Give a fresh look at Russia during our new "Russia Golden Ring" travel which opens the enticing opportunity to learn our country from the deep roots of ancient times to a splendor period of the last Tsar family and distemper of the twenty century

1st day
Arrival to Moscow. Meeting and transfer to a centrally located hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

2nd day.
Breakfast.
Walking city tour.
   

3rd day.
Breakfast.
Departure for the Kremlin Tour.
    The word Kremlin in ancient Russian means fortress. There are many fortresses or “kremlins” in Russia but it is Moscow Kremlin that is known to the whole world. The word Kremlin alone is enough to get one thinking of Russia. Most people outside of Russia associate Kremlin with the Soviet Union government. And while it is true the Kremlin has been the symbol of power and might of Russia for many centuries. For the last 700 years Moscow Kremlin has symbolized the unity for the people of this country all across 11 time zones. Every building is symbolic here: Assumption cathedral – the centre of spiritual life, Archangel Michael – the burial place of the Russian Tsars, Grand Kremlin Palace – the former residence of the Royal family and the current residence of the president of Russian Federation.    The Armory Chamber – the treasury of Russian tsars. At the time when the treasury was founded Arms were considered the most valuable possession. While the collection of arms is impressive, it is really the collection of jewelry items, gold and silver dinner sets, Faberge eggs, royal carriages, coronation and wedding dresses, crowns and thrones that make this museum an exceptional site.
Lunch at a typical Moscow restaurant.
In the afternoon you will go on an exiting tour of Bolshoy Theater. Pavlova, Ulanova, Plisetskaya, Nejinskiy, Barishnikov, Chaikovskiy, Rakhmaninov, Prokofiev, Shastakovich and so many other great names come alive in this theater. Bolshoy is a world wide recognized name, a legend in classical music and a modern innovative promoter of classical opera and ballet. We will go backstage to get the insider’s view of this spectacular place.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

4th day. Breakfast.
   Departure for Yaroslavl with a tour of Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery in the town of Sergiev Posad and a city tour of the town of Rostov the Great.
    Holly Trinity – St.Sergius Monastery for centuries has been the religious centre of Russian Orthodox Church. It remained a functioning monastery even during the Soviet Union. One of two Russia’s Ecclesiastic Academies is located here the Academy was open during the Soviet Period as well. The Monastery was founded in 1340s by Reverend Sergius and since then has been a religious, artistic, cultural centre. Famous icon painters – Andrei Rublev, Daniel Chorniy worked here. Architecturally it is an attractive mix of buildings of XV – XIX c.c.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Rostov the Great reminds one of Russian folk tales with their turrets and towers, magic and miracles. The splendid ensemble of the kremlin dominates the surroundings creating a very special festive atmosphere. The high churches with their beautiful proportions, the pure colors and frescoes, the mighty walls and the broad expense of Lake Nero seem to have been conjured up the wave of Russian history. During our city tour you will also visit Rostov’s Kremlin.
Arrival to Yaroslavl.
Overnight at the hotel.

5th day. Breakfast.
    City tour of Yaroslavl. Yaroslavl is the largest and most active of the Golden Ring towns yet still retains the quite charm of provincial life. The city has many fine monuments. It was here that the highly distinctive Yaroslavl schools of architecture and painting flourished. The town was even the virtual capital of Russia during the Time of Troubles. We will visit 12th century Savior monastery with its Transfiguration cathedral (the oldest in town dating back to 1506). In the old centre you will find many original churches, some with frescoes of outstanding beauty and interest. We will visit two of the down town churches: church of St Elijah the profit and church of St Tikhon.
Departure for Kostroma. Lunch at a local restaurant.
   Kostroma has managed to retain the charm of an old Volga merchant town. Just like a hundred years ago ships moor at the quayside and visitors explore a main street with the amusing name of Milk Hill. The town is one of the centers of textile industry. Here you will find beautiful items made of pure linen that are great as souvenirs. During our tour we will visit Hypatian monastery located on the promontory between the Volga and the Kostroma. The monastery served as kind of key to the town. During its history the monastery enjoyed the patronage of two royal families Godunovs and Romanovs. In 1613 Michael (the first Romanov tsar) was visited in Hypatian monastery by a delegation from the Assembly of the Land to proclaim the election of Michael to the Russian throne. Since then the Romanov dynasty regarded the monastery as a particularly holy place.
Overnight at the hotel.

6th day. Breakfast.
Departure for Suzdal. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon city tour. Suzdal is like a fairy-tale world. The white stone churches with their intricate carving, the rich colors of the old icons, the ancient manuscripts and the chiming bells. It is as if the town just awakened from an enchanted sleep looking exactly like it did several centuries ago. With its clean, cozy streets surrounded by blossoming meadows, the winding River Kamenka, the fortified monastery walls and not forgetting the local mead (medovukha) that is proffered wherever you go. All this takes us out of the web-crazy 21st century back into the living past. We will visit Suzdal kremlin where the history of this town began in the 11th century and its Cross Chamber of the Bishop’s Palace. The rooms in the palace house various displays that illustrate Suzdal’s thousand years of history. While in town we will visit one of its old monasteries.
Overnight at the hotel.

7th day. Breakfast.
Departure for Vladimir.
   Vladimir is one of the oldest Russian towns and for many years was the capital of the Russian state. Here we will see two of the most famous and important cathedrals in medieval Russia, the Assumption and St Demetrius, as well as many architectural monuments. In the Assumption Cathedral (1158-1189) we will admire famous Andrei Rublev frescoes. Golden Gate built in 1152-1164 is yet another monument worthy of a special notice. It is a defensive tower, triumphal arch and church combined in one.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Departure for Moscow.
   Farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants . Last glance of Moscow from it’s highest point Vorobievy Hills with beautiful view to the city before leaving for St. Petersburg.
Transfer to the railway station and departure for St. Petersburg by a night train.

8th day. Arrival in St. Petersburg.
   City tour. Saint Petersburg is the capital of Empyreal Russia established by Peter the Great it was born to be the capital and served as one until the communist revolution when the capital was returned back to Moscow. Communists felt that it would be impossible for them to erase the chic and splendor of Empyreal times from the face of this city. While Moscow suffered from Soviet time “reconstruction” St. Petersburg stayed safely away from Soviet ideology and it managed to preserve it’s numerous palaces and gardens. If during Soviet era it stood as silenced witness to the glory of Russian Empire now it gracefully reveals its hidden treasures. The whole down – town is a museum under an open sky.
Transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel restaurant.
   Tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral – the largest and the main cathedral of the city. Built by a talented French architect A.Montferrand who was commissioned to work in St. Petersburg by the Emperor. Montferand spent all his life working in the city and St. Petersburg is the only place where one can see his work. Montferrand worked for 40 years on St. Isaac’s cathedral and thought it to be his best creation. He asked Russian Emperor to be berried in the cathedral but the Emperor refused thinking that St. Isaac’s was too beautiful for Montferrand. Montferrand was berried back in France where he is not known at all. To soften the bitterness of the story there is now a monument to Montferrand in St. Isaac’s cathedral and many more monuments to this talented architect throughout the city. However the best monument to him is his masterpiece – St. Isaac’s cathedral that you will surely enjoy.
   Tour of the largest and most important monastery in the region – Alexander Nevskiy monastery. Located at the end of Nevskiy Prospect the monastery enjoyed patronage from the royal family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nowadays the monastery is an impressive architectural and historical monument. The most interesting are Necropolis of the 18th century and the Necropolis of People of Arts. Many Russian luminaries were buried here.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

9th day. Breakfast.
Departure to Peterhof.
Peterhof is a summer residence of Russian Emperors. Founded by Peter the Great it became a rival to Versailles. Grand Palace interiors impress not only by their beauty but also by the tremendous amount of work that was done to restore them after WWII. The lower garden by the palace is a masterpiece in itself. 173 fountains for almost 300 years have been amusing visitors here.
Lunch at the restaurant.
   Tour of St. Peter and Paul fortress – the cradle of St. Petersburg. Peter the 1st built this fortress in 1703 and it became his first residence here. Later the fortress was used as a prison for political enemies of the throne and now days it is one of St. Petersburg most notable museums. St. Peter and Paul cathedral, located in the fortress was a burial place for Romanovs since the 18th century. During your visit to the cathedral you will see where the last Romanovs executed by communists are berried now.
   Boat trip along Neva river and channels. This excursion is a unique possibility to see St. Petersburg in its full splendor and feel the authentic city's atmosphere
Overnight at the hotel.

10th day. Breakfast.
   Tour of Hermitage museum. Hermitage museum is not only one of the largest in the world, it has one of the most impressive collections including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Claude Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, Matisse etc. It is also a former official residence of Russian Royal family with beautiful interiors of the staterooms, an architectural splendor and a historical battle place during the revolution.
Lunch at the restaurant.
   Tour of Catherine’s the Great summer residence. Yet another beautiful palace built in the 18th century first in baroque style and latter rebuilt after Catherine’s the Great order in neo classical style. This residence became Empress’s favorite and reflects on her rich and grand taste. Picturesque ponds in the gardens provide a wonderful setting for a walk. One of the first Russian colleges was founded here. Poet Pushkin was among the college’s famous graduates and this town carries his name – Pushkino.
Farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel.

11th day.
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport. Departure.