Russia is one of the major super powers of the 20th Century, and any modern visitor might be struck by the thought that bigger truly is better.  The largest country in the world for land mass, Russia is home to an incredible number of gargantuan structures and boasts a long history of impressive feats.  OLTA Travel, Tour Company of the Year, has been featured in the 2015 Luxury Travel Guide – European Edition.
 
OLTA Travel
 
OLTA Travel is a Russian DMC offering the full spectrum of services in Russia and CIS.  Their professional team is ready to meet your expectations regarding the organisation of conferences, gala events and incentive programmes, business and leisure trips.   OLTA Travel will help you to create unforgettable and exciting itineraries for every individual and group, introducing each client to the surprising delights that Russia has to offer. 
 
With OLTA Travel you can experience the following activities:
· Spy Game / City rally
· Star City visit (including meeting a cosmonaut or self-training on the cosmonaut simulators)
· Special programmes in the Hermitage
· Visit of the Ballet School plus backstage access
· Exclusive visits of Russian museums
· Master classes including matryoshka (Russian dolls) and cooking
· Ice Check In
· Troika riding and Russian banya (sauna)
 
Whether you want your clients to attend an Imperial reception in one of the magnificent palaces of St.  Petersburg or discover the space in the Space Museum and the Baikonur launch site – OLTA can fulfil your brief.  They provide advantageous conditions for their partners in order to develop long-lasting and mutually profitable relations.
 
Moscow
 
Moscow is the northernmost mega city on Earth, the most populous city in Europe, and the fifth largest city proper in the world.  Moscow has played host to many events and regimes throughout its eventful history, including the 1980 Olympic Games, the reign of Joseph Stalin and served as the base for the Soviet Union.  It was first declared a capital city in the early 14^th Century and after a brief reprise – which saw St Petersburg reign for 115 years – it was reinstated in 1918.  Some of the most popular landmarks of Moscow include St.  Basil’s Cathedral, the Red Square and the imposing form of the Kremlin.
 
Soviet Moscow

At the height of the Soviet Union, the borders of the Russian Empire engulfed more than half of Europe and fell just short of reaching the size of North America.  The hub of all activity stemmed from its capital, Moscow, and the city is still littered with the remains of this fallen giant of a regime. 
 
The best way to learn about the history of the Soviet Union is a visit to the Kremlin.  This domineering building was home to the government for almost 100 years, though since the collapse of the empire the building has served as a public museum housing various historical, cultural and artistic monuments and artefacts.
 
The Kremlin may be the most iconic building of the Soviet Union, but it is the KGB who have been propelled into the Hall of Infamy.  The famous and fearsome spy network was once considered to be the world’s most effective information-gathering organisation, and its secret police force caused widespread terror and distrust.  Their former headquarters in Lubyanka Square (downtown Moscow) has opened its doors as museum, where visitors can also undertake a guided tour of the former Bolshevik prisons.
 
Spy Games in the Streets of Moscow (Soviet Russia)

Inspired by a visit to the KGB Museum, participants will begin the thrilling experience with a brief from a KGB officer and receive their mission.  Players must covertly take to the streets and decipher a map in order to reach safety; solve interesting and challenging riddles and collect hints along the way to reveal the location of your final destination – Stalin’s Bunker – whilst avoiding detection and capture. 
 
Star City
 
The Cold War was a state of military tension between the Soviet Union and the Western Block, a decades-long conflict that also sparked the ‘Space Race’ in the 1950s.  Although it was eventually ‘won’ by NASA when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in 1969, the Russian space and science programme continues to be one of the best in the world today.
 
A particular highlight of any trip to Moscow is a visit to Star City.  Since its launch in 1960, it has served as Russia’s international centre for cosmonaut training, and guided tours, detailing the meticulous training regime and dedication to modern scientists, provide a fun and engaging activity for the whole family.  During your exploration of the Space Museum, visitors will also have the chance to visit the Hydro-Space Laboratory; unleash your inner cosmonaut and experience the conditions of weightlessness in the HydroLab training rooms. 
 
Visit to Star City
 
With OLTA Travel, visitors have the unique possibility to visit the closed territory of the Star City.  During this in-depth excursion guests will gain an unprecedented view of the simulators for training of cosmonauts, the centrifuge, the Hydrolaboratory, the museum, and of course the replicas of the “Mir” orbital station and spacecraft “Soyuz”.  Additionally, visitors can experience the weightless conditions aboard the IL-76 and experience G-force on the CF-18 centrifuge.  Special interest tours of the Hydrolaboratory on the territory of the Cosmonaut Training Centre can be arranged. 
  
St. Petersburg
 
The city of St. Petersburg thoroughly deserves its title as the Venice of the North – although when you consider that it boasts more canals and bridges than its Italian counterpart, the claim can be made that in fact, Venice is the St. Petersburg of the South.  The magnificent Imperial heart of Russian culture still echoes with the unique atmosphere of its aristocratic past; attractions such as the Church of the Saviour on Blood, the Winter Palace and the Heritage Museum resound with mystery and genteel intrigue.
 
Sheremetev Palace
 
For a glittering glimpse of life as it was for the Russian gentry, visit Sheremetev Palace.  Also known as ‘the Fountain House’, this beautiful Baroque building on the Fontaka River Embankment was the home to generations of one of Russia’s most prominent families, subsequently becoming a centre of culture in St.  Petersburg.
 
The palace is rich in artistic heritage.  Anna Akhmatova, one of Russia’s leading poets, once resided here and subsequently the palace became a beacon for prominent composers, musicians and actors who staged elaborate concerts and plays within the grounds.  Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev even went on to marry one of the leading stars in an opera performed at his family seat during the 18^th Century.
 
Today this rich history is reflected in the current use of the palace.  The Fountain House is part of the
State Museum of Theatre and Musical Art, which has represented the cultural life of the country for over 150 years.  The vast collection of manuscripts, theatre props and set models on display in the palace will allow you to explore the inner workings of the theatre and imagine the legendary drama and musical pieces that are sadly no longer being produced.
 
Sheremetev Palace
 
It is possible to arrange a special opening of the museum (in the evening after closing of the museum) and make an exclusive visit to the Parade Hall of the Sheremetev Palace, accompanied by the life music played by professional artists from Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Society.  An exclusive Gala Dinner can also be organised for you and your guests in one of the halls of the palace.
 
Krasin
 
Built in England in 1917 for the Russian Empire, the iconic icebreaker “Krasin” has distinguished herself as a rescue ship, exploration vessel, armed wartime escort and a pathfinder on the Northern Maritime Route.  While it was used during the First World War, it was not considered an invaluable asset until later in her life.  During the Second World War, this 440 foot long vessel cleared the way for Allied convoys bringing strategic supplies, arms and ammunition to the Soviet Union.
 
Despite its age, the Krasin is still in good working order and eminently seaworthy, but after undergoing extensive restoration work it has now become a floating museum which displays some of the ship’s equipment and details its participation in various rescue operations, convoys and research expeditions.
 
Explore the Icebreaker
 
OLTA Travel can arrange an exclusive visit of the ice-breaker for a delightful evening experience.  After exploring the worthy vessel, you and your guests can enjoy a delicious cocktail accompanied by the songs of the Red Army Chorus.  Additionally, it is also possible to request the ‘Ice Check In’; guests will receive their keys to their hotel rooms they will also be presented with an individual bottle of Russian vodka covered with a layer of ice.  To enjoy your beverage, you’ll have to break it free from the ice with a special hammer!
 
Website: www.oltatravel.com  
Email: sales@oltatravel.ru
Tel (Moscow): +7 (495) 648-68-67
Tel (St. Petersburg): +7 (812) 336-60-80
 

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