Brief History
The Kremlin is a self-contained city with a multitude of palaces, armories, and churches. A medieval fortress that links the modern nation to its legendary past, the complex has been home to the tsars, power center of the Soviet Empire, and official residence of the President of Russia.
Until Peter the Great transferred the capital of Russia to St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 18th century, the Kremlin served as the center of the magnificent and occasionally horrific history of the Tsars. The Bolsheviks' returned the capital back to Moscow in 1917 and during Soviet rule the Kremlin experienced its second life as a great center of power. Although the Soviet state left its mark on the Kremlin (usually in not a positive way), the centuries-old citadel very much retains the aura of early Tsarist Russia. Especially in Cathedral Square, the spirits of Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov, and the early Romanovs loom large.
St. Basil’s Basilica, one of the finest and most recognizable cathedrals of the Russian Orthodox Church can be found across Red Square and though not an official part of the Kremlin complex, not to be missed.
When to Go
Russian winter can be beautiful, but adventurous. Snow covers the ground from November to March in Moscow. Temperatures are comfortable from May to September. Tourists are thick and rain is frequent in July and August, making late spring and early fall the best times to visit.
Currency
The official currency is the Ruble.
Passport/Visa Requirements
A passport valid six months or longer after return are required for US citizens. Visas are required and must be obtained prior to arrival.
Ready to Go?
 |
 |
|
Itinerary 1 – Waterways of the Czars
Follow in the path of Peter the Great, who sailed from Moscow to St. Petersburg along the Volga River. Begin aboard your ship in Moscow for four nights and explore the sites – St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin and Armory Museum, Tretyakov Gallery among many. The Church of St. Dimitry, Kizhi Open Air Museum, and Church of Transfiguration are a few of the sites to see as you cruise the Volga River for five nights. Spend a day in Gortisy, a farming community, and have a traditional Shashlik lunch while in Mandrogi.
Finish the cruise in St. Petersburg for three nights and tour the famed Hermitage Museum, see the Hermitage Ballet and visit the Catherine Palace in Pushkin. Starting at $4,468. Book it! |
|
Itinerary 2 – Russian and the Baltics
Highlights include: St. John Cathedral and the Historical Museum of Warsaw; the KGB museum in Lithuania; Old Town and the Jugendstil Quarter in Riga, Latvia; the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Estonia; three nights to enjoy the sites of St. Petersburg; two nights in Moscow including Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. 13 nights starting at $3,250, including air. Book it! |
|
Itinerary 3 – Customize It!
OK. We’ve given you a couple of ideas. Not quite what you are looking for? Whether you are a solo traveler or a group of 1000, like to rough it or prefer being pampered, we’ll create your dream vacation. We can tweak one of these, or start from scratch. Call today and we’ll get right on it. Book it! |
|
| 
