The capital of Russia and the political, economic, scientific and cultural centre of the country. Being one of the most northern megalopolises in the world, it still enjoys a moderate climate. It is a huge city in which live 12 million people.
Since it was founded in 1147, Moscow, the heart of all Russia, has been intimately linked to the history and destiny of the Russian state, from which it took the lead after triumphing over the Mongols. Ravaged several times, it has always reborn from its ashes, offering the visitor the charm of a heterogeneous city whose eagerness to live surprises. This is where the iconic symbols of Russia stands, the Red Square and the Kremlin.
It can be said that it is an eclectic city, where different eras intermingle. The impressive contours of the Stalinist towers (mid-20th century) and the skyscrapers of Moskva City contrast with the quiet streets of the ancient Moscow, the wide avenues and parks.
In the last decade Moscow has undergone major changes. Those who visited the city five or six years ago were surprised by the drastic positive changes. Many historical sites such as the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Gates of the Resurrection and the Church of Our Lady of Kazan on Red Square were completely rebuilt.
On the banks of the Volga river, 720 km east of Moscow, stands the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan – Kazan. It has a remarkable historical and architectural center thanks to Western and Eastern influences. It is a multicultural city in which peacefully live Slavs and Tatars – Orthodox and Muslims. It is also a young city, as it is a university centre of the country.
The city was founded in 1005 and conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552. The main tourist attraction is the Kremlin, inside which you’ll find buildings of stunning beauty such as the Church of the Annunciation and the Qolşärif Mosque.
During the tour, we’ll visit an unusual building – the Temple of All Religions. We’ll also visit Sviajsk, a picturesque small village on an island.
Moscow (Friday)
| May | 08 |
| Juny | 12 |
| July | 17 |
| August | 07 |
| September | 04, 18 |
Arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Breakfast. City sightseeing tour of Moscow, during which you will have an excellent opportunity to learn the history of the Russian capital and see the most impressive sights of great historic and cultural value. Red Square, one of the most spacious squares of the world, famous for Lenin’s Mausoleum and Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and dominated by the grand Kremlin redbrick walls. After that we will visit the Moscow Subway (Metro) which covers almost the entire territory of the Russian capital. It is one of the world’s most heavily used metro systems. Lunch. Free time.
Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit the Moscow Kremlin – the symbol of Moscow and of the entire Russia. This stronghold is the historical, spiritual and political heart of Moscow and the city’s most famous landmark and tourist attraction. Most of the city had been inside the Kremlin walls until the 16th century. The Kremlin has been rebuilt several times in the past – it was originally wooden – so, its brick walls and towers that we can see today were built in the 15th century. Today the Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian President. Lunch. Free time.
Breakfast. Free time.
Evening transfer to the train station for a night train to Kazan (the planned train is No024M, 23:08 – 10:45 or similar).
Breakfast on your own expense. Arrival in Kazan.
Meeting at the railway station with the local guide. Panoramic tour of the city, during which you will visit the most interesting and ancient sightseeing in Kazan: Old-Tatar Sloboda, the Kaban Lake with its picturesque views, merchant houses, the old mosque of the 18th century and will hear legends and stories of Tatar people. Tourists will walk along the old Kazan; visit the monastery, where the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is kept. Lunch in one of the city restaurants with a culinary workshop “Secrets of Tatar Cuisine”. Walking excursion to the Kazan Kremlin will not leave anyone indifferent. The Kazan Kremlin is the object of UNESCO; its walls unite two religions: Moslem (Legendary Kuhl Sharif Mosque) and Orthodox (Annunciation Cathedral). You will touch the walls of Suyumbike falling tower. The Kremlin is a heart of the city, where ancient and modern cultural traditions, as well as legends and facts, blend together. Transfer to the hotel. Check in. Free time.
Breakfast. Excursion to the city island Sviyazhsk with lunch. On the way to the island you will see the Temple of all Religions. The history of the city began on May 24, in 1551, when Ivan the Terrible decided to build a wooden fortress on the island. It took only four weeks. Sviyazhsk became a base supporting Russian troops in the war against the Kazan Khanate. The island houses unique historical and cultural monuments, such as Assumption Monastery of the Blessed Virgin, Sviazhsky Cathedral, John the Baptist Monastery which has the Trinity Church on its territory – the only remaining building from wooden Sviyazhsk. Through centuries, Sviyazhsk has been remaining a Russian Orthodox shrine. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.
*Please, take note that we reserve the right to change the order of visits.
Level 4 (active)
