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FAR EAST & SIBERIA
RUSSIAN NORTH
muSLIM RUSSIA
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On this journey
Photos
a lot of locations
Accompaniment
professional guide
Transfer
modern coach
Route
main landmarks of Old Russia
Accommodation
hotel 3* or 4*
Main impressions
Distinctive character and unique features of each town on the route
The towns of Golden Ring are among the most picturesque in Russia
A lot of photos of the main city sights
Miraculous icons that were glorified by great miracles and healings
Day 1
Meeting with guide.
Departure from Moscow to Vladimir
Excursion program on the way
Lunch by own (or free time)
Observation tour of Vladimir – the ancient capital of North-Western Rus and one of the most popular Golden Ring towns, carefully preserving a number of amazing monuments of traditional medieval white-stone architecture of Russia. First of all, it comes to the three of the main sights of the place, included into UNESCO World Heritage Objects list: the Golden Gates, the Cathedral of St. Dimitriy and the Assumption cathedral.
Excursion to the most notable sights of XII century:
The Golden Gates (external tour) – the glorious symbol of power of the great Ancient Rus. It served to be the entrance to the “luxurious” quarters, inhabited by the local nobility.
Cathedral of St. Dimitry – this cathedral dates back to pre-Mongolian era and is considered a monument of traditional local architecture. Cathedral of St. Dimitry (or the Assumption cathedral) is a true masterpiece of whit-stone art of building. At the same time, it is a treasury of the Russian religious arts. It carefully preserves wall -paintings of XII-XIX cc. – the renowned frescoes by the famous icon-painter Andrei Rublev.
Departure from Moscow to Vladimir
Excursion program on the way
Lunch by own (or free time)
Observation tour of Vladimir – the ancient capital of North-Western Rus and one of the most popular Golden Ring towns, carefully preserving a number of amazing monuments of traditional medieval white-stone architecture of Russia. First of all, it comes to the three of the main sights of the place, included into UNESCO World Heritage Objects list: the Golden Gates, the Cathedral of St. Dimitriy and the Assumption cathedral.
Excursion to the most notable sights of XII century:
The Golden Gates (external tour) – the glorious symbol of power of the great Ancient Rus. It served to be the entrance to the “luxurious” quarters, inhabited by the local nobility.
Cathedral of St. Dimitry – this cathedral dates back to pre-Mongolian era and is considered a monument of traditional local architecture. Cathedral of St. Dimitry (or the Assumption cathedral) is a true masterpiece of whit-stone art of building. At the same time, it is a treasury of the Russian religious arts. It carefully preserves wall -paintings of XII-XIX cc. – the renowned frescoes by the famous icon-painter Andrei Rublev.
Tour program
Optional excursion, paid extra:
Museum of Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures and Embroidery OR the Old Vladimir display (describing the city of late XIX - early XX cc.)
Transfer to Bogolubovo settlement
Excursion to one of the oldest Russian convents, located at the territory of Andrei Bogolubovskiy castle (the only residential building dating back to the Ancient Rus time and being preserved at least partially). Bogolubovskiy convent: internal tours to the duke Andrey’s chambers, and the Nativity of St. Virgin Cathedral
Visit to the Church of Intercession on the Nerl (external tour) – depending on the weather conditions. The church is located nearly at the edge of the river-split, marking the crossroad of the main waterway trade routes. This miraculous construction built back in ХII century is called a swan-like church.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Overnight at hotel
Museum of Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures and Embroidery OR the Old Vladimir display (describing the city of late XIX - early XX cc.)
Transfer to Bogolubovo settlement
Excursion to one of the oldest Russian convents, located at the territory of Andrei Bogolubovskiy castle (the only residential building dating back to the Ancient Rus time and being preserved at least partially). Bogolubovskiy convent: internal tours to the duke Andrey’s chambers, and the Nativity of St. Virgin Cathedral
Visit to the Church of Intercession on the Nerl (external tour) – depending on the weather conditions. The church is located nearly at the edge of the river-split, marking the crossroad of the main waterway trade routes. This miraculous construction built back in ХII century is called a swan-like church.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Overnight at hotel
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
Observation tour of Suzdal - the town is like an open-air museum embracing nearly as many as 200 historical monuments including numerous constructions with the status of UNESCO world heritage site. The town is called «the glorious town of heaven” and “the Golden Ring cradle”.
External tour to the Kremlin of Suzdal and its ensemble of architecture. The Kremlin of Suzdal is the most ancient construction in the town, witnessing all of the local history, beginning from the times of Vladimir Monomach.
Optional excursions, paid extra:
The Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius and a church-bell concert. Excursion to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior. The monastery land serves as a burial place of the noble duke Dimitry Pozharskiy – the outstanding Russian commander.
The Wooden Architecture Museum – exhibiting unique wooden constructions of XVII - XIX centuries. The Museum setup represents a rural street with churches, mills, residential buildings, storehouses, sheds and other constructions, moved here from various settlements and villages of Vladimir lands.
Lunch by own (or free time)
Transfer to Ivanovo
Introductive observation driving tour of Ivanovo town. The town has been famous for its textile production back from the XVII century. Ever since that time the town bears the name of the calico land and the textile capital of Russia and, of course the town of brides. It is the youngest Golden Ring town.
Transfer to Kostroma for accommodation
Check-in hotel in Kostroma
Free time.
Observation tour of Suzdal - the town is like an open-air museum embracing nearly as many as 200 historical monuments including numerous constructions with the status of UNESCO world heritage site. The town is called «the glorious town of heaven” and “the Golden Ring cradle”.
External tour to the Kremlin of Suzdal and its ensemble of architecture. The Kremlin of Suzdal is the most ancient construction in the town, witnessing all of the local history, beginning from the times of Vladimir Monomach.
Optional excursions, paid extra:
The Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius and a church-bell concert. Excursion to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior. The monastery land serves as a burial place of the noble duke Dimitry Pozharskiy – the outstanding Russian commander.
The Wooden Architecture Museum – exhibiting unique wooden constructions of XVII - XIX centuries. The Museum setup represents a rural street with churches, mills, residential buildings, storehouses, sheds and other constructions, moved here from various settlements and villages of Vladimir lands.
Lunch by own (or free time)
Transfer to Ivanovo
Introductive observation driving tour of Ivanovo town. The town has been famous for its textile production back from the XVII century. Ever since that time the town bears the name of the calico land and the textile capital of Russia and, of course the town of brides. It is the youngest Golden Ring town.
Transfer to Kostroma for accommodation
Check-in hotel in Kostroma
Free time.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
Optional excursion, paid extra:
External to St. Ilyah the Prophet church (internal tour in summer, external tour in winter). It is an outstanding example of regional architecture, traditional for Yaroslavl area.
Transfer to Kostroma.
Lunch by own (or free time).
Observation tour of Kostroma. Kostroma is the Moscow’s age-mate and the oldest jewelry center as well as the biggest port on the river Volga
Immersion into the atmosphere of a merchant town, still keeping its authenticity of XVIII century’s architecture.
A walk through the town- center with its ensembles of the market stalls, Gostiny Dover, the Fire Tower, the Guardhouse building, being in service up till now, followed by a simple a stroll down the cozy provincial streets combining various architectural styles admired by Russian kings back in their times.
Kostroma is the cradle of Romanov’s dynasty. It was in the Ipatievsky monastery of Kostroma that Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov hid from Godunov's disfavor
Magnificent Ipatievsky monastery (the Trinity Cathedral and the Romanov boyars chambers) is the main landmark of Kostroma.
Excursion to Epiphany-Anastasia convent, keeping the miraculous icon of the Theodore Icon of Our Lady (XIII century), painted around 1239 and glorified by great miracles and healings. This is the oldest work of iconography of Kostroma and it has long been revered as the defender of the town and the guardian of the Romanovs family.
Return to the hotel.
Optional excursion, paid extra:
External to St. Ilyah the Prophet church (internal tour in summer, external tour in winter). It is an outstanding example of regional architecture, traditional for Yaroslavl area.
Transfer to Kostroma.
Lunch by own (or free time).
Observation tour of Kostroma. Kostroma is the Moscow’s age-mate and the oldest jewelry center as well as the biggest port on the river Volga
Immersion into the atmosphere of a merchant town, still keeping its authenticity of XVIII century’s architecture.
A walk through the town- center with its ensembles of the market stalls, Gostiny Dover, the Fire Tower, the Guardhouse building, being in service up till now, followed by a simple a stroll down the cozy provincial streets combining various architectural styles admired by Russian kings back in their times.
Kostroma is the cradle of Romanov’s dynasty. It was in the Ipatievsky monastery of Kostroma that Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov hid from Godunov's disfavor
Magnificent Ipatievsky monastery (the Trinity Cathedral and the Romanov boyars chambers) is the main landmark of Kostroma.
Excursion to Epiphany-Anastasia convent, keeping the miraculous icon of the Theodore Icon of Our Lady (XIII century), painted around 1239 and glorified by great miracles and healings. This is the oldest work of iconography of Kostroma and it has long been revered as the defender of the town and the guardian of the Romanovs family.
Return to the hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Rostov the Great.
Rostov is one of the earliest historically attested towns in Russia. It was first mentioned under 862 in the ancient chronicles.
The peaceful panorama of Lake Nero, the austere and yet elegant monasteries, the quiet streets and the majestic Kremlin let you break away from daily hustle and feel the thrill of getting close to formation times of Russia and see the real history at arm's length.
Excursion to the Rostov Kremlin of 17-th century remaining mostly unchanged through the centuries. The whole ensemble of the Kremlin including the marvelous Assumption Cathedral used to serve as Bishopric Yard, the bishops’ residence belonging to the Rostov-Yaroslavl diocese. At the same time its outlook with all those towers and fortifications indeed reminds a Kremlin. The local Assumption Cathedral (XVI century) with its unique belfry having a fully preserved set of 15 bells is the true gem among the Kremlin’s constructions. Here, we’ll also admire the Bishopric Yard itself as well the Cathedral square.
Optional excursion, paid extra:
Exhibition “The walls and passages of the Rostov Kremlin” (minor passages) in summer time, The Rostov Enamels Museum – in winter time.
Transfer to Pereslavl-Zalesskiy
The town was founded by Yury Dolgoruky in the 12th century and served as a fortress guarding the state borders. Pereslavl is famous for its not only marvelous views and architectural masterpieces (while many of those are almost 10 centuries old): being so tiny, it boasts a surprisingly eventful history. It’s here where Alexander Nevsky, the prince, was born, Pereslavl was a beloved monarchs’ place and they often visited it, while Peter the Great turned the town into the cradle of the Russian Fleet.
Sightseeing tour over the local Red Square.
Departure to Rostov the Great.
Rostov is one of the earliest historically attested towns in Russia. It was first mentioned under 862 in the ancient chronicles.
The peaceful panorama of Lake Nero, the austere and yet elegant monasteries, the quiet streets and the majestic Kremlin let you break away from daily hustle and feel the thrill of getting close to formation times of Russia and see the real history at arm's length.
Excursion to the Rostov Kremlin of 17-th century remaining mostly unchanged through the centuries. The whole ensemble of the Kremlin including the marvelous Assumption Cathedral used to serve as Bishopric Yard, the bishops’ residence belonging to the Rostov-Yaroslavl diocese. At the same time its outlook with all those towers and fortifications indeed reminds a Kremlin. The local Assumption Cathedral (XVI century) with its unique belfry having a fully preserved set of 15 bells is the true gem among the Kremlin’s constructions. Here, we’ll also admire the Bishopric Yard itself as well the Cathedral square.
Optional excursion, paid extra:
Exhibition “The walls and passages of the Rostov Kremlin” (minor passages) in summer time, The Rostov Enamels Museum – in winter time.
Transfer to Pereslavl-Zalesskiy
The town was founded by Yury Dolgoruky in the 12th century and served as a fortress guarding the state borders. Pereslavl is famous for its not only marvelous views and architectural masterpieces (while many of those are almost 10 centuries old): being so tiny, it boasts a surprisingly eventful history. It’s here where Alexander Nevsky, the prince, was born, Pereslavl was a beloved monarchs’ place and they often visited it, while Peter the Great turned the town into the cradle of the Russian Fleet.
Sightseeing tour over the local Red Square.
Lunch by own (or free time)
Transfer to Sergiev Posad
Excursion to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. The Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius is a world-famous spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church and a popular site of pilgrimage and tourism counting a number of centuries of age. This UNESCO-protected complex represents an epitome of the growth of Russian architecture and contains some of that architecture’s finest expressions.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral (internal tour) — the main Cathedral Church and the oldest existing construction of the Trinity monastery – this is its first stone-construction to be built back in time. The main shrine of the Cathedral are the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
The Assumption Cathedral (internal tour) is the Lavra’s architectural center. It is the second oldest one, following the famous Trinity Cathedral, but nevertheless its location and austere majestic exteriors let it play the leading role, standing out among the rest of the Lavra’s complex.
Departure to Moscow
20:00 – Approximate time of arrival to Moscow.
Transfer to Sergiev Posad
Excursion to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. The Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius is a world-famous spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church and a popular site of pilgrimage and tourism counting a number of centuries of age. This UNESCO-protected complex represents an epitome of the growth of Russian architecture and contains some of that architecture’s finest expressions.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral (internal tour) — the main Cathedral Church and the oldest existing construction of the Trinity monastery – this is its first stone-construction to be built back in time. The main shrine of the Cathedral are the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
The Assumption Cathedral (internal tour) is the Lavra’s architectural center. It is the second oldest one, following the famous Trinity Cathedral, but nevertheless its location and austere majestic exteriors let it play the leading role, standing out among the rest of the Lavra’s complex.
Departure to Moscow
20:00 – Approximate time of arrival to Moscow.
Transfers upon arrival and departure
Transportation to/from the excursions by a modern AC coach during the whole roundtrip with all modern facilities on board (CD player, video, microphone & bar).
Hotel accommodation
Breakfast at the hotel
Local English-speaking guides for all arrival dates
Mentioned visits and entrance fees
Registration fee at the hotel
Included:
Not included:
International flights
Additional excursions or transfers
Accommodation in a single room
Extra night stay at hotel
Meals
Tips and porterage at the airport and
railway stations
railway stations
The cost starts from
510 $
pp ½ DBL
Views of the Golden Ring
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