Tours

 2010

Petrozavodsk – Kizhi

2 days / 3 nights

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

Day 2. Arrival to Petrozavodsk. Meeting at the railway station. Transfer. Breakfast. Transfer to the River Terminal. Hydrofoil to the island of Kizhi. Arrival to the island of Kizhi. Sightseeing. A small island of Kizhi, 8 km long and less than 1,5 wide, is washed by the Onega waters.

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 claim and peaceful and its surface smooth or it is rough and the 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 legend, was built by the 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 deliver you back to Petrozavodsk Lunch.

City tour round Petrozavodsk. It is the capital of the 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).

Dinner. Transfer to the hotel.

DAY 3. Breakfast. Visit to the The State Nature Preserve of Kivach, 82 km from Petrozavodsk. 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 visit the Museum of Nature. Visit of the Assumption church (1774). Lunch in the open air. Return to Petrozavodsk. Dinner. Late check-out. Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Saint Petersburg by train.

DAY 4. Arrival to Saint Petersburg

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

The package includes:

– Accommodation in double room, hotel Nevskaya***

– 2 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners;

-- Comfortable coach and guide service

– Excursions - Kizhi, city tour, The State Nature Preserve of Kivach, Museum of Nature, Assumption church

– One free of charge tour leader for groups more then 15 participants with accommodation in single room

The package does not include: roundrip train tickets St.Petersburg – Petrozavodsk – St.Petersburg

From 100 EUR/pax, net 1st Class (double cabin), from 70 EUR/pax, net in 2nd Class (4 pax in cabin)