Tsars and Sultans

Product Description

ITINERARY

 

DAY 01 ISTANBUL - SAINT PETERSBURG

Arrival, reception at the airport and free time until check-in time. Accommodation.

 

DAY 02 SAINT PETERSBURG

Breakfast. At the appointed time departure for a panoramic sightseeing tour where we will walk along Nevsky prospect – the splendid main avenue with its elegant buildings of Gostiniy Dvor (the famous shopping arcades), Zinger House, Stroganov Palace and the imposing Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Then we cross Vasilievskiy Island – the old harbor, walk through the university area, see the golden dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. On the way back we cross the Summer Garden, stop at the Field of Mars in the center of which stands the perpetual flame and a breathtaking view of the multicolored domes of the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood. Afternoon at leisure, optional excursions are suggested. Overnight stay.

Optional excursions:

• PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS. It is the historical and architectural center of St. Petersburg. It was the first building of the city founded on May 27, 1703, which is considered to be the day of the foundation of St. Petersburg. On the territory of the Fortress is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, which became the Pantheon of the Romanov Family, where in 1998 the remains of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family were buried in a side chapel of the Cathedral. Today the Fortress and the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul function as museums of the city’s history.
• DRAWBRIDGES. At dusk the whole city lights up showing a different beauty in the buildings, the drawbridges add a different show to the city, creating a very special atmosphere.

 

DAY 03 SAINT PETERSBURG

Breakfast. Free day for optional excursions. Overnight.

Optional excursions:

• THE ERMITAGE MUSEUM PETERHOF IDA IN METEOR. Meteor is a fast boat which will allow us to reach Petrehof, former summer residence of the tsars, without a doubt an unmissable place where you can experience the real feeling of living like royalty. The old winter palace, currently known as the Hermitage Museum, is a must-see in St. Petersburg, the largest museum in Russia and one of the most prominent in the world, which has a large number of works of art, various historical items.
• RUSSIAN STYLE GALA DINNER AT PALKIN RESTAURANT. Have an amazing dinner tasting the exquisite Russian traditions. Russia, being such a large country, is multicultural, that is also reflected in the diversity of dishes that Russian culture has.

 

DAY 04 SAINT PETERSBURG - MOSCOW

Breakfast. At the indicated time, meeting with the guide and driver to make the transfer to the station to take the Sapsan Train to the city of Moscow. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon it is suggested to take an optional excursion. Accommodation.

 

DAY 05 MOSCOW

Breakfast. Free day for optional excursions. Overnight.

Optional excursions:

• KREMLIN RADISON CRUISE. It is the old fortress called Kremlin, it was built in the 12th century. Even today it houses all the main organs of political and religious government. Monuments of six centuries are represented on the Kremlin grounds, each of which left its mark on the architectural image of the Kremlin. These monuments are the witnesses of the most essential events in the history of Russia. On the territory of the Kremlin, visit the Assumption Cathedral, the Arkhangelsky Cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great and other significant monuments of the country.

The Radisson cruise offers us an incredible view of the city from the river, you can see some of the most emblematic buildings of the Russian capital, the cruise also offers us a very comfortable restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal at the same time we see the landscape

• BUNKER. The bunker project was initiated in the 1940s. In 1956, the object with a total area of 7000 m2 was approved by the state commission and handed over to the Ministry of Defense. The bunker is the outpost in the heart of the capital, which for almost 30 years served as a 24-hour security post ensuring the safety of the country in the event of a nuclear attack. In 2006 the object was put out to public tender and was bought by a private company.
• METRO AND TRADITIONAL DINNER. The Moscow metro considered the most beautiful in the world has a rare beauty in this type of public transport. It is popularly said that the metro is like a museum due to the history behind the main stations, if like the decorators inside, enjoy a traditional dinner tasting the diversity of typical Russian dishes and have a unique gastronomic experience.

 

DAY 06 MOSCOW

Breakfast. Free day for an optional excursion, it is suggested to visit Sergey Posad, later the guide can drop you off at a market (guide assistance in the market is not included), return to the hotel, at your own expense. Accommodation.

Optional excursion.

• SERGIEV POSAD LUNCH AND ISMAILOVO KREMLIN. Sergiev Posad called the Russian Vatican, you will be able to learn more about the Orthodox religion and photograph the beautiful churches that are within the architectural complex, enjoy a spiritual renewal in this very special place. The Izmailovo Kremlin has a more traditional style, very colorful and with structures made of wood. In it there is a popular market where you can find typical Old Russian items such as watches, cameras, clothes, etc.
• MOSCOW AT NIGHT AND ARBAT STREET. The city of Moscow never sleeps and seeing it at night is something special, Photograph and marvel at the night style that the city offers us, the most emblematic buildings illuminated, this was done by some of the best European engineers. The arbat street is very popular in Russia since it is the oldest in Moscow, its popularity because it was a street where many artists who later became renowned in the country were concentrated and thus a friendship grew around that street where it is currently pedestrian, it has a diversity of businesses and artists who delight us with their art in a public way.

 

DAY 07 MOSCOW - ISTANBUL - CAPPADOCIA

Flight departure with connection in the city of Istanbul to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer to a place to have breakfast (not included). Accommodation.

 

DAY 08 CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast. Departure to visit this fantastic region with its fascinating and original landscape, formed by lava thrown by the Erciyes and Hasan Volcanoes 3 million years ago. Visit of the Pasabag Valley and Güvercinlik; both of which have spectacular scenery of Fairy Chimneys. Visit of the Goreme Chapels, an open-air museum. Visit of a carpet and jewelry workshop. Overnight stay.

• Optional excursion. Balloon ride at sunrise to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.
• Optional excursion. Turkish night with folkloric dance show in a typical cave with unlimited local drinks.

 

DAY 9 CAPPADOCIA - PAMUKKALE

Breakfast. Departure to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder, a giant waterfall, stalactites and natural pools formed over the centuries by the passage of thermal waters loaded with calcareous salts. Accommodation.

 

DAY 10 PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS - KUSADASI

Breakfast. Departure for Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor from the 1st and 2nd centuries, which monopolized the wealth of the Middle East and keeps treasures such as the impressive Roman theater that housed more than 25,000 spectators, the magnificent library of Celso and Marble Street. We will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, supposed last resting place of the mother of Jesus, and today it is considered a pilgrimage point. Continue to Kusadasi in the Aegean Sea and visit a leather workshop and an international brand outlet. Accommodation.

Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kusadasi on some outings. Subject to availability at the time of booking.

 

DAY 11 KUSADASI

Breakfast. Free day for personal activities or an optional excursion. Accommodation.

Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kusadasi on some outings. Subject to availability at the time of booking.

• Optional excursion. Transfer from the hotel to the port of Çesme. After the immigration process, we leave for the Island of Chios. Arrival in 35 minutes. After immigration to enter the territory of Greece, we have free time to walk around the port area until 11:00 am, when we start our guided tour. First stop is in the town famous for the production of Mastic, a special vegetable resin of the island. We will continue to Kambos, where we will see some stone houses from Genoa, and then to the town of Armolia where we will see mastico trees and visit ceramic workshops. We continue our excursion to the village of Mesta, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the labyrinthine streets from Byzantine times and visit Megalos Taksiarhis. Free time to walk in the village, and try some local foods. We will depart south to the village of Pyrgi, famous for the black and white decorated houses and visiting the church of the Holy Apostle since Byzantine times. Our last stop is at the Mavra Volia black volcanic beach in Empoios. We end our excursion with the opportunity to try delicious Greek food in the many restaurants in the area. Transfer to the port and departure to Çesme in Turkey. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

 

DAY 12 KUSADASI – BURSA – ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Depart for Bursa. Panoramic tour of this important city that was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit of the Ulu Camii Mosque, the main mosque of the city and one of the most beautiful in all of Turkey. You will also have the opportunity to take a walk in the silk market, where you can see antiques, silks, perfumes and pashminas. Accommodation.

 

DAY 13 ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Day off for personal activities or an optional excursion. Accommodation. Possibility of taking the optional guided excursion with lunch in a typical food restaurant “TOUR BY THE BOSPHORUS”. Departure to contemplate the spectacular panorama of the Golden Horn from the Pierre Loti hill; visit of the Cathedral of Saint George, main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church and seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, recognized as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians in the world; we continue to the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and which has the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul; We headed to the Spice Bazaar, a place with special charm due to its color and aromas, the quintessential place to buy teas, herbs, nuts, typical sweets and of course spices; We culminate with a tour through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, we will appreciate the wonderful views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas and the bridges that connect both sides of this city. Accommodation.

 

DAY 14 ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Day off for personal activities or an optional excursion. Accommodation.

• Possibility to take the optional guided excursion with lunch in a typical restaurant “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLA + BASILICA CISTERNE”: Explore the historical center of the city, where you can see the variety of vestiges of the different empires that shaped today’s Istanbul: the imposing Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans and main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire; Hagia Sophia with its majestic Byzantine architecture and mixture of Christian and Islamic religious elements; the Roman Hippodrome, center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years; the Blue Mosque with its more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world where bargaining is a tradition; the Basilica Cistern with more than 300 marble columns rising above the water. Overnight.

 

DAY 15 ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Day off for personal activities or an optional excursion. Accommodation.

 

DAY 16 ISTANBUL

Breakfast and at the scheduled time transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of our services.