Journey into the Land of the Czars

Imperial Russia & the Golden Ring

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The heritage of the glory days of Mother Russia is stunning in St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s creation, with its romantic palaces and peerless Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest art collections. In Moscow, we find a passionate city with ancient ties to both east and west and a tumultuous history, revealed nowhere better than in its great Kremlin, founded by Prince Dolguruky in 1147. Outside these cities is the famed “Golden Ring” of medieval towns with onion-domed churches rising along the Volga River. On this insider’s journey, we get inside Russia in many ways, enjoying dinner with a family in St. Petersburg, a night at the ballet, lunch with a local artisan, and a visit to the famed Amber Room in the palace of Catherine the Great.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-3
Moscow

Red Square and the Kremlin are a magnificent setting for the grand sweep of Russian history. We take in the scope of Red Square, explore marvelous St. Basil’s Cathedral, and enjoy a fascinating walk around the outside walls of the Kremlin. Within this great fortress, we view the treasures of the Armoury Museum, including Fabergé’s bejewelled eggs and Catherine the Great’s ballgowns. We visit art galleries, then ride Moscow’s elegant metro to Izmailova Park to roam a flea market full of Soviet memorabilia and traditional artisans.

Days 4-5
Sergiev Posad / Rostov / Yaroslavl / Kostroma

At Sergiev Posad, we explore ethereal Trinity Monastery, Russia’s largest and holiest monastery, long a place of pilgrimage for the Czars. This architectural complex is one of the finest monuments of Russian culture, with its blue- and gold-starred domes and baroque bell tower. At Rostov, one of Russia’s oldest towns, we hear a performance of the ancient Russian art of bell ringing, and at Yaroslavl, we see the golden domes of Spaso-Preoprazhensky Cathedral rise in a magnificent panorama along the Volga River. This river town was one of the most famous posads (artisan communities) outside Moscow. Its churches and monasteries are masterpieces of craftsmanship.

Days 6-8
Plyos / Volga River / Suzdal / Vladimir / St. Petersburg

We visit Plyos for a boat ride on the Volga, Europe’s longest river, then head to 12th century Suzdal, one of Russia’s ancient capitals, bigger than London in its heyday and full of beautiful original architecture. After a visit to Vladimir, with its Kremlin and famed golden gates, we take the evening train to St. Petersburg on Day 8.

Days 9-12
St. Petersburg

For 200 years the capital of the Czars, St. Petersburg is one of the loveliest of all European cities. With three full days here, our explorations include the Hermitage, built from 1754-62 as the principle home of the Czars and now the largest art collection in the world. We also enjoy a night out at the ballet and dinner with a Russian family in their home. One day we head out to Pushkin to explore the fabulous palaces built by Catherine the Great. Depart on Day 12, or join our Baltic States Extension

Baltic States Extension Days 12-18

Enjoy the Old World charm of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, with their storybook capitals and history-filled towns.

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Tour Costs $5395 (14-15 members) $5595 (10-13 members) $5895 (8-9 members) Single supplement: $1095 Baltic States extension from: $2795 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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