HISTORICAL RUSSIA WITH JUST YOU
Make 2017 the year to brush up on your history and immerse yourself in one of the world’s great nations. This year marks 100 years since the start of the Russian Revolution which saw the collapse of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union.
Just You, the UK’s single traveller specialist, has a fascinating eight-day tour, with prices starting at £1,899 per person, where you’ll explore the iconic sites of both Moscow and St Petersburg, many of which played key roles in the Russian Revolution.
“At Just You we aim to offer tours that, where possible are linked to a historic event which adds a little extra interest when discovering a country with our expert Tour Managers. This year is a great time to visit Russia and learn all about the revolution that began 100 years ago and shaped the history of this vast nation,” said Alicia Welsman, Just You’s Destination Expert.
Just You’s Moscow and St Petersburg tour follows in the footsteps of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, beginning in Moscow with a tour of this incredible city which boasts remarkable architecture and a fascinating history. There is an included excursion to The Kremlin, a fortress which was a potent symbol of two mighty imperial cultures – medieval Muscovy and the Soviet Union.
The epic Battle of Borodino, one of the biggest clashes in military history, was immortalised in Tolstoy’s War and Peace. While in Moscow there is a visit to the Borodino Battle Museum Panorama, a painting which stands 15 metres high and stretches 35 metres, depicting the battle’s decisive moment.
The explorations continue to Khamovniki and a visit to the Leo Tolstoy Museum Estate, one of Russia’s oldest literary museums. The writer lived in this house from 1882 to 1901, penning many famous works here, there is also a visit to the salon where Rachmaninov and Rimsky-Korsakov played piano.
The Sapsan fast train links Moscow to St Petersburg where the holiday continues with a tour of the former capital of Russia.
St Petersburg has been through its fair share of name changes, in 1914 it became Petrograd and was the focus of the February Revolution, which began in March 1917 according to the Gregorian calendar. In 1924 the city became Leningrad before reverting to St Petersburg in 1991.
Highlights of the St Petersburg tour include the Hermitage State Museum, the Faberge Museum, Catherine Palace along with the famed Russian Vodka Museum, where guests taste the country’s national drink in style with pancakes and red caviar.
For those looking for an alternative tour of Russia, Just You has a Volga River cruise which winds its way through central Russia from St Petersburg to Moscow stopping in fascinating ports where there is plenty of time to explore.
The eight-day cruise, with prices starting from £2,499 per person, includes all excursions and meals aboard the 5-star MS Rostropovish, one of the most luxurious ships to cruise the Russian waterways.