Moscow City Breaks

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'The Last Station' is an historical drama illustrating Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. Seeing birch trees rustling in the wind and Russians drinking tea made the traditional way (sweetened with jam) using piping hot water from a samovar, has inspired us to put together this weekend break in Moscow which includes a private day trip by car to Yasnaya Polyana, last home and resting place of the great Leo Tolstoy.

Lev (Leo) Tolstoy was born in Yasnaya Polyana in 1828 and lived here for around 60 years. Located 12 kilometres south west of Tula, it was in Yasnaya Polyana that Tolstoy wrote many of his great books and philosophical essays, including the most famous and celebrated 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'. Despite this, Tolstoy was not destined to die in his home. On a stormy night in the autumn of 1910 he left his home to seek out a simpler form of life, abandoning all of his material wealth. However, on his journey that night, he became ill and died in a small train station in Astapovo, but was returned to Yasnaya Polyana to be buried in a simple woodland grave. Immediately after Tolstoy's death, the estate was designated a memorial museum dedicated to his work and life and contains many of Tolstoy's personal belongings, as well as his library of 22,000 volumes.

This private full day trip takes over 12 hours and allows ample time to visit this estate with your English-speaking guide. Included is a tour of the estate (approximately 2 hours), Kozlova Zaseka Railway Station, tea drinking (at a traditional Russian Izba) and the Necropolis of the Tolstoy family. There will be some free time for walking around the extensive grounds.

This Special Offer Weekend Break departs every Friday throughout 2010 and  is based on a minimum of 2 persons. The price includes return flights to Moscow in economy class, return airport transfers, 3 nights accommodation in the four-star Marriott Tverskaya in Moscow with breakfast and private excursion  by car to Yasnaya Polyana.