Moscow & St. Petersburg are currently trending as one of the top corporate travel incentive destinations. Airfares are cheap and visa processes have been streamlined for corporate MICE travel.



Moscow, founded in the twelfth century at the crossroads of two rivers, the Moskva and Neglinnaya, has had an eventful history, to say the least. Referred to as a ‘capital of excess’ by Russians, the city is juxtaposed between tradition and modernity.

The intent of incentive travel has always been to motivate people and we’ve noticed that awardees tend to remember and savour trips to destinations steeped in history, culture and exclusive experiences much longer. And when people ask your attendees, ‘Why did you go to Russia?’ they will say, ‘Our company took us there.’ That’s ROI.”

Aeroflot operates direct flights from New Delhi to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) (getting in early in the morning) and one can take a one hop flight from all other major Indian cities. One should also explore flight options to the other airports viz., Moscow Domodedovo Mikhail Lomonosov Airport (DME) & Vnukovo Airport (VKO).

Unless you’re keen to consider travelling to Russia in the winter to experience the wintery landscapes that Moscow and St. Petersburg are famous for, our recommendation is to stick to the summer months (May, June, July and (only if you must) August).

Indian citizens may apply for an e-visa. The price is approximately USD 52. It is valid for 60 days from the date of issue but the duration of stay is 16 days. Click here to be redirected for more information on visas to enter Russia.

ITINERARY

Here’s our recommendation for a 5 nights / 6 days itinerary combining Moscow & St. Petersburg.
One could crunch it down to 4 nights / 5 days if it’s a purely leisure incentive.
This is an ideal itinerary for travel incentives for employees, dealers, distributors and doctors.

DAY 1

Once you arrive at your hotel, you’re welcomed with the ‘Bread and Salt Ceremony’ – one of the oldest Russian traditions. One is greeted by young women in traditional costumes with a loaf of bread placed on a rushnik (embroidered napkin).

If you have any business conferences or strategy and review meetings, we would recommend you get them out of the way on day 1. This evening, you could also consider hosting your awards ceremony or gala dinner. Another blog we’ve written can be a helpful guide on how to organise an awesome awards ceremony .

A great venue to consider hosting your gala dinner would be aboard a boat while cruising the Moscow river and taking in the sights.
salt and bread ceremony russia

Bread and Salt Ceremony

DAY 2

This day, after a sumptuous breakfast buffet at the hotel, we’ll take you out on the city to showcase all the sights and experiences Moscow city is famous for.

We start with a panoramic tour covering some famous sights such as the Novo-Devichiy Convent, Moscow State University, Triumphal Arch, Memorial complex of Victory on the Poklonnaya Gora, ending with a stop at Vorobyovy (Sparrow) Hills, a hill on the right bank of the Moskva River and one of the highest points in Moscow, rising 85m. above the river. The observation platform here gives a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

We will also drive by Stalins’ Seven Sisters (a group of seven skyscrapers referred to by local Muscovites as Stalinskie Vysotki meaning Stalin's high-rises). We will also visit some of Moscow’s most interesting metro stations.

We take a break for lunch. There are enough and more Indian restaurants in Moscow, so you won’t miss your favourite daal – chawal!

Dedicate the afternoon to visiting the Kremlin Museum Complex with its many cathedrals and armoury, and finally ending at St. Basil’s Cathedral on the Red Square.

This evening, consider a pub crawl - guided by experts, participants go from one bar to another, meet other tourists, play funny games and contests, get bonuses and cocktails in bars. All the bars are located close to each other, maximum 5 min. walk.

DAY 3

Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre Pavilion

Or, one can visit the Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre Pavilion dedicated to space exploration. The museum contains a wide variety of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits and models which explore the history of flight; astronomy; space exploration; space technology; and space in the arts. The museum's collection holds approximately 85,000 different items. Click here to check out their website.

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Russia Tourism

Or, one can visit the Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre Pavilion dedicated to space exploration. The museum contains a wide variety of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits and models which explore the history of flight; astronomy; space exploration; space technology; and space in the arts. The museum's collection holds approximately 85,000 different items. Click here to check out their website.

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Russia Tourism

Or, visit a Russian bathhouse (banya). It's an important Russian tradition and Russians, especially aged 40+, go at least once a week. Have a hot steam, followed by a good whipping with birch branches. The benefits you'll receive afterward will help you to understand why Russians are loyal to their banya.

Izmaylovo Kremlin



Or, one can indulge in some retail therapy. The place to go would be Izmaylovsky Market - a one-stop souvenir venue with hundreds of vendors selling everything from matryoshka dolls to fur hats to lacquer boxes to expensive jewellery. The ground level is where souvenirs are sold.

After lunch, we catch a high speed train to St. Petersburg. These ‘Sapsan’ trains have daily departures from Moscow at 06:45, 07:00, 13:30, 13:45, 15:00, 19:25, and 19:45.

We get to our hotel in St. Petersburg and give everyone the evening off to recoup, revitalise and reenergise!

 

DAY 4

We start, this morning, acquainting you with the various important sights of St. Petersburg such as St. Isaac Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Hermitage Museum (also called the Winter Palace) on Palace Square and Peter and Paul Fortress.

You could consider hosting your gala dinner on this evening too. Although, we would suggest a banquet hall or a private restaurant to host this event as opposed to a boat cruise or open air venue specifically because of the White Nights phenomenon.

White Nights: From late May to early July the nights are bright in St. Petersburg, with the brightest period, the White Nights, normally lasting from June 11th to July 2nd. The White Nights (Beliye Nochi) are a curious phenomenon caused by St. Petersburg's very northerly geographical location. St. Petersburg stands at such high latitude that the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark. In fact night becomes curiously indistinguishable from day!

DAY 5

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Russia Tourism

The Catherine Palace

There’s still more to see and do in St. Petersburg and her neighbouring environs.

About 30 kms., 45 mins. away, lies the town of Pushkin famous for the Catherine Palace, a summer residence of the tsars, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms and decorative bronze sculptures.

This is, easily, a half day excursion.

Time for some retail therapy, upon our return to St. Petersburg, in the afternoon.

The best place to go for souvenirs to take back home is Souvenirs Fair located behind the Church of the Saviour on the Spilt Blood. 

One can lay their hands on a huge variety of cheap souvenirs from Matroyshka dolls to Soviet Memorabilia.

DAY 6

After a lazy breakfast, time to head to the airport for a flight to Moscow and then onwards to New Delhi.

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Write to us and tell us about your event. When you work with us, we assign a dedicated event manager to understand your objectives and help create a compelling event proposal.

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    CORPORATE MICE AGENCY

    [meetings, incentives, conferences, events]

    Our expertise lies in strategically designing and executing performance-oriented Travel Incentive Rewards for Channel Partners, Dealers, Distributors, and Employees. Moreover, we possess extensive proficiency in planning and managing Team Retreats, Away Days, Employee Off-sites, Team Building Events, and Media FAM Trips.

     
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    TRAVEL SERVICES

    Complex flight itineraries, group visa applications, travel insurance, forex? We've got you covered!
    Expert Travel & Event Management in Moscow & St. Petersburg

    HOTEL SELECTION

    Over the years, we've developed a keen knack for selecting the most appropriate hotel at the most competitive price.
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    SIGHTSEEING & EXCURSIONS

    We're a company born from the passion of a team of explorers. We've seen most of the world and now, we'd love to show you around!
    Expert Travel & Event Management in Moscow & St. Petersburg

    CONFERENCES & CONVENTIONS

    Our team will conceptualise effective business themes and content around your key messaging objectives to help achieve your desired business outcomes.
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    TEAM ENGAGEMENT

    No incentive program is complete without the right mix of team engagement activities. We curate local, destination specific activities.
    Expert Travel & Event Management in Moscow & St. Petersburg

    GALA AWARDS CEREMONY

    A perfect culmination — sharing the success of your organisation, at an exclusive celebratory event, with those that have made it all possible!