Taste of Russia Tour: A Culture & Cuisine Experience | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Taste of Russia Tour: A Culture & Cuisine Experience

PRIVATE TOUR - 9 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 6035

Private Tour Highlights

  • Embark on a marvelous culinary journey, to dine on dishes typically served in the northern capital, such as Rassolnik soup and Koryushka fish.
  • Step into Red Square to admire the colorful domes of St. Basil's cathedral and view famous landmarks including the Savior Tower, the Kremlin walls, and Lenin's mausoleum.
  • Stroll through a local neighborhood, and experience the atmosphere of Moscow as you explore shops, cafes, and restaurants.
  • Discover the variety of traditional Russian cuisine with tasty local specialties like kulebyaka, Pirozhki, Rasstegai, and Vatrushka.
  • Enjoy an evening of cooking and tasting national Russian dishes, accompanied by wine and Russian spirits with a Peterhof Culinary Class.
  • Explore the charming ancient town of Vladimir, to see unique examples of Russian architecture and fresco paintings.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Discover contemporary Russia through its gastronomy with the delectable Taste of Russia Tour: A Culture & Cuisine experience.

While tasting farm-to-table food accompanied with local wine and spirits with Yampu Tours, travelers will let go of the “it’s just meat, potatoes and cabbage” stereotypes that they may have about Russian cuisine. On the Taste of Russia Tour, travelers will explore the rich history of the country by learning how to cook savory and tasty Russian dishes while visiting the must-see sites in Moscow, Suzdal, and St. Petersburg.

Upon arrival to Moscow, travelers will gain some insights into Moscow’s rich history with a city highlights tour, admiring the colorful domes of St. Basil’s cathedral and viewing famous landmarks such as the Kremlin walls and the GUM department store. In the evening, you will enjoy a luxurious dinner a la Russe and soak up the unique atmosphere of downtown Moscow.

After a few days of being wined and dined in Russia’s Capital, travelers will take to the outer villages of Suzdal and Vladimir to discover the variety of traditional Russian cuisine and unique examples of Russian architecture. The tour then continues to St Petersburg for an unforgettable tour of the wonders of the Peterhof Palace and other city landmarks such as the incredible Peter and Paul Fortress.

The tour then wraps up with an evening of cooking and tasting national Russian dishes, accompanied by wine and Russian spirits, that will leave travelers with a memorable experience of the charms of Russia.

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 6035

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Flight to Russia

Overnight International Flight to Moscow

Overnight International Flight to Moscow

plane-wing-clouds-flight
Day
2

Welcome to Moscow!

Upon arrival to Moscow airport, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel. Feel free to have a welcome drink during check-in.

Moscow is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is well known for its display of Russian architecture, particularly its historic buildings such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Red Square, and the Moscow Kremlin, of which the latter serves as the seat of power of the Government of Russia.

Upon arrival to Moscow airport, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel. Feel free to have a welcome drink during check-in.

Moscow is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is well known for its display of Russian architecture, particularly its historic buildings such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Red Square, and the Moscow Kremlin, of which the latter serves as the seat of power of the Government of Russia.

Day
3

Moscow Highlights Tour & Dinner a la Russe

Today, we offer you some insights into the rich history of Moscow. Take a Metro ride with your guide and stop to explore the grandeur of its most impressive stations.

Then, enter the Kremlin walls to feel the country's past and present. The Kremlin is an old fortress and the most important historical and political center of Russia. You will see the Kremlin's compositional center and look into the three main cathedrals - the Assumption, the Annunciation and the Archangel's Michael cathedral.

Step into Red Square to admire the colorful domes of St. Basil's cathedral. You will view famous landmarks including the Savior Tower, the Kremlin walls, GUM department store, the State Historical Museum and Lenin's mausoleum.
Then, drive around the Kremlin and reach the Christ the Savior Cathedral, a church with a controversial history. Then, you'll view the New Maiden Convent - the "Convent of the Broken Hearts". Later, visit Bow Hill to commemorate the fallen in the World War II and learn the story from the Russian perspective.

In the evening, you will enjoy a luxurious dinner a la Russe, and soak up the unique atmosphere of downtown Moscow.
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Day
4

Moscow Art & Culinary Tour

Take the Metro to your next touring point, while appreciating more exquisite stations. Next, visit the Old Tretyakov Gallery - housing a collection of Russian art from the 12th to the 20th century. Stroll through a local neighborhood, and experience the atmosphere of Moscow as you explore shops, cafes, and restaurants.

As you are served an elegant lunch, discover and taste local wines - Riesling, Chardonnay and Merlot. Challenge yourself to learn the Russian alphabet, so you can read local traffic and street signs.

Take the Metro to your next touring point, while appreciating more exquisite stations. Next, visit the Old Tretyakov Gallery - housing a collection of Russian art from the 12th to the 20th century. Stroll through a local neighborhood, and experience the atmosphere of Moscow as you explore shops, cafes, and restaurants.

As you are served an elegant lunch, discover and taste local wines - Riesling, Chardonnay and Merlot. Challenge yourself to learn the Russian alphabet, so you can read local traffic and street signs.

Day
5

Golden Ring - Ancient Towns Tour

It's time to discover the variety of traditional Russian cuisine. Arrive in Vladimir by Lastochka train (2,5 hrs.). Enjoy the atmosphere of an ancient castle (Kremlin) in Suzdal and try tasty local specialties like Kulebyaka, Pirozhki, Rasstegai, and Vatrushka. Play the game "guess the dish", and try to pronounce its name. Indulge in a shot of nalivka (a local alcohol drink) to help you guess. Tour Suzdal's Kremlin, built in the 10th century.

Later, return to the charming ancient town of Vladimir, to see unique examples of Russian architecture and fresco paintings of the 12th century. In the evening board the train to Moscow. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel.
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Day
6

Train to St. Petersburg with Peter & Paul Fortress Tour

After breakfast and check out you will be driven to the Leningradsky railway station to board the rapid train Sapsan to St. Petersburg (4 hrs.). Once you arrive in St. Petersburg we will take you on a marvelous culinary journey, to dine on dishes typically served in the northern capital, such as Rassolnik soup and Koryushka fish.

Next, we will tour city landmarks such as the incredible Peter and Paul Fortress, view the beautiful Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood, and world-famous St. Isaac Cathedral. As an option, take 562 steps to the colonnade of St. Isaac Cathedral to see the city with a birds eye view. Later, check in to your hotel.
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Day
7

Hermitage & CoCoCo Tour

After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Palace Square and the Hermitage Museum with its stunning masterpieces by hundreds of artists.

Enjoy lunch at the CoCoCo restaurant. As New York Times put it, CoCoCo offers updated, farm-to-table takes on traditional Russian cuisine. The dishes are served with a theatric flair and will convert the staunchest nonbelievers. You'll have time to refresh back at the hotel before the performance. Enjoy the Gala Reception at the Romanov Dynasty Palace.

After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Palace Square and the Hermitage Museum with its stunning masterpieces by hundreds of artists.

Enjoy lunch at the CoCoCo restaurant. As New York Times put it, CoCoCo offers updated, farm-to-table takes on traditional Russian cuisine. The dishes are served with a theatric flair and will convert the staunchest nonbelievers. You'll have time to refresh back at the hotel before the performance. Enjoy the Gala Reception at the Romanov Dynasty Palace.

Day
8

Peterhof & Culinary Class Tour

Today, it's time to experience the royal lifestyle of the 18th century. Let us take you on an unforgettable tour of the wonders of the Peterhof Palace and Park, along with the famous, stunningly elegant Grand Cascade fountain. It is beautiful in the summertime!

In the afternoon, we will recommend several choices from the best restaurants on Rubinshtein street, renowned for its variety of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and wine bars, with diverse cuisines that cater to every taste. Ask Petersburgers about the best place to eat on Rubinshtein, and you will get about 30 different answers!
Arrange to have some time on your own in the center of the city.

An evening of cooking and tasting national Russian dishes, accompanied by wine and Russian spirits, will leave you with a memorable experience of the culinary charms of Russia. Bring home a treasure trove of memories of the friends you made in Russia, and of course - the recipes you learn.
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Day
9

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight home.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Moscow, Russia

St Petersburg, Russia

Places You'll See

  • Moscow

    A city that combines the past and the present, Moscow is where old buildings live together with modern high rises. Moscow is home to more than 500 museums, 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and several world architectural records. Moscow’s rich architecture can also be seen underground: the central metro stations—real “palaces of the people” with mosaics, paintings, stucco, and dazzling illumination. Moscow is a metropolis that has everything: the best restaurants, fashionable nightclubs, skyscrapers, dizzying views, and even peaceful old courtyards where time has stood still for more than a century.

  • St. Petersburg

    Serving as Russia’s cultural capital, Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Hermitage, the Russian Museum, Saint Isaac’s and Kazan cathedrals, the Church of the Savior on Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, Nevsky Prospect and the Summer Garden are some of the attractions that need no introduction. But Saint Petersburg also has attractions outside the city: Tsarskoye Selo in Pushkin, Pavlovsk and, of course, magnificent Petergof. Visitors come from all over the world to see this unusual city during the white nights, to visit the royal palaces and parks, the fairytale fountains and movable bridges.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Moscow : Tverskaya Marriott

St. Petersburg : Crowne Plaza Ligovsky

5 Star Properties

Moscow : InterContinental Tverskaya

St. Petersburg : Grand Belmond

Testimonials

Erik M.

Traveled December 2017

A ++ experience!

We used Yampu last Christmas (2017) for a 2 week trip in Argentina. From the very first email to the follow up after our trip, everything was perfect with Yampu. The hotel selection was matching our needs, the transfers between locations and airports all went very smoothly, the overall trip plan was a good balance of sightseeing, discovery and personal time. The guides were all so friendly and knowledgeable. This was a A+ experience. Our main point of contact in the USA was Christine Cronin. She did an amazing job for us. We like their services so much that we are now planning another trip with Yampu.

Traveled To

R

Traveled May, 2014

Everything you arranged was perfect to the last detail

Everything you arranged was perfect to the last detail. The hotels were all nice. My favorite was probably Remota, in Puerto Natales, Chile. Their food was excellent, tour guides and drivers are all professionals. I learned a lot.

Traveled To


Wafa A.

Traveled

Great experiences

Great experiences, with Yampu tours the staff are very professional and helpful and they provide timely services and try to find solutions and alternatives

Traveled To

Let Us Customize This Trip For You

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