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Reviews 2.7.

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Tour promoted as European Christmas markets

Tour was specifically promoted as European Christmas Markets, however, the dates of the tour did not coincide in the opening dates of most of the markets. That soured the entire aspect of the tour. When weather in connecting city caused cancellation of return flights which had been originally been made through Collette, Collette said they could do nothing to assist and dumped the problem in our laps.

Date of experience : November 25, 2023

Worst tour I have ever taken

Worst tour I have ever taken. We paid for an escorted tour but were essentially provided with a Bed and Breakfast. No guided tours in a the capital city of Lisbon on our 3 day stay. Limited admissions to other sites on the 16 day journey. Very poorly planned tour. Will never travel with them again. Do not use them...find another company

Date of experience : October 01, 2023

Not Worth The Hype And Money

I booked The Treasures Of Egypt tour for May and paid over $5000 as a single traveler minus the airfare. The experience got to a rough start when the person who arranged for my transfer to the hotel in Cairo failed to pick me up as we agreed. In fact, he did see me arrive and gave me the option to wait in the car or in the coffee shop, which I chose latter. After waiting for a couple of hours, the man never showed up and I had to look for him all over the area near the terminal entrance. After several attempts and with some help from a few strangers, I finally found him. The trip initially went well until midway when I caught a bad cold from some travelers who went on the trip despite being sick. They were coughing and were not masked. I was bedridden and was unable to see Abdul Simbel, the Sphinx, and most importantly, the interior of the Great Pyramid—my main reason for going on this trip. Worse of all, the tour director had us wake up as early as 3:00 in the morning and was very overprotective of me. Some of the travelers were rude to me and made jokes about me. The Galebeya party was not what I expected. Instead of folk entertainment by native dancers, it was only the travelers that provided the entertainment. When the tour ended, I had a very hard time getting home as the airline (a Middle Eastern carrier) I booked with banned me from traveling for being “a risk to my own health and safety” and it took me a couple of days before I was able go home on a Western carrier. If you ever decide to go to Egypt and take a tour, please do yourself a favor and book with another tour company, and if you do become sick BEFORE the trip, please do yourself and your fellow travelers a favor and stay home. That’s what travel insurance is for. You will save your fellow travelers and avoid the horrible agonies that I went through.

Date of experience : May 12, 2023

Toured London and Paris with Colette

Toured london and Paris with Colette.I booked and paid for a Louve tour and later told it was not available it was later refuned and I had to book on my own. I paid for airport tranport and no one was there to get me. I called the office and was told to take a taxi and Daniel our tour director would pay for it. We arrved at the hotel and Daniel did pay for the taxi. Not a very good start to a dream vacation.the hotel in London was quite nice. The hotel in Paris the Pullman the elevators would take 15 minutes to get down. There was no water in the room and it was 6 Euro per bottle. The elevator was stuck not on a floor with door partialy open for about 5 minutes. Be assured the rooms that they book do not have a view at all. We went to the Eiffel Tower for dinner and had the worst seat in the house. There was a handicap lift in front of us. We sat alone at a table just the 2 of us. I previously dined at the same restaurant as an individual with my husband and had a far better experience. It was quite evident at dinner the clients that were going on to another city had the best and only window seats. Due to the cost of this tour it was a bit disapppinting. I would say overall the experience rated a 3. My suggestion as an avid traveler do your research and ask questions in advance.

Date of experience : June 24, 2023

Dishonest practices!

Unreputable and dishonest! Deserves less than 1 star! I have previously been on 2 tours with Collette which were wonderful, but with my most recent experience with Collette, I will never give them another penny of my money. I booked in 2019 what would have been a lovely tour in Europe for 2020, which also included the Oberambergau Passion Play. Unfortunately due to Covid, the tour was rescheduled for 2022. By the spring of 2022, all the countries included in the tour had rescinded their requirement to receive the Covid "vaccine,"in order to enter their borders, however Collette was still requiring the injection in order to participate on their tour. I had checked with my travel company, (RCI) 9 months prior to the departure date to see when I needed to cancel the trip before inccurring a penalty. I was incorrectly told I had until 30 days before departure to cancel. Just after the 4 months to departure date, I recontacted RCI, and found that if I cancelled at that time, I would incur a 75% penalty. (Due to the inclusion of Oberambergau on the tour, Collette had imposed a high penalty for cancellation.) I spoke with my travel agency, (RCI), Collette, and my travel insurance company, (Generali) about this issue. Each entity pointed to one of the other entities to provide any recompense, but NONE took any responsobility. When I spoke with a high level rep at Collette, I was told they had inccurred a penalty regarding the Oberambergau portion "due to my cancellation," so they would not refund me any $$. IF they did have some sort of penalty, they did not lose a penny by my cancellation, as they RESOLD my spot, and at a HIGHER price. Despite the assertion of that high level rep that I spoke with, the spot I gave up WAS RESOLD; I know because I checked right BEFORE I spoke with her and again right AFTER. The tour was SOLD OUT for my travel date. Losing $7500 is a lot of $$ for me, but apparently Collette could care less how it treats its (now former) customers!

Date of experience : September 20, 2022

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The Scoop: What to Know About Collette

This award-winning tour company has been leading trips for more than a century..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Collette offered its first guided travel tour in 1918, a three-week trip aboard a jitney bus from Boston to Florida that cost just $68.50. Today the third-generation family-owned business leads more than 170 tours in a variety of styles to all seven continents.

The longest-running tour operator in North America, Collette is known for its comprehensive travel protection plan, flexible tour pacing, and strong relationships in the travel space.

BEST OF THE BEST: Best Guided Tour Companies

A sense of social responsibility guides the company’s actions in everything from tour planning to operations on the ground. Through the nonprofit Collette Foundation, it supports hunger and education initiatives around the world, and employees volunteer more than 4,500 hours of their time each year.

TourScoop Takeaways 

• Destinations: More than 170 tours on all seven continents
• Tour Size Average: The average group size for a Classic tour is 32 travelers; for Small Group Explorations, the group size averages 16.
• Tour Type: Small-group tours and cruises

How to Book

Travelers can book through Collette’s website , by calling 800-340-5158, or through a travel agent.

Credibility Check

Collette received golds in two categories (Best Escorted Tour Operator, US; and Best Escorted Tour Operator, Canada) at the 2023 Travvy Awards and won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award in 2023. It was also named Best Tour Operator for Domestic Escorted Tours and Best Tour Operator for Canadian Tours by Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards in 2022. Collette has a 4.7/5 rating on TravelStride based on more than 4,100 reviews.

Tour Destinations

Collette tours travel to all seven continents. The company has itineraries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia. Africa, and Antarctica.

DOING IT RIGHT: This Year’s Best Japan Tours

Collette offers tours in five different travel styles. Classic tours, the company’s original group-tour style, take in the sights and explore the cultures of destinations around the world, with an average of 32 people and maximum of 44 travelers. Small Group Explorations immerse travelers even further into a destination and travel with an average of 16 guests.

Spotlights tours feature a single hotel stay and itineraries that help travelers explore a city like a local. Faith tours travel to some of the world’s most historic religious sites and regions, and Cruising tours travel waterways like the Danube, Yangtze, and Nile Rivers. Private tours are also available for groups of 10 or more.

Tour descriptions include activity level rankings, ranging from 1 for leisurely paced experiences to 4 for highly active trips.

Tour Guides

Collette’s Tour Managers tend to make an impression on travelers. The highly trained local experts, some of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years, bring a destination’s history and culture to life and add their own insights and favorite spots to the experience for a more personal touch. 

What’s Included

Collette’s tour pricing includes accommodations, itinerary activities, and the majority of meals during a tour. 

What’s Not Included

Optional excursions, pre- or post-tour extensions, and airfare are not included in the tour price. However, travelers have the option to add those extras when booking a tour. Land prices also do not include transfers, visas, and gratuities.

EXPLAINER: How Much Should You Tip on a Guided Tour

Typical Travelers

Collette says its travelers are “typically experienced, yet curious travelers. They’re interested in getting beneath the surface and digging deeper into what a destination has to offer.” Children over the age of five may travel on Collette tours as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Communication

Collette Tour Managers reach out and introduce themselves to travelers prior to each departure and also provide a means of contact for travelers while they are on tour. A representative from Collette contacts travelers if there are any issues or changes with the departure. Guests can also log in to the Collette mobile app up to 45 days before departure.

Loyalty Program

The Collette Passport Club rewards travelers for every trip they take. After completing one or two tours with the company, travelers receive a 5% Loyalty Credit on their next Collette tour when completed within 12 months of their most recent tour departure date. After three or more completed tours, travelers also get a $100 credit toward the purchase of optional tour components on their next trip.

Sustainability Efforts

All of Collette’s Small Group Explorations tours are carbon neutral and include an “Impact Moment” where travelers might visit a local social enterprise, nonprofit, or cultural or environmental conservation group. Responsible travel is a priority, and Collette ensures its tours take things like animal welfare and the preservation of local communities into consideration.

Health and Safety Practices

Collette’s website provides travelers with information on travel alerts and travel requirements, and has a travel protection plan available for purchase.

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Updated by business owner over 3 months ago

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24 rue du Dr Bretonneau

37000 Tours

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• Anyone heard of C...

Anyone heard of Collette for tours.

We received a brochure from a company named Collette. They have a tour/cruise of Egypt that has great prices. Anyone know of this firm?

Yes, I have had brochures from them in the past, though have never travelled with them. An acquaintance regularly travels with them, and only has good things to say about them, most recently about a tour in the US. Katy

Collette is a family owned tour company based in the USA (with offices in other countries) that has been operating for many decades. Reputation is positive. Accommodation and meals are likely more moderate than the higher end Tauck tours company, for example (hence the prices you referenced).

Collette Tours is based in Rhode Island, USA. They have offices in other parts of the World too.

Collette is a third generation, family-owned company with offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

They have been around for eons. At times, they do mailers to certain demographic areas to amp up interest or business.

Here is a sample of their tours -

https://www.gocollette.com/en/find-your-tour#q/continentnames=Europe&currentPage=1&sortDirection=desc&sortBy=

History - https://www.gocollette.com/en/about-collette/collette-history

I've not done a Collette tour. I have done 11 Rick Steves tours and 10 Road Scholar tours with #11 coming up in October.

I looked at the Collette website and looked at the Italy tour just because that is what came up and because I'm not familiar with Egypt. What I see right away is that they have a number of "optional" tours which includes some of the good stuff you'd hope would be included on any tour. Price these out along with the base tour price to see what you will really be paying. Tour companies like Rick's and Road Scholar are very upfront with what they include on tours and don't have optional charges. We did have an option of a gondola ride in Venice when I took the 21 Best of Europe. The guide hired the number of gondolas needed plus musicians and we divided the cost and paid him back. I think it was 25 or 26E per person.

I did find an FAQ section as I was searching to see if tips for the guide are included. They are not. Here's what their verbiage says:

"The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges."

I think the going rate for tips for a guide is $5-7/day per person and $3-5/day per person for the bus driver. You'll also be responsible for tipping local guides (not sure, maybe a couple of Euro since you're in a big group?), housekeeping maybe a Euro a day. This will figure into your bottom line budget.

https://www.gocollette.com/en/collette-gives-you-more/faq#extras

I didn't explore the website enough to see what the normal group size is but take that into consideration.

Good luck with your search! I am not an expert on Egypt but this is not a country I'd go for the least expensive tour. I'd probably go as high end as you can manage just assuming they would have the best security in place.

I used to work in the travel industry. They have been around forever. My mom took one of their tours and enjoyed it.

As the others have mentioned, Collette has been around since 1918, so they've been offering tours for awhile. The reviews on this site seem generally good - https://www.tourradar.com/collette-vacations .

I've researched Collette in the past, but my impression is that their tours are structured somewhat like Trafalgar , with 50+ tour members in each group. I much prefer the "Rick Steves model" with smaller groups of about 30, but of course those tend to be a bit more expensive since there's fewer tour members to split the cost of a full size coach, tour guide, driver, etc.

I would recommend taking a look at Scenic USA for the Egypt tour. They are an Australian company with branches in the US. The Egypt tour is a small group tour (24 or 26 people). We have travelled with them twice (Cambodia/Vietnam and Egypt/Jordan) and have been very pleased. There are no hidden costs. Our tours included airfare, transfers, tips and the visa in Jordan. The group will mainly be Australian with some Americans. I wouldn’t go cheap on a tour to Egypt.

I have looked at Viking as well as Vantage World Travel (we have done 3 great cruises/tours with them). Also, some of the other big name river cruise lines. Going rate for a 10-11 day tour is a little less than $6000 pp. Scenic seems to be even more at $6,395. All seems to include five star hotels and I am sure quality tours. Some include airfare from NYC to Cairo.

I took a closer look at Collette's tours and the hotels that are included are what I would call 4.5 star. Not Hilton, but not far below. Perhaps their tours include a full tour bus instead of half a tour bus, but other than that, the differences are minor.

When Collette gets it done for about $2500, it is appealing.

I have already done Egypt (been there twice) and the second time did Cairo and that area again, then did the Nile river cruise. At the time (1985), most of the cruise ships were owned by hotels. The one that I did cost about $300 pp in a triple room. It was with the Marriott Hotel chain and we stayed in the Marriott in Cairo as well. The Hilton cruse was about 50 % more, but went to the same places. I agree that one doesn't want to do Egypt on the cheap. However, it appears that Collette is not cheap, just more moderately priced for a few reasons that don't seem problematic. My wife has never been to Egypt and I want her to enjoy the trip. It appears that Collette would fit our expectations.

You might also have a look at Insight Vacations as their tours feature smaller "Rick Steves" type groups (they actually remove some of the seats from the coach to make sure the group stays small).

Let me chime in since I used to work as a tour director and I'm familiar with Colette. (And I can counter some of the things the Rickniks have said.)

Collette is an excellent company with a very good reputation. Yes, they do try to fill a coach but that may not happen. Some sightseeing is included and some is optional which means you have the choice of doing that--for an extra fee--or doing something else on your own. You can get a list of these before you book to see what they cost or they may already be listed in your tour brochure. Tipping is not included but seriously, is it that earthshattering? The tour documents you get will suggest tipping amounts for your tour director and bus driver. The tour director will tell you the suggested tip amount for everything else. And remember, tipping is always optional. (On Rick Steves tours, all of this is included whether you like it or not.)

But since RS doesn't go to Egypt, I don't understand why it was even brought up. It's like someone asking for a recommendation of a Chinese restaurant and someone else responding saying they like Indian food. How does that help the person asking the question?

" But since RS doesn't go to Egypt, I don't understand why it was even brought up. It's like someone asking for a recommendation of a Chinese restaurant and someone else responding saying they like Indian food. How does that help the person asking the question? "

My word, Frank. I brought it up because if someone has never been on a tour then it is helpful if they understand "tour brochure language". By reading what is included on RS tours one can compare to other companies to see what they do and do not list. It doesn't matter if it's the same place but it's easy to pick out the differences comparing the brochure language in an Italy vs Italy tour.

If cost is a concern, then yes on a 13 day tour where you are with the guide and driver for maybe 12 of those days then $70 for the guide ($140 per couple) + $48 for the driver ($96 per couple) plus misc. tips can make a difference if a traveler is not expecting it.

From the extra info the OP added after I posted, it's clear they've done tours before and are experienced in the ways of tour brochure language so they'll know to have cash on hand.

I have only heard good things about Collette tours. As for Egypt, we went in February with Trafalgar Tours "Wonders of Ancient Egypt." The tour and guide were excellent. Yes, there were 39 people in our group, but we never felt like we were a "herd." Tips were not included in the VERY reasonable price, but we expected that, as tips usually aren't. I would recommend the tour we did of Egypt (2 nights Cairo, 7 nights on a cruise ship on the Nile, and 2 more nights in Cairo). All our accomodations were excellent, meals were superb (especially on our ship), and our guide not only discussed the history of Egypt, but gave us insights into the culture, the religions and the more recent history of Egypt. We all felt safe and I have to say the whole group was congenial and delightful to sightsee with. Some of us took the one optional tour to Abu Simbel (well worth it!) which entailed a round trip flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. That was about $300.00 pp extra, but our tour cost was in the very reasonable range, but not cut-rate. We checked out Insight, as we had toured Turkey with that company and liked it very much, but they only had pricier tours for Egypt (10-12 people). That group shared our boat for the cruise portion, and they all looked gloomy all the time. I do believe we had more fun, saw more, and liked each other better! We went at a good time of the year for the weather. Summer prices were less, but the weather is much hotter then. If you go to Egypt, have a great time. (And do some research before you go. You get more out of the trip.)

For an Egypt tour, look at Odysseys Unlimited. They offer two different tours there.

I often hear offers from Collette tours, in our area they work with groups to run essentially charter tours, likely their standard tour, but maybe the local TV Anchorman, Weather guy or Football Coach goes along and does the advertising to fill the tour. I may be wrong, but I got the impression that they probably have larger groups, try to hit the highlights in lots of places, and maybe more of a commodity experience (moderate hotels, moderate meals (if included))

I have not been on an organized tour, but I would make sure it fits your travel style. Though for Egypt, I would resort to a tour for safety reasons, and probably tolerate more imposition to my travel style than for a Europe trip.

Hi geo, I took a tour (solo) with Collette a few years ago, the Pacific Northwest and California. It really wasn’t a good fit for me. There were 2 large busses traveling together. Both busses were full with 2 people in each seat. We had assigned seats and sat next to the same person all week. At each stop, 100 people piled out of the busses to use the rest room.

With one exception the hotels were fine, we ate breakfast and a buffet dinner there. Lunches were not included. On one occasion, some of my tour-mates cleaned out the entire breakfast buffet and stuffed their purses full of muffins for lunch (no kidding).

The tour was basically a drive-by. We were told “Mount Hood is over that way. We don’t have time to stop but you can get a postcard at the gift shop.” I think we stopped at every gift shop between Seattle and San Francisco.

The travelers were 70+ years old, mostly women. Tips for the driver and guide were expected.

I would definitely use a tour company to see Egypt, but based on my experience, I can’t recommend Collette.

Collette also has a 'small group' division called Explorations. We wert to Italy with Explorations this Summer and there were only 9 of us on the tour - it was amazing and so easy to move from one place to the next. I now can't do a larger tour, as I think you lose the personalization. I think 19 is their max and I believe Rick Steves is 28 - much better than 40.

I have taken two Collette tours with my mother, who loves Collette. As others have said, it is a reputable company that has been in business forever. My thinking is that they are at their best with relatively inexperienced/insecure groups who live a long way from major airports. They work a lot with local organizations --- churches, chambers of commerce, banks, and such --- to arrange tours. A representative from Collette comes to the town several months before the tour and provides a seminar on what to expect, how to pack, and how to handle money --- basically, the same stuff that you would get from reading Rick Steve's travel tips. They provide transportation from your home town to the airport, which is a really big deal to my mother, who lives in a rural area. Basically, they take care of you from the time you leave home until you return from your trip.

I recall when I took my first trip with Collette, my mom and most of the tour group were flying out of one airport, and I was supposed to meet them in Atlanta. Well, their plane was delayed and they all missed the connection. I was the only person from the group on the flight to Rome. I was totally prepared to get public transportation from the airport to Termini and then walk to the hotel, but they took care of me and made sure that I got to the hotel. I didn't have to worry about a thing.

Also, because many of the tours are locally organized, you are often traveling with friends, which is another big deal for my widowed mom.

On the plus side:

Hotels are excellent and centrally located. The hotels were more or less on a par with the accommodations I have had on Smithsonian tours.

Food is excellent.

Tour guides are excellent.

They handle your luggage for you.

On the minus side:

There are a lot of add-on excursions and meals.

You need to budget for tips.

You will see the major sites, which is fine for a first time visitor, but you are not going to get an in depth cultural experience.

You will likely have more people than with a Rick Steves tour.

So, it all depends on what you want. For my mom, Collette is perfect. She doesn't have to worry about any logistics and can relax and enjoy the trip. For me, with easy access to a major airport and no problems navigating new places on my own, there's not as much of an advantage.

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Expertly Designed

We get it. You’re not the homebody type. We aren’t either. Your passion, needs, and desires have shaped our business. Destination experts hand-craft transformative experiences designed specifically with you – our fellow traveler – at heart. We wouldn't trust your experience with anyone else.

Guided Touring Reimagined

We know you want to explore and also dive in. We’re curious travelers, just like you, so rest assured, you’ll experience must-sees and connect with the people and culture that define the destination. You’ll eat in locals’ homes, take cooking classes, travel by trains and tuk tuks, explore cities with food tours, and stay in igloos, castles, and chateaus.

Value Beyond Price

Your time is one of your most precious commodities, so you should spend more of it in the destination, not driving between places. We design tours that spend the fewest hours on the coach. One-night stays are a rarity. This is your trip, and you shouldn’t feel rushed. With choice, flexibility, and free time, take it all in – this is your tour.

Confidently Collette

Travel with trust. Because this is your trip - something you've planned for and dreamed about. You should feel confident in your journey every step of the way.

Industry-Leading Travel Protection

Cancel for any reason (bad hair day applies) up to 24 hours before your tour leaves and get a full money-back refund. Collette issued a record-breaking $185 million cash back to travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experience & Expertise

We've been doing this for a long time. Since 1918, in fact. Collette is the most experienced and longest-running tour operator in North America. You choose...

Traveling Well

Our team is on the pulse of world events and protocols, so you are kept fully aware and feel well-prepared for your trip.

Service Rating

Independent

Why Guided Travel

You're a traveler with places to go. We'll take care of the details. You embrace the journey.

Social Connections

Meet a group of people who share your love of travel. Learn from locals. Forge friendships in the coolest places.

Independence

There's plenty of time built into our itineraries, plus optional tours, Choice on Tour excursions, and more. It's your trip, your way.

Expertly Planned

You know what you want to see and do - let a team of experts handle all the details from the must-sees to centrally-located accommodations and local lessons.

The Best Pacing

Don’t rush – this is your time to see the world. Get more time in the destination, and enjoy an ideal balance of included excursions and free time.

Our Best Moments

When you go, capture all those incredible moments, and use the hashtag #GoCollette so that we can share your joy!

Featured Tours

Collette travelers choose from 160 tours across all 7 continents, as well as 5 travel styles including small group touring and destination spotlights. Check out some trending tours for inspiration on your next adventure.

Explorations

A Taste of the Balkans featuring Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Slovenia

Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe featuring Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Krakow

Painted Canyons of the West featuring Utah’s Five National Parks

Flavors of Portugal & Spain: featuring Barcelona

Essence of France Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

Colors of Morocco

$7,199 pp* $7,499 pp.

Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water

$3,299 pp* $3,399 pp.

America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville

Discover Croatia, Slovenia and the Adriatic Coast

Historical greenbrier featuring washington d.c. & williamsburg, old world sicily & malta.

Spain's Costa del Sol & Madrid

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Golden Ring of Russia

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Best of Russia

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

Highlights of Russia

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

Best Moscow Tours by Duration

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Moscow Tours & Travel Guide

Moscow Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

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Red Square & Moscow City Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

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Russian Pub

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

Moscow is my home town even though I am not Russian. Was in Moscow for a very short business trip. I missed a lot good Russian soup and good Russian simple food... Found it there. Borsch freshly cooked, pilmeni hand made. Vodka not expensive. Excellent... location. Young and professional staff. Recommend! More

Thanks for the great rating.

We visited pub with my friend and it was a great experience. Very friendly manager and personal staff. They help us with order and we wasn’t disappointed. Food is very delicious and professional made . You can find range selection of beer and local wine... . By the way , local wine is really good . Very recommended More

Dear Vusala331, Thank you for the review. We highly appreciate feedbacks from our guests and are especially happy to hear such pleasant words from you. We wish you all the best and will be glad to see you again at the Russian Pub!

Pretty delicious Borsch soup, friendly and English speaking staff and reasonable prices! Russian Pub is an awesome place to try traditional food. The place is comfortable, centrally located and easy to find.

We went here for dinner on our last night in Moscow. Our server was nothing short of spectacular. Welcoming, friendly, and patient with our language gap. The food was terrific, the drinks were spot on, and the hospitality and ambiance was perfect. If we ate... here during our first night in Moscow, we probably would not have eaten anywhere else during the remainder of our stay. I highly recommend the Russian Pub as an excellent causal dining option in Moscow! More

The food was tasty and the pub style variations of traditional Russian food were fun. The hair that I found in my beef tartare did not add to the taste. They made a new one, but still charged me for it... The plate of pickle... vegetables is recommended. The local IPA on tap was also good. They need to work on service. More

Had a number of appetizers and mains.... they were all excellent. The mains consisted of pork knuckle (huge), Stroganoff Pie and Chicken Kiev. Were to full to try desserts! That is for tomorrow!!

We had a great time at the pub, that felt authentic and welcoming! The food (all of it from starters to dessert) was simply delicious, well presented and satisfying. Quantities are not excessive, but fine. We ordered a beef tartar, one of the best I... ever had, as a starter and 4 different main courses all delicious. I particularly liked the beef pie, butwould also suggest the cheeks with mashed celery and the desserts (anna pavlova is amazing). Would totally recommend!! More

Very good variety of food and beverages, with English menu. Prices are very reasonable too. The interior and ambience was nice too.

There was an excellent variety of Russian food and options for those who want to stick to something safer. There are bilingual Russian-English menus to help you order. Staff were friendly, with much thought being put into the decor of the restaurant. One of our... favourites during our time in Moscow! More

We loved our visit to this place. The staff were so friendly and hospitable, they couldn’t have done more for us. I am a Celiac so needed my meal to be Gluten Free, the staff were brilliant at making sure this was catered for. The... food was excellent, too. Couldn’t recommend this place more. More

We went to Russian Pub because it was close to our hotel and we read good reviews on tripadvisor. Its a very cool bar, with great lights and interiors. We ordered a russian stout beer, on the recommendations of the steward. Shifted to cider in... the next round as we didnt like it that much, different taste buds I guess! For the same reason, we found the Herring appetizer that we ordered just ok, but the dumplings were great! Our steward was very polite and spoke good english! Five stars for her! Overall, a great pub to hangout and to catch the local vibe! More

Great place to eat. The menu is sorta pub food an interesting Russian twist. The wild mushrooms were very good. I loved the three meat dumplings. The Anna Pavlova was superb. Great staff who talked with me and it a very enjoyable meal.

Easy to find and nice rustic decor with a modern touch. Great beers on tab. Menu is limited but I think there is something for everybody’s taste. Portions are large. I enjoyed a green salad with salmon and the stroganoff pie. Both dishes were very... good. Staff is super friendly. Very reasonable prices but beware this is cash only. More

We visited this place with small group of friends for a late lunch. They had English menus so by pointing at things we were able to order quite easily. Beers were good and so was the food. Good value for money, bit a way from... the expensive low quality touristic places. Would recommend even to my mum :) More

Thank you very much, we hope to see you and your friends again.

Very nice atmosphere, very good food and cocktails, super service. Central location. Strongly recommended.

Thanks for the recommendation, we are glad to see you again!

RUSSIAN PUB, Moscow - Boulevard Ring - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor