The Golden Ring consists of small ancient towns around Moscow. It is the most popular tourist route through the Russian provinces. The towns' churches, monasteries, fortresses, kremlins are incredibly picturesque, and the local museums represent the most superb examples of early Russian craft-work. The Golden Ring tour starts in Moscow. It is quite difficult to give a brief description of such a famous Russian city. However we will try:
Moscow is an official capital of Russia since 1918. It is difficult for Westerners to comprehend what an important place Moscow holds in the Russian imagination as a symbol of both spiritual and political power. The Kremlin, a north-pointing triangle with sides 750m (2460ft) long, is at the heart of Moscow in every way — symbolically, historically and strategically. Red Square lies along its east side, the Moscow River flows past its south side. From here, Moscow spreads out in four distinctive rings of development, each area having its own collection of monasteries, museums and elegant buildings. The city is more than a metropolis of over nine million people, more than the administrative, legislative, educational, and cultural capital of Russia - it is the embodiment of the Russian Character and of Russian history.
Sergiev Posad has always been a “must” town in Golden Ring. This is a town of painters, wood-carvers, toy-makers developed from the villages and settlements nearby the Trinity-St Sergius Laura - one of the ancient and most revered Russian monasteries, a historic center of Russian Orthodox. You will enjoy a picturesque complex of buildings in the Trinity-St.Sergius Laura, which has also a very lovely surrounding scenery. In 1993, the monastery architectural ensemble of Sergiev Posad, the most popular Golden Ring town, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The city of Yaroslavl, located at the spot where the great Russian rivers Volga and Kotorosl meet, is today also a World Heritage place. It got its name from Prince Yaroslav the Wise in the XI century. Yaroslavl has some of the most impressive monasteries and churches, highlighting some of the countries most beautiful frescoes and the architectural “Yaroslavl type” church (red brick and bright tiled exteriors). Some of the sights of this Golden Ring town include: the Spaso-Preobrazhensky (Transfiguration of the Saviour) Monastery, St.Nicholas Church and Church of Elijah the Prophet.
Kostroma, one of the oldest towns of Golden Ring (founded in 1152) is on left bank of Volga, at the mouth of the navigable Kostroma river. Its glittering gilded cupolas make it a conspicuous feature in the landscape as it climbs up the terraced river bank. Its fort was often the refuge of the princes of Moscow during the war, but the town was plundered more than once by Tatars. The real treasure of Kostroma however, is the Ipatiev Monastery, this magnificent building is situated in the outskirts of town and once housed the first Tzar of Romanov dynasty, Michail Fyodorovich. In the centre of the town there is a monument to the peasant Ivan Susanin, who sacrificed his own life in 1669 by leading the Poles astray in the forests in order to save the life of his own tsar Michail Fedeorovich Romanov.
The City of Vladimir is located on the bank of the Klyazma River. It was founded in either 990 or 1108, depending on which historians you refer to. For the better part of two centuries (from 1169 to the mid 1300s) it was the capital of ancient Rus. Vladimir is now considered one of the major members of the Golden Ring community towns which have played a significant role in the Russian history. Among many other attractions, the city boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Golden Gates, Vladimir's unofficial symbol; the Assumption and St. Dimitry Cathedrals.
If tourists go to Vladimir, they should not miss Bogolyubovo as it is also a part of Golden Ring tour. Among the sights worth visiting we should mention the Bogolyubovsky Monastery and the Church of the Intercession. The town of Bogolyubovo was originally founded as a fortress in the 12th century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky ("Bogolyubsky" means "loved by god").
Suzdal was first mentioned in the annals in 1024. Despite its venerable age, the city has remained young and beautiful. Suzdal stands along the banks of the Kamenka river which was navigable 300-400 years ago. White stone was used to build many churches, monasteries. The scenery gives you an idea of the boundless territory of Russia. Suzdal preserves a rustic atmosphere. You will not find any McDonalds restaurants or any trace of Western world here. Livestock wandering the streets and elderly women washing cloths in the river (and tourists wielding digital cameras) are regular sights in Suzdal.
Program
DAY ONE
-Arrival to Moscow
-Transfer to the Hotel
-City tour
-Return to the hotel
-Free time
DAY TWO
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Excursion to the Tretyakov Gallery
-Return to the hotel
-Free time
DAY THREE
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Excursion to the Kremlin, including the Assumption Cathedral
-Return to the hotel
-Free time
DAY FOUR
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Tour to Sergiev Posad. Visit to the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
-Departure to Yaroslavl. City tour in Yaroslavl
-Visit to the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.
-Arrival to Kostroma. Accommodation in the hotel.
-Dinner in the hotel.
DAY FIVE
-Breakfast in the hotel
-City tour in Kostroma. Visit to the Ipatiev Monastery, Trinity Cathedral
-Departure to Vladimir. Accommodation in the hotel
-Dinner in the hotel.
DAY SIX
-Breakfast in the hotel.
-City tour in Vladimir
- Visit to the 12th century monuments: Uspensky and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals and Golden Gate, Museum of crystal and varnished miniature.
-Lunch
-Excursion to Bogolubovo - Svyato-Bogolyubovsky Monastery and Pokrova-na-Nerli Church.
-Return to the hotel.
DAY SEVEN
-Breakfast in the hotel.
-Departure to Suzdal. Vladimir's Opolie, Kremlin architecture, Treasure of Christmas Cathedral, Spaso-Efimiev Monastery and bells' concert.
-Spaso-Preobragensky Cathedral, architecture of Pokrov's Monastery.
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Tour to St.Petersburg, river cruise to Valaam, Golden Ring of Russia
Dear Slava,
We are back home after a wonderful trip to Russia. The tours handled by Parallel 60 were operated in a very ...
Dear mr. Bochkov,
We had a nice weekend in st. Petersburg. Partly for business, partly for leisure and due to the sunny weather.
No worries: we will recommend you to everyone who wants to go to st. ...
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Tour to St.Petersburg, river cruise to Valaam, Golden Ring of Russia
Dear Slava,
We are back home after a wonderful trip to Russia. The tours handled by Parallel 60 were operated in a very ...