Russia Tours 2024

Russia is an ethnically, culturally and architecturally diverse place to visit, with a variety of options to explore it. Tailor-made Russian tours and Volga River cruises suit the leisure traveller with limited time, visting the two main cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Expedition voyages both in the Russian Arctic and the far-east of Kamchatka provide a comfortable way to see the outer edges of the Russian empire.

7 ways to get the most out of your trip to Russia

Personal guides to escort you in St. Petersburg & Moscow

50 Degrees North is proud to offer private guiding in Russia. Limited English is spoken and the benefits of having your own private guide are significant. Our guides provide their own personal experiences of living in Russia, and are happy to arrange your dining and theatre experiences. Our previous guests often provide specific positive feedback about their private Russian guides, who have taken pride in providing insight into their country - both historically and present day. Listen to their personal family stories as you visit the sites with them.

Sky-high dining experiences

There are some unique dining experiences on offer in Moscow and St. Petersburg these days. Imagine sipping cocktails in the sky-high O2 Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton with the Kremlin as a backdrop, cozying up with blankets.

Or seek out one of the many rooftop restaurants, summer terraces and loft restaurants found across town - all offering contemporary modern dining experiences.

What is around the next corner?

Our guests have been blessed with the most unexpected experiences when travelling in Russia. A quick trip to buy some drinks can quickly turn into a photo opportunity as an extravagant and ornate ceiling is spotted in the corner shop.

And, if you travel in May, don’t expect to get out of your hotel door if it happens to be May Day.

Street art, buskers and lively performances take place on street corners, as these two Russian metropolises are transformed into modern cities.

Combine Russia with the Baltics and Helsinki

A visit to the two principal cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow, can be easily combined with either Helsinki and/or the lovely cities of the Baltic States.

Step away from the main tourist routes of Northern Europe and visit Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Quaint villages, festivals such as the Tallinn Song Festival, and lovely Christmas markets are all attractions that make this region special.

St. Petersburg to Moscow bullet-train

Sit back and enjoy travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg on the Siemens built Sapsan bullet train (4.5 hours).

The seats are allocated, very clean, comfortable, with luggage racks and lots of legroom. An attendant comes around with a refreshment trolley selling drinks and snacks. You may also pay a visit to the dining car. WiFi is available at a charge.

The trains can reach a speed of 250km/h, so sit back and enjoy the Russian countryside with farmland and wooden houses passing by your window.

Russian Christmas and New Year's Eve Gala events

A tour to Russia can also be an amazing experience in winter under a magical blanket of snow. One special event to consider is a New Year's Eve Gala event, which tourists are invited to attend.

This is an extravagant affair with horse drawn carriages, formal dress, champagne and exquisite food, as you mingle with dignitaries and Russian royalty.

See our Russian Tour testimonials

Credit: Aivar Pihelgas