Russia has had a number of capitals in its 1000 years—Suzdal, Vladimir and then eventually Moscow. In 1704, Peter the Great founded his capital, Saint Petersburg. Built in the marshy delta of the Neva River, this beautiful city, inspired by the best of European architecture, rose above the swamp and came to be Russia’s capital and the home of the last Czars. Though the capital returned to Moscow after the Russian Revolution, Saint Petersburg retained its glory and has been completely refurbished following the celebration of its 300th anniversary. Tundra & Taiga is proud to offer its clients the ultimate historical tour: Moscow, the Golden Ring and Saint Petersburg. The journey will trace a millennium of history and allow you to discover Russia’s two great metropolises.
Tour dates: May 12 - May 23, 2004; June 12 - June 23, 2004; July 14 - July 25, 2004; August 14 - August 25, 2004; September 3 - September 14, 2004
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Moscow and transfer to downtown hotel. Guests will be accommodated at the Hotel Rossia in renovated rooms. After registering in hotel, guests will have the remainder of the day to rest and relax.
Day 2:
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Red Square, the Kremlin, and its historic cathedrals. Lunch at a downtown restaurant followed by a boat excursion along the River Moskva or, in case of poor weather, more sightseeing and shopping. Overnight stay in the Hotel Rossia.
(B)
Day 3:
Departure by minivan for Vladimir. Lunch en route followed by a tour of the city of Vladimir including the historic Golden Gate, the Uspenskiy and Dmitrievskiy Cathedrals. Following the tour of Vladimir, the expedition will travel to the village of Bogolyubovo in order to visit the Pokrova-Na-Nerli Church. Guests will travel to Suzdal where they will check into a 3-star hotel, the Tourcenter Hotel and guests will eat dinner at the hotel.
(B)
Day 4:
After breakfast at the hotel, participants in the tour will explore the Suzdal’s historical sites including: the historic Kremlin (i.e. fortress) both the architecture of its defenses and its inner chambers; the Spaso-Efimievskiy Monastery and the Museum of Wooden Art. After lunch, guests will taste a local delicacy, mead. Afterwards, the group will travel to the city of Kostroma where they will have dinner and spend the night at the 3-star Volga Hotel.
(B)
Day 5:
In Kostroma, participants will tour the city and visit the Ipatievsky Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral and other architectural monuments in the city. After lunch, guests will travel to the town of Ples where they will visit the Museum of the famous Russian artists Levitan and go to the Museum of the Russian Izba—an izba being the traditional Russian log house that was the mainstay of the Russian peasantry for centuries. The expedition will then return to Kostroma for dinner and an overnight stay at the Volga Hotel.
(B)
Day 6:
After breakfast, the tour will take guests to the cities of Yaroslavl and Rostov the Great. Participants will visit the premiere examples of early Russian architecture and learn more about the industrial development of Russia as these two cities were—and remain—important centres of the Russian textile industry where flax was converted to linen. The group will stay overnight in Yaroslavl at the Ubileynaya Hotel.
(B)
Day 7:
After breakfast, the expedition will work its way back to Moscow with stops at Sergiev Posad, named in honor of Saint Sergius where the group will visit the largest and best known Russian monastery, the Holy-Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. The group will then travel to the Abramtsevo country estate, home of successful prerevolutionary businessman. This historical estate was preserved as a museum and features the master's home, church and an art studio. The group will then return to Moscow to board an overnight train to Saint Petersburg. Guests will share a two-berth coupe and discover the romance of train travel.
(B)
Day 8:
Guests will be picked up at the train station and transported to the 3-star Desson-Ladoga hotel where participants will be living throughout their stay in the city. Guests will have a bit of leisure time to wash up and rest before a short tour of the city.
(B)
Day 9:
After breakfast guests will travel to one of the central tourist attractions of Saint Petersburg: Peter-Paul Fortress. In the afternoon, the group will cruise down the city’s canals discovering the city from the water.
(B)
Day 10:
The Hermitage Museum: A full day is devoted to the Hermitage Museum. This is truly one of the world’s premiere collections of art. If time permits, the group will travel to the Summer Palace.
(B)
Day 11:
Breakfast in hotel and transfer to airport for return flight to Moscow. Overnight stay at the Hotel Rossia.
(B)
Day 12:
Return flight home.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The cost includes hotel accommodation as indicated, breakfast, all excursions and eco-programs, transportation within Russia (minivan) and an English-speaking guide. It will also include full visa support and Russian visa fees charged by the Russian Consulate. Tundra & Taiga cuts through the red tape: we will fill out the form with the information you provide, collect the materials from you (photos and other required documents) and we will apply for a visa on your behalf. Not included in the price: international airfare to Russia; souvenirs, lunch and dinner are not included in the package and all services that are optional or supplemental to the program.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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