Russian visa registration – farewell to frustration & faff

As you might have read in the Travel Press, IntouristUK has sliced through the red tape, harnessing the latest cool technology to save you timewasting tedium. Now you can register your visa directly from your office or apartment in Russia, without ever going near an OVIR office or sitting in a straggling queue.

The whole thing works smoothly – you simply photograph your Immigration Form (the one they stamped at Passport Control) and send it by MMS to us. (For you advanced people with scanners, yes, you can use them too). Your completed Registration pops-up in your email inbox for you to print-out.. and it all conforms to local rules, the perfect antidote for inquisitive cops. “Old hands” will already know this, but registering your visa is a local legal requirement – hotels will do it for you, but if your stay is based on a rented apartment, or you are visiting an industrial site, or with friends, the only legal route (until now!) was a visit to a Police Station (OVIR) with all your documents… and often a second visit if they didn’t like your documents the first time around.

The price for the service is £50 including official legal fees – surely worth saving the entire day your OVIR visit would take? And you can’t put a price on comfort, convenience, and reassurance! This special service is available to all world travellers visiting Russia – even if your travel didn’t originate from the UK. IntouristUK are the only agency offering this service!

Russian business visa turnaround time – halved!

Now that the “chill” in Anglo-Russian relations is over, more and more business travellers will be looking to make the most of the opportunities on offer in Russia. IntouristUK is at the forefront as ever, with services tailored very directly to what every business traveller wants – controlling cost, and eliminating wasted time!

Russian business visa turnaround time – halved!

There’s no need to pay through the nose for a faster turnaround time for Business Visas, now that IntouristUK is offering a Express invitation + processing time of just 14 calendar days from Invitation Application to departure-date. Compared to other companies offering the same service in 27 days, this isn’t just faster – it’s better value too, since they’ll surcharge you for a 14-day turnaround.

IntouristUK takes the sting out of travelling to Russia, offering a one-stop service for the entire visa process. But for those already holding Invitation documents from their Russian business partners, IntouristUK will happily do the spadework of the application process, and charge you only for the parts of the service that you need.

Baltics, Helsinki & St. Petersburg Tour: Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Finland-Russia

This fabulous tour allows you to visit five countries in ten days! From Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to Finland and Russia you are sure to embrace new cultures and ways of life on a daily basis. Travel to Riga where you can find beautiful palaces and gardens built in the early 1700’s. From Riga you travel to Vilnius which is known for the beauty and history that embody the Old Town, you are sure to make the most of this fantastic city as you take a walking tour that allows you to admire the unique architecture and churches that stand in the city. Tallinn is also known for its colourful history and striking architecture, to get to grips with this fantastic town you can take an exciting walking tour. Helsinki is the next destination on the tour and it is a thriving metropolis to be admired. Its culture is influenced by both East and West and this can be seen from its inhabitants and the city itself. The final destination on the tour is Russia’s former capital, St Petersburg. This is a city rich in history, spurring from its foundation in the 1700’s. Also known as the Venice of the North this city has so much to offer travellers in the way of its architecture and major tourist attractions such as the Hermitage, Pushkin Palace and the beautiful Peterhof and grounds.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Economy class return flights from London Heathrow, including airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges
• Flight from Vilnius to Tallinn
• Ferry ticket from Tallinn to Helsinki
• Second class train ticket from Helsinki to St Petersburg
• Arrival and departure airport/ train station transfers
• Chosen hotel accommodation based on 2 sharing a twin/double with private en-suite facilities
• Excursions as per itinerary
• Services of an English speaking guide

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Regional UK Flights
• Russian Visas
• Optional Excursions

Day 1	You arrive in Riga and transfer to your hotel where you can spend the night.
Day 2	Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a walking city tour of Riga. This tour leads you down the cobbled streets of the Old Town where you can see a variety of architecture including gothic, baroque, classic and art nouveau. Further explore the city as you please with a free afternoon.
Day 3	Have breakfast in your hotel before continuing your travels to Vilnius. At this point you also have the chance to take an optional private transfer to Vilnius which includes a tour of Rundale Palace. This spectacular palace dates back to 1736 and all 138 rooms are now open for public viewing. Upon arrival in Riga you transfer to your chosen hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 4	On day four enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a walking city tour of Vilnius. This tour allows you to appreciate all of the historical architecture in Vilnius and allows you to get up close and personal with the city. Vilnius is well known for its beautiful churches including St Peter and Pauls and St Anne’s. Enjoy a free afternoon in Vilnius and spend the night at your hotel.
Day 5	Following breakfast at your hotel transfer to the airport for your flight to Tallinn. Upon arrival in Tallinn you transfer to your hotel.
Day 6	Wake up with breakfast in your hotel before going on a walking city tour of Tallinn. This tour begins in the town of Toompea where there is much architecture and beauty to be admired. From here you will see the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Dome Church. Spend some free time exploring Tallinn before spending the night in your hotel.
Day 7	Breakfast is provided at your hotel in Tallinn before you transfer to the pier for departure to Helsinki. Upon arrival in Helsinki you transfer your hotel. From here you can enjoy a walking city sightseeing tour with an English speaking guide who walks and talks you through some beautiful sights such as Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, South Harbour and Senate Square.
Day 8	From Helsinki transfer to St Petersburg by rail (after morning meal). Upon arrival to St Petersburg you are transferred to your hotel. Spend some free time in St Petersburg or entertain yourself with an optional excursion.
Day 9	Today you have some free time to enjoy sightseeing or you can enjoy an optional excursion.
Day 10	Your trip comes to an end here as you are transferred to the airport.

Epic "White Nights" Train Tour of Northern Russia

An incredible 7,000km journey during the Russian "White Nights" travelling from Moscow to Imperial St Petersburg and onto Murmansk, inside the Arctic Circle. Followers of rail travel will delight to the sight and sound and the re-creation of a bygone era of rail travel combined with modern-day onboard facilities and comfortable accommodation on this unique voyage.

Day 1	MOSCOW Flight arrivals into Moscow and transfer to the 5 star Hilton Leningradskaya hotel (or similar) for a one-night stay. We enjoy a welcome reception dinner at our hotel and meet your fellow travellers.
Day 2	MOSCOW We transfer this morning to Moscow’s Yaroslavski station to join our private sleeping car train that will be our home for the next 14 days. There will be a welcome reception and introduction to the train staff in the bar car, followed by dinner, as we depart eastwards towards Yaroslavl; Be warned, there will not be many hours of darkness in the next two weeks as this is the time of year the Russians call "White Nights".
Day 3	KUNGOR & YEKATERINBURG Kungor, located in the Urals, is famous for its Ice Caves which date back some 12,000 years. One of the biggest caves in the world, the network of 100 grottoes and 60 lakes are connected by nearly 6 kilometres of underground passages. Late evening we continue our journey towards Yekaterinburg. Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great, the third largest Russian city is also the capital of the Urals. The cultural and architectural influences of European and Asian civilisations come together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape. Our short city tour takes us to the poignant site where the Romanov, Nicholas II of Russia was executed with his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Now a church dedicated to their memory, this site provides us with a powerful insight into the turmoil of the Russian Revolution.
Day 4	KALINO This morning we arrive in the town of Kalino where we take the opportunity to visit the preserved Perm-36 Gulag and Museum in nearby Kutchino. Here was the site of one of the harshest Soviet Gulag prison camps for political opponents during the communist Soviet period, only closing in 1990. Perm-36.
Day 5	VELIKIY USTYUG In Slav culture the traditional character of Ded Moroz plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal English translation of the name is Father Frost. We will visit the official residence of Ded Moroz which is located close to the town of Velikiy Ustyug, as well as touring the once important and beautiful city on the bank of the Sukhona River.
Day 6	VORKUTA In the afternoon we arrive in the coal-mining town of Vortuka which is the location for one of the more notorious forced labour camps of the Gulag which was established in 1932 and remained open until the 1980s.
Day 7	LABITNANGI From Labitnangi we cross the River Ob to prosperous and modern Salekhard for a tour of the town. It is believed to be the only town in the world that is located right on the Polar Circle. After leaving Labitnangi, we make a stop in the mid-afternoon at the Europe/Asia Monument.
Day 8	KOTLAS Kotlas is a town in the south of Arkhangelsk Oblast, situated at the confluence of the Northern Dvina and Vychegda Rivers. Kotlas is an important river port as the Northern Dvina is one of the largest and most important waterways of the northern European portion of Russia. It flows 462 miles (744 km) in a generally northwesterly direction and enters the Dvina inlet of the White Sea.
Day 9	ARKHANGEL We spend the day touring Arkhangel, a town located on the banks of the White Sea that was the chief seaport of medieval Russia. On our city tour we will have the opportunity to visit the British and American Arctic Convoy War Graves and the Wooden Architecture Museum.
Day 10	SOLOVETSKY ISLAND After arriving early morning into Kem we transfer to a small boat bound for Solovetsky Monastery on Solovetsky Island in the White Sea. The Island is also infamous for its "Special Purpose Camp" set up by Stalin and is the location used as the basis for Solzhenitzyn’s Gulag Archipelago. Late this evening, in daylight, we will cross the Arctic Circle as we head to the most northerly point on the journey.
Day 11	NIKEL MURMANSK & MURMANSK Mid-morning we will arrive at Nikel, on the border with Norway. The station is close to the Nikel smelting plant which in part has caused the devastation to the surrounding countryside that will have been evident for the 20 miles before our arrival. An eerie place but has been one of the highlights of our previous tours. Early evening we will arrive in Murmansk for a city tour and a visit to the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship.
Day 12	ON BOARD A leisurely day onboard our private train as we return south from the Arctic Circle.
Day 13	PAVLOVSK & ST PETERSBURG After breakfast we alight in Pavlovsk and visit Catherine’s Summer Palace in Pushkin, including a visit to the Amber Room. Lunch at the Podvorye Restaurant (a typical Russian Log House) after which we continue to St Petersburg hauled by Russia’s oldest working steam locomotive Ov. 324 built in 1905. There is an afternoon tour of the city of St Petersburg incorporating a visit to the Imperial Waiting Room at Vitebski and an optional visit to the Railway Museum before we rejoin the train for dinner.
Day 14	NOVGOROD & PSKOV In the morning we tour Novgorod, one of the oldest towns in Russia, with its five-domed Cathedral before continuing to Pskov with its ancient and well restored centre on the Latvian border and in whose station Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on 15th March 1915.
Day 15	MOSCOW Our final morning on the train sees us travelling down the St Petersburg - Moscow mainline with a before we arrive at Moscow Leningradski station and transfer to the 5 star Marriott Aurora Hotel (or similar) located in the centre of the city. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before the tour farewell dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 16	MOSCOW Breakfast in the hotel brings the tour to a close and airport transfers are provided for departing flights.

* This itinerary is provisional

5-day Kiev guided sightseeing tour

Kiev is the picturesque capital of Ukraine and is located on the banks of the Dnieper River. Its rich history and hospitable inhabitants are sure to add to the elegance of this exciting holiday destination. Another fantastic feature of Kiev is the mass of greenery and beautiful scenery that epitomises this glorious metropolis. The many parks and beautiful landscapes that adorn this spectacular city are sure to provide lasting memories for years to come. This tour gives you the chance to explore Kiev on foot, so you are sure to see many spectacular sights and feel as though you are a part of the action as you unravel the history behind this enigmatic city. You also have the opportunity to visit St Sophia’s Cathedral which is one of Kiev’s most famous landmarks with its intricate mosaics and frescos, many of which date back to the 11th century. This tour takes you to the historical Lavra Cave Monastery which spreads over the hills located on the banks of the Dnieper River.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Economy class return flights from London Heathrow, including airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges
• B&B accommodation in the hotel of your choice based on 2 sharing a twin/double with private en-suite facilities
• Arrival and departure airport/ train station private transfers
• Excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• Full day excursion to Chernihiv

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Optional excursions
• Regional flight connections

Contact us for excellent rates and service on the above additions to your tour!

Day 1	Arrive in Kiev and transfer to your chosen hotel. On the way there you have the opportunity to learn more about Kiev with a Panoramic City Tour.
Day 2	Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a sightseeing adventure by foot. On this walking tour you visit the spectacular St Sophia’s Cathedral, this architectural structure never fails to impress tourists from around the world. From here you move on to visit St Michael’s Golden Domed Cathedral which is steeped in rich history and has survived multiple attacks. See the St. Volodymyr monument while viewing the beauty of the Dnieper River. Indulge in a spot of souvenir shopping as you take a walk down Andriyivsky Uzviz where you can find many unique trinkets and treasures. The tour then moves on to view St Andrews Church where the beautiful baroque turrets seem to dominate the skyline. You then have the option to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and explore the city for yourself.
Day 3	Enjoy a hearty breakfast in your hotel before beginning your day with an exciting tour of the Lavra Cave Monastery. In order to get to the caves it is recommended that you take local transport. Once you have arrived you are able to travel down into the caves where you can find mummified monks in their caskets! Before entering these caves it is customary to purchase a candle so that you can light your own path, this also adds to the mystery and excitement of the tour! From here your tour takes you to the Museum of Historical Treasures and Jewellery of Ukraine. The exhibit features treasures dating back many centuries and from a range of eras. There are also optional excursions available for this day including a trip to the Museum of Folk Architecture and Habitat of Ukraine. There is also the option to try traditional Ukrainian cuisine at the restaurant Tsarske Selo before exploring Lavra independently.
Day 4	Enjoy another morning meal in your hotel before starting your journey to Chernihiv. On route stop in Kozelets where you can find the Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral. This beautiful cathedral dominates the skyline and makes its mark on the town of Kozelets. Continue your journey to Chernihiv where, upon arrival, you embark on a city tour. This city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its array of historical churches. Chernihiv is a small city with an impressive number of churches, some even dating back to the 11th century! From here you have the option of enjoying lunch at one of the local restaurants before returning to Kiev.
Day 5	Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before spending some free time in Kiev. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

St. Petersburg package tour: a taste of Russian elegance

NOW HALF BOARD WITH FULL PACK OF EXCURSIONS!

A trip to St Petersburg is a taste of true Russian elegance. The former capital has everything from the world renowned Hermitage with its hidden treasures to the impressive Pushkin Palace, one of the most striking palaces in Europe. This five day trip allows you to embrace the best of St Petersburg and is sure to spark the desire to come back for more!

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Economy class return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow, including airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges
• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• 4 nights Half Board accommodation based on 2 sharing a twin / double room
• City Sightseeing tour of St Petersburg
• All other excursions as outlined in the Itinerary
• Services of an Intourist English speaking guide

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Russian Visa
• Regional UK flight connections

Contact us for excellent rates and service on the above additions to your tour!

Day 1	FLY TO ST PETERSBURG You have arrived in the beautiful St Petersburg. You are transferred to the hotel Moskva and your exciting journey can begin!
Day 2	ST PETERSBURG Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and allow yourself to be swept into the culture and grace that epitomises St Petersburg. Some of the sights that are included are Nevsky prospect, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Admiralty and Peter and Paul’s Fortress.
Day 3	ST PETERSBURG Visit the magnificent Hermitage and view the dozens of halls packed with wonderful artefacts. Take a trip to the impressive Peter and Paul Fortress. Enjoy your penultimate evening in the picturesque city at leisure.
Day 4	ST PETERSBURG Take a trip to the Pushkin Palace, also known as Catherine’s Summer Palace, named after Catherine the Great. Let its beauty soak in – this is regarded to be one of the most striking and extravagant palaces in the continent!
Day 5	FLY TO UK After experiencing all things magnificent that St Petersburg has to offer, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

If you would prefer to travel more independently to St Petersburg or have a slightly different itinerary in mind, please contact us for your own personalized tailor made quote.

Free upgrade: Moscow-St.Petersburg river cruise

One of the most appealing ways to appreciate the beauty of the endless landscape of Russia, along with the exquisite charm of her cities, is to take a Russian River Cruise.
The route from Moscow to St Petersburg captures the best of these two Russian Giants as well as almost everything in between.
This is one of our popular routes and the itinerary for Moscow to St Petersburg is as follows:
Moscow • Uglich • Yaroslavl • Goritsy • Kizhi • St Petersburg

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Economy class return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow
• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• Accommodation in twin berth cabin with private en-suite facilities
• Full board each day (from evening dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12)
• Welcome Cocktail and Captain’s Farewell Dinner
• All shore excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• Services of English speaking guides
• Airport departure taxes, fuel surcharges and port taxes

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Russian Visa
• Regional flight connections

Contact us for excellent rates and service on the above additions to your tour!

This tour also operates in reverse with an 11 day / 10 night itinerary, with one night less in St Petersburg.

Moscow – St Petersburg (12 days / 11 nights)

Day 1-3	FLY LONDON-MOSCOW Transfer from the airport to your vessel. Enjoy a guided City Tour of Moscow by coach. Visit the famous Kremlin and one Cathedral, with lunch in the city included. Exact itinerary will be given upon arrival. Dinner on Day 1, and 3 meals daily included.
Day 4	UGLICH Visit the ancient Russian town Uglich, founded in 1148 it contains some of Russia’s most striking churches. On the walking city tour visit the territory of the Kremlin, St. Dmitry on the Blood Church, and the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Day 5	YAROSLAVL Visit Yaroslavl, one of Russia’s oldest and best-known provincial cities. Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is located along Russia’s "Golden Ring". During the coach and walking tour you have the chance to explore Yaroslavl’s ancient history and architecture including visits to the Church of Epiphany and Church of St Elijah the Prophet with its icons and frescoes from the 17th century. Visit the local market (free time), or enjoy an Interactive tour of the former Governor’s House which is now an art gallery.
Day 6	GORITSY Visit Goritsy, a tiny settlement where the largest Russian Orthodox monastery of the Russian North, the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake, is located. Also enjoy the museum of icons.
Day 7	KIZHI* Visit the entrancing island of Kizhi. The island is located at the northern end of Lake Onega. Here you can see the Open Air Museum of Wooden Architecture, where you will be able to gain an insight into Russian history and view collections sourced from all over Russia. The Church of Transfiguration with its 22 domes, all built without a single nail, is the ultimate in Russian church architecture. The Kizhi museum is one of the most interesting cultural sights in Northern Russia, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. *except May 04 – May 15 when this day is spent on board.
Day 8	MANDROGUI You can enjoy some time outdoors in the beautiful surroundings of Mandrogui. Here you can find several masterpieces of wooden architecture. Meet the villagers as they present a special programme designed to demonstrate their traditions and culture. There is also a museum of Russian Vodka in Remeslennaya Sloboda, where tourists can learn about the history of Russian vodka production. Enjoy walks along the village and through the forest until late in the afternoon, when your amazing journey continues. Enjoy a picnic lunch of traditional Russian shashlik (shish kebab) which is served buffet style ashore. Tonight enjoy a magnificent Farewell Gala dinner on board of the ship.
Day 9	ST PETERSBURG Enjoy a guided coach tour of St. Petersburg. See what St. Petersburg has to offer, including the Peter & Paul Fortress and the Church of Christ’s Resurrection (The Saviour of the Blood). Visit the historic Peter and Paul Fortress which dates back to 1703 and the construction of St Petersburg. Visit the sacred Peter and Paul Cathedral which contains the tombs of the Romanov monarchs.
Day 10	ST PETERSBURG Enjoy a visit to one of the world’s most famous museums, the Hermitage, housed in the former Winter Palace. From the 1760s onwards, the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tsars. Magnificently located on the bank of the river Neva, this Baroque style palace is one of the major attractions of St. Petersburg. The museum contains a vast collection of Western Art, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and many other great artists.
Day 11	ST PETERSBURG Visit the suburbs of St Petersburg and one of the most magnificent summer palaces in the world. The Peterhof is a palace, fountain and park complex, and an outstanding landmark of Russian art and culture of the 18-19th centuries. Founded by Emperor Peter the Great, this was the official royal summer residence.
Day 12	ST PETERSBURG Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

St Petersburg – Moscow (11 days / 10 nights)

Day 1-3	ST PETERSBURG Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy as city tour by bus where you can view many spectacular sights that St Petersburg has to offer. Also pay a visit to the Peter and Paul fortress, and the worlds famous Hermitage museum.
Day 4	MANDROGUI Enjoy a picnic lunch of traditional Russian shashlik (shish kebab) which is served buffet style ashore. Today you also have some free time to relax and explore the beautiful Mandrogui with walks through the village and forest.
Day 5	KIZHI Visit the entrancing island of Kizhi. The island is located at the northern end of Lake Onega. Here you can see the Open Air Museum of Wooden Architecture, where you will be able to gain an insight into Russian history and view collections sourced from all over Russia.
Day 6	GORITSY Visit Goritsy, a tiny settlement where the largest Russian Orthodox monastery of the Russian North, the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake, is located. Also enjoy the museum of icons.
Day 7	YAROSLAVL Enjoy a city tour of Yaroslavl by bus. Visit a local market and spend your free time as you wish. Later visit the Church of Elijah the Prophet, with an Interactive tour of former Governor’s House which is now an art gallery!
Day 8	UGLICH Visit the ancient Russian town Uglich, founded in 1148 it contains some of Russia’s most striking churches. On the walking city tour visit the territory of the Kremlin, St. Dmitry on the Blood Church, and the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Day 9-11	MOSCOW Take a city tour by bus and take in Russia’s intriguing capital! Visit the famous Kremlin and one of the spectacular Cathedrals. Your trip comes to an end here as you are transferred to the airport.