Golden Domes of Russia
History, culture, art, beautiful nature, cozy villages and provincial Golden ring towns will make this tour diverse and most memorable.
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Trip-finder Moscow and Saint Petersburg Golden Domes of Russia
This tour is designed to let you delve into the life of real Russia, get to know some small provincial towns and villages, meet locals, learn about their lives these days.
During your stay in Moscow and S. Petersburg, you will see the highlights of two capitals, visit the top Russian museums and galleries, have time to explore these cities on your own, learn about their century-old history and modern days. When you go to Golden ring towns, you will be able to relax in the countryside, see numerous golden domes of Russia and try some local specialties.
You are more than welcome to customize this trip and add the sights of your interest to the tour program.
Estimated cost:
In the party of 4
1839 €
In the party of 2
1523 €
In the party of 4
1839 €
In the party of 2
1523 €
1839 €
Tour duration:
12 days/11 nights
Season:
All the year round
Destination:
Golden Ring, Moscow, Saint Petersburg
Experiences which you will never forget:
#Experiences
Itinerary
Photos
Map
Day 1
Moscow- arrival
- Greeted by the driver with the sign Bridge to Russia in one of Moscow international airports and transferred to the hotel.
- Free time to relax.
- If you have an early arrival you can also take one of our optional tours.
Day 2
Moscow - city of tsars of Soviet leaders
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel.
- Walk or take the metro to the Kremlin grounds, the residence of the Russian president, and an ancient fortress. Explore its medieval square with 3 main cathedrals (Assumption, Annunciation, and Archangel Michael), measure in size and weight Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, talk about Russian and Soviet history
- Proceed to Red Square to learn why it is called so and what historic events took place there. Take multiple photos of St. Basils’ cathedral.
- Have a lunch or coffee break in one of the local places.
- Walk through the medieval street of Moscow Varvarka and see what modern Zaryadye park looks like.
- Do not forget to stop by the most famous theatre - The Bolshoi to finish the tour.
- Tour duration: 6 hours
Day 3
Soviet heritage
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your day with a metro tour. Moscow metro is not only one of the most efficient means of transportation but also one of the most beautiful underground systems. You will be surprised to metro stations decorated with mosaics, stain glass, sculptures, and marble.
- Continue with a walk along with one of the Moscow parks -VDNKH – which was designed to show the best Soviet achievements in agriculture and industry.
- Have a stop for a coffee or lunch break
- Proceed to the Museum of Space where you will learn about the Russian Space program, the first Sputnik, the first animals who were sent to space, the first flight of Yuriy Gagarin, the space race, and many other intriguing stories.
- Tour duration: 6 hours
Day 4
Russian art and Russian History
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel
- Explore the Tretyakov gallery with one of the biggest collections of Russian art. This gallery visit is a great place for all art and history buffs where paintings can be a great illustration of Russian history.
- Continue your tour through the merchant quarters of the city, walk along the Moskva river embankment to stop at the impressive Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Learn its fascinating story.
- Tour duration: 4 hours
Day 5
Golden Ring. Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl
- Meet your guide-driver in the lobby of your hotel.
- Today you will start driving to the Russian countryside. The first stop will be in the Holy Trinity of Saint Sergius Monastery, the place of pilgrimage of Russian tsars and emperors. On the way, you will also have a stop at the village to see what village life looks like. The more you get further from Moscow, the more charming the landscape looks. Endless fields and woods.
- In an hour's drive, you will reach Pereslavl- Zalesskiy, a cozy provincial town located on Plescheevo lake. You will explore the historical part of the town with a 12-century Saviour-Transfiguration church, walk along the ramparts, drive to the archeological site- Aleksandrov’s hill, and learn what old Russian towns looked like, walk along eco-trail and finish your day in one of the local restaurants.
- Overnight stay in Pereslavl.
Day 6
Golden Ring. Rostov the Great. Yaroslavl.
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel
- Drive to Rostov the Great ( 1H) to explore Rostov Kremlin with its numerous churches, climb the fortified walls for a breathtaking view and pictures, learn about local craft-known as Finift ( Rostov enamel). Get to Nero lake and take a boat ride on a sunny day. ( optional)
- Drive to Yaroslavl ( 1H) to see the historic center of this town with the Church of Ilija, beautifully decorated with frescos and tilework. Walk along the embankment to see the famous Volga river, often referred to as “mother Volga”, the symbol of vastness and boundlessness of Russian land.
- Cross the Volga to drive to a local village to meet locals, one of the former school teachers who organized a small museum with traditional hand-made dolls and her sister in a traditional wooden house. You will be treated with tea and local specialties.
- Overnight stay in Yaroslavl
Day 7
Golden Ring: Kostroma,Suzdal
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel and start driving to Kostroma ( 1,5h)
- Sightseeing tour of Kostroma located on the confluence of the Volga and the Kostroma rivers to see 18th century central part of the town with trade rows and old Fire Tower. Visit the Ipatiev Monastery, which played an important role in the early 17th century since it gave shelter to Mikhail Romanov, the first tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. Who came to the Russian throne in 1613 thus ending the Time of Troubles and Polish Intervention in Russian.
- Drive to Suzdal to enjoy a peaceful village-like town where there are no industries or plants.
- Enjoy your evening and stroll along its cozy streets on your own.
- Overnight stay in Suzdal
Day 8
Golden Ring: Suzdal, Bogolyubovo, Vladimir
- Start your day with the sightseeing tour of Suzdal to visit its main gems like the local Kremlin with the Church of Nativity, The Saviour St. Euthymius monastery, and the Museum of wooden architecture.
- Spend some time at the trade square to see locals produce and try some local specialties ( cucumber jam, mead, etc)
- Lunch or coffee break in one of the local restaurants/cafes of your choice.
- Driving to Bogolyubovo to walk through the meadows to one of the most beautiful churches of medieval times- Church on the Nerl.
- Driving to Vladimir for a sightseeing tour of the former capital of ancient Rus which is famous for its beautiful white-stone architecture.
- Night train to St. Petersburg ( 21.58 Volga train -goes once in two days)
Day 9
St. Petersburg – Town of Peter the Great
- 09.05 arrival in St. Petersburg
- Meet your guide at the platform with a sign “Bridge to Russia”
- Driving tour of St Petersburg to see its highlights. Guided tour of Peter and Paul fortress including cathedral – the burial place of Russian Emperors and Empresses. Inside visit of St. Isaack cathedral
- Check in the hotel
- Free time
- Tour duration: 5 hours
Day 10
Splendor of Imperial city
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to take a stroll to the Hermitage Museum.
- Visit the gala rooms of Winter Palace and see the highlights of the Hermitage collection. ( 2-2,5H)
- Visit the Church on the spilled blood built on the place of Aleksandr II assassination to see breathtaking mosaics which cover the whole church. Finish your tour with a short walk along Nevsky avenue.
- Tour duration: 5 hours
Day 11
Summer estate of Russian Imperial family
- Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel
- Today you will have a trip by hydrofoil to Peterhoff Palace and Lower gardens. Kingdom of fountains, stunning palaces of Peter the Great times, luxurious interiors of Elisabeth days, will make the epoque come alive. This royal summer residence is often referred to as Russian Versailles.
- *Fountains work from May till October. In other seasons we recommend substituting for Catherine Palace or Pavlovsk estate.
- Tour duration: 6-7 hours
Day 12
Departure from Saint Petersburg
- Free time and flight back home
- Transfer to the airport.
Customize your trip
Price upon request
Armoury Chamber
This museum-treasury has a stunning collection of coronation dresses, state regalia, carriages and horse harness, ambassadorial gifts and beautiful Faberge eggs.
Available on Day 2
Price upon request
Gulag Museum tour
This tour focuses on the gloomiest period of Russian history, the rise, development, and decline of the Soviet repressive system. Interactive media will help you learn personal life stories of people who fell victim to Stalin's purges.
Available on Day 3
Price upon request
New Tretyakov Gallery
Explore the most outstanding collection of 20th-century Russian art. You'll see Russian art in all its diversity, covering such topics as Russian Avant-guard and Stalinist social realism. The tour of Russian art is a chance to delve into the turbulent history of the 20th century.
Available on day 4
Price upon request
Driving tour of Moscow
See the most known highlights which are scattered around the city, make stops for photos and fascinating stories. Novodevichy convent, place of exile of famous Russian tsarinas, Moscow State University, one of Stalin’s high-rises and Sparrow hills with the bird's view of the city, Victory Park, and many others.
Available on Day 4
Price upon request
Canal boat tour
See the Northern Venice from the water, listen to fascinating stories of mansions, palaces, and beautiful bridges. A Private boat tour can be arranged upon request.
Available on Day 9
Price upon request
Faberge museum
See one of the best-exhibited collections of Faberge pieces of applied art including 9 Faberge Easter eggs specially designed as gifts for the royal family of Nicolas II.
Available on Day 9
Price upon request
Yusupov Palace Visit
Visit of one the richest palaces of St. Petersburg and try to reveal the mystery of Rasputin’s murder.
Available on Day 10
Price upon request
Catherine’s palace with Amber room
Built in Baroque style Catherine's palace is one of the most impressive palaces and a great example of Imperial days life. The highlight is the Amber room which was stolen by Nazis during WWII and carefully restored in modern days. Your visit will be followed by a stroll through the French and landscape garden.
Available on Day 11 or as tour extension
Accomodation
Moscow
Peter 1 hotel
17 Neglinnaya Street
Suzdal
Svetly Terem
Tolstogo 21
Saint Petersburg
Pushka Inn 4*
Embankment river Moyka, 14
Pereslavl
Albistky Sad
Kardovskogo, 21
Yaroslavl
Ibis Yaroslavl 3*
Pervomayskiy Pereulok, 2A, Yaroslavl
Inclusions
Private English-speaking guide during the whole trip
Meals
Breakfasts in the hotels
Accomodation
4 * hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Transportation
Transfers to/from the airports, train stations
Driving tour in St. Petersburg
Transportation on Day 5-8
Train tickets for a night train from Vladimir to St. Petersburg
Metro fare
Driving tour in St. Petersburg
Transportation on Day 5-8
Train tickets for a night train from Vladimir to St. Petersburg
Metro fare
Activities
Museum fees
Exclusions
Airfare
Medical insurance
Meals ( L, D)
Visa
Medical insurance
Meals ( L, D)
Visa
