. Plus, we offermore hotels and services than others. Ourtours bring you to the best of Russia!
REPRESENTING IN THE USA:
– Russian National Tourist Office (RNTO)
– Russian National Olympic Committee
– Russian Travel Industry Union
We GUARANTEE you a wonderful overwhelmingexperience you will never forget & the best pricesin the New Millennium for escorted, hosted andindependent tours; including Russian River Cruises!
RNGRUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP
Address:224 West 30th Street, Suite 701,New York, NY 10001
Leave the US on your overnight flight foryour journey to Russia.
DAY TWO
Arrival in Moscow. You will be met at theairport and transferred to your hotel.Balance a day at leisure of rest and relax-ation. Welcome dinner.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, you will be escorted on anin-depth tour of this fascinating Russiancapital. Enjoy the grandeur of Red Squareand the Russian White House. SeeMoscow University, the former KGBheadquarters and central Moscow.Experience a deep sense of history as youtrace the footsteps of the legions ofprinces, paupers and poets who havepassed through this ancient city. Thisafternoon's tour takes you to the heart ofthe city, the Kremlin. This formerMoscowcitadel, "Kremlin" means "fortress" andhouses exquisite palaces, presidentialbuildings lovely churches and scores ofmajor historical monuments. Your tour ofthe Kremlin will also include a visit to thefascinating State Armory, the oldestmuseum in Russia. As its name implies, itcontains many ancient weapons andarmor, as well as a treasure-trove of gor-geous crown jewels, gold-encrustedicons, bejeweled royal scepters, andexquisitely carved thrones. All these love-ly treasures eloquently tell the history ofImperial Russia. Visit NovodevichyConvent, originally built as a fortress, italso functioned as a convent for women ofthe royal family and prison for PrincessSophia, sister of Peter the Great, after shemade three aborted attempts on his life todeprive him of the throne. The conventitself is a unique example of 16th and 17thcentury architecture.
DAY FOUR
This morning delight in a visit to thePushkin Museum of Fine Arts. Here, dis-cover an important collection of FrenchImpressionism, as well as other majorschools of Western art, dating from theRenaissance through the 20th century.After the museum, ride the amazingMoscow Metro, where every station is anindividual monument to Soviet art anddesign. In the evening transfer to the trainstation for your overnight first-class trip toSt. Petersburg.
DAY FIVE
Morning arrival in St. Petersburg.Transfer to your hotel with a city tour. Enroute, you will enjoy the sights of this gor-geous city, Tsar Peter the Great's"Window to the West." Only 300 yearsold, the city was built by Tsar Peter to cap-ture and rival the beauties of Paris andVenice. You'll love the extravagantbaroque architecture of the city center,Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square andSmolny Convent. This afternoon, enjoythe many wonders of the elegant WinterPalace that houses the HermitageMuseum, one of the largest art and cultur-al museums in the world. This vast collec-tion (about 65,000 items) includes some ofhistory's most important art.
DAY SIX
Today a late morning drive will take youto the lovely city of Pushkin – formerlyTsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village. Enjoy anescorted tour of the beautiful baroque-style Catherine Palace, built by EmpressElizabeth and named for her motherCatherine the First. The architect wasBartolomo Rastrelli, who designed theWinter Palace, as well as the HermitagePavilion. Visit Pavlovsk, one of TsarPavel's summer palaces. Lunch will be at
Pavlovsk. Like many other royal resi-dences, the palace sustained heavy dam-age during the war, but most of it has beenrestored to its former glory. Next, visitYusupov Palace, where Rasputin was mur-dered!
DAY SEVEN
This morning tour Peter and Paul Fortresswith its famous Peter and Paul Church,containing the tombs of Russian rulersfrom Peter the Great through AlexanderIII. After visiting the fortress, your tourcontinues to St. Isaac's Cathedral (con-structed 1818-58), the largest in the city,with its tall gilt dome one of the manyfocal points of St. Petersburg. Your tourcontinues with a visit to AlexanderNevsky Abbey. There you will visit theoldest cemetery in Russia, with many ofthe country's most famous historical fig-ures. Evening folklore performance.
DAY EIGHT
Bid farewell to this elegant and excitingcity, as we transfer you to the airport afteryour fascinating journey.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Moscow and St. Petersburg City Tours
Kremlin & the Armory Museum
Tretyakov Gallery
Novodevichy Convent
Moscow Metro
Tour of Hermitage Museum
Paul's Palace in Pavlovsk
Catherine's Palace in Pushkin
Yusupov Palace
Peter and Paul Fortress
St. Isaac's Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Abbey
YOUR FULLY ESCORTED TOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlantic airfare from New York(Add-ons from other cities are available upon request)
Two meals per day
5 nights first-class hotel accommodation in Moscow and St. Petersburg,including all taxes & services
Comprehensive sightseeing (listed below)
Services of English-speaking guides in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Ground transportation by first-class motor coach
First-class overnight sleeper train between Moscow and St. Petersburg
ALL−INCLUSIVE 8−DAY TOUR OF MOSCOW & ST. PETERSBURG
WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM OUR RNG-ARRANGED TRIP TOST. PETERSBURGANDMOSCOW.WEHADA LOVELY TIME, AND ALL OFTHE ARRANGEMENTS WORKED PERFECTLY. RED SQUARE IS THEMOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE WE HAVE EVER SEEN. IT WAS THEEXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. WE WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEEXCELLENT SERVICES OF THE RNG TO ANYONE PLANNING A TRIP TORUSSIA.
IMPERIALRussia
YOUR FULLY ESCORTEDTOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlantic airfare fromNew York (Add-ons from the other citiesare available upon the request)
Two meals per day in Moscow andSt. Petersburg and three meals per dayin Vladimir and Suzdal
8 nights' first-class hotel accommodationin Moscow, St. Petersburg and Suzdal
Comprehensive sightseeing (listed below)
Services of English-speaking guides inMoscow and St. Petersburg.
Ground transportation byfirst-class motor coach
First-class overnight sleeper trainbetween Moscow and St. Petersburg.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimirand Suzdal City Tours
Kremlin & the Armory Museumin Moscow
Excursion to Kolomenskoe
Moscow Metro
Cathedral of the Assumption andGolden Gates in Vladimir
Kremlin & Cathedral of Transfigurationof the Savior in Suzdal
Tour of Hermitage Museum
Pavlovsk Palace
Catherine's Palace in Pushkin
Yusupov Palace
Peter and Paul Fortress
Moscow Circus
GOLDEN RING OF
Russia“My daughter and I just returned from our 11-day excursion to Moscow, Vladimir,Suzdal and St. Petersburg. We had an absolutely marvelous time! Our guides wereexcellent. They were professional, friendly and exceedingly knowledgable on allaspects of Russian history and culture. We would not have had as enjoyable a trip with-out her assistance! The weather was great and the itinerary was comprehensive.Thank you for making this once in a lifetime trip a memory my daughter and I willalways treasure.”
MOSCOW − SUZDAL −VLADIMIR – ST. PETERSBURG11 DAYS/9 NIGHTS
DAY ONE. USA/EN ROUTE:
Our Russian journey begins with anovernight flight to Moscow. All mealsserved on board, as well as complimentarybeverages, movies and earphones for yourtravel comfort.
DAY TWO. ARRIVE MOSCOW:
Arrive at Moscow International Airport.Upon arrival, meet your awaiting tourescort and motor coach to continue to thehotel for check-in. Dinner at the hotel.Overnight in Moscow.
DAY THREE. MOSCOW:
After breakfast, embark on a sightseeingtour of the city, including Red Square,which was originally known more pro-saically as the tog or market place. Thepresent name dates from the 17th century,meaning "beautiful." Red Square isfamous for its scene of markets, fairs andreligious festivals, as well as a famousplace of execution. Here, rebels met theirdeaths beside the raised circular daiscalled the "Lobnoe Mesto," from whichstate decrees were also read out.Independent lunch at the city downtown.See the former headquarters of the KGB,Moscow University and the Russian"White House." Dinner at the hotel.Overnight in Moscow.
DAY FOUR. MOSCOW:
Following breakfast is a morning tour ofthe Kremlin including a visit to the fasci-nating State Armory, the oldest museumin Russia. As its name implies, it containsmany ancient weapons and armor, but italso houses a treasure-trove of gorgeousjewels, gold-encrusted icons, bejeweledroyal scepters and exquisitely carvedthrones. All of these lovely treasures elo-quently tell the history of Imperial Russia.Independent lunch near Red Square.Continue on the city tour and enjoy anafternoon ride on the amazing MoscowMetro, where every station is an individ-ual monument to Soviet art and design.Dinner at the hotel. Overnight inMoscow.
DAY FIVE. MOSCOW /VLADIMIR /SUZDAL:
After breakfast, meet an awaiting motorcoach and drive to the Golden Ring ofRussia, including Vladimir, an ancienthistoric Russian town located on a tribu-tary of the Volga. The city dates back tothe 10th century and some of the high-lights are the Golden Gates, the ByzantineAssumption Cathedral, and countlessother treasures you will pass by on yourcity tour. Lunch at the "Vladimir"Restaurant. Following the tour, continueto Suzdal, located on the Golden Ring.Dinner and overnight in Suzdal.
DAY SIX. SUZDAL:
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day of sight-seeing in Suzdal, the most beautiful andbest-preserved town on the Golden Ring.Tour sights include the Kremlin of Suzdaland Assumption Cathedral. Lunch at the"Traktir" Restaurant. Dinner andovernight in Suzdal.
DAY SEVEN.SUZDAL /MOSCOW /OVERNIGHT TRAIN:
After breakfast, transfer to Moscow.Independent lunch en route or at the citydowntown. Evening performance at thefamous Moscow Circus. Dinner at localrestaurant. Overnight train to St.Petersburg (2-berth compartment).
DAY EIGHT. ST. PETERSBURG:
Breakfast snack provided on board thetrain. Upon arrival begin a city sightsee-ing tour including views of the Peter andPaul Cathedral designed by the famousarchitect Rastrelli. It stands on thegrounds of Peter and Paul Fortress in theoldest section of the city and contains thetombs of Russian rulers from Peter theGreat through Alexander III. Independentlunch at the city downtown. Check-in atthe hotel, time at leisure. Dinner at thehotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY NINE. ST. PETERSBURG:
After breakfast, travel outside St.Petersburg to the lovely city of Pushkin–formerly Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village.Tour Catherine Palace, the beautifulBaroque-style building was built byEmpress Elizabeth and named for hermother, Catherine the First. The architectwas Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who designedthe Winter Palace, as well as theHermitage Pavilion. Like many otherroyal residences, the palace sustainedheavy damage during the war, but most ofit has been restored to its former glory.Independent lunch in Pavlovsk.Afterward, continue to Pavlovsk's Palace,the official summer residence ofCatherine the Great's son Paul. ThePalace contains an Egyptian vestibule,Italian, French and Greek halls, a throneroom, and picture galleries. Dinner at thehotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
TUE. DAY TEN. ST. PETERSBURG:
After breakfast, visit the HermitageMuseum, one of the largest art and cultur-al museums in the world. This vast collec-tion (about 65,000 items) includes some ofhistory's most important art. Independentlunch in the city’s downtown. Continueon your city tour along Nevsky Prospektand visit Yusupov Palace, site ofRasputin's death. The rest of the day isavailable for independent sightseeing,shopping and last-minute photo opportu-nities.
WED. DAY ELEVEN.ST.PETERSBURG/USA:
After breakfast, time at leisure for inde-pendent sightseeing and shopping.Transfer to St. Petersburg InternationalAirport.
Our journey comes to an end as we boardour flight bound for the USA.
7
DECEMBER 28. DAY ONE.
Leave the US on your overnight flight foryour journey to Russia.
DECEMBER 29. DAY TWO.
Arrival in St. Petersburg. You will be metat the airport and transferred to yourhotel. Balance a day at leisure of rest andrelaxation. Welcome dinner with cocktail.
DECEMBER 30. DAY THREE.
This morning you will have a city tour. Enroute, you will enjoy the sights of this gor-geous city, Tsar Peter the Great's"Window to the West." Only 300 yearsago, the city was built by Tsar Peter tocapture and rival the beauties of Paris andVenice. You'll love the extravagantbaroque architecture of the city center,Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, andSmolny Convent. In the afternoon, tourPeter and Paul Fortress with its famousPeter and Paul Church containing thetombs of Russian rulers from Peter theGreat through Alexander III. After visitingthe fortress, your tour continues to St.Isaac's Cathedral (constructed 1818-58) isthe largest in the city, with its tall giltdome, one of the many focal points of St.Petersburg. Your tour continues with avisit to Alexander Nevsky Abbey. You willvisit the oldest cemetery in Russia, wheremany of the country's most famous histor-ical figures are buried.
DECEMBER 31. DAY FOUR.
Today enjoy the many wonders of the ele-gant Winter Palace that houses theHermitage Museum, one of the largest artand cultural museums in the world. Thisvast collection (about 65,000 items)includes some of history's most importantart. Lunch in the City. Balance of after-noon at leisure for relaxation before theNew Year's Eve event in Catherine Palace.A late evening drive will take you to thelovely city of Pushkin, formerly TsarskoeSelo, the “Tsar's Village”. On the 300th
anniversary of St. Petersburg, you willmeet in the magnificent Catherine Palace,which hosts the Ball with an authenticatmosphere of unequaled pomp. A trueromance and splendor of the Imperial tra-ditions of festivities will be felt by theguests as they are brought back to thetimes of a bygone era. Inside the Palacethe Russian hussars, Prince and Princess,provide a lavish welcome traditionallyreserved for royalty. The Ball starts in theballroom of the Catherine Palace. TheCourt Ballet greets the guests with apolonaise, followed by the officialannouncement of the dinner by the Princeand Princess. The specially created menufeatures traditional Russian caviar, servedin large blocks of ice, blinis, andEuropean-style dishes complemented bycarefully selected wines and champagne.A philharmonic and classical balalaikaorchestra provide background music.Midnight is celebrated with pomp, a bellconcert and fireworks in the park. Theextravaganza continues through themorning of the New Year with a RussianFolklore and Cossack Show, as well asGypsy songs with wild dancing andsinging by the performers.
JANUARY 1. DAY FIVE.
This morning enjoy the Troika Ride.Afternoon transfer to the train station foryour day train trip Moscow. Arrival inMoscow. You will be met at the airportand transferred to your hotel. Dinner atthe hotel.
JANUARY 2. DAY SIX.
After breakfast, you will be escorted on anin-depth tour of this fascinating Russiancapital. Enjoy the grandeur of Red Squareand the Russian White House. SeeMoscow University, the former KGBheadquarters, and central Moscow.Experience a deep sense of history as youtrace the footsteps of the legions ofprinces, paupers, and poets who have
passed through this ancient city.This afternoon delight in a visit to thePushkin Museum of Fine Arts. Here, dis-cover an important collection of FrenchImpressionism, as well as other majorschools of Western Art dating from theRenaissance through the 20th century.After the museum, ride the amazingMoscow Metro where every station is anindividual monument to Soviet art anddesign. Enjoy an evening performance inone of the best theatres of Moscow.
JANUARY 3. DAY SEVEN.
This morning's tour takes you to the heartof the city, the Kremlin. This formerMoscow citadel, "Kremlin" means"fortress" and houses exquisite palaces,presidential buildings, lovely churches,and scores of major historical monuments.Your tour of the Kremlin will also includea visit to the fascinating State Armory, theoldest museum in Russia. As its nameimplies, it contains many ancient weaponsand armor, as well as a treasure-trove ofgorgeous crown jewels, gold-encrustedicons, bejeweled royal scepters andexquisitely carved thrones. All these love-ly treasures eloquently tell the history ofImperial Russia. Visit NovodevichyConvent. Originally built as a fortress, italso functioned as a convent for women ofthe royal family and prison for PrincessSophia, sister of Peter the Great, after shemade three aborted attempts on his life todeprive him of the throne. The conventitself is a unique example of 16th and 17thcentury architecture.
JANUARY 4. DAY EIGHT.
Bid farewell to this exciting city, as wetransfer you to the airport after your fasci-nating journey.
YOUR FULLY ESCORTEDTOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlantic airfarefrom New York (Add-ons from the othercities are available upon the request)
Two meals per day
6 nights deluxe hotel accommodationin St. Petersburg and Moscow,including all taxes
Comprehensive sightseeing(listed below)
Services of English-speaking guidesin St. Petersburg and Moscow
Ground transportation by first-classmotor coach
Day train between St. Petersburgand Moscow
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
St. Petersburg and Moscow City Tours
Tour of Hermitage Museum
Peter and Paul Fortress
St. Isaac's Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Abbey
Tsar's Ball in Catherine Palacein Tsarskoe Selo
Troika Ride
Kremlin & the Armory Museum
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Novodevichy Convent
Russian Ballet
HOTELS:
Your hotel in St. Petersburg is thehistoric Astoria Hotel.
Your hotel in Moscow is theelegant National Hotel.
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN
CatherinePalace
9
YOUR FULLY ESCORTEDTOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlanticairfare from New York
Breakfast daily
6 nights at a hotel in St. Petersburg,including all taxes
Comprehensive sightseeing
Services of English-speaking guides
Ground transportation by first-classmotor coach
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
City Tour
Alexander Nevsky Abbey
Catherine Palace in Pushkin
Pavlovsk Palace
Peter and Paul Fortress
St. Isaac's Cathedral
Hermitage Museum
Peterhoff and Royal Parks
Yusupov Palace
Folklore Show
DAY ONE
Leave the US on your overnight flight toSt. Petersburg.
DAY TWO
Arrive in St. Petersburg. You will be metat the airport and taken to your hotel ina comfortable private car. Balance of theday at leisure with many excitingoptions available. Overnight in thehotel.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, you will have an in-depth escorted tour of this gorgeousand glamorous city. Lunch in town.After a lunch visit the AlexanderNevsky Abbey, a monastery and a 19thcentury Necropolis, containing thegraves of many world-famous Russianwriters, composers and sculptors.Overnight in the hotel.
DAY FOUR
Today the morning drive will take youto the lovely city of Pushkin, formerlyTsarskoe Selo the “Tsar's Village”.Enjoy an escorted tour of the beautifulbaroque style Catherine Palace. Lunchwill be served in Pavlovsk, where youwill see one of the Tsar Pavel's summerpalaces. Like many other royal resi-dences, the palace sustained heavydamage during the war, but most of ithas been restored to its former glory.
DAY FIVE
Enjoy a tour of Peter and Paul Fortressand St. Isaac's Cathedral. At the fortress,visit the famous Peter and PaulCathedral; a sepulcher of Russian rulersfrom Peter the Great through AlexanderIII. After visiting the fortress, continueyour tour to the largest in the city St.Isaac's Cathedral. Lunch in town. Thisafternoon, enjoy the many wonders ofthe elegant Winter Palace that housesthe Hermitage Museum, one of thelargest art and culture museums in theworld. Its vast collection (about 65,000items) includes some of history's mostimportant art.
DAY SIX
This morning you will delight in visitingthe Summer Palace complex of Peterthe Great, the construction of whichbegan in 1714 and included numerousfountains. Enjoy your shopping in theafternoon.
DAY SEVEN
Morning visit to the Yusupov Palace,where Rasputin was murdered. Enjoy a"Vodka Rasputin", lunch, and anevening folklore performance.
DAY EIGHT
Bid farewell to this elegant, excitingcity, as we transfer you to the airportafter your fascinating journey.
ALL−INCLUSIVE 8−DAY TOUROF ST. PETERSBURG ON ITSTERCENTENNIAL
Royal Capital,Royal Reception,Royal Itinerary
VeniceOF THE NORTH
“You arranged a great trip for us. It went off without a hitch. The service on the boatwas very good, particularly with its being the first sailing of the season”.
CRUISES BETWEEN MOSCOW & ST. PETERSBURG ALONG THE WATERWAYSOF RUSSIA
CruisesBETWEEN MOSCOW AND ST. PETERSBURG
YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISEINCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlantic Airfare fromNew York
Three meals per day
Comprehensive Sightseeing
Services of English speaking guides
Ground Transportation for on shore tours
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Moscow City Tour
Kremlin
Cathedral of the Assumption
The Church of the Transfiguration
Church of Elijah the Prophet
Cyrilo-Belozersky Monastery
Peter and Paul Fortress
St Isaac’s and Decembrist Square
Hermitage Museum
DAY ONE
Leave the US on your overnight flight toRussia.
DAY TWO
Arrival in Moscow, where you will be metand transferred to your ship.Embarkation, dinner and overnight.
DAY THREE
Enjoy a sightseeing motor coach tour ofthis ancient Russian capital including;Tverskaya Street, Red Square, St. Basil’sCathedral, the Bolshoi Theater, and theMoscow State University for a panoramicview of the city. Balance a free day ofexploring Moscow on your own. Tour theKremlin, filled with beautiful cathedrals,ornate palaces, and government build-ings. Visit the Cathedral of theAssumption, one of the country’s princi-pal churches where the coronations of thetsars were held. Lunch and dinner will beheld on board the ship.
DAY FOUR
Begin your day leisurely with a lunch onboard. In the evening, enjoy an on-boardcocktail reception and dinner as you leaveMoscow for the start of your journey.
DAY FIVE
Take a walking tour of this lovely 10thcentury town, one of Russia’s mostancient. Visit the Kremlin with its 16thcentury Church of the Transfiguration.Lunch and dinner will be held on board.
DAY SIX
After breakfast, tour Yaroslavl, founded inthe 11th century by Prince Yaroslavl theWise. The city tour includes the 16th cen-turyMonastery of the Transfiguration andChurch of Elijah the Prophet. Lunch anddinner will be held on board.
DAY SEVEN
Visit Cyrilo-Belozersky Monastery whichhas six centuries of glorious history,founded in 1397. Lunch and dinner will beheld on board.
DAY EIGHT
Arrive at the island of Kizhi, and architec-tural gem within Lake Onega. The islandis famous for its wonderful collection of18th century wooden buildings, restoredto their original state. The highlight ofKizhi is the amazing Church of theTransfiguration because of its twenty-twoonion domes and having been built with-out a single nail.
DAY NINE
Time to relax, simply sit back and enjoyyour surroundings or take a Russian lan-guage lesson. You are also welcome tojoin in on one of the other many activitieson board. In the afternoon, you will arrivein a recreation zone. Lunch and dinnerwill be provided on board.
DAY TEN
In the morning you will be arriving in St.Petersburg. Visit the Peter and PaulFortress and the Cathedral of Sts. Peterand Paul with the tombs of the imperialRomanovs, beneath its 122 meter spire.Next on your bus tour, visit St. Basil’sIsland, St. Isaac’s Square, and DecembristSquare with the bronze horseman statueof Peter the Great. Lunch and dinner willbe on board.
DAY ELEVEN
This morning visit the many wonders ofthe elegant Winter Palace that houses theHermitage, one of the largest art and cul-tural museums in the world. The vast col-lection (about 65,000 items) includessome of the history’s most important artincluding; the French Impressionists’work. Again lunch and dinner will be onboard.
DAY TWELVE
This day in St. Petersburg you have toexplore on your own. Whatever yourinterests are, our local hosts ease your wayby making all arrangements for tours, the-ater, ballet, or opera tickets.
DAY THIRTEEN
It is now time to bid farewell to your newfriends and the elegant city of St.Petersburg. We will then transfer you tothe airport after your unforgettable jour-ney through this fascinating land.
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MOSCOW
FOUNDEDMORE THAN 850 YEARSAGO THE HISTORICAL CAPITALOFFERS AWEALTH OF CULTURAL,MUSICAL, AND ENTERTAINMENTACTIVITIES TO ITS VISITORS. TODAY,THIS ANCIENT HEART OF RUSSIA ISENJOYING A RENAISSANCE OFIMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONS.
ST. PETERSBURG
VISIT THIS 300 YEAR OLD EXQUISITECITY OF PALACES AND CANALS,BUILT BY TSAR PETER THE GREAT ASHIS “WINDOW TO THEWEST”, INORDER TO RIVAL OTHER GREATCITIES OF EUROPE. IT IS KNOWN TOMANY AS “VENICE OF THE NORTH”.
Choose a hotel and add your own sight-seeing and ground services: airport tohotel transfers in either direction.
All sightseeing is by private car with dri-ver and an expert English-speakingguide fom our fully staffed offices.
With Russian National Group there isnever a booking fee to create your ownpackage!
MOSCOW
City Tour
Experience the grandeur of Red Squareand the Russian White House. SeeMoscow University, the former KGBheadquarters building and centralMoscow.
Novodevichy Convent
Add Novodevichy Convent to your citysightseeing tour. Originally built as afortress, it also functioned as a convent forwomen of the royal family and a prison forPrincess Sophia, sister of Peter the Great.It is a unique example of 16th and 17thcentury architecture.
The Kremlin
This former Moscow citadel, meaning“fortress”, houses exquisite palaces, pres-idential buildings, lovely churches, andscores of major historical monuments.Kremlin tour with three cathedrals.
Armory Museum
Add a visit to the ArmoryMuseum to yourKremlin tour. The State Armory is the old-est museum in Russia. As its name implies,it contains many ancient weapons andarmor, but you will also find a treasuretrove of gorgeous crown jewels, goldencrusted icons, bejeweled royal scepters,and exquisitely carved thrones. Kremlintour with the Armory Museum.
Royal Diamond Fund
Fund You may add this to the above tourof the Kremlin and Armory Museum. TheDiamond Fund is a true treasure trove ofthousands of loose diamonds, goldnuggets, and both ancient and modernjewelry of kinds. Rate for Kremlin Tourwith Armory and Diamond Fund.
Tretyakov Gallery
Founded in 1856 by Pavel Tretyakov toshow the work of Russian artists. Today,after much expansion, the gallery housesand celebrates over 57,000 pieces of the
most important ancient and contemporaryRussian art in the world.
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Here you will discover an important col-lection of French Impressionists, as wellas other major schools of Western Art dat-ing from the Renaissance to the TwentiethCentury.
Excursion to Sergiev Posad
Located 44 miles northeast of Moscow,you will visit the Trinity Monastery ofSt.Sergiy, Russia’s foremost chiefmonastery. After a visit to Trinity Church,oldest building in the monastery (1422 –1423),you will visit the museum of icons.
Excursion to Kolomenskoe
This summer residence of the Tsars islocated on the high bank of the MoskvaRiver. The museum houses a collection ofdecorative and applied arts and crafts ofthe 17th century
Performances
Any tickets to performances are availablefor the Bolshoi Theatre, StanislavskyOpera or Ballet, Tchaikovsky Hall,Puppet Show, and folklore shows.
ST.PETERSBURG
City Tour
Enjoy a tour of the central city including;Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, andSmolny convent. Combine a city sightsee-ing tour with one or more of the followingin depth tours: Peter and Paul Fortress,St. Isaac’s Cathedral, or the AlexanderNevsky Abbey.
Peter and Paul Fortress and St.Isaac’sCathedral
At the fortress, visit the famous Peter andPaul Cathedral containing the tombs ofRussian rulers from Peter the Greatthrough Alexander III. After visiting thefortress, continue your tour with a visit to
St. Isaac’s Cathedral (under constructionfrom 1818 to 1858), largest in the city.With its tall gilt dome it is one of the land-marks of the city:
Alexander Nevsky Abbey
Visit the monastery and the 19th centuryNecropolis, which contains the graves ofmany famous Russian writers, composersand sculptors:
Hermitage Museum
Enjoy the many wonders of the elegantWinter Palace that houses the HermitageMuseum, one of the largest art and cultur-al museums in the world. This vast collec-tion (about 65,000 items) includes some ofhistory’s most important art.
Peterhof and Parks
Visit the summer palace complex of Peterthe Great, the construction of whichbegan in 1714 and included numerousfountains.
Catherine Palace in Pushkin
Visit the city of Pushkin, formerlyTsarskoe Selo, Tsar’s Village, and thebaroque style palace built by the EmpressElizabeth and named for mother,Catherine the First.
Pavlovsk Palace
One of Tsar Pavel’s summer palaces. Likemany other royal residences, this palacesustained heavy damage during the war,but most of it has been restored to its for-mer glory. Combine Pavlovsk withCatherine Palace.
Yusupov Palace
Visit the palace where Rasputin was mur-dered. Enjoy a “Vodka Rasputin”.
Performances
Any tickets to performances are availablefor the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres,Hermitage Theatre, Alexandriysky Operaand Ballet, Stanislavsky Opera or Ballet,Tchaikovsky Hall, Puppet Show, and folk-lore shows.
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A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO CUSTOM-DESIGN THE EXACT TRIPS TOTHESE CITIES YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT WITH THE HELP OF RUSSIANNATIONAL GROUP
PrivateSIGHTSEEING
EPIC TRANS-SIBERIAN
Rail Journey RESERVATION AND PAYMENT:
Ask your Travel Agent to call RUSSIANNATIONAL GROUP. A deposit of $250 perperson is required at the time of booking.Booking will be confirmed only uponreceipt of deposit. Make checks payable to;RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP.
PRICES:
The fares are based on current air tariffs thatare subject to change without notice. Landprices are those in effect when this brochurewas printed.
All prices are subject to change withoutnotice but are guaranteed on deposit.
AIR TICKETS:
Please check your documents when youreceive them. Call us if you have any ques-tions.
EXCURSION AND PROMOTIONALFARES: Most discount fares involve certainrestrictions. A change in carrier(s), flight(s),time(s) or routing(s) could result in a carrierdemanding a full fare. We reserve the rightto change processing fees in the event ofrefund, cancellations or special services.
Most tickets have value. Any unused flight-coupons must be returned in order to deter-mine refund value. Lost, stolen or destroyedtickets must be paid for until refund isreceived from issuing carrier, subject to anairline-imposed service charge. Group faresare based on a minimum number of passen-gers traveling; if the number of passengersfalls below the minimum required, a sur-charge may be imposed on all passengers.
CANCELLATIONS:
GENERAL: All cancellations must be madein writing. The date of the cancellation shallbe the date when the written notice isreceived by RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP(during normal business hours Monday-Friday). All cancellation rules will apply inthe event the authorities deny your visa. It isstrongly recommended that passengers pur-chase separate cancellation insurance toprotect themselves against possible lossesdue to their own decision to cancel.
LAND SERVICES:
All cancellations are subject to a $50 service
and administrative charge per person.Additionally, all cancellations received 31-60 days before the departure will beassessed 10% of the land portion cost; 10-30days before departure will be assessed 40%of the land portion cost; 2-9 days beforedeparture will be assessed 100% of the landportion cost.
AIR TICKETS:
Most tickets have value. Any unused flightcoupons must be returned in order to deter-mine refund value. Lost, stolen or destroyedtickets must be paid for until refund isreceived from issuing carrier, subject to anairline-imposed service charge. Group faresare based on a minimum number of passen-gers traveling; if the number of passengersfalls below the minimum required, a sur-charge may be imposed on all passengers.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL:
Cancellation rules will be given separatelyat time of booking.
BOOKING FEES:
Booking fees, train tickets and issued visasare never refundable.
CHANGE FEE:
An administrative fee of $25 per person willbe charged for each change or amendmentto the original reservation (e.g. change ofdate, land only, departure city, etc.) ifrequested after RUSSIAN NATIONALGROUP has issued the written confirmationor invoice.
SCHEDULING:
Please be advised that due to the nature oftravel in Russia, your tour may not be deliv-erable exactly as described (i.e. theaterscheduling, hotel occupancy, unscheduledholidays, etc), BUT RNG will substitutescheduled or advertised events, hotels andrestaurants with alternatives of equal orgreater value and quality.
CARS AND TRANSFERS:
RNGwill supply its group travelers with per-sonal transportation to and from all train sta-tions, airports and ports, as described in thetour description. Tour participants shouldbe prepared to handle their own bags at cer-tain times during the tour. We cannot guar-
antee air conditioned vehicles in somecities, as they are not always available in cer-tain parts of Russia.
INSURANCE:
Russian National Group highly recom-mends that you purchase travel insurancefor your trip. This may be purchased direct-ly from us or through your travel agent. Callfor details.
CLAIMS:
Claims for refunds must be submitted inwriting and signed by the local representa-tive of Ground Operator, and received byRUSSIANNATIONAL GROUP in New Yorkwithin 30 days of cancellation or non-receiptof services. Refund request for absences,missed sightseeing, meals or other unusedservices are not granted.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airport taxes, passport and visa fees, excessbaggage fees and airport & train stationporterage are not included in the price ofthe tour. Also not included are items of apersonal nature such as telephone calls,additional food or beverage items, room ser-vice, valet or laundry service, optional activ-ities, meals or drink, and any other items notmentioned as included.
GRATUITIES:
All hotel gratuities are included in the price.When meals are featured, those gratuitiesare also included. However, gratuities forthe Tour Manager, local guides, drivers andcruise staff/crew are not included and are atthe discretion of the individual traveler.
RESPONSIBILITY:
RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP Inc. actsonly as an agent for airlines, bus companies,hotels and other suppliers, and as suchassumes no responsibility for any omissionon the part of said suppliers resulting ininjury, damage, death, loss, accident ordelay to persons or property. The paymentfor reservations on any tour/booking shallconstitute consent to all provisions in theTerms and Conditions published herein.RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP reserves theright to resell tour space without notice iffinal payment has not been received by duedate.
DAY ONE
Leave the US on your overnight flight foryour journey to Russia.
DAY TWO
Arrive in Moscow. Our driver will meetyou at the airport and take you to thehotel right in the center of the Russiancapital. Receive your train ticket, rest andenjoy Moscow by night.
DAY THREE
A half-day city tour after breakfast willtake you to the Kremlin and Red Square -the political, historical, and architecturalcore of Russia. Beautiful churches, impos-ing monuments, and the world's keymuseums are all around you to explore.
DAY FOUR
Enjoy your breakfast and get ready tocheck out from the hotel at noon. Youhave another half-day before the Trans-Siberian Express leaves at night. Enjoymore of Moscow, its cuisine, hospitality,and shopping. You will board the trainwith two tickets: one for the span fromMoscow to Irkutsk, and the other fromIrkutsk to Vladivostok.
DAY FIVE THROUGH SEVEN EN ROUTE
Your train will take you through the vast-ness of Russia, offering you a fascinatingsight of the woods, cities, rivers, towns,and villages.
DAY EIGHT
You arrive in Irkutsk. This city, foundedin the middle of nowhere in 1661 as aminor exile settlement, a hundred yearslater developed into a prosperous cultur-al and business center with a populationof 10,000 and now is referred to as "thecapital of Siberia."
Our driver will meet you at the train sta-tion and transfer you to the hotel inListvyanka. Visit the famous Limnolo-
gical Museum of Lake Baikal and getacquainted with the unique natural reser-voir, almost a mile deep, that contains thelargest stock of pure fresh water in theworld and has a surface area larger thanDenmark.
DAY NINE
After breakfast take an excursion to LakeBaikal and behold its pristine beauty.Take pictures that all your friends willEnvy and, if you are brave enough take adip in the cold crystal-clear waters of theoldest lake on the planet.
More options to explore the town, see itsdistricts of traditional wooden architec-ture and partake of rich ethnic cuisine.Don't miss having a dish of "omul" a deli-cious fish that lives in Lake Baikal only.
DAY TEN
Have breakfast and be ready to check outfrom the hotel at noon. The bus will takeyou to the Hotel Baikal in Irkutsk. Have agala night in the capital of Siberia. Hotelpersonnel will advise you on best placesto see and try out for dinner.
DAY ELEVEN
After breakfast the city of Irkutsk is allyours to explore and enjoy. Try not tomiss the city's art gallery with excellentcollections of old and new artists, some ofthe paintings are available for sale. Visitthe Mineralogical Museum displayinglocal gems, jewelry and rare crafts madeof local semi-precious stones. A hydrofoilride on the Angara River is another excit-ing option.
DAY TWELVE
You re-embark on the Trans-SiberianExpress at about noon and continue yourepic rail journey through Siberia.
DAY THIRTEEN AND FOURTEEN EN ROUTE
You will cover thousands of kilometers andview unforgettable scenery. The section
between Irkutsk and the city of Ulan-Ude isperhaps the most interesting and pic-turesque part of the Trans-Siberian railway.It is called "The Golden Buckle of the GreatSiberian Trail" and it took four years tobuild. A rail span of 56 miles from StationKultuk to Port Baikal goes through 48 arch-es, tunnels and a multitude of bridge-sup-porting walls.
DAY FIFTEEN
Today you arrive in the final destinationof your Great Trans-Siberian TrainVoyage. You are in the Far East of Russia,in the city of Vladivostok, also called"The Bosporus of the East." The drivertakes you to the Hotel Gavan and afteryou check in an English-speaking guideshows you Vladivostok in a city tour. Youmay want to visit the Gallery of ModernArt or the city's enormous flea market.
DAY SIXTEEN
Have breakfast and embark on anotheradventure, a cruise of Peter the GreatHarbor in the Sea of Japan. Before youreturn to the hotel you can stroll in thestreets of this boisterous port, enjoy itsrestaurants and shows, and take in thegorgeous oceanside sunset.
DAY SEVENTEEN
Go to the airport after breakfast for yourflight to Moscow. You will stay at theHoliday Inn in Moscow this night. Youhave several hours to enjoy your lastnight in Moscow.
DAY EIGHTEEN
After breakfast, transfer to the interna-tional airport and board your flight forNew York with a huge luggage of unfor-gettable impressions to share with yourfamily and friends at home. Please readeach item of the "Terms & Conditions"carefully.
Purchase of travel denotes acceptance ofthese terms.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Disclaimer of liability – RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP is acting as a mere agent for suppliers in selling travel-related services, or in accepting reservationsor bookings for services that are not directly supplied by RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP (such as air, hotel accommodations, etc.). RUSSIAN NATIONALGROUP Inc., therefore, shall not be responsible for breach of contract or any intentional or careless actions or omissions on part of such suppliers that resultin any loss, damage, delay or injury to you or your travel companions or group members. Unless the term "guaranteed" is specifically stated in writing on yourtickets, invoices or reservation itinerary, we do not guarantee any of such suppliers' rates, bookings, reservations, connections, scheduling, or handling ofpersonal effects. RUSSIAN NATIONAL GROUP shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused to any traveler in connection with terror-ist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, criminal acts or abnormal con-ditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions or conditions outside the travel agent's control. Traveler assumes complete and full responsibilityfor, and hereby releases the agent from, any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination or other entry requirements of each desti-nation, and all safety and security conditions at such destinations, during the length of the proposed travel. For information concerning possible dangers atinternational destinations, contact Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department. For medical information, call the Public Health Service. By embark-ing upon his/her travel, the traveler voluntary assumes all risks involved in such travel, whether expected or unexpected. Traveler is hereby warned of suchrisks, and is advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage against them. Traveler's retention of tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall con-stitute a consent to the above, and an agreement on his/her part to convey the contents hereto to his/her travel companions or group members.
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip Trans-Atlantic airfare
Breakfast at the Hotels
8 nights first-class hotel accommodation
Comprehensive sightseeing (listed below)
Services of English-speaking guides
Ground transportation by first-classmotor coach
Second-class sleeper train betweenMoscow, Irkutsk and Vladivostok.
