With three decades of experience leading travelers into Western Russia, the team at MIR Corporation is proven when it comes to insider itineraries. The aptly named Insider’s Russia adventure begins in Moscow with an exploration of the city’s amazingly extravagant metro stations, followed by a tour of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior beneath its golden dome, and a leisurely sampling of Russia’s world-renowned Cristall Vodka. Tour the historic Kitay-gorod neighborhood and the stately halls of Moscow State University, then visit the 800-year-old Kremlin and stroll Red Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While in Moscow, tour participants also take in a performance at one of the city’s outstanding theaters, and are dinner guests in the home of a local family.

Next, a high-speed train journey delivers participants to St. Petersburg for the second half of the trip. A stroll along the Nevsky Prospekt is a must, along with a climb to the pinnacle of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Enjoy a cruise down a canal while sipping Champagne, settle in for a lecture on the city’s social and political development, and attend a ballet master class. An evening spent enjoying a theater performance is also included, along with a visit to Peter the Great’s royal dacha, Peterhof. At the Peter and Paul Fortress — the city’s earliest structure — you’ll discover a secret passageway. Enjoy a stunning collection of Russian art at the Russian Museum. Before you pack for home, there’s also a trip to enjoy a home-cooked Russian meal at a privately owned dacha. Tour dates are Sept. 15–25, with prices beginning at $5,095 per person.