Experience Our Russia

Our customized, private insider tours of Russia feature our favorite places and experiences in the country.

Magnificent interiors...

Museums and palaces such as the Winter Palace, Catherine Palace, Peterhof, Yusupov Palace, the Hermitage, and the Russian Museum have gorgeous interiors featuring gold chandeliers, carved amber walls, mosaic floors, malachite columns and more.

Must experience...

A private boat ride on the Neva River in St. Petersburg gives a unique perspective on this city of waterways.

Favorite shopping...

Hand-painted lacquerware and trays, amber jewelry, fur hats, chess boards, matryoshka nesting dolls, cobalt blue Lomonosov porcelain, Faberge-style eggs, and decorative items made of gold and crystal.

Spectacular churches...

Discover frescoes, mosaics, onion domes and other highlights of Russian ecclesiastical architecture and design in expert-led private tours of spectacular buildings such as Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the cathedrals inside the Kremlin.

Unforgettable experience...

Seeing a ballet performance at the Mariinsky Theater, a St. Petersburg landmark for over 200 years, or the historic Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, home of the legendary Bolshoi Ballet.

Contemporary dining meets history...

At top restaurants such as Tsar in St. Petersburg and Cafe Pushkin in Moscow.

Favorite exclusive experience...

Taking private tours of the Treasure Gallery at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Diamond Fund inside the Kremlin in Moscow to see stunning gems, bejeweled imperial regalia, Scythian gold and more.

Kids love...

Playing in the kid-friendly fountains on the grounds of Peterhof, learning about Rasputin, lunch at Podvorye with folk performances and a log cabin atmosphere, visiting Gorky Park and encountering Russian history during touring.

Private excursions...

Explore historic palaces and gardens outside St. Petersburg, and venture to Sergiev Posad, a medieval town in the Golden Ring outside Moscow.

Most underrated museum...

The State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, where artworks from throughout Russian history are as beautiful as the rooms in which they are displayed.

Must try...

Authentic cuisine from former Soviet republics. Especially popular in Russia is Georgian cuisine, which includes dishes such as khachapuri, a type of flat or shaped bread topped with cheese and egg, and nigvziani badrijani, a dish of fried eggplant with walnut paste.

Friday night...

The Grand Hotel Europe’s historic dining room is at its most elegant Friday nights, when the restaurant hosts live ballet performances.

Unusual site...

The Park of Fallen Idols is a unique sculpture park in Moscow that displays statues of Socialist-era leaders such as Lenin and Stalin.

Favorite local drink...

Homemade kvass, a low-alcohol fermented drink made with bread and fruit. It’s especially refreshing on a warm day.

Fabulous Faberge...

Consider a private tour of the Faberge Museum to learn about these masterpieces of Russian artistry and see rare and exquisite Faberge eggs and other prized objects made in the Faberge workshop.

Winter wonderland...

Troika (horse-drawn sleigh) rides through sprawling parks are among the best ways to enjoy the snow that blankets Russia in winter.

Royal porcelain...

We can arrange tours of the Lomonosov Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg, which was established in the 18th century.

Consider...

Having us arrange a private visit to Stalin’s Bunker in Moscow, which was used as an emergency command center during World War II.

Local specialty...

Borscht is a very typical Russian dish served in many variations: hot, cold, and with roasted apples, smoked goose breast or other tasty additions.

For architecture lovers...

Moscow is home to a number of wonderful Art Nouveau and Art Deco structures and design, such as the beautiful Ryabushinsky House—where Maxim Gorky once lived—and the Moscow Metro stations.

Shop with the locals...

Marvel at the bounteous displays of caviar, salmon and other fine food items at Eliseevsky, Moscow’s most esteemed gourmet market. Or, visit a local market such as Dorogomilovsky or Kuznechny to see farmers and babushkas selling produce, honey and homemade smetana (sour cream).

For contemporary art lovers...

Artisans of Leisure can arrange tours of Moscow’s top art spaces, such as the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and the Winzavod Centre for Contemporary Art.

Nearby...

Consider combining a private tour of Russia with time in nearby Sweden, Denmark, Finland or the Baltic States.