Morning arrival in Moscow, capital of Russia, pervaded with the unique atmosphere of the Old and New, of ages-old solidity and recent uproar, of a deeply rooted cultural heritage facing the onslaught of the latest Western life-styles. Meet your National Guide and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, Welcome to Moscow Dinner.D

TUESDAY – DAY 3- MOSCOW


Tour the heart of Russia today – this morning’s panoramic city tour encompasses Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, with its onion-shaped domes, the Historical Museum and the GUM Department Store, one of the world’s largest. Continue to Tverskaya Street, Okhotny Ryad, Teatrainy Square and the Moscow State University. This afternoon, visit the Moscow Choral Synagogue, one of the most beautiful synagogues in the world, for a briefing on Russian Jewry. Drive to Memorial Hill, where, overlooking the Kremlin, a new synagogue has recently been built, and is part of a large memorial complex commemorating the victims of the Holocaust.B

WEDNESDAY – DAY 4- MOSCOW


Today, tour the fascinating Kremlin to see the grounds, and within its walls, the palaces, cathedrals and towers including the “Ivan the Terrible” Bell Tower. View the 40-ton Tsar Cannon cast in bronze in the 16th century. Visit the Armory Museum, where the Czar’s treasures are displayed. Stroll famed Arbat Street for the best and best prices for antiques, souvenirs and Russian handicrafts. Have your portrait drawn by a street artist, watch jugglers entertain or listen to a jazz band. Tonight, dinner at your hotel, followed by a dance performance near the hotel.BD

THURSDAY, DAY 5- MOSCOW - ST. PETERSBURG


Transfer to the rail station for your first Class train to beautiful St. Petersburg, known for 70 years as Leningrad. This city, originally conceived and planned by Peter the Great as Russia’s “Window on the West” is built on 101 islands, connected by lacy, elegant bridges. Its many palaces, once homes of the nobility, have pastel-colored facades which add to the charm of this lovely city near the Neva River. Our tour includes a visit to the Peter & Paul Fortress, once a prison for revolutionaries, now a final resting place for some of the Romanov Czars and St. Isaac’s Cathedral, with its magnificent gilded dome and imposing bronze doors. Tonight.B

FRIDAY, DAY 6- ST. PETERSBURG


This morning, return to Palace Square with its Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum’s three million exhibits, including the Scythian Gold Treasury. This afternoon, visit the Great Choral Synagogue, the second largest in Europe after the Dohany St. Synagogue in Budapest, for a briefing and meeting with members of the Jewish community. Visit the Center of Jewish Arts and Crafts in Gatchinskaya Street with its large display of yarmulkes, candelabra, menorah, challah covers and paintings with a Jewish theme. Tonight, Shabbat Dinner together.BD

SATURDAY DAY 7- ST. PETERSBURG


Shabbat at leisure. This morning join your guide on a walking tour of the city. Then…perhaps visit the Royal Arts Collection, the Chamber of Oddities, founded by Peter the Great or explore Nevsky Passage, the largest St. Petersburg Department Store- the choices are endless. Tonight, a cultural performance at the Hermitage Theater.B

SUNDAY.– DAY 8- ST. PETERSBURG


Today’s excursion, takes us to Pushkin to see the Holocaust Monument by sculptor Vadim Sidur. The monument resembling a woman weeping, was erected in 1991 through the efforts of Russian and American Jews on the spot where Nazis killed the Jews of the town of Detskoye Selo in October 1941. Tour the spectacular Palace of Catherine the Great, restored to its original splendor, after severe damage during World War 11. A typical lunch and folklore show awaits in the countryside restaurant before returning to St. Petersburg. Tonight, Farewell dinner caps an enchanting visit.BD

MONDAY DAY 9- EN ROUTE


Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. B