MOSCOW & ST. PETERSBURG - NEW YEAR SPECIAL - THY - 2027

DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MOSCOW
Meeting with our valued guests at the Istanbul New Airport International Departures Terminal at 05:35, followed by baggage and check-in procedures. We will depart for Moscow on Turkish Airlines flight TK 413 at 07:15. Arrival in Moscow at 11:05, followed by a welcome at the airport and transfer via our private vehicle to the "Moscow Panoramic City Tour." Highlights of the panoramic Moscow tour include the historic center of Kizil Square, which has witnessed political and social turmoil; the colorful onion-domed St. Basil's Cathedral located here; the Kremlin Palace; Bolshoi Theatre; Tverskaya Street; Gorky Park; Novodevichy Convent; Swan Lake; Luzhniki Stadium; Lenin Hills; and finally, Moscow State University. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and have free time.

DAY 02 MOSCOW
After breakfast at our hotel, you will have free time. Guests who wish may join an optional tour to the Kremlin Palace & Moscow Metro & Arbat & Nazim Hikmet's Grave. The Kremlin, where Russian President Vladimir Putin also has his office, houses the Dormition Cathedral, considered Moscow's most important church since the 14th century, and contains the world's largest bell. Our tour continues with the Moscow Metro. Initiated by Stalin in 1931, the Moscow Metro is widely recognized as the most beautiful metro in the world in terms of interior design and decoration, even though its size can be compared to those of New York, Paris, or London. Arbat Street, running through the heart of Moscow, is a pedestrian-only street that everyone visiting the city should walk along from one end to the other. Here, you can browse the colorful shop windows, taste some of the finest examples of Russian and world cuisine, sit in stylish cafes that rival Paris, and enjoy watching Russians lose themselves in the flow of life while sitting on a bench. If you want to buy souvenirs from Moscow, this is the perfect place. Next, we will continue our tour to Nazim Hikmet's grave. We will leave our hotel to visit Novodevichy Convent (where Nazim Hikmet is also buried). Founded in 1524, Novodevichy is one of Russia's most important monasteries and became the place where many tsarina candidates' stars faded. Although Napoleon ordered its destruction in 1812, the nuns managed to prevent it. During the visit, we will see Nazim Hikmet's grave located within the monastery grounds. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 03 MOSCOW – ST. PETERSBURG (TRAIN JOURNEY)
After breakfast at our hotel, we will vacate our rooms and transfer to the train station. Following our train journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg, upon arrival, we will be welcomed and then transfer via our private vehicle to the "St. Petersburg Panoramic City Tour." During this panoramic city tour, we will have the opportunity to see streets showcasing the finest works of the world's most famous architects and artists, as well as the city's historical and tourist sites. Notable sights include the famous Nevsky Prospect featured in books by renowned authors, Old Harbor Lighthouses, the Mint, the Clock Tower, the Statue of Peter the Great, the Winter Palace, Palace Square, the Admiralty Building, and the Aurora Cruiser. After the city tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time and overnight accommodation at our hotel in St. Petersburg. At the end of the tour, guests who wish may join an optional "Russian Night Tour" organized by our guide. You must not miss the chance to enjoy dinner and magnificent dance shows in St. Petersburg. (The Russian Night tour may be organized on different days depending on restaurant availability). After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 04 ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, you will have free time. Guests who wish may join an optional tour to "Hermitage, Peter and Paul Fortress & Canal Tours." The Hermitage Museum, located near the Neva River and housing approximately 4 million artifacts from the Tsarist era, is one of the largest museums in the world and in Russia. It has been included in the Guinness Book of World Records due to having the largest collection of paintings. Next, accompanied by a guide, we will begin our canal tour, viewing St. Petersburg from the waterways up to the Neva River. After the tour, we will continue to Peter and Paul Fortress. Built by Peter the Great in the early 1700s, this was the first structure constructed in St. Petersburg and is situated on the Neva River. Inside the fortress cathedral are the tombs of the Romanov dynasty. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 05 ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, you will have free time. Guests who wish may optionally join the "Peterhof and Pushkin Town Tours." On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the summer palace built by Italian architect Rastrelli according to Peter the Great's own plans, located in the Gulf of Finland. This magnificent palace complex rivals Versailles in Paris, featuring gardens adorned with 150 monumental fountains and four waterfalls. Although heavily damaged during World War II, it has been restored with great splendor, remaining faithful to its original architecture. Next, we will visit the park, palace, and building complex known as Tsarskoye Selo, built by Catherine in the 18th century. Covering an area of 600 hectares, the main building of this town is the Catherine Palace. The Amber Room here is extremely fascinating, but due to heavy crowds especially in summer months, many tourists are unable to visit it. In this famous town where the aristocracy of the Tsarist era met the royal family, there is also the school where the famous poet Pushkin received his education. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel.

DAY 06 ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Free time after breakfast. Transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide in the evening. Upon arrival, passport control and check-in procedures.

DAY 07 ST. PETERSBURG – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Departure for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 400 at 00:15. Arrival in Istanbul at 04:15 local time. We look forward to meeting you on our next tour.