Cultural & Theme Tours in Russia

If you've already done some more general tours of Moscow, zoom in on a more focused aspect of Russian culture on this Leo Tolstoy-themed guided tour. Explore places connected to Tolstoy's great novel War and Peace, as well as his former residences, which still hold his personal possessions.

Tolstoy's War and Peace or Anna Karenina might be impenetrable to many, but his Khamovniki country estate is wide open to the public. Take this literary walking tour and ramble upon the same paths he once did; contemplate existence in his garden; or just get a bit of exercise while exploring his sprawling and perfectly preserved 9,340 square-meter "country" estate. Tolstoy lived here with his family from 1882 to 1901, but if you seldom visit Moscow, then don't miss a rare chance to see how their literary lion lived and worked.

If you have already seen Moscow's top sights, embark on this tour to discover a side to the city missed by many visitors. In a small group, learn about the world of Moscow merchants and their traditional way of life that has lasted for centuries. Visit houses and buildings associated with these merchants, including the State Tretyakov art gallery.

Discover the secrets and stories of Russia's 18th- and 19th-century imperial rulers on a private, 4-hour tour of the Peterhof Grand Palace and Park. With an early admission ticket to beat the main crowds and knowledgeable private guide beside you, explore the UNESCO-listed palace, designed by Peter the Great in the early 1700s. Ogle showpieces including the Throne Room, and stroll around the spectacular gardens. Admire the Lower Park's golden Grand Cascade fountains and treasures such as Peter's Dutch-style Monplaisir summer palace and other imperial flights of fancy.

Not many tours take you privately to the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics and the VDNKh. This Russian private tour does, and takes just you and your group, so you can get the attention from your guide you'd like. Hear about the US-Russian Space Race, the Cold War, and other events. Perfect for families - you'll see space suits and life-sized rockets kids love. Plus, your tour comes with included transport by Metro.

This tour will show you the beauty of Moscow at night. Many of the streets, buildings, and monuments of the city are lit up beautifully at night, and your local guide will show you some of the best spots. Avoid getting lost at night with a guide. You'll have the chance to take attractive photos and get a feel for the atmosphere of the city at night, once Muscovites are relaxed and having fun.

Immerse yourself in the religious history of Russia on this full-day tour to the Sergiev Posad Monastery from Moscow. With round-trip transportation included, you skip the need to rent a car and can relax and enjoy the ride. Once there, explore with your guide to gain a full understanding of Russia's spiritual and religious history, learning much more through guided commentary than you would simply exploring on your own.

Most tours that go to the Moscow Kremlin can be overcrowded. This private tour takes just you and your group of up to six to see the city's attractions, so you can get personalized attention from your guide along the way. See Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and Moscow Kremlin, and learn about the history of each. Plus, your guide meets your group right at your hotel for added convenience.

Receive a guided tour of one of the world's largest art museums and enjoy the personalized attention that comes with a small-group. Spend 4 hours seeing some of the Hermitage's most iconic and lesser-known-but-equally-significant artworks. Admire pieces by da Vinci, van Gogh, Monet and Goya and explore each of the museum's main buildings, including the marvelously mint-colored Winter Palace. Your knowledgable guide will provide the perfect overview of the Hermitage's vast collection and its many halls. 

Delve into one of St. Petersburg's must-sees on a private 3-hour tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral. Experience the daily firing of the fortress' cannon, and visit the cathedral, set within the walls. View the church's interior, home to the tombs of the Romanov tsars; learn about the dynasty's history, and see the bell tower and gold-needle spire. Plus, admire the city panoramas from Vasilievsky Island. Upgrade to included entrance fees.

Witness the grandeur of Peterhof inside and out on a private 5-hour tour from St Petersburg. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle to the estate, enjoy priority access, and awe at the extravagant interiors and gardens with an art-historian guide. Admire showpieces such as the Throne Room and Ballroom as you hear how Peter the Great designed the palace in the early 1700s. Stroll through the Upper Garden and fountain-studded Lower Park; and view highlights such as Peter's original Monplaisir palace. Finish with a relaxing, scenic boat ride back to St Petersburg.

See the sights and tap into St. Petersburg's cuisine and lifestyle on this bit-of-everything 4-hour private food and culture walking tour. Stroll the handsome streets to see attractions including the State Hermitage and Church on Spilled Blood, and visit traditional eateries to try popular local dishes. Sample specialities like 'borscht' soup, beer-like 'kvass,' and more as you hear about Russian culture and customs. Pre-set menus, and hotel pickup and drop-off on foot included.

Visit Arbat, Moscow's most famous pedestrian street, in the company of a guide who can point out the most historic sites, as well as the best cafes still serving delicious fare. This tour also takes you off the beaten path and down some of Arbat's side streets to discover some of Moscow's lesser-known histories.

Spend the day learning about Russia's fascinating art history while touring the Tretyakov Art Gallery and Muzeon Art Park. Go beyond the famous Russian artists of Kandinsky, Chagall, and Malevich that appeared in the 20th century and see works from the 10th to the 19th centuries. Discover over 700 Soviet sculptures by notable communist artists at the Muzeon Art Park and how Russia has changed in the last 20 years.

Take a drive through St. Petersburg and discover two of its biggest landmarks on a private tour to Peter and Paul Fortress and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. You'll learn about the history of the city - considered the cultural center of Russia - from its founding in 1703 to more modern times.

First-time visitors to Moscow shouldn't miss the Kremlin and Red Square. See these famous sights while learning about their history and significance in Russia on a private tour. You'll receive personalized attention from your guide, and the ability to set your own pace, so this tour is ideal for travelers with varying interests and abilities.

Develop a greater understanding of Moscow's Jewish heritage on this private, 4-hour walking tour. See landmark sites like the Moscow Choral Synagogue, the primary synagogue in Russia and the former Soviet Union, and the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center, the largest Jewish museum in the world and the most high-tech museum in Russia. All entrance fees plus a local hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

The Moscow Metro is famous for its elaborate decorations and beautiful artworks. On this tour of the underground transportation system you'll learn about Russian culture, art, history, technology and more, all in one convenient trip. Your local guide will be able to point out details that you might miss if you were traveling by yourself. This is a fun way to travel around Moscow while learning about the city.

Rewind to the last centuries of imperial Russia on a private 3-hour tour of St. Petersburg's Yusupov Palace. Owned by the aristocratic Yusupov family from the 1800s, the palace was a residence of the 19th- and early 20th-century Prince Felix Yusupov. Explore the private apartments and other chambers as you uncover the Yusupov's and palace's history, including how Rasputin was murdered here in 1916. Entrance fees and hotel pickup and drop-off on foot included.

See another side of St. Petersburg, which was known as Leningrad for much of the 20th century, on this tour that focuses on sites related to the Siege of Leningrad during Word War II. As you visit memorial locations and battlefields, you'll hear about the events and effects of the siege, one of the most destructive in history, during which hundreds of thousands of citizens died from air raids, starvation, and more between 1941 and 1944.