WINTER IN MOSCOW & ST PETERSBURG JANUARY 6-20, 2019 TOUR LEADER: MICHAEL CARR

Overview Experience the wonders of Moscow and St Petersburg – two vastly different cities – against the back drop of winter and Orthodox Christmas, when twinkling lights and snow turn Red Square and the Kremlin into a winter wonderland and St Petersburg’s beauty is at its most delightful. This tour explores the art, history and culture of Russia when the galleries and museums are less crowded and during a season that has a special place in Russian culture, permeating its literature, performing arts and national identity. Our 15-day residential-style tour starts in Moscow, the heart of Old Russia, the city of the Tsars before Peter the Great, centre of the Russian Orthodox Church and the capital since the Russian Revolution. We then travel to St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great, arguably Russia’s greatest ruler, to rival the great capitals of western Europe. Its European style and elegance are reflected in the architecture, culture and grand palaces built by Peter and championed by Catherine the Great. Throughout the tour, we visit a range of museums and galleries, including the Great Armory Collection, State Diamond Fund and Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. We also see some of Moscow’s leading contemporary art galleries, the hub of new Russian art, where we will be greeted by senior curators and dealers. In St Petersburg we will be escorted by a curator on a private tour of collection highlights from the incomparable Hermitage Museum. St Petersburg’s grand palaces are artworks themselves, and our seven-night stay includes visits to the Yusupov, the summer palaces of the Tsars at Pushkin and Catherine the Great’s Palace, home to the dazzling Amber Room. The tour is rounded out by art talks and an evening performance at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre where world class performances of classical music and ballet are regularly performed by the Bolshoi Ballet and St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.

Your tour leader Michael Carr is an art dealer and historian with over 20 years’ experience in handling major Australian and international paintings and sculptures, including Old Masters and contemporary works.

He is a graduate in Arts and Law from the ANU and has an LL.M from Cambridge University. After working

as a diplomat and commercial lawyer, Michael opened his first gallery in Sydney, Olsen Carr, in 1994. In 1999 he opened Michael Carr Art Dealer, which operated until late 2007 when he moved to Moscow to open CarrVesey Art Dealers, the first Western style art consultancy to be based in Moscow since 1917. He has also lectured extensively over the years to numerous audiences including the AGNSW Society, corporate groups and societies and more recently at the NGA, Canberra and the David Roche Foundation, Adelaide.

WINTER IN MOSCOW & ST PETERSBURG

Tour dates: January 6-20, 2019

Tour leader: Michael Carr

Tour Price: $10,795 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $1,675 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Emirates AIrlines

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Moscow (7 nights), St Petersburg (7 nights)

Date published: March 26, 2018

Enquiries and bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jamal@academytravel.com.au

Tour Highlights

RED SQUARE Admire the heart and soul of Russia at Moscow's iconic Red Square. It is a focal point in the social and political history of Russia and the Soviet Union; the scene of celebrations, executions, riots, speeches and powerful parades of military might. Explore its iconic red walls, flanked by the onion domes of St Basil Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the GUM, the former state department store.

THE KREMLIN Survey the mighty Kremlin, "fortress inside a city", and the red heart of Russia, the seat of government, former residence of the Tsars. and centre of the Russian Orthodoxy. Steeped in history and myth, we explore the three imposing churches in cathedral square and go inside its palaces to view the wealth of treasures housed inside the State Armoury and the Diamond Fund.

ST PETERSBURG Explore a treasure trove of history and art amongst St Petersburg's ornate palaces. Be guided by a senior curator through the world's great collections at the Hermitage Museum. Travel to Peterhof on the Gulf of Finland, the centrepiece of Peter the Great’s Russian Versailles complex. Visit the Yusupov Palace and admire the creations of Carl Fabergé at his eponymous museum in the Shuvalov Palace.

CATHERINE’S PALACE Witness the opulent lifestyle of the Tsars with a tour through the sumptuous apartments and interiors, including the legendary Amber Room, at the magnificent Catherine Palace. Named after the wife of Peter I, and designed by Rastrelli, chief architect to the Imperial court, the palace owes its grandeur to the Empress Elizabeth who chose it as her summer residence.

A WINTER WONDERLAND Savour the historic buildings and Cathedrals of Moscow and the grand palaces and squares of St Petersburg during winter when they are dressed in a veil of snow. Take the time to savour the best of Russia’s incomparable art collections in the galleries and museums without the crowds and enjoy the decorations and lights of a Russian Orthodox Christmas that adorn Moscow’s streets and illuminate Red Square.

Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Sunday 6 January Arrive

The tour commences at our Moscow Hotel. After meeting Michael Carr for introductions, we enjoy a light dinner in the hotel. Overnight Moscow (D)

Monday 7 January Red Square

A majority of Russians identify as members of the Russian Orthodox Church which marks today as Christmas day according to the Julian calendar. Our touring commences with a visit to the iconic Red Square, a vast cobbled area that plays host to a large Christmas tree and ice skating rink over the festive period. Flanked by some of Moscow’s most famous sites, we visit St Basil’s Cathedral with its brightly coloured onion domes, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM department store with its elaborate façade - designer stores having replaced the queues of the Soviet era. This evening we celebrate Russian Christmas with dinner at Café Pushkin. Overnight Moscow. (B, D)

Tuesday 8 January Metro and Gorky Park

No visit to Moscow is complete without a ride on the metro, and this morning we see some of the elegant stations decorated in frescoes and lined with marble. Stalin declared that ‘the whole country will build the metro’ and employed some of the Soviet Union’s finest artists to decorate the stations. Emerging form the subway, we wander through the snow-covered woodlands and Graveyard of Fallen Monuments of Gorky Park, made famous by the novel and film it inspired. This afternoon a curator from the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art takes us through the collection which is dedicated to the development of Russian art from the 1950’s to the present. Overnight Moscow. (B)

Wednesday 9 January Kuskovo Estate and Pushkin Museum

This morning we travel to Kuskovo Estate, a unique example of a great aristocratic country house on the outskirts of Moscow. The salmon pink and white neoclassical structure operates as a

Above:Christmas comes alive at the GUM department store on Red Square Below: Over 700 statues were ‘laid to rest’ in the Graveyard of Fallen Monuments at the end of the Soviet era; Kuskovo Estate houses the Sheremtev private art collection

Tour start & finish time

The tour starts on Sunday January 6 at 6.00pm, at the Peter 1 Hotel, Moscow. The tour ends on Sunday January 20 after breakfast, at the Angleterre Hotel, St Petersburg.

Above: Kandinsky’s Red Square in the Tretyakov and the Kremlin’s golden domes in Cathedral Square Below: The Orlov Diamond mounted in the Imperial Sceptre made for Catherine the Great in the Diamond Fund

museum housing the private Sheremtev collection, perhaps the finest in Imperial Russia, and uniquely retains its original interiors dating from 1779. In the afternoon we visit the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a large selection of European works from the Italian Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age and complete collections of 19th and 20th century masters donated by individual collectors. Overnight Moscow. (B)

Thursday 10 January Tretyakov Galleries

We visit the Tretyakov Gallery, home of the world’s greatest collection of Russian art. Works in the gallery range from pre-Mongolian icons and mosaics to landscapes, portraits and masterpieces of the 20th century. Among the exhibits are The Trinity by Andrei Rublev and Russia’s most revered icon, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The galleries of the New Tretyakov house a diverse collection of modern art trends including avant-garde artists such as Kandinsky and Chagall and Russian socialist-realist styles depicting the glories of communist values. Overnight Moscow. (B)

Friday 11 January The Kremlin

Today we visit the Kremlin, seat of the Tsars, headquarters of the Soviet Union and now the residence of President Vladimir Putin. Since its foundation in 1156, the Kremlin has been a symbol of power of the State. We visit the churches in Cathedral Square, among them the most important church in Moscow, the Cathedral of the Assumption. Also in the Kremlin complex is the State Armoury, which showcases the wealth accumulated by Russian tsars over many centuries and the Diamond Fund, which boasts among its jewels the famous Orlov diamond presented to Catherine the Great by her lover Count Grigory Orlov. Overnight Moscow. (B, L)

Saturday 12 January Tolstoy Museum and Novodevichy Convent

This morning we visit the Tolstoy House Museum, the writer’s winter abode in central Moscow dedicated to his home life. The wooden house and extensive gardens provided Tolstoy with a place to write in the city yet still remaining close to nature. Inside, the 16 rooms have been carefully preserved with many of the family’s personal effects in situ. This afternoon we visit Novodevichy Monastery and cemetery situated behind turreted walls on the Moscow River. The convent grounds contain the Smolensk Cathedral (modelled on the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kremlin), several churches, a fine bell tower and a gallery with a permanent exhibition of religious icons and embroidery. The cemetery adjacent to the convent is among Moscow’s most prestigious resting places containing the tombs of such luminaries as Chekov, Gogol and Prokofiev to name only a few. Dinner this evening is in the restaurant at the stylish Sanduny Bath House. Overnight Moscow. (B, D)

Sunday 13 January To St Petersburg

After check out we make our way to Leningradsky railway station to board the fast train for the journey to St Petersburg. After settling into our accommodation, we have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight St Petersburg. (B, L on the train, D)

Monday 14 January Touring St Petersburg

Our coach tour of St Petersburg this morning takes us past Vasilievsky Island with views to the Winter Palace and St Petersburg’s bridges, and on to Tauride Palace and the Smolny Complex, alighting at the Peter and Paul Fortress. Several buildings are contained within the fortress, the Peter and Paul Cathedral being the most notable as it contains the tombs of almost all the Russian rulers since Peter the Great. This afternoon we visit St Isaac’s Cathedral, whose gilded dome dominates the St Petersburg skyline while its facades are decorated in sculpture and red granite columns. We also stop at Kazan Cathedral which stands as a monument to Russia’s victory over Napoleon and is modelled on St Peters Basilica in Rome. Overnight St Petersburg. (B)

Tuesday 15 January The Hermitage Museum

For most people St Petersburg is inexorably connected with its great art museum, the Hermitage, housed in the former residence of the Tsars, the Winter Palace. Today, we take a private tour with one of the curators from the museum before uncovering the many other galleries and exploring the amazing variety of collections housed in the museum. Depending on scheduling we will attend a concert or ballet performance at the Mariinsky Theatre. Overnight St Petersburg. (B)

Wednesday 16 January Yusupov Palace and Fabergé Museum

Our day commences at the Yusupov Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in St Petersburg, which contains a series of sumptuously decorated rooms. It was here that Rasputin was murdered in 1916 in disputed circumstances by Prince Felix Yusupov. Shortly after Rasputin’s murder, the Soviets came to power and confiscated the palace from the nobles. We continue to the Carl Fabergé museum in the afternoon. Located in the Shuvalov Palace, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by Fabergé including nine of his famous imperial Easter eggs. Overnight St Petersburg. (B, L, D)

Thursday 17 January Catherine’s Palace

We depart for Tsarskoe Selo, formerly Pushkin, where we visit the magnificent Catherine Palace. Built for Tsarina Elizabeth by Rastrelli in 1752, it was named Catherine in honour of her mother, Catherine l, wife of Peter the Great. The palace was

Above: the stunning interior of the dome at St Isaacs Cathedral Below: Matisse’ most famous and important works, Dance was commissioned by a Russian collector; the Yusupov Palace on the Moika retains its lavish interiors

badly damaged during the German occupation of World War ll, leaving only a hollow shell behind, but it has since been restored. Inside the palace, our tour takes us through the gentlemen-in-waiting’s dining room, the Great Hall, State Dining Room, Crimson and Green Pilaster rooms and the portrait room. We also visit the legendary Amber Room which was restored largely with German funds and re-opened in 2004. We explore Pavlovsk Park Palace gardens designed by Charles Cameron as a classic English landscaped garden, and one of the most beautiful park ensembles in Europe. Although it will be mid-winter, the snow-laden tree branches, rolling countryside, winding streams and garden architecture provide a pleasant backdrop to the Palace itself. Overnight St Petersburg. (B, L, D)

Friday 18 January At Leisure

Today is at leisure with no shortage of attractions in St Petersburg to explore at your own pace. Michael will be on hand to help with options on how to spend your day. Overnight St Petersburg. (B)

Saturday 19 January Peterhof

We depart by coach to Peterhof, often referred to as the Russian Versailles, on the Gulf of Finland built by Peter the Great. Like many of St Petersburg’s outlying palaces, Peterhof was occupied and subsequently ravaged by the Germans during World War II. The Palace was restored in 1952 with the help of over 1000 volunteers and military engineers. Our guided tour takes us through the lavish interiors of the Grand Palace which are richly detailed with frescoes, gilded furnishings and detailed parquetry floors. Although the Grand Cascade is not operational during winter, we can imagine the magnificent sense of grandeur they add to the landscape. Returning to St Petersburg this evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at the Russian Vodka Room. Overnight St Petersburg. (B, D)

Sunday 20 January Depart

The tour concludes after breakfast. We have organised a late checkout with rooms available until 6pm (B)

Hotels Both hotels used for this tour are rated as four-star and we have confirmed VIP standard rooms in Moscow and superior deluxe rooms in St Petersburg.

Moscow, Peter 1 Hotel (7 nights) www.hotel-peter1.ru/eng

St Petersburg, Angleterre Hotel (7 nights) www.angleterrehotel.com

Above: The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood Below: Frozen in time, the statues adorning the Grand Cascade at Peterhof stand still during the St Petersburg winter

Tour Price The tour price is $10,795 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $1,675 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.

Tour Inclusions Included in the tour price

All accommodation in four star hotels All breakfasts and meals as indicated in the itinerary Land travel by air-conditioned coach Business class rail travel between Moscow and St

Petersburg Extensive background notes Services of Australian tour leader and tour manager

throughout the tour All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary Qualified local guides Russian visa costs and processing

Not included

International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature

Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we recommend Emirates flights into Moscow and out of St Petersburg. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel.

Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jamal@academytravel.com.au

Weather on Tour This tour travels to Russia at one of the coldest times of the year when the temperature typically drops to below freezing and there will be almost certainly be snow on the ground in Moscow and St Petersburg. Layered clothing with a warm winter coat, gloves, hat and a scarf are essential. Travelling in January is a rewarding experience as Russia becomes a delightful winter wonderland and a perfect time to visit the museums and galleries.

Fitness Requirements of THIS tour

GRADE TWO

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

Participation criteria for this tour

This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or several internal flights. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only

short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and

museums tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold

weather walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites,

which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or

boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required

A note for older travellers

If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.