MOSCOW 5 DAYS

On this day, right after the breakfast we head to the heart of Moscow, to the Red Square, where we admire the Kremlin, with its three cathedrals. We can not miss legendary of 16th c, listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites. We start the exploration of the metropolis. On the territory of Kremlin we visit the Assumption Mary Cathedral from the 15th century, where we can see not only one of the most beautiful iconostasis of Russia, but also the throne of Ivan the Terrible, as the cathedral was the place of the Russian tsars’ coronation. Historical weapons, jewelry and monarch insignia can be seen in the Armory. We also visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world. From the viewpoint on Sparrow Hills, you can see the whole center of Moscow. The building of Moscow State University, which is also here situated, is a masterpiece of Stalinist architecture – 230 meters high, with approximately 50,000 rooms. Among other sightseeing objects you explore the Poklonnaya Hill, the Triumphal Arch, the Kutuzov Prospect, the Boulevard Ring and the famous New Arbat street. Cozy cafés, narrow streets, hidden artists’ studios and idyllic parks form another part of the cityscape beside the giant wedding-cake Stalin constructions and upscale fashion boutiques. After the tour we have Moscow-river boat trip. Sailing through Moscow you admire the city’s best-loved landmarks from the water, away from the hustle. In the evening we have national style dinner.

In the morning we are going to the outskirts of Moscow, to one of the most beautiful palaces of Russia – Tsaritsyno. Tsaritsyno palace is a marvelous architectural ensemble, founded in so-called ‘Russian Gothic’ style, surrounded by exquisite park and lush-green forests. It took decades to build such a masterpiece of the architecture under the order Catherine the Great in 18th c., and which she called ‘the Heaven’ and where she dreamed to live in, but it meant not to be. After the Empress’ death, Emperor Paul I showed no interest in this residence, the palace was left abandoned until 2007, when it was finished. No wonder that this place is shrouded by many legends and secrets which our guide will share with you during the tour.  In the afternoon we return to the Moscow city center to visit one of the main Russia’s prides: Tretyakov gallery, the biggest collection of Russian art in the world (more than 130 000 art exhibits). It was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov and presented as a gift to the city in 1892. Now its value is difficult to overestimate: from exquisite and mysterious 12th century icons to the canvases of Russia’s favorite painters, the Gallery keeps real art treasures.

Northeast of Moscow a series of ancient Russian cities form so called Golden Ring. The towns in the region are ancient, and many were important centres in medieval Russia. And today we are going to visit some of them. In the morning we set off to Sergiev Posad, the principal spiritual center of the Orthodox Church of Russia and a popular site of pilgrimage. There are two cathedrals and eight churches on the grounds. We visit the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main church of the Lavra, the Cathedral of the Assumption contains the tomb of Tsar Boris Godunov. Also many tsars of Russia were traditionally baptized in this cathedral. In local cafe you may try homemade bread, pastries and kvas. Our next stop is Pereslavl-Zalessky – small country town on Lake Pleshcheyevo. The town used to be completely built up with fortifications, churches, and houses and some have survived to this day. We admire the oldest building here, almost 850 years old, Savior-Transfiguration cathedral, located in the heart of Pereslavl. Next to the cathedral there’s the Church of Mitropolit Peter, and there are quite many monasteries you could explore, as well as see the life of the locals. In the evening we come back to our hotel in Moscow to have the last overnight in Russia during this tour.

Well, our program comes to its end. We hope you would take with you unforgettable impressions and a great feeling of having experienced something special. You have spent your time in Russia very intensively and eventfully, so we hope we have managed to persuade you to come here once more in the future. Here you are always welcome!