Golden Ring of Russia
Day 1: Moscow - arrival
Arrival to Moscow
Proceed the airport formalities
Meeting with the driver and transfer to the hotel
Check in the hotel and time to refresh
Evening proceed to the Sparrow hills, one of the highest points in Moscow. On top of the hill, 85m above the river, is the observation platform which gives a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Reach the hills by one way Cable car ride from Luzhniki stadium
Dinner on own
Overnight in Moscow
Day 2: Moscow
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure for a full day tour, which starts from the visit of the Armory chamber
The Armoury Chamber is a unique treasury-museum displaying the wealth accumulated by Russian rulers from the 12th century until the October Revolution of 1917. Walking through the exhibition halls is a journey through the centuries. The life of the Russian monarchs is reflected in the precious items on display, each exhibit revealing aspects of its owner’s character as well as their status.
Visit of the Red square and GUM department store
Red Square is the largest and most famous square in Russia. It has a magnetic pull for all visitors to Moscow. Standing in Red Square, you can see the most significant buildings in the capital: the Kremlin, GUM department store, the State History Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil’s Cathedral.
Lunch on own
After lunch – metro tour (visit of 2-3 most beautiful stations)
The Moscow metro looks different from subways in other European capitals. Each station has a unique and individual design. The halls are finished with marble and lit with chandeliers, walls and ceilings glitter in mosaics and stained-glass windows. It was often called “marble palaces for the people.”
Walking tour of Arbat street, the oldest street of the city. It’s an atmospheric pedestrian street of Moscow, a nice venue to listen to street music and to buy a souvenir in one of its numerous shops.
Day is finishing with the visit of the Golden Ring folklore performance
Dinner on own
Overnight in Moscow
Day 3: Moscow – Sergiev Posad - Suzdal
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
Transfer to Sergiev Posad (1.5 hours drive)
Sergiev Posad is one of the most sacred places in Russia. The Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius was founded there in the early 14th century by one of the most venerated saints of Russia St. Sergius. For centuries, Russian czars and common people set out on pilgrimage to the monastery. Today it is home to over 300 monks. The monastery is included in the UNECCO list of World heritage.
Then visit of Matryoshka museum with the masterclass of Matryoshka-making.
Time for lunch on own
Journey to Suzdal (around 3 hours drive)
Arrival at about 18.00, check in the hotel
Dinner on own at local restaurant
Upon request possibility to have Russian banya (steam bath) experience
Overnight in Suzdal
Day 4: Suzdal - Vladimir
Breakfast at the hotel Departure for an exploring of the historic town, where 7 objects are included in UNESCO Heritages list
Suzdal is one of Russia’s oldest settlements, dating back to early the 11th century; today this town is like a setting for the historic movie with century old churches, wooden houses and beautiful landscape.
Visit the Kremlin - the oldest part of Suzdal that laid the foundation for the settlement; The Alexandrovsky convent
The Alexandrovsky Convent, which was founded in 1240 by a heroic military leader of the Middle Ages – the Russian prince Alexander Nevsky. According to a legend he founded the convent for women whose men had been killed. Visit the Deposition of the Robe Convent, which was founded in 1207 and was the first monastery in Suzdal. As it is located on a hill right in the center of the town, it is perfectly visible from any point of Suzdal.
Lunch on own
Stroll along the ancient streets
Visit of the Museum of Wooden architecture, that keeps numerous examples of old wooden architecture and is considered to be a little corner of classical ancient Russia.
Visit of Suzdal will end with the visit of the House of Ceramics, where will be possible not only to buy some original pieces, but to create something with own hands
Transfer to Vladimir (1 hour drive)
Arrival, check in the hotel
Dinner on own
Overnight in Vladimir
Day 5: Vladimir
Breakfast at the hotel
Start the full day tour of Vladimir
Among numerous highlights of the city are objects of the Russian architecture of the pre-Mongol era, that were well preserved and are distinguished by their uniqueness. This fact makes Vladimir one of the best Russian cities in terms of historical architecture. From ancient times, Moscow has been known as a capital of Russia; however, it gained a status of real capital in the 15 century. Before, this title belonged to Vladimir.
See the Golden gate, erected in 1164 as a main entrance to the city; Assumption cathedral intended as the main cathedral of Russia. This majestic temple contains frescoes of Andrei Rublev, the famous Russian icon painter. The Vladimir’s Cathedral served as a prototype of the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
The tour includes also visit to Stoletov Brother’s house- museum, showing routine life of merchants.
Besides that, we will visit a smiithy, again with the workshop, where our customers will forge a nail
Hi tea will take place at the museum of the Soviet sweets, with sweets tasting
Vladimir is famous with its picturesque streets and restaurants
Lunch and dinner are on own in one of local restaurants on own expenses
Overnight in Vladimir
Day 6: Vladimir – St. Petersburg
Packed breakfast at the hotel and check out
Departure to St. Petersburg by Sapsan train (07.04 – 13.20)
Arrival to St. Petersburg
Check in the hotel
Panoramic tour of St. Petersburg.
It covers tour of The Peter and Paul fortress including St. Peter and St. Paul cathedral, Nevsky Prospect, The Spit of the Basil island, The Aurora cruiser (outside), The Cathedral of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood (outside), Saint Michael's Castle (outside), Arts Square, Palace Square, St Isaac's square
Evening – Neva River cruise
Dinner on own
Overnight in St. Petersburg
Day 7: St. Petersburg
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning – tour to Peterhof by hydrofoil
Visit of the Big Palace and Lower Park.
Peterhof Grand Palace and Park that carries the world's largest system of fountains, which titled as the "Russian Versailles". Enjoy sightseeing with the statues, pavilions and the fountains.
The Palace at Peterhof sits amidst an enormous park, adorned with fountains, statues and pavilions. The upper Garden, located between the St. Petersburg highway and the Grand Palace, is a typical French-style formal garden with five fountains including one depicting Neptune, the God of the Sea. The estate's Lower Park lies between the Garden Palace and the seashore and boasts the world's largest system of fountains, earning it the title the "Russian Versailles". There are three major cascades and over 120 fountains in the park. The most impressive is the Grand Cascade.
Lunch on own
Afternoon – visit of the Hermitage state museum
The State Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world. The museum's collections include about 3 million exhibits within 6 different departments: History of Russian Culture, Western European Art, as well as Prehistoric, Ancient, Oriental Art and Numismatics. The department of the History of Russian Culture and the Picture Gallery, which is registered as the world's largest in the Guinness Book of Records, are of particular interest and will be shown during the Hermitage Tour, which runs through 4 buildings of the Hermitage on the Palace Quay.
Dinner on own
Overnight in St. Petersburg
Day 8: St. Petersburg – departure
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport.
Have a pleasant & safe flight back to your home!
Tour Ends!!!
