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Home , Anichkov Palace, Catherine Palace, Kremlin Armoury, Pavlovsk Palace

The Tsar’s New Year’s Eve Ball

A small, intimate group tour through St. Petersburg and

The social season in Imperial St. Petersburg began in autumn and ended with the coming of Lent in March. If you know your Tolstoy then you will remember that it was a blinding social whirl, but one in which some occasions could not be missed – a new opera at the Mariinsky, a ball at which absolutely everybody who was anybody would attend, and a concert at the Philharmonic. Well, you can put your book down, come with us and live for a little while the lives of the Stroganovs, and the Yusupovs, because although the fashions have changed and the carriages are now in the museums, the season in St. Petersburg still very much exists.

The Basics  7 nights in extraordinary, deluxe hotels in the center of each city  Expertly planned small group touring with top local guides  Entrance Fees to all the sites mentioned in the program  24-hour, English-speaking local assistance in case of emergency or changes

Highlights of Exeter’s Tsar’s Ball Tour  View the snow-covered gardens of Pavlovsk from your private troika sled (weather permitting)  Walk the uncrowded halls of the Hermitage with an expert guide  Attend the event of the season – the Tsar’s Gala Ball at  Experience privately guided tours of the Diamond Vaults and the Armory Museum at the Kremlin

Easy to Combine with:  Copenhagen or Stockholm  or Munich  Vienna, Prague or Budapest

Day 1 December 28 Wednesday St. Petersburg Arrival into St. Petersburg, where you will be met by your private driver. Transfer to your hotel, The Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg, located in the center of the city. On the way to your hotel, you will pass by sights historical significance, including one of the last remaining statues of Lenin and the monumental Stalinist apartment buildings that line the route from the airport.

After some time to rest, meet your guide in the lobby for an overview city tour of St. Petersburg including , Vasilevsky Island for the best views of the city, the "prep school" to ’s noble class and St. Petersburg’s beautiful Grand Synagogue.

You will have the opportunity to visit to Peter Paul Fortress: the birthplace of St. Petersburg. After walking through the many gates and across the bridges and moats, you can begin to feel the late 18th century era that required such fortification. As Peter’s original outpost against the Swedes, St. Petersburg was born from this fortress and its historical significance is felt to this day by the presence of every Romanov tomb from .

Evening Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. Dinner consists of three courses, mineral water, and coffee or tea.

Exeter Services: Transfer; Half Day Guide Hotel: Rocco Forte Astoria Meal Included: Dinner

Day 2 December 29 Thursday St. Petersburg This morning meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Today you will stop into the famous Yusupov Palace on the banks for the Moika Canal. You will have a private tour of the palace including its famous theater and Arabian Room. Your private palace guide will recount the story of Rasputin’s murder on this fascinating and mysterious tour! The palace is only opened by special request and you will be able to tour the entire palace with one of the museum’s on-staff curators. This tour is by appointment only and cannot be moved to another time or day.

You will have lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, you will see the ornate Church on Spilled Blood on Canal Griboyedova. The Church on Spilled Blood is so named because it stands on the spot where the Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. Its unique design was actually inspired by St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. This is the only church in the world covered completely inside and out by mosaics of tiles and precious and semi-precious stones. This is one of the most extraordinary buildings in St. Petersburg and is well worth the visit. During the Bolshevik revolution the church fell into a state of decline, and only recently has it been fully restored to its former glory. Across the street you will find a small souvenir market selling inexpensive Russian handicrafts.

Exeter International Extraordinary Experience: The New Fabergé Museum St. Petersburg’s first Fabergé Museum, a must see, has opened at the Shuvalov Palace on the Canal, close to the Imperial and just a short block from Nevsky Prospect. The palace houses the celebrated Fabergé collection of the Link of Times Foundation owned by Russian Entrepreneur Viktor Vekselberg, which, with its over 1500 choice pieces, now easily outranks the comparatively small collection of the Kremlin Armoury Museum. Mr. Vekselberg has assembled the most formidable collection in the world of works by this great Russian master craftsman, best known for his celebrated million dollar Imperial Easter Eggs. The private museum is open by appointment only with just a few visitors per hour allowed in. Special access is secured for Exeter International guests, and advance reservations are required.

Exeter Services: Vehicle, Driver & Guide Hotel: Rocco Forte Astoria Meals Included: Breakfast; Lunch

Day 3 December 30 Friday St. Petersburg A morning outside of the city to see , built by Paul I and his wife Maria. During your visit, enjoy a troika sled ride through the grounds of Pavlovsk (weather dependant). Pavlovsk Palace is the understated summer palace of the tsars. Started by ’s favorite architect, Cameron (a Scot), the palace was later finished by Paul’s and his wife Maria’s preferred architect, Andrei Voronykhin- a Russian serf who later became one of the greatest architects ever to work in Russia. (For those interested in Russian history, with a focus on architecture and design, you won’t want to miss reading Suzanne Massie’s Pavlovsk: the Life of a Russian Palace.)

Lunch today is in the village of Pavlovsk. Lunch consists of two courses, mineral water, and coffee or tea.

This afternoon’s visit to the will take you to another world; a time when Catherine the Great commissioned whole buildings to house an ever growing collection of the world’s finest art. The former now spans just about every artistic period from Greek and Roman collections to Matisse. This museum holds the largest collection of art in the world.

Your guide will escort you through the entire museum, from its collection of Rubens to its da Vinci’s and beyond! Be sure not to miss the recently unveiled collection of French Impressionists that was thought lost after WWII.

Later your guide will take you into the stately St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Its malachite and lapis lazuli columns are not to be missed! St. Isaac’s was built between 1818 and 1858, by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand, to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. During World War II, the

golden dome was painted gray to avoid its being targeted by Nazi fire. For those with strong legs, you can climb to the top of the cathedral’s dome for the finest views over St. Petersburg’s historic neighborhood.

Exeter Services: Vehicle, Driver & Guide Hotel: Rocco Forte Astoria Meal Included: Breakfast; Lunch

Day 4 December 31 Saturday St. Petersburg Day is at leisure to prepare for the evening event.

Exeter International Extraordinary Experience: Gala Evening Tonight celebrate at the Tsar’s New Year’s Eve Ball at Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo for an unforgettable New Years Eve Gala (black tie). Music,

dancing and exquisite dining will all be part of your gala experience.

Exeter Services: Half-Day Vehicle, Driver & Guide Hotel: Rocco Forte Astoria Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 January 1 Sunday St. Petersburg-Moscow This morning is yours at leisure to rest after your gala evening. Depart this afternoon on your high-speed train to Moscow. Your journey will take you through the picturesque Russian countryside. Business class seats are confirmed and a hot meal will be served at your seat.

Upon arrival in Moscow, your guide will meet you for your transfer into the city center. On the way to your hotel, you will enjoy an overview city tour and pass by sights of historical significance, including Tverskaya Street, the Bolshoi Theater, the Lubyanka KGB Building and the Kremlin.

This evening is yours to explore Moscow on your own.

Exeter Services: Transfers (St. Petersburg & Moscow); Half-Day Guide (Moscow) Hotel: Four Seasons Moscow Meal Included: Breakfast; Lunch (Train)

Day 6 January 2 Monday Moscow This morning your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for the walk to the Kremlin. You will then journey into the Kremlin and through its expansive grounds. Please note that once inside the Kremlin, there is no place to stop to rest or to have a snack. We suggest a hearty breakfast this morning to tide you over for a late lunch. This is a long day of walking and standing, so please make sure to wear appropriate footwear.

Inside the Kremlin, you will see the largest bell in the world – as well as the largest canon. Neither was ever used due to the enormous size! Also on the grounds of the Kremlin are three very important churches and your guide will take you through all that are of interest. We suggest you don’t miss the Assumption Cathedral, where all Russian tsars were crowned.

Later, your guide will take you to the famed Armory Museum, including its vast collection of Imperial Russian artwork. You will have the opportunity to see the Kremlin’s unique and intimate collection of Imperial Faberge Easter Eggs. Also in the Armory are many of the most important Imperial thrones and crowns,

including the most historic, Cap of Monomachus.

After the Kremlin, you will have walking tour through to St. Basil’s Cathedral. Be sure not to miss the newly rebuilt church and Imperial Gates at the south end of Red Square- they were both destroyed under Stalin and only recently have been rebuilt in their original splendor. Your guide will also show you the stunning St. Basil’s Cathedral. This magnificent church-museum was commissioned by and was completed in 1561. Rumor has it that

Ivan had the architect blinded so he would never be able to design anything as exquisite again! The Cathedral is at its most awesome when viewed from the outside and your guide will be happy to explain its history and the significance of each of the domes, each of which contains a separate chapel.

Evening This evening enjoy a special Farewell Dinner in one of Moscow’s finest restaurants. Dinner consists of three courses, mineral water, and coffee or tea.

Exeter Services: Full-Day Guide Hotel: Four Seasons Moscow Meals Included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 7 January 3 Tuesday Moscow This morning your guide will take you to the of Fine Arts. The Pushkin is best known for its French Impressionist collection- a group of paintings that were originally acquired by two famous Russian industrialists who lost their paintings after the Revolution. Part of their collection went to the Hermitage and part went to the Pushkin.

Next your guide will take you into the enormous and only recently completely Christ the Holy Redeemer Cathedral. This church was demolished under Stalin’s reign and completely rebuilt by Mayor Luzhkov of Moscow in 2001- at the budget of over 350 million dollars! It is a beautiful cathedral and it now stands as it did at the turn of the 20th Century.

Your guide and driver will return you to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Exeter Services: Half-Day Vehicle, Driver & Guide Hotel: Four Seasons Moscow Meal Included: Breakfast

Day 8 January 4 Wednesday Moscow-Onward Transfer to the airport for flight onward.

Exeter Services: Transfer Meal Included: Breakfast

2016Departure Arrival Date Return Date Price 2016 December 28, 2016 January 4, 2017 $6,300

Single Supplement: $1,025

All prices are per person, double occupancy. No airfare is included.

Adding Air - Please contact Exeter International for special airfares. All flights are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Accommodations St. Petersburg Junior Suite for Four (4) nights at the Rocco Forte Astoria Hotel St. Petersburg, including tax and daily buffet breakfast.

Moscow Premier Room for Three (3) nights at the Four Seasons Moscow, including tax and daily buffet breakfast.

Upgraded rooms and suites may be available. Please inquire for prices and availability. Extra days may be added for additional cost. Please ask your travel consultant for details.

Meals Breakfast is included daily at your hotel and includes the buffet breakfast in the main restaurant. Room service items will be charged separately.

Lunches and Dinners include mineral water, coffee and tea. All other beverages are payable locally.

Your guides will recommend restaurants that fit your exact needs daily and your final documents will list our extensive restaurant recommendations.

Services Private vehicle and driver at your service as described. A full-day is generally eight hours in duration. A half-day is generally three and a half hours in duration.

Transfers All transfers to and from airports and train stations are included in the program. Unless otherwise noted, all transfer service is with a driver only, not a guide. In general, drivers have extremely limited English-speaking skills. Should you wish to have an English-speaking guide for your transfer, please inquire for the additional cost.

Guides Hand chosen for their knowledge on local history, art & architecture. Guides are at your disposal as noted in your itinerary. Guides may assist you with restaurant reservations and purchasing of additional theater and museum tickets at your request.

Theater None Included.

Tickets All museum tickets as described in the program. Tickets to the Tsar’s New Year’s Eve Ball at Catherine Palace (Black Tie).

Airfare None Included.

Rail Sapsan train tickets are included in cost.

Exeter International Small Group Programs BAGGAGE The vehicles reserved for your itinerary can accommodate up to two medium-sized suitcases per person. If you intend to travel with additional luggage, please advise your travel consultant so appropriate arrangements may be made.

SIGHTSEEING Every effort has been made to confirm that scheduled sightseeing venues will be open at the time you plan to visit them. However, individual estates, museums, gardens and other points of interest can change their hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular attraction is closed on the day or time of your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements or rearrange your sightseeing to accommodate these unexpected events.

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES All of Exeter International’s Small Group tours are guaranteed departures. This means that we will run the tour in its entirety even if only one or two guests are confirmed. You will be notified prior to final payment if you are the only guests on the tour.

OPTIONAL EXPENSES Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing services or other optional additions to your established itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally in the local currency.

GRATUITIES Gratuities are not included in your tour price. Your copy of “Travel Tips” contains suggested gratuity guidelines for your consideration. Gratuities may be extended in the local currency, U.S. Dollars or Euro.

DINING WITH YOUR GUIDE On days when dinner and lunch costs have not been included in your itinerary (or in your tour cost), you may, at your discretion, choose to invite your guide to dine with your party. You are under no obligation to do so but, if you do extend such an invitation, the guide is your guest and you will be responsible for the cost of his/her meal.

BOOKING CONDITIONS PAYMENT Exeter International must receive a 25% per person deposit before reservations for your travel program can be initiated. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure. No reservations are made on your behalf until this deposit has been received. Availability and pricing is subject to change until this deposit is received. All deposits are nonrefundable.

CANCELLATION Written cancellations received less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to the following forfeit of tour cost • 59-14 days prior to departure: 50% of total tour cost • 14 or less days prior to departure: 100% of tour cost.

REFUNDS We regret that refunds cannot be issued for arrangements confirmed on your itinerary but unused once your tour has begun.

INSURANCE Exeter International strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment. You will find insurance costs noted on your invoice and insurance coverage information in your original booking packet.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges. Rates are quoted in US Dollars on the current rate of exchange and tariff as of 2016. Exeter International reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Devaluation of a foreign currency will be weighed against any tariff increases imposed. Exeter International does not break down costs in any Small Group or Individual Travel Program.

A visa is required for travel to Russia and is not included in the cost above. All arrangements are subject to availability and modification if necessary. Weather, heavy traffic and heavy crowds may affect the order of your sightseeing program.

Exeter International 111 South Dakota Avenue  Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone: (800) 633-1008  (813) 251-5355 Fax: (813) 251-668 [email protected]  www.exeterinternational.com