In 2018 we joined a group tour that took us from Helsinki through the stunning imperial grandeur of St Petersburg all the way to the dramatic heart of Moscow. Nine days, two extraordinary cities, the Hermitage, Peterhof's Grand Palace, the Kremlin, Red Square, Novodevichy Convent, a high-speed train through the Russian landscape and the warmest, friendliest people we never expected. St Petersburg in particular stopped us in our tracks — the architecture alone is worth the journey. One of the great trips of our travelling lives.
What this trip gave us:
Nine days across two of the world's most extraordinary cities
We joined a group tour with Travelescapes in 2018 that took us on one of the most extraordinary journeys of our travelling lives — Helsinki as the gateway, a border crossing through historic Vyborg, three days immersed in the imperial splendour of St Petersburg, a ride on the Sapsan high-speed train through the Russian heartland, and then Moscow — vast, dramatic and endlessly surprising.
The group tour format was absolutely the right choice for Russia. Having a knowledgeable guide who could unlock the history and context of everything we were seeing transformed the experience. Russia's history is so rich and so complex that having someone to guide you through it makes every palace, cathedral and monument come alive in a way that independent travel simply cannot replicate.
St Petersburg was the undisputed highlight. We had high expectations — and it exceeded every one of them. The architecture along the Neva River, the grand boulevards, the ornate facades, the golden domes catching the summer light — it is simply one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Hermitage alone could absorb a week. Peterhof was staggering. Novodevichy Convent was quietly magnificent.
Moscow then delivered a completely different kind of grandeur — bigger, bolder, more dramatic. Standing in Red Square with St Basil's Cathedral on one side and the Kremlin walls on the other is one of those travel moments where you genuinely have to stop and take in the fact that you are actually there. The Kremlin visit, the extraordinary Metro stations, the energy of the city — Moscow is a place that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go.
The Russian people were a revelation too — warm, generous, proud of their country and delighted when visitors made the effort to engage. The group dinner at Restaurant Russian Kitsch was a wonderful evening of food, laughter and genuine hospitality. We came home with full hearts and an enormous amount of respect for a country and culture we had only begun to understand.
Day by day — Helsinki to Moscow
Arrived in Helsinki and transferred to the Glo Art Hotel. Welcome meeting with our guide Lamija in the evening — first introductions with the group and a briefing on the adventure ahead. Overnight Helsinki.
A full sightseeing day around Helsinki — the harbours, central Mannerheim Street, the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, the Sibelius Monument and the extraordinary Church-in-the-Rock. A wonderful city perfectly placed between West and East.
Crossed the border into Russia and stopped in historic Vyborg for a sightseeing tour and photo stop at the medieval Vyborg Castle. Arrived in St Petersburg in the late afternoon and checked into the Hotel Sokos Vasilievsky. First impressions of the city were breathtaking.
Full morning sightseeing tour of the city — the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Saviour and the Nevsky Convent. Utterly stunning at every stop.
✨ St Petersburg — one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seenMorning excursion to Peterhof — Peter the Great's masterpiece on the Gulf of Finland with the Grand Palace, the spectacular Grand Cascade of fountains and the stunning parklands. Afternoon visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum in the Winter Palace.
✨ Two of the greatest sights in Russia — in one dayOptional morning canal cruise before heading to the Moscow Railway Station to board the Sapsan high-speed train to Moscow. Four hours through the Russian landscape was a journey in itself. Arrived Moscow and checked into the Hotel Park Inn by Radisson.
🚄 The Sapsan — one of Europe's great train journeysThe big Moscow day — Red Square with St Basil's Cathedral, the Theatre Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University, and a visit to the Kremlin grounds and one of its iconic cathedrals. Standing in Red Square is one of those travel moments you never forget.
✨ Red Square — every bit as iconic as you imagineOptional full day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad to visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius — the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual heart of the Russian Orthodox Church, beautifully restored for its 700-year celebrations. An extraordinary and deeply moving place. Optional Old Russian Circus in the evening.
⛪ One of Russia's most sacred and beautiful sitesFour-hour excursion to the magnificent Novodevichy Convent — one of Moscow's most beautiful and historically significant sites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial place of many famous Russians. Followed by a wonderful Russian dinner at Restaurant Russian Kitsch — an evening of food, warmth and great company.
🍽️ Russian dinner at Na Zdorovie — highly recommendedEarly departure — collected at 05:00 for the flight back to Dublin, arriving home at 09:05. Left with full hearts, extraordinary memories and an enormous amount of respect for a country that had genuinely surprised and delighted us at every turn.
Simply one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The imperial palaces, the grand facades, the golden domes and the canals — it earns its nickname as the Venice of the North and then some. We walked around with our mouths open for three days.
One of the greatest art museums on earth — housed in the spectacular Winter Palace on the Neva. The collection is almost incomprehensibly vast and the building is as magnificent as anything inside it. Three hours was barely enough.
Peter the Great's answer to Versailles — the Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade of fountains and the vast landscaped parks on the Gulf of Finland. One of the most impressive royal residences in all of Europe.
Standing in Red Square with St Basil's Cathedral on one side and the Kremlin walls on the other is one of those travel moments where you genuinely have to stop and take stock. As iconic in person as in any photograph — and more so.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Moscow's most quietly magnificent places — a beautiful walled convent with extraordinary churches, peaceful grounds and a fascinating history stretching back to the 16th century.
The high-speed train between St Petersburg and Moscow is a brilliant experience in itself — smooth, comfortable, fast and atmospheric. Watching the Russian landscape roll past for four hours is something you don't forget.
Helsinki, St Petersburg, Moscow and the journey between them — our 2018 Russia group tour on video.
A quick glimpse of the extraordinary sights from our Russia trip.
From St Petersburg walking tours and Hermitage skip-the-line tickets to Peterhof excursions, Kremlin visits and Moscow by night tours — browse Russia activities here:
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Common questions
What to pack for Russia
Russia involves an enormous amount of walking on cobblestones — Red Square, the Kremlin grounds, Peterhof's extensive parks — so good footwear is absolutely essential. Evenings in St Petersburg and Moscow can be cool even in summer, so layers are important. A warm windproof jacket is a must.
Essential for navigation across Russia — maps, translation apps and staying connected without expensive roaming charges on a 9-day multi-city trip.
View on Amazon →Russia means cobblestones — Red Square, the Kremlin, Peterhof's vast parkland, Novodevichy Convent. Good waterproof walking boots will save your feet and keep you comfortable through very long days of sightseeing.
View on Amazon →Even in July, St Petersburg and Moscow evenings can be cool and the canal breezes are real. A good thermal base layer keeps you comfortable on long outdoor days without adding bulk.
View on Amazon →Essential for the canal and Neva waterfront in St Petersburg and the open expanses of Red Square — a windproof outer layer is as important as warmth for Russia's summer evenings.
View on Amazon →Russia uses Type C and F plugs — a universal adaptor is a must. Don't arrive in Helsinki or St Petersburg after a long flight with nothing charged.
View on Amazon →Russia is relentlessly photogenic — the Hermitage, Red Square, Peterhof's fountains. Keep a power bank charged so your phone is always ready for the next extraordinary sight.
View on Amazon →Essential for long sightseeing days — carry water, extra layers, your camera and anything you pick up without weighing yourself down on the extensive walks between sights.
View on Amazon →Stay hydrated on long days covering vast ground at Peterhof, the Kremlin and the Hermitage — a reusable bottle keeps you going through full sightseeing days.
View on Amazon →Always worth having — for blisters from the relentless cobblestone walking and anything else that comes up on a busy 9-day itinerary.
View on Amazon →Even in summer the wind chill along the St Petersburg canals and on Red Square can be sharp in the evenings — a light hat and gloves take up almost no space and are very worth having.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a trip to Russia.
Book the Hermitage. Book Peterhof. Stand in Red Square and let it sink in that you are actually there. Russia is one of the great travel destinations on earth — extraordinary, surprising and utterly unforgettable. A group tour is the best way to do it justice.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend things we'd be happy to stand over.