Russian Capitals & Golden Ring

Arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Morning starts with a visit to the Hermitage museum, Russia’s best gallery of world art, one of the most prominent art museums in the world and definitely the main tourist attraction of St. Petersburg. The principal building of the Hermitage Museum is the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian Czars. Today, the Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays a diverse range of art and artifacts from all over the world and from throughout history. The Hermitage collection includes works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, a unique collection of Rembrandts and Rubens. Lunch.

City sightseeing tour. The historical capital of the Russian Empire invites you to admire its splendid views: the Arts Square with 3 museums and 4 theatres along its perimeter, the Palace Square offering an impressive view of the Baroque Winter Palace; the historical Strelka (Cape) of the Vasilevsky Island; the famous Nevsky Avenue considered the “heart” of the city. We will also visit the Peter and Paul Fortress that is actually considered the place of birth of St. Petersburg. This tour will give you an insight into the history of the city and the Romanovs’ royal dynasty. Free time.

Breakfast. Morning starts with a visit to Peterhof. It is perhaps the St. Petersburg’s most famous and spectacular Imperial estate. Nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, the palace was built by Peter the Great initially as a resting place on the way to the Imperial naval base at Kronshtadt. But the Czar was quick to recognize the attractiveness of the area and masterminded a vast estate intended to rival the famous gardens of Versailles. The Grand Palace, filled with fascinating and elaborate interiors, sits on top of a high seashore ridge overlooking the vast Lower Park. The enormous park is adorned with statues and pavilions; it boasts the world’s largest system of fountains, earning it the title of the “Russian Versailles”.

Breakfast. Transfer to the train station for the highspeed train to Moscow. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner.

Breakfast. City sightseeing tour of Moscow. During this tour 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 Kremlin red-brick walls. You will have a chance to see the magnificent tower buildings symbolizing the Soviet Moscow, and also the Cathedral of Christ the Savior that was demolished and then reconstructed as a symbol of the Russian faith. After 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. It is well known for the ornate design of many of its stations, which contain beautiful examples of socialist realism art. Lunch. Free time.

Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit the Moscow Kremlin. It is 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. It 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. In the morning, we will visit Sergiyev Posad. Located 70 km north from Moscow, the historic ensemble of Sergiyev Posad is of great interest for tourists and pilgrims, as it is replete with a range of excellently preserved monuments of the Russian culture, dating back to the 15-17th centuries. The Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius founded in 1337 is famous all over the world and often referred to as the “Russian Vatican”. Lunch. Return to Moscow.

Breakfast. First, you will be taken 210 km away from Moscow to Rostov the Great – one of the oldest cities in the country and a tourist center of the Golden Ring. It is located on the shores of Lake Nero and was fi rst mentioned in the year 862 as an already important settlement. By the 13th century, Rostov became the capital city of one of the most prominent Russian principalities. It was incorporated into Muscovy in 1474. Even after it lost its independence, Rostov was still a spiritual center of an utmost importance. The Kremlin of Rostov is considered the fi nest outside Moscow. Visit to the Rostov Kremlin. Lunch at the local restaurant.

After, you will be taken to Yaroslavl. City sightseeing tour. The historic center of Yaroslavl lies to the north of the mouth of the Kotorosl River on the right bank of the largest Volga River. Yaroslavl is the oldest of all the currently existing towns on the Volga. It was founded by a prince of Kievan Rus Yaroslav the Wise during the period of his reign of the Principality of Rostov (988-1010). Visit to the museum “The Music and The Time” where you will find a great collection of musical instruments, different old watches, bells and irons of 1820th centuries. Accommodation. Dinner.

Breakfast. Transfer to Kostroma. Kostroma is located at the confl uence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers. It was founded in the 13th century by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. During the city sightseeing tour we will take you to the Ipatievsky Monastery to admire the frescoes at the Trinity Cathedral painted by the famous Kostroma master, Guri Nikitin and his team of expert icon-painters. Kostroma is one of the best places in Russia to see old wood buildings richly decorated with carved wood: wind mills, peasant “izby” (huts), Russian bath houses, and wood churches of the 16-18th centuries. All these you will be able to see in the open – air museum of Wooden architecture. Lunch at the local restaurant. Transfer to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner at the house of a local family.

Breakfast. City sightseeing tour. Suzdal dates back to 1024. In its early history it was the capital of several principalities and later on became an important religious center. The town is full of churches and at one point in its history had 40 churches for approximately 400 families. Today the town only has a population of only around 10,000 and has retained its country village feeling with many of the roads remaining unpaved and livestock roaming the streets. Suzdal creates very positive impression due to its rustic, countrylike atmosphere combined with its medieval monuments. We will take you to the oldest part of the Kremlin, the heart of Suzdal. Specialists believe the Kremlin dates back to the 10th century and fi rst appeared in the chronicles in 1024. Also, during this tour, you will visit The Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius, enter its old jail and have the opportunity to listen to the monastery bells’ concert. After that you’ll be taken to the local craft workshop, in which you will be able to participate. Transfer to Vladimir. Lunch at the local restaurant.

City sightseeing tour. Vladimir was one of the medieval capitals of Russia, with signifi cant buildings surviving from the 12th century. Two of its Russian Orthodox cathedrals, a monastery, and associated buildings have been designated as among the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be taken to visit the Dormition Cathedral and the Golden Gate. Transfer to Moscow. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.