Brisbane to Singapore (Changi) in business class on Singapore Airlines SQ236 (an Airbus A330-300) departing 2:45 p.m. on an 8 hour 5 minute flight. We are scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 8:50 p.m. We have a couple of hours at the airport before continuing.

Singapore to Seoul (Korea) in business class on Singapore Airlines SQ602 (an Airbus A330-300) departing 11:55 p.m. on an 6 hour 25 minute flight. We are scheduled to arrive in Seoul at 7:20 a.m. Thursday 5 August.

Overnight in Seoul.

We commence a 15 day Trans Siberian Express journey west across Russia, from Vladivostok to Moscow by luxury private train on the Golden Eagle. This U.K. Russian joint venture private train was launched on 26 April 2007 with considerable press coverage.

Sandra and Neville Wallis, founders and managing directors of Travelrite International Tours will be leading this Trans Siberian Railways Vladivostok to Moscow tour.

Seoul to Vladivostok on Korean Airlines flight KE985 departing 8:45 a.m. for a 2 hour 20 minute flight, arriving at 1:05 p.m.

Arrive at Vladivostok airport, where you will be met and transferred to the centrally located four-star Hotel Hyundai. We will enjoy a welcome reception dinner at our hotel, whilst you meet your fellow travellers and anticipate the epic 15 day voyage that lies ahead.

Today we spend the morning in Vladivostok. This once ‘closed’ Russian port now offers visitors an exciting opportunity to unravel its mysteries as we explore its principal military attractions including a tour of a restored submarine before boarding the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express during the afternoon. After settling into our modern, stylish cabins, we enjoy dinner in one of the beautifully designed restaurant cars as our rail adventure westwards to Moscow begins.

We pass directly north of Seoul, Darwin and Osaka as the most easterly point of our mammoth journey is reached, passing through Khabarovsk, where we cross the River Amur. Enjoying the peaceful pace on board our train, we have the choice of attending one of the lectures and lessons on offer including Russian language, relaxing with a DVD, or viewing the beautiful scenery as we travel through this vast country.

Our journey today follows the Shilka and Amur rivers, close to the Chinese border. Enjoy Russia at its most beautiful and remote, as the landscape unfolds outside your window. Or you may like to attend one of the absorbing lectures or Russian language lessons.

A morning arrival in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic. A fascinating change of people and faces greet us as we tour the area and travel by coach to the Village of Old Believers. We have time to learn about the local culture and history of these unique people as we are treated to a traditional meal and enjoy a concert featuring local dancers and musicians.

Today our journey takes us into Mongolia and we visit the capital, Ulaan Baatar. Passing the central monument to the legendary ruler, Genghis Khan, we visit the National Museum. Lunch allows us time to experience local hospitality and entertainment at its best as we eat in a Ger (Yurt) restaurant. A Ger is a traditional tent dwelling, used by approximately a third of this nomadic nation. This afternoon there is free time for shopping or an optional visit to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. We board the train in time for dinner as we head back into Russia.

Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal. For five hours we wind our way through tunnels along cliff hugging tracks above the lake with a vista of snow capped peaks along the far shore. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and holds 20% of the world’s freshwater. Also known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’ it is home to a unique breed of freshwater seal and over fifty species of fish including omul which we will be serving in the dining car for some of our meals. Weather permitting, we stop at one of Baikal’s picturesque and secluded bays to enjoy a delicious BBQ including freshly smoked fish prepared by our own chefs. For the brave hearted, there is even time for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters before we visit Listvyanka, a small Baikal settlement nestling at the base of the surrounding hills.

We arrive in Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, and our visit today takes in the most significant sites and museums in this fascinating city, including an exploration of the classic wooden architecture that has given many of this region’s buildings such a distinctive and unique appearance. Next, we visit the Decembrist House museum which is dedicated to the memory of the exiled aristocrats who were forced to flee to this remote outpost after the failed revolution of 1825. Here we enjoy a private concert before returning to our waiting train for dinner.

A day to unwind and reflect on the many sights and sounds we have experienced on our journey so far. Chat to your fellow passengers, perhaps learn a few more words of Russian or simply enjoy the ever changing landscape outside your window.

A modern ‘Soviet’ city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s rich culture where the arts, science and literature predominate. Our city tour takes us to the Opera House. An architectural marvel, it houses two permanent ballet and opera companies and is the largest opera house in the world. In front of the Opera House, we visit an imposing statue of Lenin – a marvellous opportunity to have your photograph taken with this iconic political leader. Visit the Academgorodok minerals museum at this “Academy Town”, the heart of education and science within Siberia.

Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great, Yekaterinburg is the third largest Russian city and the capital of the Urals. The cultural and architectural influences of European and Asian civilisations come together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape. Our city tour takes us to the poignant site where the Romanov, Nicholas II of Russia was executed with his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Now a church dedicated to their memory, this site provides us with a powerful insight into the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. We cross the Europe/Asia divide after we leave Yekaterinburg.

We spend our last full day on board the Golden Eagle today. We arrive at the picturesque and historic city of Kazan by mid-morning. Situated on the River Volga, Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan. Here we have the opportunity to see for ourselves its rich tapestry of history and culture. One of the highlights of this city tour is our exploration of the Kremlin Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of this ancient citadel we will explore its stunning mosque and magnificent onion-domed cathedral.

After travelling over an amazing 10,600km along this epic route to the end of the Trans-Siberian line, we arrive in Moscow. Our city tour of Moscow principally takes us to Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might. Here we see an eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral with its magnificent onion-domed spires, the grandeur of The Kremlin and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb. We see St Basil’s cathedral, and in the Kremlin we visit the museum, where we see the Russian collection of Farbegé eggs before we transfer to our hotel, the fantastic centrally located, Hotel Metropole. a fantastic art Noveau-style luxury hotel that was first opened in 1901. it is opposite the Bolshoi Ballet and is a three-minute walk to Red Square

This morning we tour some of the modern parts of Moscow, in contrast to the historical city, to see what has been happening over the past few years – you will be amazed! The afternoon will be free.

Today we travel out to the Golden Ring town of Suzdal. Suzdal is so well-preserved that you will think you have travelled back to the time of medieval Russia. First mentioned in 1024, it became a wealthy monastic centre in the 16th century. Wealthy merchants paid for thirty charming little churches in the 16th and 17th centuries. We have a tour of the historic Kremlin and the savior monastery of st Euthymius and have time to explore the picturesque streets of this beautiful town. This evening there will be an included dinner to celebrate our time in Moscow.

This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to St Petersburg. St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, was made the capital of Russia in 1712 and is perhaps the most spectacular city in Russia. it is known for its canals and intact centre of 18th-century buildings. On arrival we have a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the oldest building in St Petersburg. Originally built as a fortress to defend against the Swedes, it contains the cathedral of SS Peter and Paul where most of the Russian Tsars from Peter the Great are buried, including the last tsar Nicholas ii and his family. We will have a boat tour of the canals of st Petersburg and see the beautiful city from the water. We will then transfer to our hotel, the fabulous five star Kempinski Hotel, Moika 22. The hotel is housed in a St Petersburg mansion, designed by Basil von Witte in 1853. The classical façade of the building has been faithfully retained, while the interior has been entirely reconstructed and decorated with antiques of the period. it has views of the Hermitage and is two minutes walk from Nevsky Prospect.

This morning we visit the famous Hermitage. Originally the winter palace of the tsars, it is now one of the great galleries of the world. The afternoon will be free for individual exploration of St Petersburg.

Today we travel to the town of Pushkin where we visit the Catherine Palace. Famed as the location of the Amber Room that disappeared during WWII, we visit the palace and see the reconstructed Amber room, that was only completed in the last few years. We then visit the nearby Alexander Palace that was once home to the last tsar Nicholas II. In the afternoon we visit the Summer Palace at Petroverts which is renowned for its spectacular fountains. We return to the hotel and this evening we will enjoy our final night dinner to celebrate our exploration of Russia from Vladivostok to St Petersburg.

There will be time for some last minute shopping before we are transferred to the airport for our flights back to Australia, or elsewhere, if staying on in Europe. Moscow (Domodedova) to Singapore (Changi) in business class on Singapore Airlines SQ61 (a Boeing 777-300ER) departing 3:20 p.m. on an 10 hour 25 minute flight. We are scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 5:45 a.m. Thursday 26 August.

Singapore to Brisbane in business class on Singapore Airlines SQ245 (an Airbus A330-300) departing 9:55 a.m. on an 7 hour 35 minute flight. We are scheduled to arrive in Brisbane at 7:30 p.m.