Tours

 2010

GOLDEN GATE OF OLD RUSSIA

Vladimir – Suzdal

2 days / 1 night

DAY 1. Morning departure from Moscow.

Arrival in Vladimir, which was founded at the beginning of the 12th century, was 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 Fiorovanty made a special trip to Vladimir to see the 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 having 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 the history of Vladimir. 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.

Accommodation in Vladimir. Dinner.

DAY 2. Breakfast at the hotel.

The sightseeing round Suzdal – Vladimir’s youngest brother – 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 of this “City–museum” includes the 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 the ensemble of the Kremlin had been continued for six centuries. One of the constructions of the Kremlin is the Cross–Chamber, which was built in addition to the residential rooms and structures. It was the hall of the 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 mid–fourteenth century, the monastery has strong red walls 1200 meters long, twelve towers of the XVII century, and buildings of the XVI–

XVIII centuries. Since the XVIII century it was both a monastery and state prison. Three hundred and fifty detainees passed through the cells of the prison. The main building of the monastery is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration (1594) built in the 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 the 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.

All rates are given in EURO per person, include commission for Travel Agents

The package includes:

Accommodation in twin room in Vladimir (hotel “Vladimir” or “Russian Village”)

1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner;

A/C coach Moscow –Vladimir–Suzdal – Moscow

Guide service for the transfers and tours (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian)

Excursions

Vladimir – city tour incl. Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedral, Golden Gate, Crystal and Miniature Lacquer Works museum

Suzdal – city tour incl. the Kremlin + Spaso–Yevfimiev Monastery OR Museum of Wooden Architecture

One free of charge tour leader for groups of 15 and more participants with accommodation in SGL room;

VLADIMIR – SUZDAL – KOSTROMA – YAROSLAVL

3 days / 2 nights

Day 1. Departure from Moscow to Vladimir. Arrival in Vladimir. Lunch at one of the Russian restaurants. City tour of Vladimir with the visiting of Cathedrals of Assumption and St. Dmitry, The Golden Gate and the Museum of Lacquer miniature and crystal. Transfer to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 2. Breakfast at the hotel.

Sightseeing including the Kremlin, Cross–Chamber, Museum of Wooden Architecture. Departure from Suzdal to Kostroma. Arrival to Kostroma. Lunch at the local restaurant. City tour. During the city tour you will be acquainted with the 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 named the Tsar of Russia. The Ipatiev Monastery founded around 1330 is located at the 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 the XVI–XIX centuries. Since the middle of the XVI century the monastery entered the period of prosperity, the development being attributed to the 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.

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 the 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 an 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 the 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 the 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 – one of the oldest towns of Russia – is known from the 9th century. This town is situated on the banks of picturesque Nero Lake. Principal attractions in Rostov are the marvelously well–preserved architectural monuments of the XV–XVII centuries. One of the most interesting sites of Rostov is the ensemble of the Metropolitan House, or Rostov Kremlin (1670–83). Adjacent to the Kremlin wall is a town square with the 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.

All rates are given in EURO per person, include commission for Travel Agents

The package includes:

Accommodation in twin room in Suzdal (hotel “Sokol’ or “Rizalit”), in Yaroslavl - hotel (“Yubileinaya” or “Volzhskaya Zhemchuzina”)

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners;

A/C coach Moscow –Vladimir–Suzdal – Kostroma – Yaroslavl – Rostov–the Great – Moscow

Guide service for the transfers and tours (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian)

Excursions (city tour in Vladimir incl. Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedral, Golden Gate, Crystal and Miniature Lacquer Works museum, city tour in Suzdal incl. the Kremlin, Museum of Wooden Architecture, city tour in Kostroma, the Ipatiev Monastery, city tour in Yaroslavl, the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, Savior–Transfiguration Monastery; Rostov Kremlin,

Museum Finift

One free of charge tour leader for groups of 15 and more participants with accommodation in SGL room;

VLADIMIR – SUZDAL – KOSTROMA – YAROSLAVL – ROSTOV–THE–GREAT – SERGIEV POSAD

4 days / 3 nights

Day 1. . Departure from Moscow to Vladimir.

Arrival in Vladimir. Lunch at one of the Russian restaurants

City tour of Vladimir including Cathedrals of Assumption and St. Dmitry, the Golden Gate, the museum of lacquer miniature and crystal. Transfer to Suzdal. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 2. Breakfast. Sightseeing of Suzdal with the Kremlin, Museum of Wooden Architecture. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Kostroma. Accommodation. Dinner.

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

Day 4. Breakfast. Transfer to Rostov–the–Great. City tour of Rostov including visit of Kremlin and museum of 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), which is responsible for the fame of the town as the capital of the Russian

Orthodox Church. The monastery was founded in the 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 with frescoes the

main church of the monastery – the Trinity Cathedral. The cathedral keeps the imperishable relics of Reverend Sergius. For many centuries his tomb has been the place of pilgrimage for orthodox believers. It is impossible to overestimate the 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.

All rates are given in EURO per person, include commission for Travel Agents

The package includes:

Accommodation in twin room, hotel “Sokol” or “Rizalit” (Suzdal), “Business Hotel” or “Azimut” (Kostroma), hotel “Yubileinaya” or Volzhskaya Zhemchuzina” (Yaroslavl)

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners;

A/C coach Moscow –Vladimir–Suzdal – Kostroma – Yaroslavl – Rostov – Sergiev Posad – Moscow;

Guide service for the transfers and tours (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian)

Excursions (city tour in Vladimir incl. Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedral, Golden Gate,

Crystal and Miniature Lacquer Works museum, city tour in Suzdal incl. the Kremlin, Museum of Wooden Architecture, city tour in Kostroma, the Ipatiev Monastery, city tour in Yaroslavl, the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, Savior–Transfiguration Monastery, Rostov Kremlin, Museum Finift, Sergiev Posad the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Laura

One free of charge tour leader for groups of 15 and more participants with accommodation in SGL-room.