Moscow and The Golden Ring 6 Days/ 5 Nights Moscow – Vladimir – Suzdal – Rostov – Sergiev Posad Dates in 2015: June 12 July 10, 24 August 14, 28 Itinerary Day 1. Moscow Arrival, transfer to the hotel, check in. Day 2. Moscow Breakfast. Today we will get acquainted with Moscow, the capital of Russia, during a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city, we will drive along the main streets and squares, make photo stops at the most picturesque places of the city and see Red Square, the Bolshoy Theatre, St. Basil Cathedral, the building of Lyubyanka, the former KGB headquarters; and many others. We will make a stop to admire the beautiful Novodevichiy Convent, visit the famous Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which has a tragic history of its own. Afterwards we will go down on a fascinating trip of Moscow Metro that is considered to be among the most beautiful metros in the world. Some say that stations are as beautiful as palace halls. We will continue our tour by walking along the famous Arbat street, one of the oldest streets of the city that remains to be the cultural and tourist centre of the capital. Day 3. Moscow Breakfast. This morning we will visit the historical and political centre of Moscow – the Kremlin. During an unforgettable walk around the impressive territory of the Kremlin, the ancient citadel of Moscow we will visit one of the Cathedrals, see the Palace of the President, the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon. Day 4. Moscow – Vladimir - Suzdal Breakfast. Today we will get acquainted with the famous towns of the Golden Ring. The Golden Ring is a tourist route that passes through the ancient towns located around Moscow. White stone architecture of the towns of the Golden Ring was included in UNESCO World Heritage list. Transfer to Vladimir. A tour of the historical centre of Vladimir will tell us about the history of the town. Today we will visit the Assumption Cathedral, one of the principal churches of medieval Russia of the 12th-14th centuries that is now part of World Heritage. The exterior walls of the church are covered with elaborated engravings. The interior was painted in the 12th century and repainted by Andrei Rubliov. We will definitely see the Golden Doors and Cathedral of St. Dmitry. (Optional) Transfer to Bogolyubovo. Visit to the Church of Intercession on the Nerl and the ensemble of Bogolyubovsky monastery. Transfer to Suzdal. In 1024 the town of Suzdal was mentioned in the chronicles for the first time. Very soon the town became a major religious centre that counted numerous monasteries and churches. Today the town is an important tourist centre that has a large number of finest examples of ancient Russian architecture. A sightseeing tour of the town includes a visit to the Kremlin of Suzdal, the Nativity Cathedral, the Euthymios Saviour Monastery, the cathedral of Transfiguration, the museum of Wooden Art and the monastery of the Intercession. Check in at the hotel. Day 5. Rostov - Sergiev Posad Breakfast. Transfer to Rostov. Rostov is one of the most ancient towns in Russia. Starting 988 it was one of the principle Russian eparchies. In the 13th century Rostov became the capital of one of the most prominent Russian principalities. Even after it lost independence Rostov continued being an extremely important religious centre. We will visit the Kremlin and the Museum of Smalts, and walk to lake Nero. Transfer to Sergiev Posad. Check in at the hotel. Day 6. Sergiev Posad Breakfast. (Optional) As an optional tour you can visit the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius that is one of the most important monasteries in Russia and the spiritual centre of Russian Orthodox Church. UNESCO listed this Monastery in the World Heritage Sites in 1993 stating that it is “a good example of a functioning orthodox monastery that has some military features typical for the 15th-18th centuries, the main period of its development”. UNESCO also notes that one of the treasures of the monastery is the famous Trinity icon by Andrey Rubliov. Transfer to the airport. Price for 1 person, in EURO (group of 4 pax and more): DBL SGL The price includes: 1033 1377 Accommodation: o 3 nights at the Marriott Tverskaya Hotel 4* (Moscow) o 1 night at the Heliopark Suzdal (ex. Goriachie Kliuchi Hotel 4*) o 1 night at the Imperial Village 4* (Sergiev Posad) Buffet breakfast in the hotel Transfers (transfer upon arrival with an English speaking guide and departure transfer without a guide) Tours and excursions in Moscow: city tour, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Metro, a walk along Arbat Street, Kremlin Tours and excursions in Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov according to the programme Transport: a/c minibus or bus for all the tours and transfers English speaking guide Entrances to the museums as per the itinerary Additional costs: Air tickets to/ from Moscow at the start and end of the program Night transfer supplement - 50 EUR Other services and excursions that are not in the program CANCELATION POLICY: If the cancelled is made more than 30 days before the tour — cancellation is free of charge If the cancellation is made less than 29 days before the tour — 10% fee of the tour price will be charged If the cancellation is made less than 72 hours before the tour — 50% fee of the tour price will be charged If the cancellation is made less than 48 hours before the tour — 100% fee of the tour price will be charged.