Day 1
– Arrival to Moscow. Meeting a local tour guide in the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.

Day 2
– Breakfast
– In the first half of the day we invite you to short-time loop tour for seeing the main sights of Moscow. You’ll pass the historical center of the city, see the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, approach Lomonosov Moscow State University to enjoy an incredible panoramic view from Vorobyevy Gory. During the excursion you’ll learn the history of Moscow, the history of its development, about the way its architectural look has changed throughout various epochs, especially recently, that you can see for yourselves when coming closer to the Moscow City complex, a new business district of Moscow.
– In the afternoon we’ll come back to the historical city center, to the Red Square. Strolling through the biggest square of Moscow. Visiting the famous GUM, shopping.
– Extra excursions: Visit to Pokrovsky Cathedral
– Return to the hotel.
– Leisure time.

Day 3
– Breakfast
– Transfer to the Kremlin. Seeing the sights on the territory of the Kremlin, the most ancient part of Moscow, that is the part of UNESCO World Heritage List, getting acquainted with ancient architecture of Moscow. Visiting the Armoury, one of the most famous museums of the city, displaying a rich collection of precious items made in the Kremlin workshops and donated by foreign states embassies and stored in tsar’s treasury and patriarchal sacristy for centuries.
– In the afternoon a walking tour “Moscow Architecture” through Zamoskvorechye and “The Soviet Moscow” down Tverskaya Street
– Return to the hotel by metro, stops at the most popular and richly decorated stations.

Day 4
– Breakfast
– Check out
– Visiting The Pushkin Museum, a world famous museum of fine arts; works by impressionists and Fayum portraits collection are of the greatest interest.
– Transfer to the airport or railway station 

Day 1
– Arrival to Moscow. Meeting a guide. Fam city sight-seeing tour on the way to the hotel

Day 2
– Breakfast
– Excursion to The Central Air Force Museum in Monino
– The first museum in Russia 38 km south-east of Moscow where original aircrafts of Air Force are on display: airplanes of various types, helicopters, aviation engines, weapons, rescue equipment, since 1909 till the present day items. In the museum halls model aircrafts, unique photos and uncommon documents (more than 37 thousands) are accessible to visitors as well. History of the Air Force Museum is the history of Russian aviation formation and development in itself.
– Return to the city.
– Leisure time.

Day 3
– Breakfast
– Visit to The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, containing a number of interactive exhibits: simulators, identical to simulators used in Cosmonaut Training Centre named after Yu.A.Gagarin, such as rendezvous docking simulator, the ISS mockup, rescue helicopter simulator. There’s also available a Mini-Mission Control Centre where you can monitor real-time activity on board the ISS and negotiate with the crew. Interactive “Buran” cockpit with mobility and panoramic stereo imaging systems.
– In the afternoon excursion to Korolev’s Memorial Apartment Museum – the museum of the Father of the Soviet Cosmonautics.
– The museum is situated in a two-storey mansion, where academician S.P. Korolev lived and worked from 1959 to 1966. This house was granted to Sergei Pavlovich by the Soviet government after the successful launch of the first artificial Satellite. The museum is unique with genuineness of its exhibits. These are personal belongins of the Academician, library of technical and imaginative literature, books with presentation inscriptions from authors, furniture, welfare items, works of visual art.
– Return to the hotel.

Day 4
– Breakfast
– Leisure time
– Transfer to the airport or railway station
– Optional: visiting the Star City – Cosmonaut Training Centre named after Yu.A.Gagarin 

Moscow is famous for its active night life. We invite you to enjoy a stag party in this City of Pleasures.

Day 1
– Meeting a guide in the airport, transfer to the hotel by limousine with a short-time fam sight-seeing tour at a time. Welcome cocktail.
– Red carpet welcome in the hotel bar. Transfer to night clubs by limousine. Time of return to the hotel – upon party participants’ request.

Day 2
– Breakfast in the room (upon request)
– The second half of the day – visiting the most famous and oldest public baths of Moscow – Sanduny. Restore your strengths in Russian bath and sweating room. The Russian bath quickly takes off weariness of the past night and energizes you for the whole day.
– Late dinner. Return to the hotel.
– Transfer by limousine to one of the most fashionable bars of the city, where one can raise his spirits and get well prepared for night club party. Transfer to a night club or a men’s club. Time of return to the hotel – upon party participants’ request.

Day 3
– Breakfast in the room (upon request)
– Transfer to the airport 

Day 1 – Saint-Petersburg, sightseeing tour
– Arrival at Saint-Petersburg airport. Meeting English-speaking guide in arrival hall.
– Short-time loop tour across main streets, squares, avenues and such sights as: architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, the Senate Square, the Admiralty, the Palace Square, Nevsky Avenue, Aurora, the Smolny Convent, the Summer Garden, the Mikhailovsky Castle and so on.
– Transfer to the hotel accompanied by the guide. Accommodation.
– Optional excursion: If you are not tired, we invite for a folklore show, where one can enjoy Russian folk songs and dances.

Day 2 – Saint-Petersburg, the Hermitage Museum
– Breakfast. This morning you’ll take an excursion to the Hermitage, one of the most famous museums in the world. The Hermitage has one of the richest collections of paintings and sculpture. The collection was initiated in 1764 by Catherine the Great and currently the museum contains over 3 million of exhibits related to various epochs from Prehistoric times to the Present Day. Main expositions occupy 400 halls. Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Tiziano, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, El Greco, Poussin, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, A.Matisse are considered real pearls.
– Optional: Visit to Isaac Cathedral.
– Optional: Water cruise along rivers and canals of Saint-Petersburg.
– The best way to discover Saint-Petersburg and have a rest – a cruise along the city’s rivers by a small ship. During the excursion you’ll enjoy Saint-Petersburg (Northern Venice) views to the full.
– Optional: Your trip to Russia will be incomplete, if you miss a chance to visit ballet or opera in Mariinsky Theatre.

Day 3 – Saint-Petersburg, leisure day
– Breakfast. Leisure time.
– Optional excursion: visiting Pushkin, the city where Catherine Palace is situated. It is an architectural and gardening landmark of unforgettable beauty. In 1710 Peter the Great presented his wife Catherine a piece of land where some years past a magnificent ensemble with palaces and gardens was built. World-famous Amber Room known as the Eighth Wonder of the World deservingly wins the Pearl of the Palace title.
– Optional: Visiting Peterhof (Grand Palace and parks)

Day 4 – Saint-Petersburg
– Breakfast.
– Transfer to the airport 

DAY 1
– Arrival in St. Petersburg. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 2
– Breakfast.
– Sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia, the history of the Romanov dynasty. Among the rich parade of sights to be enjoyed will be Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Art Square with the Russian Museum, the Smolny Convent, famous Nevsky Avenue, the Summer Garden and the Field of Mars.
– In the evening we invite you to join us for “White Nights” excursion. Saint Petersburg is known as the City of Bridges. There is no wonder, because the city is situated on more then 45 islands. Saint Petersburg wins the leading position in Russia in the quantity of bridges. Of course the most amazing fact about the Saint Petersburg bridges is that all the bridges across the Neva River are drawbridges. It means that at night they are lifted to let the big steamers and ships pass through the river to Ladoga Lake. That is the picture of majestic beauty, especially during the famous period of White Nights from May till July, when nights are as light as daytime and there is a wonderful feeling of magic all around the city.

DAY 3
– Breakfast.
– Tour to Peterhof, which is a jewel of the Russian art, a town of parks, palaces, and fountains. It was built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. In the past it used to be an exquisite summer residence of the Russian tsars. It is famous also for brilliant interiors of the Grand Palace. From Peterhof Grand Palace three monumental cascading fountains (one of them comprising the famous Samson) lead you to the Low Park, which is also a real masterpiece; there are 173 fountains in the Low Park.
– In the evening you can enjoy the classical Russian ballet performance in one of St.Petersburg theatres (optional).

DAY 4
– Breakfast.
– Excursion to State Hermitage Museum, one of the largest museums in the world after Paris Louvre and the National Gallery in London. The collection of it numbers over 3 million exhibits from prehistoric to modern times. Russian Empress Catherine II founded it in 1764, when she bought a large number of Western European paintings. For this collection she ordered to construct a new building. Now the permanent museum display occupies five buildings, which form a brilliant architectural ensemble. The Hermitage acquires authentic masterpieces by the greatest painters and sculptors such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Claude Monet, August Renoir, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and Matisse. The Hermitage complex is a veritable spiritual universe.
– Boat trip “Along The Rivers and Canals”.

DAY 5
– Breakfast
– Tour to Tsarskoye Selo. The palace-and-park ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village) – a former country residence of Russian emperors – is a fascinating monument of the world’s architecture and gardening of XVIII-XIX centuries. Its three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, each park has over 100 architectural constructions – from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to pavilions and park sculptures. The compositional centre of the Tsarskoselsky ensemble is the Catherine Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, bronze, and sculptures. You will see the famous Amber room, which is almost complete now.
– Your visit to Russia will be incomplete without visiting a folklore show. The professional ensembles of our country will show you the best of Russian folk art (optional).

DAY 6
– Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. During the White Nights International Festival the Stars of the White Nights organized by Valery Gergiev takes place in St. Petersburg. You have a unique opportunity to attend a performance (opera, ballet or concert), which casts the world famous stars. Your visit to Russia will be incomplete if you miss a chance to see the local Folk show. The best folk companies give their shows in St. Petersburg.

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Day 1
– Arrival at the airport. Meeting a local guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome cocktail at the hotel upon arrival. In the evening welcome dinner is waiting for you in the Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir

Day 2
– Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we invite you to the city tour. While touring through the city you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia, the history of the Romanov dynasty. During sightseeing you will visit the Peter and Paul Fortress. It is the first structure in St. Petersburg. The first day of the construction of the Fortress became the Birthday of the city – May 27, 1703. Built as a military fort the fortress never participated in any military action and soon was transferred into political prison. Rising high above the Neva the golden slim spire of Peter and Paul Cathedral with an angel on its top dominates the city. The cathedral is a burial place of Russian Emperors from the time of Peter I. In 1998 remains of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, and his family were buried in Peter and Paul Cathedral.
– Walking tour on the bastions of the Fortress. Wonderful view opens from the bastions to the Neva River and its embankments. During the tour one gets an amazing impression of space: broad, full-watered river inevitably strikes one as being the main thoroughfare of the city.
– After lunch at a city restaurant we continue our excursion with the boat trip “Along The Rivers and Canals”. A relaxing cruise by boat along the Neva River and other numerous rivers and canals of the “Venice of the North”, as St. Petersburg used to be called, is one of the unique ways to discover city. The magnificent architectural ensembles, churches, cathedrals and monuments seem to exist in astonishing harmony with the water body. All St. Petersburg embankments have their own distinctive character. Some are formal and grand. Others, twisting together with rivers and canals, have quiet, romantic air. On calm, windless days mirror surfaces of the rivers reflect embankments, facades of buildings, arches of the bridges, patterns of cast-iron railings and trees. After the cruise we proceed to one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals, St. Isaac’s Cathedral. It was constructed in the first half of the 19th century and was named in honor of St. Isaac of Dalmatia, on whose day Peter I was born. This Cathedral is the third in the world among the largest one-dome cathedrals after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. It is the former principle cathedral of the Russian capital, the largest cathedral in the city. In this cathedral ceremonial weddings of Russian tsars were held. The cathedral is decorated with mosaics, painted ceiling murals, bronze gilt statues. Religious services are held here on Major Orthodox holidays.

Day 3
– Breakfast at the hotel. Full-day suburban excursion to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo, Tsar’s Village). It is a fascinating example of the world’s architecture and gardening. The compositional center of the whole ensemble is the Catherine Palace. The grandeur of artistic décor of the façades, whimsical molded decoration, gilding of architectural and sculptural details, all echoes majesty and elegance of the interior decoration. Halls and rooms of the palace embellished with gilded caryatids, allegorical sculptures, elaborate stuccowork, monumental ceiling paintings and skillfully executed inlaid parquet floors never fail to fascinate visitors to the palace. The famous Amber Room used to be in this Palace. Now it is restored and you can enjoy it during the tour. The park of Tsarskoye Selo was a favorite recreation place of the Russian Tsars. The paths around the Catherine Palace invite you for a walk to see park pavilions erected by famous architects and sculptors of Russia.
– Lunch is served not far from Pushkin in restaurant “Podvorye” – the most Russian out of all restaurants in Russia. It is well known in many countries all over the world; even such famous gourmets as Charles, Prince of Wales and president of France Jacques Chirac have admired the restaurant cuisine. The restaurant looks like an old Russian village, where every detail makes you feel yourself Russian.
– After lunch one more suburb palace – and – park ensemble, Pavlovsk, is waiting for you. Pavlovsk was used as a summer residence of Russian emperor Paul I and his family. The formation of the rich collection of Pavlovsk Palace was closely connected with trip of Paul I and his wife around Europe. They visited workshops of well-known artists, ordering and acquiring paintings, furniture, bronze articles, silk fabrics, china sets and so on. They brought to Russia a large number of antique sculptures from Italy, as well as gifts from European royal courts. The Pavlovsk Park, which occupies an area of 600 ha, is the largest among the royal suburban residences. This park is one of the most perfect examples of landscape gardening in environs of St. Petersburg and might be called “a music for the eye”.

Day 4
– Breakfast at the hotel. We invite our guests to visit one of the largest and oldest museums in the world – the Hermitage. The collections of the museum are arranged and displayed in 5 historical buildings in St. Petersburg, including The Winter Palace – former residence of the Russian tsars. The buildings of the museum are valuable architectural monuments, chef-d’oeuvres of Western – European architects. The collection of the museum numbers over 3 million items from prehistoric to modern times. The Hermitage acquired authentic masterpieces by the greatest painters, notably the first-rate works of the Dutch and Flemish school of painting, including many canvases by such outstanding masters as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens. Now the museum can boast itself by superb collections of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. We also offer you a visit to the Diamond Treasury of the Hermitage, where diplomatic gifts and jewelry, which previously belonged to the Imperial family, are kept.
– Lunch in a typical Russian restaurant in the city.
– After the tour to the Hermitage we offer you a visit to one more palace – Yussupov Palace. It is one of the most sumptuous palaces in St. Petersburg. It’s one of the rare works of architecture which history is closely associated with names of aristocracy, eminent architects and artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It belonged to the Yussupovs family, the family of fabulous rich. The Yussupov Palace was the scene of a memorable tragic event in Russian history. In 1916 the last owner of the Palace, Prince Felix Yussupov, and his friends killed Grigory Rasputin, a favorite of the royal family. After the excursion ballet will be arranged in the theatre of Yussupov Palace.
– After the ballet in the interiors of the Palace we invite you to have a Farewell Dinner.

Day 5
– Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport

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DAY 1
– Arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Dinner at the restaurant at the hotel.

DAY 2
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– On this day we are happy to invite you to the city tour. You will have a chance to get acquainted with the unique architectural ensembles in the streets, squares, and embankments of the city, with history of the city starting from its foundation and up to the present day. We will focus our attention on the places, closely connected with the Revolution and remarkable events, which followed it. You will visit Peter and Paul Fortress, built by the order of the city’s founder Peter I. The fortress was later used as a political prison. After the Revolution the prison was closed down and the museum was organized on its territory.
– Lunch (traditional Russian cuisine and vodka-tasting)
– We will come on board of the famous Aurora battle cruiser, which played a noticeable role during the revolutionary events of 1917. During the Second World War Aurora guns protected the city sky from enemies aircrafts. Now Aurora is on its last eternal berthing near the Nakhimov Naval Academy. The cruiser was turned into a museum and now it is open to public.
– Museum of Russian Political History was opened in the former mansion of Matilda Kseshinskaya, outstanding Russian ballet dancer and favorite of Nicholas II.

DAY 3
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Excursion to Razliv. We will set off to Sestroretsk to Lake Razliv, which is 35 km away from St. Petersburg. There in 1917 Vladimir Ilich Lenin hid out from The Russian Provisional Government. At first he stayed at Emelyanov brothers’ in a barn, then in a tent made of branches. From there he escaped to Finland. Lunch at the restaurant “Shalash (Tent)”, its interiors reproduce the spirit of the Lenin epoch.
– Return trip to the city. On our way back we will visit Memorial Flat of S.M. Kirov, the first secretary of Leningrad regional committee CPSU (B.) (Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)) from 1926 till 1934. The interiors of the flat, household goods, library and personal belongings of Kirov were nearly completely preserved. Visit to the Hermitage – one of the largest European museums. The State Hermitage museum comprises 5 buildings, one of them is the Winter Palace – the official residence of Russian Emperors. After overthrow of the Tsar’s regime the Hermitage was a residence of the Provisional Government. It was there in the White Dinning Room, where members of the Provisional Government had a meeting during the storming of the Winter Palace. After the Revolution the museum became a state ownership and was opened to public.

DAY 4
– Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Icebreaker Krasin built in 1916. It is the world’s only floating icebreaker museum. It was restored lately. All mechanisms and equipment are operative and answer all normative requirements. The exposition tells about shipbuilding, icebreaker fleet and participation of Krasin in rescue parties and research expeditions and the Second World War. Visit to D-2 Narodovolets submarine. The visitors will have a chance to get acquainted with the submarine layout, technical equipment, arms and the crew living conditions onboard the Second World War combat submarine. Lunch
– Visit to Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. This factory was established more than 200 years ago. Before the Revolution it was called the Imperial Porcelain Factory, after 1917 the factory became state-owned and was renamed Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. The museum fund includes items, which can tell the history of the factory and priceless collection of porcelain. It also has a rich collection of porcelain of post-revolutionary period, so called agitational porcelain.

DAY 5
– Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Set-off to Tsarskoye Selo. The State Museum-Reserve “Tsarskoye Selo” is an example of world architecture and gardening of 18th century – the beginning of 20th century. During the Second World War Tsarskoye Selo was occupied by the Nazis. Magnificent Catherine Palace was severely destroyed; the park was totally ruined. Right after the end of the war the reconstruction process started and it is still in progress. The major part of the interiors is now open to public, including world famous Golden Suite of Rooms and the Amber Room.
– Return to the city. Visit to the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad. In a huge 1200 m2 hall there are documents and real evidences, which reflect the heroic deed of Defenders of Leningrad – soldiers and civilians during the 900-day Siege. Lunch
– Visit to the Central Naval Museum. It is one of the first Russian museums and the largest Naval Museum of the World. The collection of arms, naval materiel, flags, and banners includes unique items, the majority of which do not have analogues in the World.
– Visit to the Artillery Museum. On the territory of the museum there are examples of materiel and arms since Peter’s time and till present days. Among them the most interesting are the Second World War items used in battles. Transfer to the railway station. Trip to Moscow.

DAY 6
– Moscow. Transfer. Check-in. City tour and visit to the memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill. Video boards show documentary of the Second World War time. Original photos, maps, and archive materials tell the visitors about the War of 1941-1945. Lunch
– Visit to the Kremlin. Moscow Kremlin State Museum comprises the architectural monuments built in the end of the 15th century. – 20th century. The Moscow Kremlin has always been the residence of Russian Rulers. Today it is the residence of Russian President. Museums of the Kremlin keep the unique masterpieces of various genres.

DAY 7
– Breakfast at the hotel
– Visit to the Polytechnic Museum. The Polytechnic Museum in Moscow is one of the oldest museums in the world – opened on October 12, 1897. Today it is the largest technical museum in Russia. Its exposition tells about the history of techniques and inventors, explains various technical equipment operating principles. Lunch
– Visit to the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in the monument to Space Explorers. The monument was constructed to commemorate the launch of the first artificial satellite on October 4, 1957. Twenty years later by the monument pedestal a museum devoted to the space exploration was opened. The exposition includes genuine aircrafts, space suits and equipment.

DAY 8
– Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.

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DAY 1 – ST. PETERSBURG
– Arrival in St. Petersburg. Meet the local English speaking guide at the airport.
– Transfer to the hotel.
– Check-in.

DAY 2 – ST. PETERSBURG, SIGHTSEEING TOUR
– Breakfast buffet.
– In the morning we invite you to have a guided sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg. During the tour you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia, and learn fascinating stories about the Romanov dynasty. Among the major sights on our route are: Palace Square, the Winter Palace, Arts Square and the Russian Museum, Smolny Convent, Nevsky Prospect, Summer Garden and the Field of Mars. You will enjoy the classical ensemble of Senate Square with its famous “Bronze Horseman”, the spit of the Basil island, many other architectural monuments, gorgeous palaces, marvellous bridges and picturesque embankments.
– Lunch.
– Optional: St. Isaac’s Cathedral
– Optional: Relaxing cruise by boat along the main rivers and canals. The tour will take you to see the palaces and mansions on the banks of some out of the 66 rivers and canals of St. Petersburg.

DAY 3 – ST. PETERSBURG, THE HERMITAGE
– Breakfast buffet.
– Today you will have a guided tour to one the largest museums in the world – the Hermitage. The museum collections are displayed in five historical buildings, including the Winter Palace – the former residence of the Russian tsars. The year 1764 considered to be a birthday of the museum collection, when Empress Catherine II acquired a collection of European paintings. In the end of the 19th century the museum was opened to public. You will have a rare chance to see the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, P.P. Rubens, Rembrandt, A. El Greco, N. Poussin, P. Gauguin, P. Picasso, A. Matisse, works of the Dutch, Flemish, Italian, German, French and Spanish painters.
– Optional: in the evening you can enjoy the classical Russian ballet performance in one of the city theatres.

DAY 4 – ST. PETERSBURG, FREE DAY
– Breakfast buffet.
– Free day to explore the city on your own.

DAY 5 – ST. PETERSBURG – TALLINN
– Breakfast buffet.
– Transfer to Tallinn.
– Arrival in Tallinn, accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 6 – TALLINN, SIGHTSEEING TOUR
– Breakfast buffet.
– In the morning – sightseeing tour of Tallinn. The highlight of any trip to Estonia is its capital city, Tallinn, with its fabulous medieval Old City. Tallinn’s Old City is UNESCO Heritage Site, and rightly so. Unlike most European cities, which have ancient buildings mixed in between modern ones, Tallinn’s Old City is complete. You leave bustling modern life behind when of cobblestones and dim alleys, sputtering torches and secret stairways. The Old City holds new surprises around every corner, even for its old inhabitants. We will go through the two contrasting parts of the old town: the Lower Town, once a free trading town and member of the Hanseatic League with its guild houses, warehouses, a unique Gothic Town Hall, dwellings of prosperous merchants, and churches with charming slender towers; and Toompea or the Upper Town, the seat of German landlords, and their houses from the 18th-19th centuries. The visit will include also the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and the Dome church, the church of the local German nobility for centuries, which contains a valuable collection of their family coats of arms, the Art Museum of Estonia, the Kiek-in-de-Kök – tower museum built in 1475.
– Free evening. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7 – TALLINN
– Breakfast buffet.
– Check-out. Transfer to the airport. 

DAY 1
– Transfer to the Novgorod from Saint-Petersburg. Arrival in Novgorod. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Lunch City tour. During the city sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and visit the main places of interest. Novgorod was founded in 9th century and became a birthplace of Russia. It is a city-museum with splendid monuments of ecclesiastic and defense architecture of 12th – 14th cc. Novgorod’s architecture and painting are unquestionably the best examples of world culture. The Novgorod Kremlin is the 11th century citadel with unassailable walls and tall towers. Its oldest structure, St.Sofia’s Cathedral, amazes one with its great height (nearly 40 metres), its strength, spacious interior and acoustic qualities. The entire Kremlin grounds with all its structures, which have been restored, are the museum area. You will see Faceted Palace and “The Millenium of Russia” Monument. Dinner.

DAY 2
– Breakfast at the hotel. After it you will enjoy a visit to unique open-air Museum of wooden architecture “Vitoslavlitsi” of incomparable beauty, which preserves flavor of the 16th century village with genuine wooden churches and peasant homes from around the region. Not far from the museum there is the Yuriev Monastery. It is situated on the bank of the Ilmen Lake and provides unique opportunities to glimpse frescoes of antiquity. The Yuriev Monastery – working man’s monastery. It was founded by Novgorod prince Jaroslav in the beginning of XI century. It is located 4 km away Novgorod on the bank of the Ilmen Lake. Since 1989 it is a part of Novgorod diocese and has been working more than 10 years. There is Georgievski cathedral on the territory of the monastery – the most unique monument of XII century architecture, a princely tomb. Lunch. Transfer to St. Petersburg. 

DAY 1
– Transfer to Pskov from Saint Petersburg. Arrival in Pskov. Accommodation. Lunch.
– City sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and see main places of interest – the Pskov Kremlin, St. Trinity Cathedral, fortress construction, visit ancient Pskov churches of the 14-16th centuries, getting acquainted with Pskov Civil architecture. Also you will see well-known Alexander Nevsky monument.
– Dinner.

DAY 2
– Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Izborsk – Pechory. The small town of Pechory (in English means Caves), a local centre, is situated near the Estonian border 53 kilometers away from Pskov. The main sight of the town is the Holy-Pechory Assumption Orthodox Monastery of the caves, the oldest in Russia, being the monument of Russian culture and military history. Originally located in the caves, the monastery gave the name to the town. The contemporary appearance of the monastery is unusually picturesque. The fortress walls surrounded the wonderful architectural ensemble consisting of churches of 15-19th centuries, a big belfry (with complete set of the ancient bells) and original household constructions. Now the cloister has 11 churches, three among them are of cave type. Seventy monks live in the monastery. The monastery has a collection of restored icons, wonderful children choir. The main cave consists of six “streets” about 200 meters long, and there are more than 300 gravestones there. It is a burial vault for monks, martyrs, statesmen, peasants and townspeople. More than 10,000 monks are buried here.
– On the way from Pskov to Pechory there is another ancient city – Izborsk. It is one of the oldest towns in Russia; originally it started its history from a small settlement. The remains of 8 – 13th century fortifications and other buildings are still hidden in the hill. From its rocky foot the Slavonic springs like subterranean waterfalls spurt out of the ground. They never freeze over. This ancient settlement was mentioned among the first Russian towns under the year 862. At the Izborsk Nature Reserve you can visit a museum and an active church. Its main monument is a new 14th century fortress on Crane Hill. It bore the brunt of countless enemy attacks against Russia. The old walls and towers of the fortress look as if they grow directly out of the earth of this magnificent land.
– Lunch. Transfer to St. Petersburg. 

DAY 1
– Transfer to the Pskov from Saint Petersburg. Arrival in Pskov. Accommodation. Lunch.
– City sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and see main places of interests – the Pskov Kremlin, St. Trinity Cathedral, fortress construction, visit ancient Pskov churches of 14-16th centuries, getting acquainted with Pskov Civil architecture. Also you will see well-known Alexander Nevsky monument. Dinner.

DAY 2
– Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Izborsk – Pechory. The small town of Pechory (in English means Caves), a local centre, is situated near the Estonian border 53 kilometers away from Pskov. The main sight of the town is Holy-Pechory Assumption Orthodox Monastery of the caves, the oldest in Russia, being the monument of Russian culture and military history. Originally located in the caves, the monastery gave the name to the town.
– On the way from Pskov to Pechory there is another ancient city – Izborsk. It is one of the oldest towns in Russia, originally it started its history from a small settlement. The remains of the 8 – 13th century fortifications and other buildings are still hidden in the hill. From its rocky foot the Slavonic springs like subterranean waterfalls spurt out of the ground. They never freeze over. The old walls and towers of the fortress look as if they grow directly out of the earth of this magnificent land.
– Lunch. Transfer to Novgorod. Arrival in Novgorod. Accommodation. City tour. During the city sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and visit the main places of interest. Novgorod was founded in 9th century and become a birthplace of Russia. It is a city-museum with the splendid monuments of ecclesiastic and defense architecture of 12th – 14th cc. Novgorod’s architecture and painting are unquestionably the best example of world culture. The Novgorod Kremlin, is 11th century citadel with unassailable walls and tall towers. Its oldest structure, St.Sofia’s Cathedral, amazes visitors with its great height (nearly 40 metres), its strength, spacious interior and acoustic qualities. The entire Kremlin grounds with all its structures, which have been restored, are the museum area. You will see Faceted Palace and “The Millenium of Russia” Monument. Dinner.

DAY 3
– Breakfast at the hotel. After it you will enjoy a visit to unique open-air Museum of wooden architecture “Vitoslavlitsi” of incomparable beauty, which preserves flavor of the 16th century village with genuine wooden churches and peasant homes from around the region. Not far from the museum there is the Yuriev Monastery. It is situated on the bank of the Ilmen Lake and provides unique opportunities to glimpse frescoes of antiquity. The Yuriev Monastery – working man’s monastery. It was founded by Novgorod prince Jaroslav in the beginning of XI century. It is located 4 km away from Novgorod on the bank of the Ilmen Lake. Since 1989 it is a part of Novgorod diocese and has been working more than 10 years. There is Georgievski cathedral on the territory of the monastery – the most unique monument of XII century architecture, a princely tomb. Lunch. Transfer to St. Petersburg. 

DAY 1
– Meeting at the railway station. Departure to Petrozavodsk by train.

Day 2
– Arrival to Petrozavodsk. Meeting at the railway station. Transfer. Breakfast. City tour round Petrozavodsk. It is the capital of Karelia. Petrozavodsk stands on the site of the 17th century settlement called Olonets, an administrative center of a region known for its iron forging and smithing. During the years of its existence it has turned from a provincial town into an administrative, industrial and cultural center of Karelia. Embankment of the Onega Lake – the second largest lake in Europe. During the city tour you will see: Monument to Peter I, historical center of the city – the cannon-monument, Theatre square, the cultural centre of the city, Cathedral of the Deposition of the Cross (19th century). Transfer to the River Terminal. Hydrofoil tour to Kizhi Island. Arrival to Kizhi Island. Sightseeing. A small Kizhi Island, 8 km long and less than 1.5 km wide, is washed by the Lake Onega.
In the remote past it was a site of pagan practices that’s why it was settled very early. The island’s main architectural landmark is the Transfiguration Church built in 1714, without a single nail. (The few nails you can see today remain from the restoration work done in the 1960s.) This strikingly beautiful structure crowned with 22 cupolas seems to be hovering in the air in any weather, whether the lake is calm and peaceful and its surface smooth or it is rough and waves violently break on the shore.
In 1951 the island became an open – air museum of Old Russian wooden architecture. Best wooden constructions have been transferred here from nearby and distant villages. Noteworthy is St. Lazarus’ Church, which, according to the legend, was built by monk Lazarus, the founder of the Murom monastery. He died in 1391, which means that it is the oldest wooden church extant in Russia. It is very small: the nave is only 3 m long while the porch and altar parts are simply tiny. Other relics of the past located here are two wooden houses, two windmills and traditional Russian Bathhouses, which stand on the shore.
– After the excursion the hydrofoil will transfer you back to Petrozavodsk. Lunch.
– Then you will have an excursion to the First Russian Spa “Martial Waters”.
– The route greatly favored by tourists, crosses spectacular land of woods and lakes, small Karelian villages with traditional wooden houses, agricultural farms, picturesque suburbs of Petrozavodsk and typical Karelian landscapes. Tsarevichi village is located in a very picturesque place on a narrow isthmus between two lakes, visiting houses of local people and the chapel of the 18th century. Sampo rock. Unforgettable scenery and acquaintance with the world-famous Karelian-Finnish epos “Kalevala”. The Martial Waters museum. The exhibition of the museum is related with the greatest events of Russian history during the first quarter of the 18th century. The “Martial Waters” spa with sources of the unique mineral water is rich in iron and effective to cure cardio-vascular diseases. Tourists will taste mineral water and visit the Church of Apostle Peter, built in 1721. The tour gives a wonderful opportunity to see life of the inhabitants of the North-Western part of Russia, learn about their rich culture, customs and traditions. The State Nature Preserve Kivach was organized in 1931. Its territory is approximately 10,000 hectares. A large part of the territory is occupied by forests (pine, fir, birch, aspen, grey and black alder, linden, elm trees). The gem of the preserve is the Kivach waterfall on the Suna River. The Kivach waterfall is the second largest flat waterfall in Europe (10.7 m). After the excursion you will have a barbecue dinner with traditional Karelian meals and alcohol.
– Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Saint Petersburg by train.

DAY 3
– Arrival in Saint Petersburg 

DAY 1
– Arrival in the airport Pulkovo-2 in St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 2
– Breakfast. City sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia, the history of the Romanov dynasty. City sightseeing tour includes a visit to St. Issac’s Cathedral, the biggest cathedral of the city and one of the largest one-dome cathedrals in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. It was designed by French architect A. Montferrand. It took 40 years to construct it. The cathedral is decorated with mosaics, painted ceiling murals, bronze gilt statues. Religious services are held here on Major Orthodox holidays. If you wish you can go upstairs to admire the excellent view of Saint Petersburg from the observation point around the cupola of the cathedral.
– After the excursion to St. Isaac’s Cathedral, we would like to invite you to Yussupov Palace. It is one of the most sumptuous palaces in Saint Petersburg. It’s one of the rare works of architecture which history is closely associated with names of aristocracy, eminent architects, artists of the 19th and early 20th century. It belonged to the Yussupovs family, the family of fabulous rich. The palace is also famed as the scene of Rasputin’s murder in December 1916 (optional).
– In the evening you can enjoy a classical Russian ballet performance in one of Saint Petersburg theatres (optional).

DAY 3
– Breakfast. Tour to Pavlovsk, a superb palace and park ensemble of late XVIII – beginning of XX centuries, which was a private residence of Russian Emperor Paul I’s family. You will enjoy Troika riding in the park and taste traditional cakes “pirozhki” and Russian vodka. Also we would like to offer you to challenge yourself in skiing.
– Lunch at the famous Russian restaurant “Podvorje” – the most Russian out of all restaurants in Russia. It is well known in many countries all over the world; even such famous gourmets as Charles, Prince of Wales and president of France Jacques Chirac have admired the restaurant cuisine. The restaurant looks like an old Russian village, where everything will help you to feel yourself Russian.
– After lunch you will visit Tsarskoye Selo/Tsar’s village (also known as Pushkin). The palace and park ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo – a former country residence of Russian emperors – is a fascinating monument of the world’s architectural and gardening arts of XVIII-XIX centuries. Its three parks occupy area of 600 ha, each park has over 100 architectural constructions – from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to intimate pavilions and park sculptures. The compositional centre of Tsarskoselsky ensemble is the Catherine Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, bronze, and sculptures. You will see the famous Amber room, the interior decoration of which was lost during the Second World War. Nowadays the decoration is restored.

DAY 4
– Breakfast. Excursion to the State Hermitage museum, one of the oldest and the largest museums in the world. The collections of the museum are arranged and displayed in 5 historical buildings, including the Winter Palace – former residence of the Russian tsars. Empress Catherine II initiated the collection of the Hermitage in 1764. In the end of the 19th century the museum was opened to public. You will get acquainted with magnificent works of Dutch, Flemish, Italian, German, and Spanish art schools. Among great collections of the museum you will see masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, P.P. Rubens, Rembrandt, A. El Greco, N. Poussin, P. Gauguin, P. Picasso, A. Matisse.
– After the excursion to the Hermitage you will visit Peter and Paul Fortress. Peter and Paul Fortress is the first structure of Saint Petersburg. By order of Peter the Great it was constructed to defend these lands from Sweden, during the war, which lasted 21 years and came down into the history as the Northern War. The first day of the fortress construction became the Birthday of the city – May 27, 1703. The first architect of the city – Domenico Trezini constructed the fortress. For a long period of time the fortress was used as a political prison. The architectural centre of the ensemble of the Fortress is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Cathedral is a burial place of Russian Emperors from the time of Peter I. In 1998 the remains of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family were buried in the Cathedral.
– Also you will visit one more treasure of the city – St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was constructed in the middle of 18th century and is a masterpiece of Baroque architectural style. As St. Nicholas is considered to be the patron saint of sailors and of all travellers, this cathedral is also known as the Navy Cathedral of the city. Dinner in one of restaurants of the city.
– Transfer to the railway station to the overnight train St.Petersburg – Moscow.

DAY 5
– Arrival to Moscow. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Breakfast. City tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and visit the main places of interests – the Red Square, the Moscow State University, the Bolshoi Theatre. You will drive along the main Moscow streets: Tverskaya, Novy Arbat Avenue, Kutuzovsky Avenue, Sadovoye and Bulvarnoye Rings.
– After lunch at a city restaurant, we would like to suggest you visiting of the oldest city park of Moscow – Sokolniki Recreation Park. Its area is 594 ha. In 17th century this territory was a favorite entertainment place of Russian tsars. Here Peter the Great organized merry feasts on the occasion of May holiday of spring coming. In the end of the 19th century Sokolniki became the public city park. Concerts were held in the pavilions, where the best singers gave their performances. Sokolniki is a landscape park. There are ponds, which in wintertime turn into skating rinks. Tourists can rent skates here and feel themselves the champions of the world.

DAY 6
– Breakfast. Visit to the Kremlin, a historical centre of the city, the heart of Moscow. The Kremlin is located on a hill washed from one side by the Moscow River and from the other by its inflow – the Neglinnaya River. On the Kremlin grounds you will see the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon and visit several cathedrals – the wonderful monuments of Russian church architecture with unique richly decorated interiors. You can also visit the Armoury Chamber – the oldest Russian museum (optional). After lunch there will be an excursion to Kolomenskoe. Kolomenskoe is a unique architectural and archeological as well as natural and cultural monument of Moscow and Russian nation. Visitors will find here unique combination of world important architecture and natural landscape of rare beauty. Here in this ancient place one can realize what eternity is. Throughout the centuries guests have enjoyed soul and heart of Kolomenskoe hospitality. Standing high on the steep right bank of the Moscow River architectural ensemble of the former country residence of Russian tsars kept its original planning scheme and unique face. It consists of real masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture constructed mainly in the 16th century. Among them the most expressive is one of the first tent-roof stone churches in Russia – the Church of the Ascension. Not far from the Church there is the George bell tower and the Church of St. John the Baptist’s Head. Due to its architecture it looks like an ancient fortress. This church became a prototype of the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed in the Red Square of Moscow. After a walk-excursion round the territory of Kolomenskoe there will be a tea party with pancakes and jam in Frjazhsky cellar. It is a storage for overseas wines built in 17th century and recently restored. One can buy delicious drinks made according to ancient Russian recipes. After the party we would like you to participate in the traditional Winter folklore holiday.
– In the evening there will be Moscow by Night Excursion. The city looks like an invaluable precious stone, illuminated with millions of lights. The remarkable artists have been working at every single building in the center of the city, at every single pillar and volute on them. Some of them are illuminated in emerald light, some bas-reliefs lit up in pink colour, and the steeple – in mysterious azure. The city changes at night, it becomes unreal, familiar houses become unrecognizable, and shift to some special fairy world.

DAY 7
– Breakfast. Transfer to the international airport 

DAY 1
– Arrival in St.Petersburg. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 2
– Breakfast. Sightseeing tour, during which you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia. Your guide will show you the city and the sights related to life, work and death of famous Russian writers and poets. You will visit the Dostoevsky Memorial Museum. It occupies the basement and two floors of the house in which the writer spent his last years (1878-1881). Whenever Dostoevsky rented an apartment in St. Petersburg, it was located so that at least one window overlooked a church.
– After lunch you will have an opportunity to visit the State Russian Museum. It is called a treasure house of Russian art. This is the first state – owned collection of works of Russian art and culture which amounts to over four thousand items. It situated at one of the most beautiful squares of St.Petersburg – at the Square of Arts in the Michael’s Palace. It was constructed in the beginning of the 19th century for the Grand Duke Michael, the son of Russian Emperor Paul I. Hence the name of the Palace. Museum contains unique collections from icon-paintings to Avant-Garde and social realism, and includes works of outstanding painters, sculptors, writers and poets of 18th – 20th centuries and pieces of decorative, applied and folk arts.

DAY 3
– Breakfast. The famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin – an excursion you enjoy this day. You will visit the Pushkin Apartment Museum. The poet’s last flat, from which he set off for his fateful duel. The exhibition includes personal belongings, manuscripts and documents related to his life. The interior is a complete reconstruction of life in the first half of the 19th century. Exhibitions, concerts and poetry evenings are held at the museum. ]
– Lunch in downtown.
– Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The monastery founded by Peter I in 1720 to commemorate Novgorodian Prince Alexander Nevsky who defeated the Swedes in 1240 on the Neva river side and was later canonized by Russian Orthodox church. In 1797 the Monastery was given the title of Lavra, the highest rank of Orthodox monasticism. The Monastery complex comprises outstanding figures of Russian culture as Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky are buried there.

DAY 4
– Breakfast. Check-out. Excursion to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo/Tsar’s Village). It is a fascinating monument of the world’s architecture and gardening. Peter the Great ordered to construct a small palace for his wife, future Empress Catherine I. In the middle of the 18th century the palace was rebuilt and became the purl of architecture of that period. The Amber Room, which was presented to Peter I by the Prussian King in 1716, known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, used to be in Catherine Palace. The amber ornamentation of this room, missing since 1945, has been reconstructed by Russian gem carvers. The park of Tsarskoye Selo was a favourite recreation place of the Russian Tsars. The paths around the Catherine Palace invite you for a walk to see park pavilions erected by famous architects and sculptors of Russia. Also in Pushkin the Lyceum is situated where Pushkin studied from 1811 to 1817. The old school houses permanent Pushkin Museum. In the Lyceum Garden stands a famous seated Statue of Alexander Pushkin made by design of sculptor Robert Bach in 1900. Pushkin is shown as a youth, wearing the uniform of a Lyceum student. The future poet daydreamed sitting on the iron bench. Lunch.
– Transfer to Pskov. Accommodation. Dinner.

DAY 5
– Breakfast. Transfer to the State Pushkin Memorial Reserve.
– Excursion to Mikhailovskoye estate. The small village of Mikhailovskoye, Pushkin’s patrimonial estate, was granted in 1742, together with lands of Mikhailovskaya Guba, by Empress Elizabeth to Abram Gannibal, godson of Peter the Great and great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin. The poet first visited the family estate just after graduating from Tsarskoye Selo lyceum and was enchanted by the natural beauty of the place, the poetry of peasant life and aura of the past. From 1824 to the end of his life Pushkin made frequent visits to Mikhailovskoye, where he also spent two years in exile. Mikhailovskoye became for him a place of intensive poetic creation. He wrote no less than 100 poems there and worked on chapters of “Eugene Onegin”, “Boris Godunov’, “The Gypsies” and “Count Nulin”. After excursion to Mikhailovskoye you will visit the Svyatogorsky (Saint Hill) Monastery of the Holy Assumption. Svyatogorsky Monastery stands on one of the hills called “holy” to commemorate a vision of the icon of Virgin Hodegetria to a shepherd called Timofei. Founded at the behest of Ivan the Terrible in 1569, the monastery attracted Pushkin because of its history, library of old manuscripts and colourful popular fairs. When he came to Pskov region, Pushkin used to visit the monastery, where his grandparents, father and mother were buried in the family cemetery. Svyatogorsky Monastery was also the last resting place of the poet himself.
– Today Pushkin’s grave is a place of pilgrimage for poetry-lovers. In 1992 monastic life resumed in the monastery. Lunch at the local restaurant. Sightseeing tour in Pskov – one of Russia’s oldest and most beautiful cities, it boasts one of the greatest numbers of extant historical monuments – over 300. The earliest of them are dated back to the 12th century, the latest to the early 20th. There is a natural combination of ancient monuments (fortified walls with towers, churches and monasteries, and merchant’s chambers) and modern buildings.
– The old city is located on quite a high hill. Here the Pskov Kremlin was built, named Krom. The gilded “onion” cupola of the Trinity Cathedral can be seen on a sunny day from a distance of 30 – 40 kilometers. The life of many prominent people of Russia, known all over the world, is connected with Pskov and Pskov region. Famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin wrote a cycle of poems in the Pskov province.
– Dinner.

DAY 6
– Breakfast. Check-out. Departure from Pskov. Transfer to Staraya Russa. The history of the town dates from the 11th century. It was first mentioned in the chronicles of the year 1167. At the time, Russa was part of the Novgorod land. In 1478, together with Novgorod, it joined the Moscow state. In the mid-16th century, it was the fourth biggest town in the Russian state by its population and number of households after Moscow, Pskov and Novgorod. In 1781 Catherine the Great granted Staraya Russa a coat of arms. Occupying an economically and strategically important position, the town grew rich by carrying on trade and producing salt. From olden times until the mid-19th century, Staraya Russa supplied the cities of Moscow Grand Duchy and, subsequently, of the Russian state with salt. The Dostoevsky House-Museum where the famous author lived for ten years is located here. Today Staray Russa is been included in the list of six small towns, which are to be reconstructed in conformity with Old Russian traditions.
– Return to St.Petersburg. Accommodation. Farewell dinner.

DAY 7
– Breakfast. Check-out. Transfer to the airport.

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DAY 1
– Arrival in St.Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 2
– Breakfast. Sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with architecture, history and present day life of the former capital of Imperial Russia, the history of the Romanov dynasty. Afternoon at leisure.
– As Saint Petersburg is considered the cultural capital of the country, there are more than 50 theatres of different kinds there. So, in the evening we would like you to visit one of the theatres (optional, price depends on the theatre).

DAY 3
– Breakfast. Excursion to the State Hermitage Museum, one of the largest museums in the world after Louvre (Paris) and the National Gallery (London). The collection of it numbers over 3 million exhibits from prehistoric to modern times. The Hermitage exhibits authentic masterpieces by the greatest painters and sculptors such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Claude Monet, August Renoir, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and Matisse. The Hermitage complex is a veritable spiritual universe created in the course of times and filled with the unique gifts of creativity.
– Your visit to Russia will be incomplete without visit to folklore show. The best professional ensembles of this country will show you masterpieces of Russian folk art (optional).

Day 4
– Breakfast. Tour to Pushkin. It is a fascinating monument of the world’s architectural and gardening arts. Peter the Great ordered to construct a small palace for his wife, future Empress Catherine I. In the middle of the 18th century the palace was rebuilt and became a purl of architecture of that period. Grandeur of artistic decor of the facades, moulded decorations, gilding of architectural and sculptural details, all echoes the majesty and elegance of the interior decoration of the Catherine Palace. The Amber Room, which was presented to Peter I by the Prussian King in 1716, known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, used to be in this Palace. The amber ornamentation of this room, missing since 1945, is now being reconstructed by Russian gem carvers. The park of Tsarskoye Selo was a favourite resting place of the Russian Tsars. The avenues lay out around the Catherine Palace invite visitors for a walk to see park pavilions erected by famous architects and sculptors of Russia. Return to the city. Leisure time.
– Boat trip “Along The Rivers and Canals”. A relaxing cruise by boat along the Neva River and some out of 66 rivers and canals of “Northern Venice”, as they used to call St. Petersburg, is one of the unique ways to discover city. Saint Petersburg is situated on the banks of the Neva River, which is one of the youngest rivers in Europe. Dinner in one of the restaurants of the city. Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Moscow by train.

DAY 5
– Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast. Accommodation. Sightseeing tour. During the tour you will get acquainted with history of the city and visit the main places of interests – the Red Square, the Moscow State University, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Triumphal Arch. You will drive along the main Moscow streets: Tverskaya, Novy Arbat Avenue, Kutuzovsky Avenue, Sadovoye and Bulvarnoye Rings.

DAY 6
– Breakfast. Visit to the Kremlin, a historical centre of the city, and the heart of Moscow. The Kremlin is located on a hill washed from one side by the Moscow River and from the other by its inflow – the Neglinnaya River. On the Kremlin grounds you can see the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon, Annunciation (Blagoveschensky), Arkhangel (Arkhalgelsky) and Assumption (Voznesensky) Cathedrals and the Church of the Twelve Apostles – wonderful monuments of Russian church architecture with unique richly decorated interiors. Visit to the Armoury (optional). It is one of the oldest museums of Russia, a virtual treasure house. It is a collection of Russian, Eastern, Western art works of V-XX centuries, the tsar’s thrones, garb and armor, unique silver and golden dishes. The tsars and grand prince’s regalia, the coaches of different centuries, collection of arms may tell a lot of remarkable stories about life of their owners. That was a prototype of the future museum. Nowadays the collection of the museum numbers over four thousand items.
– In the evening we would like to suggest you going to the Moscow Circus – one of the oldest circuses in Moscow (optional).

DAY 7
– Breakfast. Transfer to Sheremetievo-1 airport in Moscow for flight to Kiev. Arrival to Boryspol airport in Kiev. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Sightseeing tour “Kiev – the cradle of the ancient Slav culture” including visit to Saint Sophia Cathedral, observing the Golden Gate, St.Andrew’s Church, St.Michael’s Monastery, monuments to Yaroslav the Wise, Princess Olga, monuments to Prince Vladimir, who converted Rus’ to Christianity, Andreevskaya Street walking tour. It is an old pedestrian street in Kiev. You can see many artists, craftsmen along this street.

DAY 8
– Breakfast. Excursion to Kiev-Pechersk Assumption Lavra (XI century), Trinity gate church (XII century), Refectory with St.Anthony and St.Theodossy church (XIX century), observing the upper territory of the monastery and Assumption Cathedral (XI century), Big Bell Tower (XVIII century). You will have a look inside the Caves. Many monks are buried there. The temperature inside the caves usually is not higher than plus 5 C.

DAY 9
– Breakfast. Transfer to the airport 

DAY 1
– Morning departure from Moscow.
– Arrival in Vladimir founded in the beginning of the 12th century, which had been the capital of the Ancient Russian State for more than 250 years. All great princes were crowned as Moscow sovereigns here until the middle of the 15th century. Lunch at the local restaurant. Sightseeing tour of Vladimir, including Cathedrals of the Assumption and of St. Dmitry, the Golden Gate, and the Museum of lacquered miniature works. Italian architect Aristotle Fiorovanti made a special trip to Vladimir to see Assumption and St. Dmitry’s Cathedrals, so that he could build equal in the Moscow Kremlin. The Assumption Cathedral was not only the main church of the city, but its cultural, political and religious centre. It was also the main church of all Russia. Of exceptional artistic value are the 15th century frescoes by Andrei Rublev, one of the greatest Russian artists. The Cathedral of St. Dmitry used to be part of the buildings of the prince’s court, and was one of the most beautiful and original cathedrals of ancient Russia. The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its white stone carving. The sculptured decoration has about 1500 carved stones. All the carvings communicate the general idea of glorifying the beauty and perfection of the world created by God. The Golden Gate is the only existing monument of military engineering architecture of ancient Russia. It was the main, most spectacular and imposing gate of North-Eastern Russia’s capital. Now it houses the museum of Vladimir history. Near the Golden Gate in the former Old Trinity Church there is the exhibition of Crystal and Miniature Lacquer Works. It was opened in 1974. Objects of decorative and applied art traditional for the Vladimir region are exhibited here: crystal and colored glass, miniature lacquer-work and embroidery.
– Departure to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Sightseeing tour round Suzdal – Vladimir’s youngest brother. Suzdal is a small town covering only 9 square kilometers (a hundredth of Moscow). However, it houses more than 200 old buildings. In 1983 the International Federation of Tourism Journalists and writers awarded the town the Golden Apple prize: it is only town in the country to receive such a high honor. The tour to this “City-museum” includes visit to the Kremlin, which is located on a winding bank of the Kamenka River in the heart of the Old Town. The formation of ensemble of the Kremlin had been continued for six centuries. One of constructions of the Kremlin is the Cross-Chamber, which was built in addition to the residential rooms and structures. It was the hall for official receptions of the bishop’s quarters where the XVIII century interior has been re-created, where visitors will see tiled stoves, furniture of the period, portraits of tsars and clergymen.
– Suzdal is the city of monasteries. There used to be fifteen monasteries, but only five of them survived. One of the most interesting monasteries is Spaso-Yevfimiev monastery. Founded in the middle of fourteenth century, the monastery has strong red walls 1200 meters long, twelve towers of XVII century, and buildings of XVI-XVIII centuries. Since XVIII century it was both a monastery and state prison. Three hundred and fifty detainees passed through cells of the prison. The main building of the monastery is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration (1594) built under traditions of the ancient white stone architecture of Suzdal. The interior of the cathedral was decorated with frescoes painted by Guri Nikitin and Sila Savin, well-known artists of the XVII century. At present the monastery is a museum complex that accommodates several museum exhibitions: “The Golden Treasury”, “Book Treasures of Six Centuries”, “Museum of the Arts of the Peoples of Russia”, “Prisoners of the Monastery Jail”. Visitors to the monastery can also enjoy the bell ringing performed by one of the best bell-ringers of Russia.
– During the tour round Suzdal tourists visit Museum of Wooden Architecture. It was founded in 1960. The windmills, the church and several wooden houses, barns, bathhouses and other structures brought from different villages in Vladimir Region are exhibited in the Museum.
– Lunch at the local restaurant. Departure to Moscow.

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Day 1
– Departure from Moscow to Vladimir.
– Arrival in Vladimir. Lunch at one of Russian restaurants.
– City tour round Vladimir including visits to Cathedrals of Assumption and St. Dmitry, The Golden Gate and Museum of Crystal, lacquer miniatures. Accommodation in Vladimir. Dinner at the hotel. OR Transfer to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner at hotel.

Day 2
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Sightseeing including the Kremlin, the Cross-Chamber, Spaso-Yevfimiev Monastery. Departure from Suzdal to Kostroma. Arrival to Kostroma. Lunch at the local restaurant. City tour. During the city tour you will get acquainted with history of this city, which, like Moscow, was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152. Today Kostroma is the only city in Russia which has retained the layout and architectural ensemble formed in its central part during the XVIII – early XIX centuries. Kostroma used to be the cradle of the house of Romanov’s dynasty. It was in the Ipatiev Monastery that 16-year-old Michael Romanov got the news that he had been elected Tsar of Russia. The Ipatiev Monastery founded around 1330 is located at confluence of two rivers – the Volga and the Kostroma River. The monastery was first mentioned in chronicles in 1435. Its architectural ensemble was formed during XVI-XIX centuries. Since the middle of the XVI century the monastery entered the period of prosperity, the development being attributed to rise of the Godunovs who used to give great donations to the monastery. Stone construction subsidized by the Godunovs was under way there. With the Godunovs support a school for icon painters was set up in the monastery. Most renowned masters were Guri Nikitin and Sila Savin. After the fall of the Godunovs the Romanov dynasty became the monastery patrons. Transfer to Yaroslavl. Accommodation. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
– Breakfast at the hotel. Yaroslavl is an ancient town located 260 kilometers northwest of Moscow. Yaroslavl is known all over the world as the treasure of Russian Culture. During the city tour tourists will visit The Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery. The Church of St. Elijah the Prophet built in 1647-50 stands on Elija (presently Sovetskaya) Square, which has long been the center of the city. The church is a fine example of Yaroslavl architectural style of the XVII century. It was erected for one of the richest and most influential Russian families of that time. The asymmetrical structure of the five-dome church with the bell-tower came down to our days unchanged. The chief treasures of the church – its frescoes – have been preserved in excellent condition. The frescoes were executed in 1680-81 by of icon-painters team headed by Gury Nikitin and Sila Savin of Kostroma. The church frescoes – vibrant, colorful, and optimistic – are possibly the greatest achievement of monumental art in Yaroslavl. It should be noted that, in spite of their religious subject matter, the frescoes are a unique encyclopedia of Russian life in the XVII century. The carved gilded iconostasis with a collection of most ancient icons, and splendid church-plate add to the beauty of the interior decoration of the church. The church is part of the Yaroslavl History, Architecture and Art Museum-Preserve.
– In the central part of the city is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior founded in the late XII century, its structures dating back to XVI-XIX centuries. Located near the main river crossing it guarded the approaches to the town. In the XIII century, when the independent Yaroslavl principality was formed, the monastery became a burial place for the Yaroslavl princely dynasty. The monastery ensemble includes the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, built in 1505-16, its frescoes dating back to 1563-64, the Holy Gate (1516), the Belfry (1516), and the Refectory Chamber with the Refectory Church of the Nativity of Christ. In XV-XVII centuries the monastery was one of the largest and richest in Russia, and in the XVI century, after the stonewalls and towers had been erected, it became one of the strongest fortresses in the area beyond the Volga. Lunch at the local restaurant.
– Transfer to Rostov–the-Great.
– Rostov-the-Great – the oldest town of Russia – is known from the 9th century. This town is situated on the banks of picturesque Nero Lake. Principal attractions in Rostov are marvelous well-preserved architectural monuments of the XV-XVII centuries. One of the most interesting sights of Rostov is the ensemble of the Metropolitan House, or the Rostov Kremlin (1670-83). Adjacent to the Kremlin wall is a town square with imposing five-dome Cathedral of the Assumption (1589). Next to the cathedral stands a four-dome belfry with fifteen famous Rostov bells cast in the XVII-XIX centuries, with the biggest bell “Sisoy” weighing 2,000 pounds. A peculiarity of the lay-out of the Metropolitan`s House courtyard is that all the principal churches and chambers – the Red Chamber, the White Chamber with its Church of the Savior-above-the-Cellars, Prince`s Chambers, Samuil`s House and other structures – are incorporated into the Kremlin wall or are adjoining it, and look out onto the central courtyard. Like in a medieval fortress, one can get into all the churches and other buildings of the Kremlin just walking along the wall ways without descending onto the ground. The State Museum of the Rostov Kremlin was established in 1883 as a museum of church antiquities. It comprises architectural monuments of the Kremlin and several museum exhibitions. One of them is the exhibition of the Russian Finift. Departure to Moscow.

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Day 1
– Arrival in Vladimir from Moscow. Lunch downtown.
– City tour round Vladimir including Cathedrals of Assumption and St. Dmitry, the Golden Gate, Museum of Crystal, lacquer miniatures. Transfer to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel.

Day 2
– Breakfast
– Sightseeing in Suzdal including the Kremlin, Spaso-Yevfimiev monastery. Lunch at the local restaurant. Transfer to Kostroma. Accommodation. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
– Breakfast
– City tour in Kostroma including the Ipatiev Monastery. Transfer to Yaroslavl. Lunch at the local restaurant. Sightseeing with a visit of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery and The Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. Accommodation. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4
– Breakfast. Transfer to Rostov-the-Great. Rostov Kremlin.
– Exhibition of the Russian Finift. Lunch. Transfer to Sergiev Posad. Excursion to the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura. Sergiev Posad (Zagorsk in the Soviet times) is one of most interesting towns in the Moscow Region. Undoubtedly, travelers are attracted to Sergiev Posad mainly by the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura (the Greek word “laura” means monastery), due to which the town won fame of the capital of the Russian Orthodox Church. The monastery was founded in 1340s by Reverend Sergius of Radonezh, whose name was given to the town. For centuries the monastery has been the biggest religious and cultural center of the Russian state. Icon painters Andrey Rublev and Daniel Chorny worked there, they decorated the main church of the monastery – the Trinity Cathedral with frescoes. The cathedral keeps imperishable relics of Reverend Sergius. For many centuries his tomb has been the place of pilgrimage for orthodox believers. It is impossible to overestimate importance of the monastery and its founder for the history of Russia. It is the basis that supports Russian spirituality, statehood, and national character. The Trinity-St. Sergius Laura grounds include the biggest Russian monastery, the monastery necropolis and the Moscow Ecclesiastical Academy and Seminary. There remains a historical and architectural XV-XIX century ensemble of churches, belfries and chambers. Departure to Moscow.