2017 - APT Europe Land Journeys

92 | GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS: THE GOLDEN EAGLE ARCTIC EXPLORER 12 DAYS – ST PETERSBURG TO MOSCOW Three Nights Russia | Six Nights Golden Eagle | Two Nights Norway Day 1. Arrive St Petersburg. Arrive in St Petersburg, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers during an exclusive Champagne Reception followed by a Welcome Dinner. Two Night Stay: St Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe (or similar). D Day 2. St Petersburg. Crowded with beautiful palaces, historical monuments, divine boulevards and grand bridges, the beautiful city of St Petersburg is also known as the Ballet Capital of the World. Today you will enjoy a guided tour of Catherine Palace in Pushkin and the Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars which houses the royal art collection of over three million works. This evening is at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Russian ballet or opera at one of the renowned theatres (own expense). BLD Day 3. St Petersburg. During a city tour of St Petersburg today, see key sights including St Isaac's Cathedral and the Nevsky Prospect. This afternoon, be transferred to the elegant St Petersburg rail station and board Russia's premier train, the Golden Eagle. In the evening, savour a unique YOUR INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES Enjoy a guided tour of St Petersburg's Catherine Palace in Pushkin and the Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars Cross the Arctic Circle and take an evening bus tour in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) In Kirkenes, take a snowmobile-drawn sleigh across frozen fjords, then learn how to catch the magnificent Arctic King Crab Embark on a hovercraft transfer to Kizhi Island to explore its open-air museum of wooden architecture celebration with a signature Gala Caviar Dinner in the beautifully designed Restaurant Car. Enjoy complimentary champagne and international wines with dinner as your journey to the Arctic Circle begins. Two Night Stay: Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. BLD Day 4. Crossing the Arctic Circle. Enjoy a relaxed start to the day. Listen to a talk or relax and watch the ever-changing landscape outside your window. BLD Day 5. Kirkenes, Northern Lights. Disembark your train at the Russian station of Nikel, before crossing the Russian/ Norwegian border to Kirkenes. Visit the Snow Hotel and enjoy a welcome drink before a tour of its ice sculptures and snow paintings by local and international artists. Optional activities include a snowmobile safari, walking tour and husky dog sledge ride (own expense). After a traditional meal at the lodge restaurant, take an evening bus tour in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). A guest astronomer will be on hand during your star-gazing and will bring the night sky to life with their insight. Two Night Stay: Kirkenes, Thon Hotel (or similar). BLD Khabarovsk Pacific Ocean IRAN BELARUS Lake Onega Lake Ladoga MOSCOW 2 2 ST PETERSBURG Kirkenes RUSSIA NORWAY Nikel Murmansk Vladimir Suzdal Kizhi Island Petrozavodsk 1 The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express 6 The Golden Eagle Coach Hovercraft No. of Nights Stay Included Experiences 1 KEY (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner ITINERARY OVERVIEW DAY DESTINATION 1 St Petersburg 2 St Petersburg 3 St Petersburg 4 Crossing the Arctic Circle 5 Kirkenes, Northern Lights 6 Kirkenes, Northern Lights 7 Nikel 8 Murmansk 9 Petrozavodsk, Kizhi Island 10 Vladimir, Suzdal 11 Moscow 12 Moscow

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