BEST OF RUSSIA'S GOLDEN RING TOUR

Day 1, St Petersburg

Arrival at the airport of St Petersburg; transfer to the hotel, where you can relax and enjoy the first night of your Russian adventure. 

Day 2, St Petersburg 

After breakfast at the hotel you will meet with a guide and start exploring the beautiful St Petersburg. The City tour will introduce you the most precious monuments of the city’s rich history and original architecture carefully preserved as the world cultural heritage. You will be able to hear amazing stories and to take fine pictures of the main architectural and historical sites like Nevsky prospect, the Kazan Cathedral, the Winter Palace, Vasilievsky Island, St. Isaac Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Senate Square and the Palace Square. The 3-hour sightseeing tour will allow you to get a brief but bright impression of Saint Petersburg.  

Visit Peter and Paul Fortress - the place of birth of Saint Petersburg, here began the foundation of this beautiful city. Today it is a home to several museums, which exhibit to everyone the splendid history of St Petersburg.  

After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit Saint - Isaac's Cathedral - the largest church in St Petersburg; Kazan Cathedral - majestic building was designed in Russian classical style, but is also carries resemblance to great St. Paul cathedral in Rome; and take a Nevsky Prospect Walking tour. Overnight at the hotel. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 3, St Petersburg

Today you visit the magnificent Hermitage Museum and also the classic Petrodverets Palace and Gardens, otherwise known as Peterhof. The grounds of the palace boast around 200 fountains which operate in the summer months. After lunch you will have an opportunity to see why St Petersburg is called "North Venice". A boat tour on city's rivers and canals is an absolute must-do here. Breathtaking views from the water and bridges over the city architecture are really worth seeing. During this tour you will see all the main points of interest of St Petersburg from water and hear the stories about its most famous bridges such as Anichkov bridge and Bridge with Golden Gryphons. You will travel along the canals and see such jewels of the city as St. Isaac Cathedral, The Church of our Saviour on the Spilled Blood and other places than will mesmerize you and make your visit to the city unforgettable.  Overnight at the hotel. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 4, St Petersburg

It is hard to imagine a trip to Saint Petersburg without visiting one of the most famous museums worldwide – the State Hermitage. Its priceless collection occupies 5 historical buildings of which the Winter Palace – the former residence of the Russian Royal family – is the most remarkable. After lunch at the local restaurant we're coming back to St Petersburg to visit Church of The Savior on Blood. This church commemorates the assassination of the Emperor Alexander II. It is situated on the very place where he was deadly wounded by terrorists. Overnight at the hotel. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 5, St Petersburg-Moscow

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the railway station. We are going to Moscow on Sapsan Train. On arrival to Moscow you will be met by a driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in at the hotel, free time in Moscow. Overnight at the hotel. Meal included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 6, Moscow 

Enjoy a City Tour of Moscow with the best landmarks Moscow can offer. See Red Square, St Basil's Cathedral, GUM, the Victory Park and more. After lunch, we visit Christ the Saviour Cathedral-the key cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church; discover Moscow's underground - on Metro Tour and  finishing the eventful day with walk on Arbat Street - the oldest street in Moscow. Overnight at the hotel. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 7, Moscow

After breakfast we are heading to Red Square for a walking tour. During the tour, you will have the time to take pictures of this 73.000 square meters brick-paved square surrounded by the Kremlin Walls, Lenin's Tomb, St Basil's Cathedral, Resurrection gate, GUM superstore and the Russian State Hestorical Museum. 

Lies along the Kremlin's western wall is a beautiful Alexander Garden. Founded in 1812, Alexander Garden is one of the oldest urban public parks in Moscow.  After a lunch time you will have a free time to explore Moscow. Overnight at the hotel. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 8, Sergiev Posad - Pereslavl-Zalessky - Yaroslavl

Morning transfer to Sergiev Posad (75 km). On arrival to the town - a City Tour, which will give you opportunity to see all the most magnificent monuments in one day! The most famous one is the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Founded in 1337, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is the most important attraction of Sergiev Posad and is the biggest Ortodox Monastery in Russia. During the tour you will have a walk around its vast territory and discover the set of ancient buildings: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Assumption cathedral, The Church of St. Zosima and Savvaty Solovetsky – the total amount is more than 50!  After lunch at the local restaurant we travel to Pereslavl-Zalessky (70 km).  Tour to Goritsky Monastery of Dormition. The monastery was founded in the first half of the 14th century under Ivan Kalita. It received the most famous name from the location on the hill "Goritsa". There was nothing left from the ancient wooden buildings, since in 1382, the army of Tokhtamysh destroyed Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, and along with it, Goritsky Monastery as well (rebuilt in 1392). The monastery has its own museum. Its complex is considered one of the largest museums in Russia.  Transfer to Yaroslavl (123 km), check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Yaroslavl. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

 Day 9, Yaroslavl -Suzdal

This morning in Yaroslavl you  visit Tolga Monastery -It was built in 14th century due to a legend of a miraculous appearance; and Church of the Prophet Elijah -considered from the tourist the most beautiful and interesting Church in the city of Yaroslavl. Have a lunch at the local restaurant before departing for Suzdal (200 km). 

On arrival to Suzdal we will visit Kremlin and Open-Air Museum - the best attractions of this city. During this morning we visit the Kremlin: which is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites from 1992. In the second part of the day we will visit the open air Museum which includes all the wooden construction from Vladimir Region. Here you will admire the Church of the Transfiguration and the Church of Resurrection. Here are also placed a lot of events and festivals.  Overnight at the hotel in Suzdal. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 10, Bogolubovo - Vladimir - Moscow

After breakfast set off for Bogolubovo (36 km). Situated on the outskirts of Vladimir (200 km from Moscow) Bogolyubovo means “loved by God” in Russian. Bogolyubovo is part of the Golden Ring and preserves finest white-stone monuments.  After lunch at the local restaurant and short transfer to Vladimir (10 km).

The city has a special place in the history of Russia as it once served as the country's capital. We will visit three attractions that all are listed in UNESCO World Heritage List sites, being a part of White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal. For first you will visit the “Dormition Cathedral” which has been the most important and the largest Church of Russia during Medieval period. The St. Dimitry Cathedral was built in 12th and restored in 1952. Inside you will see beautiful frescos but the most attractive part of the Cathedral is its exterior which is well decorated and partially covered by carvings. Then you will admire the Golden gate which is a masterpiece of the Russian military architecture of 12th century. Inside you will visit also an interesting museum with exhibition about military history of Vladimir. Transfer to Moscow (187 km), overnight at the hotel in Moscow. Meal Included: breakfast, lunch.

Day 11, Moscow

Your adventure comes to a close as you are transferred to the airport. Meal Included: breakfast.