Russia's Golden Ring Group Tour

Fly to Moscow. Transfer to the hotel and check in for 3 nights. (B)

This morning meet your Moscow guide in the hotel lobby and visit the Tretyakov Gallery to admire the world renowned collection of Russian fine art. In the afternoon, spend time underground admiring some of the most impressive stations of the Moscow Metro. Visit Old Arbat Street on a walking/shopping tour. As one of Moscow’s most famous thoroughfares, originally forming a key part of the trade route into Moscow, the street developed into a district for nobility and parliamentary members, before becoming home to artists and intellectuals. The historic influences of Old Arbat combined with its more recent revival as a lively shopping district make it an eclectic and interesting place to spend several hours exploring. (B)

Today meet your guide for a full day tour of Moscow and Gorki Leninskie Sanatorium. This is the place where Vladimir Lenin died and the estate, located in the suburbs of Moscow, has three museums in his honour. After lunch, return back to Moscow for a three hour city sightseeing tour. The knowledgeable guide will provide you with a detailed and interesting insight into the history of Moscow and the main points of interest; the tour is an excellent way to appreciate the enormity of the city. (B, L)

After breakfast head to one of Moscow’s most iconic attractions, the Kremlin. This half day tour includes entrance to the Armoury Chamber, built in 1841 as a weapons and arms factory, which now houses Russian treasures ranging from religious icons to Fabergé eggs. Transfer to the Railway Station for the afternoon train to Vladimir and on arrival transfer to Suzdal (takes around 45 minutes) and check in to hotel for 2 nights. (B,D)

Morning city tour of Suzdal including visits to its Kremlin and monastery, as well as the Icon Museum. A combination of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting lends Suzdal a rural picturesque charm. After lunch explore Vladimir, one of the jewels of Russia’s Golden Ring with a large number of 12th-century including the Golden Gates, which are actually white. Visit either the great Cathedral of Dormition (Uspensky Cathedral), or the Church of St. Demetrius. Also included is a trip to Bogoliubovo, the ancient former residence of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, located just outside Vladimir. (B,L,D)

For a complete change today’s sightseeing will include a visit to a local farm for all things fowl! Meet its owner, who has a PhD in Biology and is committed to preserving the local breed of geese. See the different species of duck, chicken and partridges. Like the British, the Russian take their tea very seriously usually drunk black with a teaspoon of jam or cube of sugar - so enjoy a tea tasting around a Russian samovar at Kakaya Teashop, before departing to Yaroslavl (by coach/mini-bus - driver only this journey takes around 3 hours). On arrival check in to the hotel for overnight stay (B,L,D)

Today head off on a morning city tour of Yaroslavl with its wonderful church architecture and art, including a number of incredible 17th-century frescoes. The tour includes a visit to the Church of the Prophet Elijah built in 1647–1650, where the frescoes depict scenes from every day life including gathering the harvest, when at the time it was forbidden to show peasant life in church. After lunch, enjoy some free time before dinner and evening transfer to the railway station for the overnight sleeper train to St Petersburg. (B,L,D)

Arrive in St Petersburg and meet your local guide. Explore the highlights of St Petersburg on a three hour city tour by coach or minibus. Enjoy several key sights along the way, with a photo-stop at St Isaac’s Cathedral. Check in to your hotel for 3 nights and then visit Peter and Paul Fortress (1.5 hours); dating back to 1703 the fortress is one of the oldest buildings in St Petersburg and the resting place of Peter the Great. (B)

Meet with your local guide for a 9.30am transfer to the world-renowned Hermitage Museum. An attraction for nearly all visitors to St Petersburg, one could spend weeks exploring the vast collection of outstanding works of the Hermitage. Open to the public since the mid 1800’s, and displaying nearly three hundred thousand artifacts across six buildings this fascinating collection features works from Russia, Europe and Egypt. In the afternoon visit undoubtedly one of St Petersburg’s most popular attractions, the grand estate of Tsarskoye Selo in the town of Pushkin, and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Russian nobility. Admire the lavish late-Baroque Catherine’s Palace with its restored Amber Room, and spend time exploring the picturesque grounds and gardens. (B)