8-Day 7-Night Moscow - St. Petersburg Tour: Explore Russia

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart for sightseeing:
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior (outside visit) - one of the largest and most impressive religious buildings in Moscow, featuring a magnificent gilded dome and majestic architecture.
• Kremlin (inside visit) - a symbol of the power of the Russian government, serving as the headquarters of the country's highest authorities and the workplace and meeting place of the President of Russia with world leaders.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon: Continue sightseeing:
• Sparrow Hills (Lenin Hills): From here, guests can see Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) - established in 1775, with more than 5,000 classrooms, and an institution that has trained many Vietnamese scientific officials.
• Triumphal Arch - built to honor a glorious military victory. Here, visitors can admire the sculptures and reliefs of the monument.
• Victory Square - a large memorial space in Moscow associated with the history of World War II.
• Borodino Panorama Museum - home to a monumental panoramic painting depicting the historic Battle of Borodino between two world-famous military commanders, Field Marshal Kutuzov and Emperor Napoleon. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the history of modern warfare in Europe and a decisive battle leading to the Russian victory over Napoleon's forces in 1812.
• Metro Tour: Guests enter a completely different world beneath Moscow, where each station is not simply a stop but also a vibrant work of art. Created by leading architects and artists of the Soviet era, the metro system boasts magnificent beauty, with chandeliers, reliefs, mosaics, and exquisite marble.

Evening

• Dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, return to the hotel for rest.
• Overnight in Moscow.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• Transfer for sightseeing:
• Red Square: The historical heart and most prominent symbol of Moscow, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1991. It was once the venue for the coronation ceremonies of Russian Tsars and important government ceremonies.
• St. Basil's Cathedral (outside visit) - one of the world's most distinctive architectural landmarks and one of Russia's most captivating attractions. The cathedral complex was built with bright red bricks in the Byzantine style famous in Russia, featuring nine colorful onion-shaped domes topped with crosses.
• Lenin's Mausoleum (outside visit): The place where Lenin's remains are preserved.
• Alexander Garden: A beautiful garden filled with flowers and greenery, along with fountains, sculptures, and historic buildings.
• Monument to Minin and Pozharsky: A famous monument in Red Square honoring national heroes Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who led Russian forces to defeat the Polish army during the Time of Troubles.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon: Transfer to the railway station. Travel to St. Petersburg by high-speed train.

Evening

• Upon arrival, dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer for sightseeing:
• Winter Palace: Once the center of power of the Russian Tsars. With its distinctive blue-and-white colors and exquisite Baroque details, the palace resembles a fairy tale told in stone, where every corridor and grand hall whispers of the glorious past of the Russian Empire. Today, the palace is part of the Hermitage Museum, home to one of the world's most magnificent art collections.
• Hermitage Museum: Home to more than 3 million artifacts, from paintings and sculptures to rare antiquities. Located within the Winter Palace complex, the museum is like an “art treasure trove,” where each room reveals a chapter of human history and culture.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon: Transfer to Pushkin, approximately 40 km from Saint Petersburg. Pushkin - also known as Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar's Village) - was once a place where generations of descendants of the Russian Tsars were raised and educated. The area offers a peaceful and historic atmosphere, like a “royal school” surrounded by nature, preserving the deep legacy of Russia's aristocratic education.
• Catherine Palace: Considered a symbol of the ultimate luxury of the Russian imperial regime, the palace impresses with its magnificent Baroque architecture and lavish grand halls. It is not only a source of pride for Russian architecture but also ranks among the world's most magnificent palaces. Today, the site is part of a heritage complex recognized by UNESCO and is renowned for the Amber Room, a masterpiece known as the “eighth wonder” of the world.

Evening

• Dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, return to the hotel for rest.
• Overnight in St. Petersburg.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel. Then depart for Peterhof, approximately 30 km southwest of Saint Petersburg.
• Visit:
• Peterhof Summer Palace - often referred to as the “Versailles of Russia,” once the summer residence of the Russian Tsars. It is renowned for its magnificent palace complex, expansive gardens, and beautiful fountains, creating an atmosphere that is both regal and romantic.
• Dacha Complex - traditional Russian suburban houses set amid peaceful and picturesque natural surroundings.

Afternoon

• Enjoy the local-style Shashlik while interacting with Russian artists through folk melodies and traditional dances, creating a warm atmosphere rich in cultural identity.
• Afternoon: Transfer back to the city center.
• Neva River Boat Ride: Cruise gently through the heart of Saint Petersburg, where the riverbanks unfold like a vivid painting of palaces, churches, and historic bridges. The river stretches 74 km, originating from Lake Ladoga and flowing into the Gulf of Finland; the section passing through the city is approximately 28 km long - enough for visitors to fully appreciate the romantic yet magnificent beauty of the “Venice of the North.”

Evening

• Dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, return to the hotel for rest.
• Overnight in St. Petersburg.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• Depart for sightseeing:
• Nevsky Prospekt - the main avenue of Saint Petersburg, lined with prominent landmarks such as the Singer Building in Art Nouveau style, the Baroque Stroganov Palace, the historic Kazan Cathedral, Anichkov Bridge with its Horse Tamers sculptures, and the bustling Gostiny Dvor shopping area.
• Kazan Cathedral (inside visit): Construction began in 1733 by order of Empress Anna Ioannovna as a solemn tribute to Our Lady of Kazan. The cathedral combines a sacred and welcoming beauty in the heart of the city.
• St. Isaac's Cathedral (outside visit): A majestic symbol of Saint Petersburg, where 112 granite columns, each up to 15 meters high, stand like giant “guards,” supporting the entire monumental and solemn structure.
• Bronze Horseman: A bronze statue of Peter the Great, the emperor who founded the city of Saint Petersburg.
• Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (outside visit): The striking name of this landmark comes from the fact that it was built precisely on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated by a terrorist in 1881. Therefore, the church serves as a national memorial, commemorating a tragic moment in Russian history.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon: Transfer to the railway station and travel back to Moscow by high-speed train.

Evening

• Upon arrival, the tour guide welcomes the group and transfers the group to a restaurant for dinner.
• Overnight in Moscow.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel. Then visit:
• Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces: Located approximately 60 km west of Moscow, within Patriot Park, the cathedral was built as a symbol of gratitude to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. The cathedral impresses with its monumental architecture, distinctive military green color, and incorporation of numerous military symbols. Inside, each space feels like a living page of history, featuring large-scale religious paintings and intricate carved details.
• Return to the city center for lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

• Visit Ho Chi Minh Square - home to a bas-relief of President Ho Chi Minh and a symbol of Vietnam-Russia friendship.
• Then enjoy free time for shopping at a shopping center, choosing gifts for family and friends, including typical Russian products such as nesting dolls, roly-poly toys, and more.

Evening

• Dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, return to the hotel for rest.
• Overnight in Moscow.

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• Visit VDNKh - Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy - a famous exhibition complex in Moscow, Russia, and one of the world's major cultural, entertainment, and exhibition venues. VDNKh is renowned for its impressive buildings, ranging from classic Soviet architecture to modern styles.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• At the appointed time, transfer to the airport and complete the procedures to board the flight back to Vietnam.
• End of the tour.

Evening

• End of the tour.