DAY 1: ST PETERSBURG

Dobro Pozhalovat – welcome! Arrival transfer from St Petersburg airport to your hotel and check in. Tonight, meet your travelling companions and tour leader at our welcome meeting. Your tour leader will recommend some great local bars and restaurants for you to try out. You'll need to become familiar with the local tipple, so why jump straight in feet first and select from the stunning array of vodka's available - Russian style is neat and straight down the hatch! Overnight - St Petersburg.

DAY 2: THE HERMITAGE

DAY 3: FREE TIME TO EXPLORE

St Petersburg - Moscow - breakfast. A free day to explore, alternatively jump on board with our optional pukka pass! The pukka pass includes entrance fees and guiding, with visits to Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaac's Cathedral - one of the world's largest cathedrals, the summer Gardens at Peterhof in summer or Catherine Palace (if not open Pavlovsk Palace) in winter and lunch. At one time a gruesome prison within the Peter and Paul Fortress compound, SS Peter and Paul Cathedral houses the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. The lavish Catherine Palace is adorned with a stunning peacock blue Baroque exterior and inside offers an insight into the privileged lives of Russia’s aristocracy. Later this evening we board our overnight sleeper train bound for Moscow. Overnight - train

DAY 4: MOSCOW

Moscow - breakfast. Today, we’ll ride the capital’s efficient Metro to Red Square. From here, we’ll take in the jewels of Russia’s capital on a guided walk in the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area that takes in sights such as the epitome of Russian power – the Kremlin where we enjoy a guided tour on day 5. In Red Square, feast your eyes on the wildly coloured turban domed St Basil’s Cathedral – an enduring Russian symbol. If open, we can see the eerie Lenin Mausoleum where the grandfather of Russian Communism – Vladimir Lenin still lies in state. The rest of the day is free for you to explore more of Moscow. Cultured out? Moscow’s restaurants and clubs are open ‘til very late! Overnight - Moscow

DAY 5: THE KREMLIN

Today, we tour Russia’s powerhouse - the mighty Kremlin, with a guided walk through the grounds where we’ll see numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the tsar bell - the largest bell that never rang! Later you can visit St Basil’s Cathedral, commissioned by Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the terrible) in 1555 to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. The multi-tented cathedral with brightly coloured onion shaped domes is destinctively iconic Russia. Afterwards there is free time. If open, you can pay your respects to the grandfather of Communism at Lenin’s mausoleum. The city offers amazing galleries, museums, plenty of cafes, shops (including the GUM department store for high rollers) and bars all within walking distance. Alternatively, hop from station to station using your Metro pass. Be sure to take the circle line to fully view and absorb the opulence of Stalin’s marble clad, chandelier lit underground stations. Overnight - Moscow

DAY 6: MOSCOW

Sunday. Our Vodka Shot tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon.