Six of the Best in Russia

LONDON, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

COX & KINGS' PICK OF MOSCOW AND ST PETERSBURG

With new EasyJet flights to Moscow launching in the spring, and Cox & Kings reporting an ever increasing demand for its Russia tours, the luxury operator suggests its pick of the best in the two most popular cities.

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Go to the ballet or opera

Opera and ballet have been performed in the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Mariinsky (formally the Russian State Kirov) in St Petersburg for centuries. Classics including Giselle, Tosca and Romeo and Juliet have all been brought to life, and new works from Russian and western composers have been showcased.

Wander Red Square and the Kremlin

No visit to Moscow is complete without a walk around the famous Red Square but don't miss St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, the Kremlin or the majestic Armoury Museum, which houses state carriages from Catherine the Great's era and a fabulous collection of Carl Fabergé eggs.

Palaces of St Petersburg

Explore the Palace of Pushkin, also known as the Summer Palace or Tsarskoe Selo. Built in 1717, this opulent architectural masterpiece houses the staterooms of Catherine the Great and offers a glimpse into how the Imperial family lived and ruled the country. Overlooking the Gulf of Finland, the Palace of Petrodvorets or Peterhof, can be reached either by land or hydrofoil and is visually impressive, with over 300 fountains in its landscaped gardens.

The Hermitage, St Petersburg

Unrivalled in its opulence, the Hermitage is one of the world's largest art galleries. Comprising of six separate buildings, the 'Winter Palace' has a fabulous collection of European masterpieces coupled with the best of Russian avant-garde painters and sculptors. Hire a guide and you can easily spend a day wandering through the galleries.

The Trans-Siberian Express

Crossing the expanse of Russia, from Moscow to Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Express travels 9,000 kilometres, passing through eight time zones and 80 towns and cities. Highlights of the journey include Kazan and the Unesco-protected Kremlin, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, the site of the Romanov's last days and Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake.

Golden ring towns

The golden ring towns, close to Moscow, offer an insight into the country's history, with beautiful Orthodox churches, imposing Kremlins and rural villages. The small town of Sergiev Posad is one of Russia's holiest towns, built around one of the country's most important religious landmarks: the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius. The two cathedrals of Trinity and Assumption contain some of Russia's most ornate frescos and icons.

Cox & Kings arranges escorted and private luxury holidays to more than 100 countries around the world.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20^th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18^th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.

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SOURCE Cox & Kings