(Moscow /Sergiev Posad / Suzdal (Vladimir) / Kostroma / Yaroslavl(Rostov,Pereslavl) /Moscow)

GROUP TOUR
9 Days / 8 .Nights

The tour includes visiting the major tourist centers of the Golden ring of Russia’s most ancient historic places. Though having distinctive characters and unique monuments, all the places of the route have very much in common: they are very traditionally Russian, whether it concerns their architecture or the spirit of their dwellers.
Sergiev Posad The history of the city (founded in 1742) is closely connected with the history of the Troitse-Sergiev Monastery (The Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius), which was founded in the 14th century by St. Sergius Radonezhsky, one of the most revered saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. For many centuries the monastery was Russia’s largest religious and cultural centre. The main sacred place of the monastery is the Trinity Cathedral (1422), the burial ground of St. Sergius. The Cathedral is also known for unique frescoes painted by the genius Russian icon painter Andrew Rublev and his teacher Daniil Cherny. The icon of Holy Trinity by Andrew Rublev, one of the most inspired masterpieces ever created by a human being, is kept now in the Tretyakov State Art Gallery in Moscow.
Rostov the Great The very name of the city reflects its significance in the history of Russia. Mentioned firstly in 862, it reached its heyday as the capital of the principality of the same name by the early 13th century. Though destroyed several times by the Mongol hordes, the city came back to life persistently, staying one of the most beautiful cities of the medieval Russia. The city of many architectural masterpieces, Rostov is known most for its metropolitan’s residence – the last great architectural ensemble built in the traditional Russian style.
Pereslavl Founded in1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the town of Pereslavl remains in the history of Russia connected to the names of the two most popular Russian rulers. Prince Alexander Nevsky, the most able general, politician and diplomat of ancient Russia, was born and for some time ruled there. Later the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great spent his youth in Pereslavl and there he built his “poteshny”(amusing) flotilla, the prototype of the Russia’s first navy. Among the town’s sights, are the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior (1152), and Peter the Great’s estate, where one of his boats is kept.
Kostroma It is considered that this Volga city was founded in 1152 by Prince of Rostov and Suzdal Yuri Dolgoruky, who is also known as the founder of Moscow. After a short period of rapid growth (16-17th centuries) Kostroma lost its commercial significance, but stayed the city that played noticeable role in the national history. Among the main city’s attractions is the Ipatiev Monastery complex (13th century) with its famous Trinity Cathedral and Chamber of the the Romanov boyars.
Yaroslavl Founded on the Volga river in 1010, this is a city of great history and rich cultural traditions. For a few centuries it had been one of the most prosperous and developed cities of imperial Russia. Known as a tourist center of many outstanding architectural monuments, Yaroslavl was included in 2005 in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Vladimir Founded in 1108, the city is a part of the popular Golden Ring travel itinerary, known for many masterpieces of the ancient Russian architecture. Until the mid of 14th century (when Moscow overshadowed it) Vladimir was de facto the political and cultural capital of the old Russia and the residence of the Russian metropolitans. The best architectural masterpieces of pre-Mongolian Russia, including splendid golden-domed cathedrals build of carved white stone and the magnificent Golden Gates, can still be seen inside and around the city.
Suzdal With its population of only 12 thousand citizens, this town nevertheless is one of the country’s most popular tourist centers, a real pearl of the Golden Ring travel itinerary. It was the capital of its own principality in the first half of the 14th century, but later lost independence and became a part of the Moscow Tzardom (1392). Nowadays this charming little town, frozen in time looks right like a picture from a Russian fairytale, untouched by the modern development, with many brightly-colored domes of the churches and monasteries razing to the sky. There are more than 200 historical monuments preserved in the city.

Day.1   

Arrival in Moscow. Check in. Dinner  at the hotel.

Day 2

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Moscow: Tverskaya ulitsa, (the main thoroughfare of the city), Manege Square, Red Square, Sparrow Hills (known for a fabulous view of the city), Novodevichy Convent (New Maden convent, probably the best-known cloister of Moscow, remaining virtually intact from 17 century), Christ the Saviour Cathedral (the main cathedral of Russia and the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world) etc. Lunch. Tour of the Moscow Kremlin, the historical citadel at the heart of Moscow and the seat of the Russian government, including one of the Cathedrals on its territory. Dinner.

Day 3

Breakfast. Departure to Sergiev Posad. Tour of the Troitse-Serguiev (Trinity) Monastery. Founded by one of the most revered of the Russian saints St.Sergius in 14 century, the Trinity monastery is among the main pilgrimage sites for the Russian Orthodox believers, and one of the residences of the Russian patriarch. That makes it a kind of the Russian Vatican. Arrival at Suzdal. Check in. Dinner.

Day 4

Breakfast. Whole day trip to Vladimir for sightseeing tour of the city (the Assumption Cathedral, the Golden Gates and the other sights). Lunch. Proceed to Bogolyubovo for visiting the Church of the Intercession built on the river Nerl. Though rather small and modestly decorated, it is one of the most beautiful Russian churches, possibly due to its fantastic location. The tour of the museum of handicrafts can be also arranged when visiting Bogolyubovo. Return to Suzdal. Dinner.

Day 5

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Suzdal (the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Nativity of the Mother of God, the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Spaso-Yevfimiev and Intercession Monasteries). Lunch. Departure to Kostroma. Arrival in Kostroma. Check in. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the city. Lunch. Visit to the Ipatiev Monastery, where Mikhail Romanov the first tzar of the last Russian royal dynasty was elected. Dinner.

Day 7

Breakfast. Departure to Yaroslavl. Sightseeing tour of the city including the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Saviour. Lunch. Departure to Moscow. Sightseeing tours of Rostov the Great and Pereslavl on the way. Arrival in Moscow. Check in. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8

Breakfast. The tour of the Kremlin. Lunch in a city restaurant. Walking tour of the Arbat street - the favourite city promenade. Dinner.

Day.9   

 Breakfast. Tour of the Tretyakov State Art Gallery, the best and the most famous collection of the Russian classical art.  Lunch in a city restaurant. Transfer to the airport. Departure.