Departure on Friday (May 15-Aug 15 2016)
On this magical journey to the exotic land of Russia, you see sites which are unlike any others in the world. Learn about Moscow’s colourful history and culture. Discover the Golden Ring, the ancient towns that preserve the memory of the most important and significant events in Russian history. These towns have been called “open-air museums” and feature monuments of the 12th–18th centuries. Finish in St. Petersburg, geographically exquisitely located on the middle taiga lowlands along the shores of the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland. Inside Moscow with Golden Ring/St. Petersburg is a journey that will satisfy your curiosity about this mysterious place.
Day 1: Arrive Moscow
Upon arrival you will be met outside of ground transportation after clearing customs by our representative who will be holding a sing with your name on it and driven to your hotel. Overnight in Moscow
Day 2: Moscow
After breakfast, visit the Kremlin, the Armoury chamber and Cathedral.
Lunch is at the Geo Café then onward to the Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, Sparrow Hills (highest viewpoint), New Maiden Convent and cemetery. Overnight in Moscow
Evening Option: Bolshoi theatre performance
Day 3: Moscow
Today discover the Old Tretyakov State Gallery. Have lunch at local restaurant, the “Artist’s Gallery” before seeing the Old Arbat area. Overnight in Moscow
Day 4: Golden Ring (Sergiev – Posad – Vladimir – Suzdal)
Depart from Moscow to Sergiev Posad. Visit Trinity – Sergius Lavra. Lunch is in a local restaurant, the“Russian Yard” in Sergiev Posad. Attend a Matreshka-painting class at Matreshka Factory in Sergiev Posad. Transfer to Vladimir for a city tour. See the St. Maria’s Assumption Cathedral, St. Demetrios Cathedral (interior) snd the Golden Gates. Travel onward to Suzdal. Overnight in Suzdal
Day 5: Suzdal
City tour around Suzdal with visiting the Museum of Wooden Culture, Kremlin (its architecture), Krestovaya Palata (interior)he St. Ephimius Monastery (listening to bells singing).
Transfer to Kideksha – Visit Boris and Gleb Cathedral interior and the St. Stephan Church. Coach transfer back to Suzdal. Evening is at leisure in Suzdal. Overnight in Suzdal
Day 6: Suzdal – Kostroma – Yaroslavl
After breakfast, transfer to Kostroma. Take a city tour visiting Ipatiev Monastery (territory) and Trinity Cathedral (interior), the Archbishop Palace and Romanov Palace. After lunch transfer to Yaroslavl. Take a city tour visiting Spassky Monastery and the Ilya the Prophet Church. Overnight in Yaroslavl
Day 7: Yaroslavl – Moscow – St. Petersburg
(By surface 300 km, 5 – 6 hours)
After breakfast, return to Moscow by 4PM. Late lunch/early dinner at a local restaurant “Ilya Muromets” in Moscow before taking the train at 7:50PM to St. Petersburg arriving at 11:47PM
Upon arrival you will be met outside of ground transportation after clearing customs by our representative who will be holding a sing with your name on it and driven to your hotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg
Day 8: St. Petersburg
Today take a city tour – Peter and Paul’s Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Church on the Spilled Blood. Have lunch at a local restaurant before walking down the Nevsky prospect. Take a public boat ride “Along Rivers and Canals of the Northern Venice”. Overnight in St. Petersburg
Day 9: St. Petersburg
Early morning visit to the Hermitage Museum. Take a hydrofoil to Peterhoff . Lunch is at the restaurant Summer Palace in Peterhoff. Afternoon visit to Peter’s Grand Palace (headsets are included) and Park with a lot of fountains. Transfer back to the city. Your evening is at leisure. Overnight in St. Petersburg
Evening option: Mariinsky/Alexandrinsky/Mikhailovsky theatre (will be known later when repertoire is confirmed)
Day 10: St. Petersburg
After breakfast, see the Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo), Catherine’s Palace with its Amber room and stroll through the park complex. Enjoy a farewell lunch at a traditional Russian local restaurant “Podvorje”. Transfer to Pavlovsk to view the Grand Palace of Pavel I and Garden Complex. Return to your hotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg
Evening option: Mariinsky/Alexandrinsky/Mikhailovsky theatre (will be known later when repertoire is confirmed)
Day 11: Depart St. Petersburg
You are met at your hotel and driven to the airport for your departure flight homebound.
