19 days in Russia Itinerary

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

St. Petersburg is known for museums, historic sites, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The State Hermitage Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, take an in-depth tour of Peter and Paul Fortress, and examine the collection at The Kunstkamera.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the St. Petersburg day trip tool.

Nottingham, UK to St. Petersburg is an approximately 9-hour combination of train and flight. You can also do a combination of car and train; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Moscow Standard Time (MSK), which is usually a 3 hour difference. Expect colder weather when traveling from Nottingham in January: highs in St. Petersburg hover around -5°C, while lows dip to -10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Kostroma.

As part of Russia's Golden Ring of historical towns, the city of Kostroma is something of an open-air museum with ties to the Romanov dynasty.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Fri): examine the collection at Museum Istoricheskaya Syrovarnya, see the interesting displays at M. Malyshev's House Museum, then examine the collection at Peter Toy Museum, and finally examine the collection at Bread Museum. On the next day, experience rural life at Sumarokovskaya Elk Farm, then pause for some serene contemplation at The Resurrection Church on the Debra, then see the interesting displays at Dom Gorodskogo Golovy Botnikova Museum, and finally examine the collection at Sweets Museum Russkiye Slasti.

To see photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Kostroma trip website.

You can fly from St. Petersburg to Kostroma in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from St. Petersburg in January, with highs in Kostroma at -9°C and lows at -15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can drive to Vladimir.

The most visited destination in the Golden Ring circuit, the city of Vladimir is known for its remarkably preserved white-stone monuments, which have World Heritage status.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, make a trip to Fireman, see the interesting displays at Borodins' Blacksmith Shop, then see the interesting displays at Holy Assumption Cathedral, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedral of Saint Demetrius.

Make your Vladimir itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

Drive from Kostroma to Vladimir in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can take a train to Nizhny Novgorod.

Founded eight centuries ago at the confluence of the Volga and the Oka rivers, Nizhny Novgorod boasts over 600 historical, cultural, and architectural monuments.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevskiy, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of Nativity of Most Holy Mother of God, then admire the striking features of State Bank, then engage your brain at Museum of Old Equipment and Tools, and finally don't miss a visit to Bolshaia Pokrovskaia Street. On your second day here, appreciate the history behind Sculpture the Shoe Shiner, then step into the grandiose world of The Kremlin, and then get curious at Nizhniy Novgorod Radio Laboratory Museum of Science.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Nizhny Novgorod trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Vladimir to Nizhny Novgorod by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Nizhny Novgorod are -8°C, while nighttime lows are -15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to fly to Kazan.

The heart of Tatar culture, Kazan carries the epithet of the "Third Capital of Russia" because of its rich history and thriving economy.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Wed): see the interesting displays at Konstantin Vasiliev Museum, take a stroll through Bauman Street (Kazansky Arbat), then steep yourself in history at Kazan Kremlin, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kul Sharif Mosque, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Gallery-Workshop of Zaitsev. Here are some ideas for day two: pause for some photo ops at Sculpture Composition Doveriye, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Annunciation Cathedral, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum "Tatarskaya Sloboda".

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Kazan trip planner.

Getting from Nizhny Novgorod to Kazan by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around -10°C in January, and nighttime lows around -17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) early enough to fly to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

Step out of Moscow to go to Krasnogorsk and see Ski Stadium Zorkiy, which is approximately 38 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Red Square, learn about all things military at Armoury Chamber, examine the collection at Bulgakov's House Museum-Theater, and stroll around Patriarch's Pond.

To find photos, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Moscow trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Kazan to Moscow by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Moscow when traveling from Kazan in February, with lows around -7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Kaliningrad.

A city of science and philosophy, cosmopolitan Kaliningrad once served as a cultural hub of Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.

On the 7th (Tue), don't miss a visit to Kurshskaya Kosa. On your second day here, step aboard Research vessel "Vityaz", examine the collection at B-413 Submarine Museum, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Konigsberg Cathedral.

For reviews, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Kaliningrad road trip planning website.

Traveling by flight from Moscow to Kaliningrad takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Moscow to Kaliningrad. Traveling from Moscow in February, things will get a bit warmer in Kaliningrad: highs are around 2°C and lows about -3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can travel back home.