Stories From the White House: Moscow and St. Petersburg
A 7 Day Land Program: Moscow and St. Petersburg
Travel Moscow and St. Petersburg with Former White House Chef Walter Scheib to experience the culture like a VIP, with privileged access to intriguing landmarks, rare collections and historical sites.
Along the way, Scheib offers insight on his years in the Clinton and Bush White Houses with behind-the-scenes stories of his experiences as the Executive Chef.
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| Be among the few ever allowed entrance into the Grand Kremlin Palace to view the Faceted Chamber, the Terem, home to the very earliest tsars, and the official residence of the Romanovs. |
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| Experience an unforgettable gala dinner event in Moscow featuring a menu designed and prepared by Chef Walter Scheib. |
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| Behold a forgotten gamut of treasures of the Tsars, ranging from the kitchen relics and world-class works of art, to royal carriages, original palace furniture, and imperial wardrobes in private storage chambers of the Hermitage Museum. |
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| Visit the vaults of the Treasury Rooms at Catherine Palace, where you will see the most precious pieces form the personal belongings of the Romanovs, as well as the Amber Room which features some of the most valuable objects that were saved before the Nazi occupation. |
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Price: From $6,450 per person, based on double occupancy with a single supplement of $2,950.
Price Details: 25% deposit is required to reserve. Second payment of 25% is due 6 months prior to traveling, with full payment required 3 months prior to departure. See Refund Policy below to learn how you can cancel for any reason and protect your trip investment.
Inclusions: Fare includes accommodations and meals; airport transfers; business class rail from St. Petersburg to Moscow; sightseeing with transportation and private guides; tour entrances and baggage services per itinerary. Events with Walter Scheib as described in itinerary and services of an AuthentEscapes escort throughout the program.
Exclusions: Fare does not include international air, meals not stated in itinerary, passport and visa fees, gratuities, spa treatments, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature.
Disclaimer: Fares quoted for this departure are subject to a minimum number of travelers. Activities, special guests, properties and itinerary are subject to change. We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect against injury, illness and unforeseen circumstances in the destination.
Stories From the White House: Moscow and St. Petersburg: Accommodations
The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
The façade of this new 11 storey building is reminiscent of the Russian classic époque and fits well into the historical setting of the Tverskaya Street and will offer a new standard of luxury and service for visitors to Moscow.
Peter Silling has recreated a classic interior reflecting the rich imperial style for which Russia was well known during the 19th century.
The hotel is centrally located and the striking architecture of the Roof Top
Lounge and terrace offers panoramic views of Red Square and the Kremlin. The contemporary structure of glass and steel promises a day light environment all year long.
The hotel features the largest rooms in the city decorated with red cherry woodand marble from Portugal and 1800 antiques that capture the feel of that era. Rooms offer the latest in technology. Bathrooms feature a separate rainfall shower, separate toilet and bidet, two sinks and a marble bath.
Superior Rooms included in this program feature over 450
square feet of space. The larger of these rooms offer up to 550 square feet in size – the largest standard guest rooms in Moscow. These rooms can either face a neighboring building or the quiet inner atrium. Choose one king or two double beds.
The Taleon Imperial Hotel, St. Petersburg
The Taleon Imperial Hotel is the only lodging in St. Petersburg providing accommodations in a czarist-era palace. Restored and modified by some of Russia's finest artistic talent, the hotel opened in May 2003 in time to celebrate the city's 300th anniversary. This boutique hotel features 80 exceptional rooms. Exeter International guests receive special attention and an in-room welcome amenity.
Room interiors combine the latest advances of modern technology with the grandeur and charm of past centuries, and the dining is rated as the city’s finest.
Superior Rooms featured in this program offer 330 square feet of space. Each comes with superior amenities, such as a King-size bed and hydro massage bath. Views may be of the resplendent Moika River, the airy hotel atrium, or the tranquil interior yard.
Stories From the White House: Moscow and St. Petersburg: Itinerary
Day 1: Wednesday, September 1 Moscow
Midday arrival into Moscow
Transfer to your hotel in the center of the city. On the way to your hotel, you will pass by sights of historical significance, including Tverskaya Street, the Bolshoi Theater, the Lubyanka KGB Building and the Kremlin.
Check in with the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 2: Thursday, September 2 Moscow [B]
Breakfast at your hotel
Half Day Tour: Stalin’s Bunker and Highlights of Moscow
Go inside the bunker where Staling was rumored to stay, preserved just as it was during Stalin’s time. Your onsite expert will give you a piercing insight into Soviet Russia, relating the history of the bunker’s origination and telling you stories about Stalin’s life and World War II.
After a break for lunch you will enjoy an overview city tour of Moscow that includes a stop at Sparrow Hills for the best views over the city and the highlights of Moscow, including the Russian White House, Arbat Street and the Moskva River. Tour the Novodevichy Convent, constructed in the 16th Century, which houses the Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk.
Evening is at leisure
Overnight The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 3: Friday, September 3 Moscow [B, D]
Breakfast at your hotel
Walking Tour of Moscow: The Kremlin
Go inside the Kremlin and through its expansive grounds, including the Assumption Cathedral, where all Russian tsars were crowned. Also tour the Armory Museum, including its vast collection of Imperial Russian artwork, and enjoy a private visit to the Diamond Vaults - one of the largest and most impressive in the world.
Continue onward to go inside the Grand Kremlin Palace proper, the Faceted Chamber and the ancient Terem. The ancient Terem was home to the very earliest tsars, and was the official residence of the Romanovs.
Please note that special permission and security clearance is required for this visit. Your passport details will need to be sent to Kremlin authorities at least one month prior to your visit.
Gala Dinner with Chef Walter Scheib
Overnight The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Day 4: Saturday, September 4th Moscow – St. Petersburg [B]
Breakfast at your hotel and enjoy the morning at leisure
Transfer to train station for 1pm Sapsan bullet train service to St. Petersburg
5:15pm arrival with overview tour en route to your hotel
Upon your arrival in St. Petersburg, you will pass by the famous Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great, the Strelka - the spit in the center of the Neva River, overlooking the Winter Palace, the first stock exchange, Peter Paul Fortress and dozens of stately palaces - and of course, the grand Nevsky Prospect, the main avenue of the city.
Private Opening of the Hermitage: Cocktail reception, concert and tour
Dinner at leisure
Overnight The Taleon Imperial Hotel
Day 5: Sunday, September 5 St. Petersburg [B, L]
Breakfast at your hotel
Morning tour of Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer palace
If the weather is nice you may take the express hydrofoil either to or from Peterhof. The one-hour ride takes you out of the city traffic and into the Baltic Sea.
Peterhof Palace is often called the Russian Versailles due to the prominence of the gardens and fountains. The view from the palace through the grand colonnade of fountains to the Baltic Sea is one of the true masterpieces of Russian artistry.
Enjoy lunch in the historic Orangery of Peterhof Palace
Later in the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive visit to The Maltese Chapel, part of the Vorontsov Palace, which was built by Rastrelli between 1749-57.
Return to your hotel with the remainder of the day on your own and dinner at leisure.
Overnight The Taleon Imperial Hotel
Day 6: Monday, September 6 St. Petersburg [B, D]
Breakfast at your hotel
Morning Tour: Catherine Palace and the Hermitage Museum
Drive through the Russian countryside to see Catherine Palace (formerly Pushkin) with privileged access into its fabled Amber Room workshops, where craftsmen rebuilt the famous amber panels lost in World War II.
While visiting Catherine Palace, you will be among few people ever invited to visit the Treasury Rooms of Catherine Palace, which include precious pieces from the personal belongings of the Romanovs that were confiscated after the events of 1917.
Continue onward for a private viewing of the Hermitage Museum’s storage chambers, which are closed to the public. The chambers hold a forgotten gamut of treasures ranging from the Tsar’s kitchen relics and world-class works of art, to royal carriages, original palace furniture, and imperial wardrobes.
On your way back into the city, your guide will also take you into the ornate Church on Spilled Blood on Canal Griboyedova, one of St. Petersburg’s most extraordinary buildings.
Farewell dinner in one of St. Petersburg’s most famous palaces
Overnight The Taleon Imperial Hotel
Day 7: Tuesday, September 7 St. Petersburg [B]
Breakfast at your hotel
Transfer to the airport for your international departing flight or continue onward for customized touring
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