World Heritage of Russia - 10

Arrival in Moscow.
Meet at the airport or train station by the driver. Transfer and overnight at the hotel in Moscow.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we start our World Heritage tour with a visit to the Moscow Kremlin, probably the most famous place in Russia. Kremlin is an ancient name of the fortress. We walk inside the strictly guarded perimeter of the red-brick walls and towers and explore the complex of the Cathedral Square with the magnificent cathedrals, gigantic Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon.
After the Kremlin tour we continue with the walking tour of Moscow. We observe the major sights of the city centre of Moscow - Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin Mausoleum, GUM department store, streets and lanes of the central Moscow.
Overnight at the hotel.
(B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we continue our World Heritage of Russia tour and travel to the beautiful Kolomenskoe Estate. Established in the 16th Century by the bank of the Moskva River Kolomenskoe was a countryside estate of the Russian tsars. We will walk along the alleys of the park and observe the exterior of the historical Church of the Ascension built in 1532.
We continue to the historical Novodevichy Convent (New Maidens' Convent) , which is famous all over Russia as the noble ladies and wives of the tsars were sent there if they for some reason came into disfavour of their husbands. The white walls, towers and cathedrals of the Convent are very well preserved, representing traditional architecture of the 17th Century.
Overnight at the hotel.
(B)

Pick-up at the hotel in Moscow by the driver.
Transfer to Sergiev Posad, which is known for its monastery, founded in the 14th Century.
Sergiev Posad tour with the local English-speaking guide. Visit the grounds of the Trinity Monastery of Saint Sergius with the ancient icons and frescoes, churches, cathedrals, towers of the fortress which was protecting the Monastery from the enemies.
Transfer to Rostov Velikiy.
Tour of Rostov Kremlin and Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery.
Overnight at the hotel in Rostov Velikiy.
(B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Yaroslavl.
During our Yaroslval tour we explore the grounds of the Monastery of our Savior and Transfiguration (Yaroslavl Kremlin) and the Church of Elijah the Prophet decorated with the ancient frescoes.
Continue with a transfer to Suzdal. Arrival in Suzdal. Overnight at the hotel in Suzdal.
(B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Suzdal is one of the most beautiful towns along the Golden Ring of Russia. It is small, authentic, full of history and glory. We will see traditional wooden houses where locals live, churches big and small, merchant's yard, visit the grounds of Suzdal Kremlin.
After Suzdal we continue to Vladimir. In Vladimir we will visit 2 cathedrals, dating back to the 12th century and observe the historical Golden Gates.
We drive to Moscow and finish the Golden Ring part of this World Heritage of Russia tour at the train station.
Departure by train to Velikiy Novgorod.
Overnight at train.
(B)

Arrival in Veliki Novgorod early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel.
The local guide will be waiting at the lobby for the walking tour of Novgorod. The city is one of the oldest towns in Russia. It was founded in the 9th century as a capital city by Prince Rurik, the founder of the 1st royal dynasty of Russia. On the grounds of Novgorod Kremlin we visit St. Sophia Cathedral with a good collection of ancient icons, frescoes and even so called ancient graffiti made by medieval visitors of the cathedral. Across the Volkhov River we explore Yaroslav's Courtyard, complex of merchant and religious buildings of the 12th Century.
Overnight at the hotel in Veliki Novgorod.

Transfer to the train station.
Departure by morning train for St. Petersburg.
Arrival in Saint Petersburg. Meet by the local guide at the train station and start city tour of Saint Petersburg. We explore the main avenues, streets and squares of the historical centre of Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg tour includes a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral - a huge church with spectacular mosaics and malachite columns. An impressive view on the city opens from the top of the Colonnade of the Cathedral.
Lunch will be served in one of the restaurants in the city center.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Saint Petersburg.
(B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we leave for the walking tour to the Hermitage Museum. Housed in the magnificent building of the Winter Palace of the Russian tsars, the Museum features one of the world's best and biggest collections of works of art from the ancient times to the modern era (over 3 million items).
In the afternoon the driver will take to the train station for the overnight train to the town of Kem, located on the coast of the White Sea.
Overnight at train.
(B)

Breakfast at train.
Arrival in Kem in the morning and meet by the local guide. Transfer to the port.
Today we continue our World Heritage Russia tour and travel to Solovki (Solovetsky Island) by the morning boat. Travel time is about 2 hours. On a lucky day one can see the Beluga white whales in the sea en-route between Kem and Solovetsky.
After we settle down at the hotel on Solovetsky and take some rest we start the walking tour to the Monastery and Fortress of Solovetsky, founded in the 15th Century.
Evening is scheduled to be free and we can visit Gulag Museum and a small Maritime Museum.
Overnight at the hotel on Solovki.
(B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning is free for optional tours, such as the boat tour to Zayatsky Island which is a peaceful small island interesting for its ancient stone labyrinths, a small wooden church and tundra type vegetation.
Transfer to the pier.
Departure for the town of Kem by boat.
Transfer to the train station and departure by overnight train for Petrozavodsk (we may replace train transfer with bus transfer).
Overnight at train and at the hotel in Petrozavodsk.
(B, D)

We arrive in Petrozavodsk early in the morning. The rooms at the hotel are ready for the early check-in. After breakfast we leave for the boat tour to Kizhi. Traditional wooden churches, chapels, windmills and houses of Kizhi are one of the most important and beautiful landmarks of Russia. Kizhi is the final sight visited in our World Heritage of Russia tour.
After the return from Kizhi we leave for St. Petersburg at 22:50. Those who want to return to Moscow can take a train to the Russian capital at 19:00.
Overnight at train.
(B)

Arrival in St. Petersburg is at about 7:00 morning. We will arrange a transfer to the airport, train station or hotel.

You can choose your own departure date from late May till late August. Please, contact us to check availability.

From September till May we suggest a shorter World Heritage of Russia - 8 trip which does not include boat travel to Solovetsky and Kizhi Islands.

1. Accommodation at the hotels.
2. Car/bus transfers as per itinerary.
3. Meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner).
4. Tours as per itinerary with local English-speaking guides.
5. Train tickets Moscow - Veliki Novgorod (2nd class sleeping cabin), Veliki Novgorod - St. Petersburg (seating carriage), St. Petersburg - Kem (2nd class sleeping cabin), Kem - Petrozavodsk (2nd class sleeping cabin), Petrozavodsk - St. Petersburg (2nd class sleeping cabin).

Standard accommodation places are 3* hotels:
Moscow - "Izmailovo Vega" or similar,
Rostov - "Usad'ba Pleshanova" or similar,
Suzdal - "Goryachie Kluchi" or similar,
Velikiy Novgorod - "Inturist" or similar,
St. Petersburg - "M-Hotel" or similar,
Solovetsky - "Priut", "Solovki-Hotel" or "Green Village",
Petrozavodsk - "Severnaya" or similar.

If you want to upgrade just let us know.