White Nights Adventure

Itinerary

Days 1-3 St Petersburg

The adventure begins in imperial St Petersburg, a grand city built as Russia's 'window to the west'. During White Nights when the sun almost never sets the city comes alive day and night with people strolling along the river banks, promenading the historic centre and boating around the extensive system of canals. This is indeed Russia's cultural capital, home to one of the world's greatest art museums, the Hermitage.

Days 4-6 Kem/Solovki

The Solovetsky Archipelago (Solovki) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated on the White Sea and consisting of many islands it was home to one of the biggest monasteries in the world until the 19th century when it began to be used as a place of exile for political and religious figures. During Soviet times Solovki became one of the most feared GULAGs in the USSR. Today it is once again a centre of pilgrimage and visitors are attracted by its isolation, natural beauty and incredible historical significance for the Russian people.

Days 7-8 Arkhangelsk

We continue north to Arkhangelsk, a tidy city on the Dvina River near the White Sea which was Russia's only point of access to the sea before the creation of St Petersburg. This was the place where the White Army fled during the revolution and where Russia received allied aid during WW2.

Day 9 Kargopol

One of the oldest towns in Northern Russia, Kargopol still retains much of it's traditional character with wooden houses lining the neat streets and ornamental churches dating back to the 16th century. The region is also famous for folk art especially clay figurines and patchwork.

Days 10-12 Kenozero National Park

Considered to be an open air musuem of Northern Russian nature and cultural heritage, Kenozero National Park stretches through the territory of some 1392 sq km. Its hilly landscape is covered with virgin forests and lakes with numerous bays and white sandy beaches lined with charming ancient wooden villages where we will base ourselves to explore the tranquil surroundings

Days 13-15 Moscow

Our adventure finishes with a bang in Moscow, the vibrant capital of Russia. It was here that much of the country's history has been formed and places such as the Kremlin and Red Square are reason alone for a visit. It's a fitting place to celebrate the diversity of this incredible country that we've just experienced with a final Russian feast and maybe even a night at the ballet.