Capitals of the east: St Petersburg to Budapest
Join us on a journey of discovery through Russia and the Ukraine. St Petersburg's Hermitage, ancient Novgorod and Moscow's Kremlin combine with Carpathian hospitality and folk art at a Ukranian mountain homestay. An incredibly interesting trip!
£1465 (maximun group size of 12)
Unravel the vibrant history of the Capitals of the East. Join us on a journey to discover the splendour of St Petersburg and its Hermitage Museum, the iconic Kremlin in Moscow, and ancient Novgorod, the birthplace of Russian history and religion. Onwards through Ukraine by train, we travel to Kyiv, elegantly situated along the glorious Dnipro River. Venture off the beaten track to explore the majestic Carpathian Mountains before crossing stunning countryside to arrive in romantic and cosmopolitan Budapest.
Summary itinerary
Days 1-2
St Petersburg: This beautiful city is an open air museum of palaces, churches and canals. Spend free time in the long corridors of the extravagant Hermitage Museum and discover the ghosts of Russian history on a walking tour.
Days 3-4
Novgorod: With a history stretching back over 1,000 years, Novgorod is often seen as the cradle of modern Russian civilisation. The town's riverside kremlin provides an insight into the nation's turbulent past.
Days 5-6
Moscow: Marvel at the mighty heart of Russia with a visit to the Kremlin's grand halls, home to impressive imperial treasures. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the bustling capital.
Days 7-8
Kyiv: Roam the cobbled streets of Kyiv, the Mother of Slavic Cities, and gain valuable insight into Ukraine's tragic history with a visit to the Chernobyl Museum.
Days 9-10
Carpathian Mountains: Stay with a local family and join in with the cooking of Ukrainian delicacies. Located near the borders of Romania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, the Carpathians hold an eclectic mix of Eastern European cultures. Appreciate the immense natural beauty of this region with a hike in the hills.
Days 11-12
Lviv: Be captivated by the crumbling facades of Lviv's Old Town. Work up an appetite for delicious Ukrainian borscht with a walk through medieval Rynok Square or perhaps up to High Castle Hill.
Days 13-14
Budapest: Since Communism collapsed, Budapest has experienced a renaissance. The grand architecture and beautiful boulevards offer an outdoor museum of history, so take to the city streets by bicycle to discover its secrets.
What price includes
- Accompanied by a tour leader throughout
- Travel by train, bus, tram, bicycle and on foot
- Stay in hotels (7 nts) homestays (2 nts) and trains (4 nts)
- Ukrainian cooking class - Kolomiya
- Most meals are not included so we can choose to eat locally
- Carbon emissions offset: 517 kgs per person
Location
Plan your journey by train
Meeting point:
M Hotel, St Petersburg
St Petersburg's Moskovsky station
Transfer to meeting point:
Operator collects guests from station
The M Hotel is in the heart of St Petersburg's Golden Triangle district. From Moskovsky train station take Metro Line 3 for 1 stop to Gostinyy dvor, which is 2 minutes by foot from the hotel.
How to get there:
Train from London to St Petersburg
Plan your journey by train
Finish point:
Kings Hotel, Budapest
Budapest Keleti station
Transfer to finish point:
Guests make their own way to station
How to get back:
Train from Budapest to London
