Jules Verne – Russia Brochure Coincides with 1917 Revolution

Jules Verne introduces its first-ever Russia brochure to coincide with the centenary of the 1917 Revolution

Award-winning tour operator Jules Verne has launched ‘Russia – Empire, Revolution & the USSR’, its first-ever brochure dedicated to this fascinating – and vast – country.

Timed to coincide with the centenary of the 1917 Revolution which led to the rise of the (now-dissolved) Soviet Union, the brochure opens with an insightful and inspiring introduction by travel presenter and author Simon Reeve, whose most recent journey across the country was captured in the BBC Two series, ‘Russia with Simon Reeve’. Says Simon:

“Eleven time-zones span Russia, from the borders of Europe to the Pacific Ocean. They contain extraordinary, breath-taking landscapes that can leave a traveller gasping in wonder. Combined with dramatic, powerful history and some of the finest literature ever written, Russia is a destination that thrills and surprises.”

‘Russia – Empire, Revolution & the USSR’ brings together classic Jules Verne tours such as Russia Revealed (a full-board cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow, ten nights from £1,765 pp*), Treasures of the Hermitage (exploring the cultural and historical heritage of St. Petersburg, four nights from £695 pp*) and Russian Capitals (seven nights from £1,175 pp*), combining them with escorted itineraries to many of the sovereign nations that emerged following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Tours to the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all feature in the new brochure, as does a cultural cruise through Ukraine and escorted visits to several of the ‘Stans’, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Says Jules Verne’s Managing Director, Francis Torrilla:

“The centenary of the Russian Revolution has sparked a renewed interest in this fascinating period of history. Russia is an exceptionally rewarding travel destination – it is remarkably rich in cultural sights and offers a beguiling heritage that will charm even the most seasoned of travellers. We are delighted to launch our first-ever brochure dedicated to his epic nation, plus the former countries of the Soviet Union, in this year of enormous significance.”

NEW for 2018, Jules Verne has added:

• Russian Revolution: A century on from the “ten days that shook the world”, this seven-night tour traces the dramatic events of this pivotal period in world history, visiting opulent St. Petersburg, home to the magnificent Hermitage Museum (formerly the Winter Palace), and majestic Moscow, where Lenin’s mausoleum is among the must-visit sites in Red Square. Departing 27 February and 6 November 2018, seven nights cost from £1,345 pp*

• War & Peace: Also encompassing the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, this seven-night tour explores the palaces that featured in the popular BBC One adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s famous novel – such as the sumptuous Catherine Palace in Pushkin – as well as the estate at Yasnaya Polyana, where he wrote both ‘War and Peace’ and ‘Anna Karenina’, its rooms impressively unchanged since his death over 100 years ago. Departing 14 August and 2 October 2018, seven nights cost from £1,575 pp*.
• Cossack Revival: Delight in Ukraine’s mighty Dnieper River – an important transport link from the Black Sea to Kiev, still relatively unexplored by cruises – on this seven-night holiday. Travel from Kiev, with its rich collection of museums and gold-domed cathedrals, to elegant Odessa, the gem of the Black Sea and home to one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses. Other highlights include Zaporizhia, where a lively Cossack horse show is sure to enthral, and a boat trip to the Danube Delta, a UNESCO natural heritage site famous for its birdlife. Departing 8 and 20 June, 2 and 14 August 2018, seven nights cost from £1,295 pp*.

Several of the tours featured in the new Russia brochure also include a Jules Verne Special Event, an exclusive and memorable experience reflecting the uniqueness of the country visited and its people. In Russia, enjoy a ballet performance at the Imperial Hermitage Theatre or a guided tour of the private Fabergé Museum (home to the largest collection of Fabergé eggs), both in St. Petersburg. Learn how to make traditional Lithuanian cepelinai (potato dumplings) in Vilnius or the traditional Uzbek dish pilov (rice in a seasoned broth) in a local home in Samarkand, feast on a traditional farm lunch in Latvia or a three-course lunch at the home of an Orthodox priest in Romania. Taste wine at Cricova (the second largest wine cellar in the world, in Moldova), listen to Armenian choral music in the Hellenistic temple of Garni or enjoy a special concert with Kyrgyz musicians and singers dressed in national costume.

As train travel continues to grow in popularity amongst British holiday makers, clients wishing to experience Russia by rail will find everything they seek and more in Jules Verne’s 15-night itinerary, The Central Kingdom Express. Journey by private train on the renowned Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow, across the expanse of Siberia, into Mongolia before changing trains (at the Mongolia-China border) to continue onwards to Hong Kong. As well as nine nights spent on the train, this holiday also includes hotel stays in Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulan Bator and Beijing. Departing 5 May, 2 June, 21 July and 8 September 2018, 15 nights cost from £6,595 pp*.

Jules Verne celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2018

Jules Verne’s first-ever escorted tour (in 1978) was an overland rail journey from London to Hong Kong, also called The Central Kingdom Express which, back then, took 42 days to complete. Fast forward 40 years and, in celebration of its ruby anniversary next year, Jules Verne has recreated this journey as a 28-night special edition holiday, travelling from London to Paris, Berlin and Warsaw before reaching Moscow, then onwards through Siberia to Hong Kong. Details of this tour can be found in the new Russia brochure, or by clicking here. Departing 18 February 2019, this special 40th anniversary edition of The Central Kingdom Express costs from £8,995 pp*. 

*Prices are based on two people sharing and include flights or rail travel from the UK, accommodation (hotel, train and/or boat), meals and excursions as per the itinerary, Special Events where applicable, and the services of a Tour Manager, guides and local representatives. No single supplement places are available on selected departures of The Golden Road to Samarkand, an 11-night escorted tour travelling the ancient Silk Road in Uzbekistan, from £1,995 pp.

Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded, and winner of many travel awards, including Which? ‘Recommended Provider Status’ (2015 and 2017), Jules Verne’s expert staff organise every detail, ensuring that clients can book in complete confidence. This commitment is further reinforced by Jules Verne’s 100% Price Guarantee; the holiday price is fixed when clients book and will remain so, even if Jules Verne’s costs increase subsequently.

For more information or a copy of Jules Verne’s new brochure, Russia – Empire, Revolution & the USSR, call 020 3553 3722 or visit www.vjv.com.