13 Days in Russia and Estonia Cultural Tour

About the destination: Moscow, the political, historical and economic capital of Russia, displays the country's most extreme contrasts. The old and the modern come together perfectly in this city of 10 million people. The Russian capital is today a dazzling metropolis whose sheer grandeur never fails to amaze. Take the metro from one of the ornate stations to get close to the city’s main attractions that are a symbol of the great and terrible past of the city. The remains of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city. Monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles, while museums attempt to analyse and synthesise the past. See Lenin and Stalin – off their pedestals – at the whimsical Art Muzeon. Step into the Socialist Realist fantasy at VDNKh. Descend into the depths of the Soviet system at Bunker-42 Cold War Museum. And remember the millions who suffered at the Gulag History Museum. Nowadays, many fun or clever retro clubs and cafes give their guests a taste of the Soviet experience. The very founding site of the city (and arguably, the country), the Kremlin and Red Square are still at the heart of Moscow – historically, geographically and spiritually. Among the city’s most recognisable sights are the almost cartoon-like onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral that tower above Red Square, UNESCO gems that were built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Modern-day Moscow defies its grey Soviet past and has developed a hedonistic atmosphere and the sense that great things are once again happening here. Shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques has become a national sport, but Moscow is regarded as one of the world’s most culturally sophisticated capitals, with world-class institutions like the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. The city is also proud of its great writers, playwrights, composers, choreographers, and film-makers. Glitzy, historical and screaming hedonism, Moscow is truly beguiling.

About the destination: Inextricably linked to the major events of Soviet Union, St. Petersburg cannot escape its imperial past. Physically, at least, St. Petersburg has been the city of the tsars since Peter the Great founded the city in a swamp and moved the capital here from Moscow in 1712 to provide greater contact with the West. Many of the major baroque and neoclassical buildings and well-designed streets and landscaped parks are the work of imperial French and Italian architects. St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, is often called Russia’s Western Gate, and the City of White Nights. For a splendid overview of the city, climb the dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral on Isaakievskaya square, a massive example of 19th century civic-religious architecture; its dome is covered in pure gold. Nearby, on Senate Square overlooking the Neva, is Falconet’s Monument to Peter the Great. Peter and Paul Fortress was founded by Peter the Great and was erected in just one year between 1703 and 1704 during the Great Northern War against Sweden. The fortress was never used to defend the city but it was used as a political prison under the Tsar. Inside the fortress is the main attraction for visitors: the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul containing the tombs of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicholas II and other tsars. Nevsky Prospect is St. Petersburg’s main avenue and one of the best-known streets in Russia. The buildings along Nevsky Prospekt are a treasure house for art-nouveau-fans. Nevsky Prospect is also the city’s central shopping street and the hub of the city’s entertainment and nightlife. Even if the rest of the city were non-existent, the Hermitage alone would merit a week-long visit to St. Petersburg. Located in the magnificent, luxurious Winter Place, former residence of the tsars, this collection of art unquestionably ranks among the world’s finest. But before you immerse yourself in the art, take in the main halls where the tsar reigned and entertained, especially the awesome Malachite Hall, where the provisional Government held its last meeting before the revolution exploded around it. Cool and aristocratic St. Petersburg is a magnificent city with beautiful architecture everywhere. Often described as the Venice of the North, St Petersburg is a city defined by water. Whether you’re cruising the elegant canals, crossing one of the 342 bridges in the city, or just watching them being raised over the mighty Neva River at night to allow ships to pass through, you’re never far from water in St Petersburg.

关于目的地: 塔林是欧洲最迷人的城市之一，是中世纪和现代的完美结合，其狭窄的鹅卵石小巷充满了巴洛克风格的建筑和狂野的夜生活。爱沙尼亚的首都被称为“新布拉格”，但这座城市独树一帜。被列入世界遗产名录的旧城区即使是最紧急的旅行者也会有很多分心。最佳步行探索，塔林令人回味的旧城区充满了城堡，俄罗斯东正教教堂和多米尼加修道院。这些历史悠久的宝石与老商人房屋和中世纪会议厅共享街道，游客可以在这里看到当地人展示了数百年历史的玻璃吹制，编织和陶器工匠传统，为什么不在家里带回一件奇特的纪念品。晚上老城改造。在古老的城墙内，旅客可以参加热闹的夜总会，紧身休息室，外籍酒吧和色彩缤纷的同性恋俱乐部，直到凌晨。在中世纪的区域外，有很多值得一看的地方。在旧区的边缘，一个新的区域正在兴起，闪闪发光的新酒店，办公室和许多餐馆，咖啡馆，精品店和夜总会。任何抵达塔林的人都会想到一个古老的苏联集团灰色城市，他们会对这个新的天际线感到惊讶，因为它们将是迷人的旧核心。塔林以其古老的灵魂而自豪，但它也是时尚前卫，充满活力，色彩缤纷，文化和狂野。

关于目的地: “塔尔图是爱沙尼亚第二大城市，爱沙尼亚的政治和金融之都塔林，塔尔图经常被认为是该国的知识中心，特别是因为它是全国最古老，最着名的大学塔尔图大学的所在地。爱沙尼亚最高法院和教育和研究部。主要游客吸引力•塔尔图大学主楼•旧城区•市政厅广场•汤邻居。所有街道以汤成分命名的街区。•前苏联机场。•Ahhaa科学中心。“