Russia is home to not one, but two of Europe's most thrilling cities. Moscow is rich, decadent and fast moving, St Petersburg cultured, genteel and a place of rare beauty, whether in the depths of winter or the white nights of summer. Travel with a tour operator that can open doors and get you beyond the velvet ropes. 
Recommended tour operator: Exeter International
Exeter International says
Russia boasts a wealth of culture and opulence that is unmatched anywhere in the world, a tradition that continues from the great tsars through to the modern-day oligarchs. To truly understand this great nation and uncover its secrets, we recommend a bespoke tour of its two great cities, Moscow and St Petersburg.
For our clients, we offer a unique menu of Extraordinary Experiences. These include private backstage tours of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres, a visit to the Amber Room Workshops in Catherine Palace and a privileged glimpse inside the Hermitage depository in St Petersburg. Arguably, the ultimate insider experience is a tour of parts of the Kremlin that remain strictly closed to the public.
The Kremlin, the centrepiece of Russian history and a building of endless intrigue, is where your journey begins. Hop onto the city’s impressive Metro system to visit the bazaar at Izmailovsky Park - a great place to stock up on matryoshka dolls and lacquer boxes.
Your adventure continues by rail to St Petersburg, where the Hermitage Museum contains the world’s largest art collection with more than three million exhibits. Peterhof, the Palace of Peter the Great, is home to spectacular gardens and fountains.
No visit to St Petersburg would be complete without a visit to Catherine Palace and the fabled Amber Room. In the evening, take in a performance at the world-famous Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre.
Exeter International offers bespoke travel and escorted tours across Russia and Eastern Europe. All private travel arrangements are tailored to your individual interests, travel dates and hotel choices.
Click here for more about this tour of Moscow and St Petersburg.
