Russia: Land of the Czars

Russia is an intriguing world all its own, and our journey is a true insider’s discovery, with our native-born Trip Leader sharing a Russia few travelers ever experience. In intriguing Moscow, we take in the enormous scale of Red Square, including a walking tour by night. Heading into medieval Russia, we explore historic towns along the Volga River and have lunch with an artisan in the countryside. In glorious St. Petersburg, the romantic city of palaces and art, we view the stunning masterpieces at the Hermitage, experience the resplendent Amber Room in Catherine’s Palace, cruise the canals by private boat, and dine with a local family at their dacha (country home). Join us on this journey revealing Russia’s magnificent heritage and cultural soul.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Moscow

Our explorations of Moscow, the economic and political heart of Russia, bring us to St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, with its artistic treasures including Faberge’s bejeweled eggs, the Tretyakov, the world’s largest collection of Russian art, and Izmailova Park, with its wonderful flea market full of Soviet memorabilia. We also tour the famous Metro stations, showpieces of Socialist art, and a night at the opera or ballet is a delightful option.

Days 4-6
Sergiev Posad / Rostov / Yaroslavl / Volga River / Plyos / Suzdal

Our journey brings us out to the renowned “Golden Ring” cities in the scenic Volga River region. At Sergiev Posad, we explore the blue-domed Trinity Monastery, a revered pilgrimage site of the Russian Orthodox church, and in beautiful Rostov, we view its ancient Kremlin, a sweeping ensemble of monasteries and churches. We continue to Yaroslavl, whose town center is a World Heritage Site of 17th century architecture, and enjoy a boat excursion on the Volga River. After a walk through the birch forests surrounding the old town of Plyos, we enjoy lunch in a private home, then head to ancient Suzdal, a gorgeous country town of wood-and-stone houses. We savor the heritage of this 10th century gem, with its posad (old trading quarter) and delicate wooden churches, enjoy lunch with a local artisan, and sample the ancient honey wine called mead.

Days 7-11
St. Petersburg / Pushkin

Returning to Moscow, we catch a train to St. Petersburg, for 200 years the capital of the czars. The city is unique in its beauty, with miles of canals linked by graceful bridges and exquisite 18th century architecture. We explore the astounding art collection at the Hermitage, take a private boat ride on the canals, and visit the Usupoff Palace where Rasputin was murdered. In nearby Pushkin, we visit Catherine’s Palace and the unforgettable Amber Room. Our farewell dinner with a Russian family in their dacha allows us to experience the true hospitality and cuisine of this intriguing land. Depart on Day 11, or join our Baltic States Extension.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 1+, Easiest. This is a relaxed cultural adventure, with walks on the cobbled streets of medieval towns that should be “easy-to-moderate” for the average active traveler. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels